A high-end office building in Shanghai.
Xu Man stared at the computer screen with her bright and deep eyes, and in the blink of her eyes, it seemed as if a soft ray of dawn was dancing in them.
She parted her lips slightly and said, "I want to leave work early today."
"Understood, Mr. Xu."
The secretary withdrew and left the office.
The secretary stopped a passing colleague and asked in a gossipy tone, "Do you know what I just saw?"
Before her colleague could answer, the secretary asked and answered herself, "Mr. Xu is looking at the menu."
"Huh?" The colleague's eyes widened. "Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
“It’s clearly a recipe,” the secretary shook her head. “Besides, Mr. Xu is leaving get off work early today.”
"Hiss..." The colleague gasped, "Is something wrong, Mr. Xu?"
As her subordinates, they naturally knew Xu Man's personality: domineering, arrogant, and a true domineering female CEO.
Now, Xu Man is looking at recipes instead of business plans?
Extraordinary.
The colleague asked, "You're Mr. Xu's secretary, have you noticed any changes in Mr. Xu?"
"No," the secretary frowned slightly, "It's just that Mr. Xu seems to be in a rather happy mood lately."
"She's in a relationship," the colleague concluded immediately. "Only a boyfriend can bring about such a dramatic change in a woman."
The secretary and the colleague exchanged glances, then the latter gave an awkward smile: "I was just guessing."
"Even wild guesses can't be completely unfounded." The secretary rolled her eyes. "What man could possibly handle our CEO Xu's temper?"
Xu Man is known for being domineering in the company.
"If the scope is too narrow, is it possible it's a woman?"
... ...
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the sun was setting.
Xu Man packed her personal belongings and then left the company.
I drove back to Limin Lane residential area.
She parked her car outside the residential area and headed towards the farmers' market, silently thinking about tonight's menu as she walked.
Chu Zhiye's face involuntarily appeared in her mind, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Chu Zhiye, I rarely cook, but since we're roommates, I'll cook for you to celebrate your birthday."
"You should feel happy."
"uh-huh... ..."
"If you eat this meal, you must agree to what I ask."
"Otherwise, I'll poison you."
Xu Man felt she had Chu Zhiye firmly in her grasp, and her joy was palpable.
She went into the market to buy the ingredients she would need for the evening.
"Oh, Ms. Xu." Old Mrs. Bao looked at her with some confusion. "What brings you here to buy groceries?"
"I'm planning to cook."
"Oh? You can cook?" Grandma Bao was surprised.
An elderly woman with missing teeth stretched out her neck: "I want to try it."
"Aren't you afraid of dying?" Old Mrs. Bao covered the toothless old woman's mouth. "Miss Xu has never cooked before. Can that stuff even be eaten?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Grandma Bao realized that Xu Man was right in front of her, and she gave an awkward smile.
Xu Man returned a bright smile and then left.
The elderly woman with missing teeth tilted her head and said, "I still want to try it."
"Here, have a taste." Grandma Bao bought a starch sausage and handed it to the other person.
An elderly woman with missing teeth was eating a starchy sausage when she was lectured by another elderly woman, "You can't just taste things randomly, what if it's poison?"
An elderly woman with missing teeth chewed her food and asked curiously, "What does poison taste like? I wonder..."
Bang!
Grandma Bao tapped the sisters' foreheads.
"This is the taste."
The elderly woman with missing teeth covered her forehead and cried out, "Ouch, don't hit me!"
... ...
Xu Man bought all the ingredients and then returned home. She first sent a message to Chu Zhiye, telling him to come home early.
She immediately changed into a set of home clothes, with a floral apron around her neck and her beautiful hair tied up high, looking like a virtuous wife and loving mother.
Xu Man started cooking.
... ...
Chu Zhiye, Chu Jin, and Shao Xiang returned to the villa.
"Oh, my little darling is back!" Chu's mother said with a smile.
Gao Ruoyun pretended to vomit: "Disgusting."
Chu's mother put her hands on her hips and said, "None of your business!"
The battle between the two women has begun again.
With the two birthday celebrants returning home, the birthday banquet officially began.
The Chu and Zhong families sat together to celebrate the two children's birthdays.
Night falls and the city lights come on.
Zhong Tingyue brought out the cake she had made and placed it on the table. Chu Zhiye and Chu Jin made a wish together, then opened their eyes and blew out the candles.
Zhong Tingyue said, "What wishes did you make? But..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chu Jin raised his hand: "I want to become a professional e-sports player."
Zhong Tingyue said quietly, "But don't tell us, or it won't work."
"Huh?" Chu Jin pouted. "Mother, why didn't you say so earlier?"
Zhong Tingyue glared at her daughter.
Why didn't you say so earlier?
You have to wait until I finish speaking!
If you start at zero frames, what can I do?
The family then began eating the cake.
Chu Zhi also took a piece of cake and ate it while strolling in the yard, occasionally looking up at the night sky.
"Why are you frowning?" Shao Xiang approached.
The two walked side by side.
"I always feel like I've forgotten something important."
“The whole family is here, what else is important?” Shao Xiang said. “By the way, how’s your business at Founder Investment going?”
"good."
"You're better than me."
"What's so great about it...?"
"Excessive humility is arrogance." Shao Xiang rolled his eyes.
From childhood to adulthood, Chu Zhi was the most outstanding of the three, both in terms of academic performance and knowledge.
The two strolled and chatted.
Suddenly, Shao Xiang took out his phone and clicked on Chu Jin's live stream. Chu Jin was live streaming.
He spent money on a carnival.
Chu Jin knew it was Shao Xiang who had paid the fee, so she ignored him.
Shao Xiang then asked why he wasn't thanking them.
Chu Jin could only pinch her nose and thank him:
"Thanks for this gift that came from someone who just swiped their phone, oh dear."
Shao Xiang was then kicked out of the live broadcast room, but he wasn't angry; on the contrary, he grinned.
Chu Zhi was silent for two seconds: "Are you sick?"
“Three thousand yuan is enough to make Xiao Jin thank me. Don’t you think this is a worthwhile deal?” Shao Xiang said.
Chu Zhi also withdrew and left.
There's no way I can have a conversation with this kind of sycophant.
After finishing the cake, Chu Zhi did not stay overnight, but chose to return to Limin Lane Community.
Back in Limin Lane, I saw Grandma Bao taking a walk.
"Oh, Chu boy, you're finally back." Old Mrs. Bao craned her neck. "I advise you to stay out for the night."
Why?
"Ms. Xu is cooking. Do you think that food is edible? No, it's not!..."
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Chu Zhi also running into the residential area. Grandma Bao asked in confusion, "Huh? Why are you running so fast?"
Chu Zhi also started walking faster, his heart gradually sinking.
He finally understood the source of his unease.
He promised Xu Man he would go home early, but he forgot and broke his promise.
Chu Zhi arrived at the door, panting, and opened it.
"Hey? You're back."
Xu Man came out of the kitchen
She was wearing a simple and comfortable set of loungewear.
She wore a loose-fitting white cotton t-shirt, the soft texture conforming to her body curves and perfectly showcasing a casual aesthetic.
She paired it with light blue cotton lounge pants, the color of which was as fresh and natural as a spring sky. The pants were slightly tapered at the cuffs, adding a touch of playfulness.
Xu Man's face lit up with a faint smile as she said, "I noticed you haven't been home for a long time, so I put the food in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling."
"You play by yourself for a while. I'll heat up the food first, and we can eat in a bit."
Chu Zhiye spoke softly, "I'll help you."
"Need not."
Xu Man pushed Chu Zhiye out of the kitchen.
... ...
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