Chapter Twenty-Four

The little black bun was driving smoothly on the road at 60 miles per hour.

Shen Yue curled up in the passenger seat, his long legs squeezed together in frustration.

He turned to look at the old lady driving with sunglasses on, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Grandma, it's getting dark, take off your sunglasses."

Xue Meiying snorted, thinking he was making a fuss over nothing: "What do you know? Does the sunlight not get glaring when the sun sets? If you're not driving, don't talk nonsense."

Even though Shen Yue was used to Xue Meiying's surprising remarks, he was still taken aback: "Grandma, where did you learn that? Old people shouldn't swear!"

Xue Meiying has recently become obsessed with watching a commuter blogger's VLOG. The blogger is known for his scathing and cathartic cursing, and the old lady has learned a lot of tips for dealing with road rage from it.

Xue Meiying glanced at him from behind her sunglasses: "Mind your own business."

Shen Yue decided to steal the old lady's phone when he got back to check her following list.

This is so immoral! He's corrupting the elderly! He absolutely has to block and report this blogger—let's see what kind of person he's raised!

How's your mom doing lately?

Shen Yue snapped out of his reverie and reached out to fiddle with the beads hanging on the rearview mirror: "That's how it is. She flies all over the world every day. The last time I saw her was a month ago."

Xue Meiying: "Your mother doesn't take her health seriously. I'll definitely teach her a lesson when we meet."

Shen Yue beamed with joy: "I've been waiting for you to say that! My mom doesn't listen to anyone but you, so you'd better have a good talk with her this time."

Xue Meiying used to be Shen Lan's doctoral supervisor. The two hit it off, and Shen Lan often visited Xue Meiying's home. Over time, Shen Lan and Zhao Xinli fell in love and got married. Xue Meiying also officially retired.

When Shen Yue was born, Xue Meiying was vacationing in Tahiti. She had a long-standing grudge against Shen Yue's grandfather, so as soon as she retired, she started her long-planned global travel program, returning once or twice a year. After learning about Shen Yue's grandfather's meddling behavior, Shen Lan and Zhao Xinli had already obtained their divorce certificate.

When the two got engaged, Xue Meiying gave her two large apartments in a central location as premarital property. Shen Lan came from a rural family, lost her parents at a young age, and worked hard to get where she was. She was also very strong-willed, much like Xue Meiying in her early years.

Xue Meiying admired and felt sorry for Shen Lan, seeing her was like seeing her younger self. When the two got married, not only did they give all the betrothal gifts to Shen Lan, but they also covered Shen Lan's dowry.

Xue Meiying's biggest regret was marrying Shen Yue's grandfather, and her greatest sorrow was not having a daughter. She always believed that only daughters could inherit the unique qualities and virtues of womanhood, and upon meeting Shen Lan, she became even more certain of her belief. Therefore, she completely regarded Shen Lan as her own daughter.

When Shen Lan discovered she was pregnant, Xue Meiying took a red-eye flight from Norway that very day and, along with three nannies, took care of Shen Lan until she finished her postpartum confinement. By the time Shen Lan returned home from the postpartum care center, the five nannies that Xue Meiying had hired were already in place.

Thanks to Xue Meiying, Shen Lan quickly returned to the workforce, avoiding Xue Meiying's fate. Thus, Xue Meiying once again embarked on her journey to freedom with peace of mind.

Shen Lan was the type to only report good news and not bad, so Xue Meiying didn't notice anything amiss during her few trips back to China each year. It wasn't until the year Shen Yue entered middle school that things changed.

Xue Meiying flew back specifically to celebrate her eldest grandson's birthday, only to be surprised to learn that Shen Lan and Zhao Xinli had obtained their divorce certificate a month ago. According to the reason Xue Meiying finally discovered, the divorce was inextricably linked to Shen Yue's grandfather's years-long instigation and sowing of discord.

In a fit of rage, Xue Meiying dragged the old man directly to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Decades of patience had finally reached the breaking point.

"Grandma," Shen Yue called to her, "why did you decide to go back to China?"

Xue Meiying came to her senses. The sun had completely set. She took off her sunglasses, rolled down the car window, and waited for the security guard to verify her identity.

"If you want to come back, then come back. Come back and see how you and your daughter are doing."

Shen Yue made conversation: "How am I doing?"

Xue Meiying rolled up the car window, stepped on the gas and drove in, jokingly saying, "Not bad, you even have a girl you like now."

Shen Yue was taken aback. Before he could ask any further questions, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

I am a fish: [link]

[I am a fish: I'm home.]

-

You Congxi didn't want to argue with that damn essay anymore, so she simply turned off the desk lamp, washed her hands, and threw herself onto the bed.

She stared at the ceiling for a while, then her phone rang.

[Drink Jia Duo Bao when you're sleepy: Comrades, here's some very unfortunate news]

【Dai Y: ? 】

[I'm tired, so I'll drink Jia Duo Bao: I'm going back to my hometown tomorrow and won't be able to participate in our group assignment discussion.]

[When I'm sleepy, I drink Jia Duo Bao: [Please forgive me.jpg]]

【黛y: Traitor.】

[Rat Poison Cookies: Team Leader, I also have something to do.]

【黛y: Traitor.】

【. :actually......】

【黛y: Traitor.】

【I am a fish: Me and Qu Qi】

[Daiy: Then let's write it online via video tomorrow night]

[JDB: @DaiY, why don't you call her a traitor?]

[Dai Y: Mind your own business.]

The two started exchanging emojis again. You Congxi exited the chat, hesitated for a moment, then opened the search engine and carefully typed in a line—

Are a man's pectoral muscles hard?

You Congxi began his study with a serious expression.

"...When the body is in a relaxed state (such as standing still or sitting), and the pectoral muscles are not actively contracted, their texture is similar to that of muscles in other parts of the body (such as the back or arms when relaxed)..."

"...When performing chest-strengthening movements (such as forcefully pushing the chest out), the sensation will noticeably increase in firmness...the more force is applied, the more pronounced the firmness..."

"...Whether male or female, the basic characteristic of muscles is 'soft when relaxed, hard when contracted.'"

You Congxi is quick-witted, so thinking through these paragraphs was easy for her.

Therefore, when she finally understood why Shen Yue's pectoral muscles were hard, she was completely bewildered.

Even in that critical moment, Shen Yue didn't forget to tense his chest muscles...

You Congxi remained silent for a long time.

She was deeply moved by this spirit.

Silently, she got out of bed and sat down at her desk. She turned on the desk lamp, straightened the composition paper, and re-examined the convoluted question.

She uncapped the pen and took a deep breath.

You should learn to write compositions instead. At least that's more normal than Chen Yue.

"......"

It's rare for there to be more than two people at the Shen family's dinner table.

Shen Yue usually eats with Aunt Zheng, the aunt who has been living with him for fifteen years.

Upon learning that Xue Meiying had returned to China, Shen Lan specially set aside a day to give Aunt Zheng a break, washed her hands and cooked a feast to welcome her back.

The dishes were simple home-style cooking, all of which were to Xue Meiying's liking.

Shen Lan tapped Shen Yue's hand with her chopsticks: "Eating while playing on your phone, are you asking for a beating?"

Shen Yue jolted in pain, and his phone fell onto the marble table with a dull thud.

He looked at Xue Meiying across from him and said in a spoiled tone, "Grandma! Look at my mom!"

Xue Meiying smiled and added a small rib to Shen Lan's plate: "Niu Niu, well done."

She was always called "President Shen" all the time, and it had been a long time since anyone had called her by her nickname. Shen Lan blushed slightly, and her beautiful face showed some shyness. However, her mischievous son, who was watching the fun, cheered her on: "Niu Niu, eat more. You're so busy all the time."

Shen Lan: "...Say one more word and the card will be suspended."

Shen Yue remained silent for the entire meal.

After the meal, Young Master Shen dutifully cleared the table. He glanced at the mother and daughter who were chatting on the sofa, and remembering his conversation with He Qizheng earlier, he cleared his throat, trying to get their attention.

"......"

He didn't even get a glance in return. Looking at his two relatives who didn't react at all, Shen Yue couldn't help but feel annoyed. So he took two steps closer and cleared his throat forcefully.

"Just as annoying as his father, as if he's afraid others won't know he has phlegm in his throat." It was Shen Lan's voice.

Xue Meiying turned around and waved her hand like she was shooing away flies: "Go away, go away, if you have phlegm, go spit it out, don't bother me here."

Shen Yue: "......"

Aunt Zheng, please come back soon! Everyone bullies me when you're not here!

Shen Yue's spoiled nature was entirely due to Aunt Zheng's indulgence. From a young age, she would pluck the moon and stars from the sky if he wanted them, treating him even better than her own son.

His spoiled brat behavior kicked in, and he simply plopped down on the sofa opposite him, crossed his arms, and leaned against the back of the sofa, looking like a rogue: "I want to move."

The conversation between the two people opposite them finally stopped, and they both turned to look at the young master who had suddenly started talking nonsense.

Shen Lan asked, "What are you going to do?"

Shen Yue: "I want to move to a place closer to the school. Our teacher said that with the college entrance examination just around the corner, every extra minute of study will earn us an extra point on the exam."

Xue Meiying raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you only a sophomore in high school this year?"

Shen Yue: "Don't wait until things get really bad before you start to panic."

"......"

Shen Yue was drying his hair with one hand and holding his phone with the other.

He reviewed the love tips He Qizheng had given him one last time.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, so try to get as close to girls as possible to increase opportunities for interaction.

He opened the rental app again and arranged a time to view the apartment with the agent. Remembering that Xue Meiying had stopped Shen Lan from saying no earlier, she turned to him and said they would consider it. Then Shen Lan helped Xue Meiying upstairs, and the two of them whispered to each other.

His gaze swept over a certain person at the top of the list, and Shen Yue was instantly filled with fighting spirit again.

Enjoy a stroll along Congxi Creek and wait for your new neighbors to arrive!

-

When You Congxi and Qu Qi arrived, Xue Meiying was already waiting eagerly in her seat.

Upon seeing the two figures, Xue Meiying immediately raised her hand and waved, "Here!"

Xue Meiying wore a white shirt today, with the top three buttons undone to create a small V-neck. She wore a purple Vivienne Westwood necklace and a purple satin skirt, maintaining her trendy style.

"Sister Xue, you look so beautiful today!" Qu Qi praised as soon as she sat down.

Xue Meiying smiled broadly, and the three of them complimented each other, making the atmosphere much more familiar.

Milk tea and desserts were served one after another. You Congxi didn't say much; Xue Meiying and Qu Qi did most of the talking while You Congxi listened.

Last night, Qu Qi sent her a message saying that Xue Meiying wanted to treat the two of them to milk tea and that she must take them to You Congxi.

You Congxi originally wanted to refuse, but Xue Meiying added her on WeChat and praised her, making her feel embarrassed not to go.

“Little Fish?” Xue Meiying repeated softly, “This nickname is so nice, so cute.”

Qu Qi: "Right? That's what I said when I found out too, it's so cute."

When I was swimming in Congxi, I felt that these two adjectives applied to me were like asking a fish to ride a bicycle—it was too strange.

She labels herself as a cold and aloof queen who is the only one who is sober in a world of drunks.

When she was little, her relatives, including her parents, thought she was an introverted and shy little girl, but the truth is that she thought they were all idiots and couldn't be bothered to say anything.

At the time, her biggest wish was that others could understand that sometimes her smile was actually a sneer.

Of course, it still is now.

She then heard Xue Meiying say, "Looking back, it's fortunate that we didn't name that brat Shen Yue 'Dog Egg'."

You Congxi imagined Shen Yue, who was bullying everyone at school, suddenly being yelled at during a fight, "Goudan'er, take this!"

Before the smile could fade, the phone screen on the table lit up.

You Congxi picked it up, glanced at it, and then froze.

[Dai: Little fish, don't laugh.]