In the evening, Xiaoqing prepared the meal and brought it to the dining room. Then she walked to the stairs and called out, "Young Master, dinner is ready!"
As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily fell on the imposing statue of Guan Yu in the living room. Her expression turned strange as she muttered, "It looks like something out of the mafia... He's clearly a book lover, why not have a Confucius statue instead?"
Cheng Yuxuan, who had been lounging around after getting up and reading all afternoon, came downstairs lazily. As he reached the corner, he suddenly froze, his narrow eyes fixed in surprise on Xiaoqing. "Why are you... dressed like that?"
Xiaoqing's face flushed instantly. She lowered her head and said, "Old Third... he said you like maid outfits, so he asked me to... wear this from now on."
Just then, the burly Old Third happened to walk in from outside. With a grin, he said, "Big Brother, I've taken care of what you asked. I've ordered a GTR for us three brothers. Haha, that's every man's ultimate dream. We'll get it in a week. Oh, right, Xiaoqing, you should get your driver's license too. I'll buy you a car as well..."
Old Third seemed to suddenly realize something. His voice cut off abruptly as he stared dumbfounded at Xiaoqing's maid outfit, muttering, "What the hell," and then looked nervously at Cheng Yuxuan.
Seeing Cheng Yuxuan's face as if frozen in ice, the chubby man gave a sheepish grin. "I just remembered something very important. I need to handle it right away, heh heh... You all eat, don't worry about me!"
With that, he dashed out the door.
"D*mn it..." Cheng Yuxuan chuckled helplessly and slowly descended the stairs. "Xiaoqing, I think I need to explain. This is all Old Third's idea; it has nothing to do with me. If you don't want to wear this, you can change now."
Xiaoqing hesitated and asked, "Young Master... don't you like it?"
Cheng Yuxuan: ...
Which man doesn't like it?
"If you like it, Xiaoqing thinks... this outfit is... not bad," Xiaoqing said hesitantly.
Cheng Yuxuan reached out and gently tapped her forehead with his finger, smiling. "I've told you many times. You should treat this place as your home. Besides doing your job, you don't need to worry about whether others like it or not. As long as you're happy."
"And, don't ask others' opinions about what you like. Life is short; you should learn to live for yourself."
Xiaoqing's expression froze as she stood still. No one had ever told her, "You should live for yourself." This simple phrase was very difficult for certain people.
Her eyes grew moist as she lowered her head and walked back to the kitchen. "Young Master, I'll go get the soup…"
Cheng Yuxuan sat on the sofa, just picking up his chopsticks, when his father, Cheng Zhiqing, called him.
"Son, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Bring Nan Nan back to the villa to stay for the night."
Cheng Yuxuan replied disdainfully, "Not to mention whether I want to go back, your good daughter-in-law probably won't want to join such a big family gathering either. Don't forget, she has a PR team. Can't she come up with an excuse for you?"
Cheng Zhiqing said, "It's New Year's, it's not right not to go home. Nan Nan is a sensible child; she won't refuse." He then lowered his voice. "Also, having you return for the New Year is your grandfather's wish."
"Oh?" Cheng Yuxuan sneered. "Is this old man trying to give me a warning? I guess my efforts this month weren't in vain, haha…"
"Definitely not in vain. Your uncle has been giving me a hard time," Cheng Zhiqing said. "Remember, I'm hiding my strength in front of them, but it's all to help you fight for the family fortune. You owe me a favor; don't forget to repay it."
Cheng Yuxuan replied playfully, "You've spent quite a bit of money on me recently, so we're even for now."
Cheng Yuxuan retorted, "Even? I think you're just talking nonsense! It's only natural for me to make money and let my son spend it."
Without giving Cheng Zhiqing a chance to respond, Cheng Yuxuan hung up the phone.
After thinking for a moment, he sent a message to Zhao Yanan: "Stay at the villa for one night tomorrow."
Zhao Yanan, who was in a meeting discussing holiday arrangements, took a deep breath upon seeing the message. It reminded her that she was now someone with in-laws, and spending New Year's Eve with them was unavoidable. Moreover, only Cheng Zhiqing and his son knew about their fake marriage; no one else was aware. If she didn't go, wouldn't it be like putting Cheng Zhiqing on the spot?
After a moment of thought, she noticed the words "one night" and furrowed her brows, replying, "One night?" The Cheng family was a large clan with many customs. Just attending a meal was already challenging enough, let alone staying overnight? Shortly after, Cheng Yuxuan sent another message: "Cheng Zhiqing said you're being difficult."
Zhao Yanan: ...
After dinner, Cheng Yuxuan lounged on the sofa, holding his phone in one hand and scrolling through messages on WeChat with his thumb, looking at the messages from various women without bothering to open them. Like an ancient emperor flipping through his concubines' cards, he randomly tapped on a message from a female internet celebrity.
"Mr. Cheng, are you free for a drink tonight? I've invited you several times; it's my turn now, right?"
Cheng Yuxuan: "Are you craving my body?"
The internet celebrity, probably waiting for his reply, quickly responded, "You're so annoying... Are you coming? I'm home alone, and it's so lonely during the New Year."
She then sent two provocative private photos.
Cheng Yuxuan shook his head, mumbling, "Did the King of Hell forget to close the ghost gate? Haha... So many dirty things." Just as he was about to reply, his phone rang with an unwelcome call from Old Five.
"Big Brother, Chen Qiang is in trouble!"
Cheng Yuxuan straightened up. "What happened?"
"I just overheard his sister calling him, saying she was assaulted last night, and it seemed there were multiple attackers because she said 'they'." Cheng Yuxuan's eyes grew cold. "Is Chen Qiang still at the shop?"
"No, his sister is at the police station, probably too scared to report it alone. Chen Qiang said he's going there now." Cheng Yuxuan hung up and pondered.
In his heart, Chen Qiang was considered a friend. Although he initially approached Cheng Yuxuan with ulterior motives, the honest classmate treated him well, often offering discounts or gifts during meals, which made Cheng Yuxuan feel guilty.
Now that Chen Qiang's sister was in trouble, he felt the need to help. Furthermore, Chen Qiang was a straightforward person who valued relationships. Back in school, he was afraid of owing favors, and anyone who treated him well would get his wholehearted return.
So this was also an opportunity for Cheng Yuxuan. However, the problem was that Old Five overheard this, and he couldn't directly ask Chen Qiang. Just then, Old Third, with a flattering expression, walked in, patting his belly and smiling, "Big Brother, are you calmed down now? Hehe... I'm starving, so I'm going to eat."
Cheng Yuxuan's eyes lit up as he walked toward Old Third, his face showing a trace of guilt. "Old Third, I'm sorry!"
Old Third was confused and about to ask when Cheng Yuxuan suddenly punched him.
"Ouch!" The chubby Old Third covered his nose, blood seeping through his fingers, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. "Big Brother, you really hit me? Didn't you say you'd never hit me in your life? Men's words are indeed deceitful!"
Xiaoqing, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, hurried out, thinking Cheng Yuxuan was venting his anger on Old Third. She hurriedly said, "Young Master, it's not Old Third's fault. Really, don't blame him!"
"Xiaoqing, it's not related to you," Cheng Yuxuan said, looking at Old Third. "Call the police."
Xiaoqing: ???
Old Third: ???