"You're a CEO too, you must know about equivalent exchange... Otherwise, Auntie, you could introduce me to a rich second-generation heir, the kind who doesn't gamble, drink, or womanize, and listens to me, and then give me five million. I think that would be about right..."

These answers were clearly something Cheng Qicai had come up with a long time ago.

Chihiro realized that she was using her as a wishing well.

She realized she had been going along with her for so long. She closed her eyes, suppressing her anger. "Don't you know I'm Gu Rongqi's mother?"

Cheng Qicai looked at her in confusion. She knew it, otherwise she wouldn't have said so much.

She nodded honestly, "I know."

Qianzhi's tone was accusatory, "Don't you have any basic respect?"

"Huh?" Cheng Qicai was caught off guard and immediately accused of disrespect. She couldn't even understand how she had disrespected her. "Auntie, you're being too harsh. Aren't we just discussing things to achieve your goal? Shouldn't I speak up if I have a request?"

Although my requirements are a bit high, they are negotiable.

Before we could even discuss it, I was already being labeled.

"..." Chihiro took a sip of coffee in anger, the rough taste making her even more unhappy.

She now realizes why Gu Rongqi's demeanor is different when he goes back and talks to them.

Seeing Qianzhi's gloomy face, Cheng Qicai was too embarrassed to speak again.

After a moment of silence, Chihiro stood up.

Cheng Qicai looked at her blankly, "Auntie..."

Qianzhi looked at her, his eyes still filled with a chilling coldness. "It's getting late, I'll head back now."

"Ah..." Cheng Qicai was even more confused, "Auntie, what you were saying just now..."

Qianzhi sneered, "You're overthinking it."

Cheng Qicai watched as she turned and left so decisively. She scratched her head, not understanding what her last sentence meant.

This means... they won't even give themselves 5 million?

Cheng Qicai was completely bewildered; the scene she had been expecting—being handed a check—did not happen.

Did I ask for too much?

Cheng Qicai, unaware of what was going on, finished her coffee in one gulp and got up to pay the bill.

When they arrived at the counter, the clerk told Cheng Qicai that their coffee had already been paid for.

Cheng Qicai thought to herself, "Gu Rongqi's mother seems to be a nice person."

She thought that because the woman didn't like her, she would try to trip her up!

It was still early, and Cheng Qicai would get home early; her desire to curry favor with Gu Rongqi could still be fulfilled.

She sent Gu Rongqi a message, telling him not to pick her up, as she was already home.

She also mentioned that she would cook dinner at home and wait for him.

When Gu Rongqi opened the door, he saw Cheng Qicai standing there, rushing towards him, "Welcome home!!!"

Gu Rongqi hugged Cheng Qicai tightly, looked at her with a smile and asked, "How did you know I was back?"

"I can tell it's you from your footsteps, okay?"

Gu Rongqi had come so many times that she could easily recognize his footsteps in the hallway if she was close to the door.

"You're really amazing!" Gu Rongqi kissed her, his tone and even his eyebrows were full of sweetness.

"Hmm." She stepped out of Gu Rongqi's arms. "I made cola chicken wings and black chicken soup. I'm just waiting for you."

The two were eating.

Cheng Qicai then told her about her mother coming to see her.

Gu Rongqi paused in his chopsticks, a look of worry rising in his eyes. "What did my mom say?"

"Just tell us to break up!" Cheng Qicai said this without any hesitation.

From the day she realized Gu Rongqi's feelings for her, she had already anticipated that this would happen.

At that time, she thought of all sorts of futures for her and Gu Rongqi, and none of them were bright.

Perhaps she overthought things in the beginning, and couldn't stop herself from falling for Gu Rongqi. Now that the difficulties she had envisioned have occurred, she feels nothing.

Having prepared herself mentally for this, she now simply feels a sense of "I knew it would happen."

Cheng Qicai noticed Gu Rongqi's somewhat cold and sharp expression, picked up a piece of black-boned chicken and put it in his bowl, "What kind of expression is that? Your face is as long as a donkey's. You could go back to my hometown and help my grandfather grind grain..."

Gu Rongqi's slightly somber expression was instantly shattered by her words.

He smiled and asked, "What did you talk about afterwards?"

“I said I wanted money, but your mother wouldn’t give me 500 million!” Cheng Qicai raised her voice considerably when she said the word 500 million. “It seems you’re not worth 500 million in your mother’s eyes.”

It seemed as if he was deliberately complaining to Gu Rongqi.

"500 million?" Gu Rongqi didn't expect Cheng Qicai to ask for so much.

She looked at Gu Rongqi, winked at him with a mischievous smile, and asked, "Guess how much you're worth in your mother's eyes?"

Seeing Cheng Qicai's interest in the topic, Gu Rongqi pondered for a moment, then smiled and asked, "80 million?"

Cheng Qicai laughed loudly, "Hahaha, you overestimate yourself. If you're wrong, guess again."

"30 million?"

Cheng Qicai's laughter grew louder. "That's not right."

"10 million?"

“No, that’s not right,” Cheng Qicai said, moving closer to him after finishing her meal, looking at him teasingly. “It’s 5 million. Surprised? Unexpected, right?”

"A surprise, an unexpected one." Gu Rongqi was also surprised by the amount. "And then?"