Come on, come on
"Hahaha, little girl, you are still a little timid." A few hearty laughs echoed in the mansion along with footsteps. Zheng Yuan, wearing his silk pajamas, walked leisurely into the reception room.
The four children stood up in unison and lined up in front of Zheng Yuan and Chen Min who followed closely behind them.
"Oh, you're all standing in a row, performing The Sound of Music? Just the right time for Mom to see you," Chen Min's eyes lingered on the children, following the soft Shanghainese. "That's all good, all good."
"Mom, we have a tacit understanding," Zheng You responded. "It's rare for us to get together once a year."
Tacit understanding? Isn't this the rule? Zheng Cheng rolled his eyes secretly in his heart.
"That's right, with green mountains and clear waters, just the style that a Zheng family member should have. Please sit down." Zheng Yuan raised his hand to signal them to sit down.
Aunt Zhang found the perfect moment and presented Zheng Yuan and Chen Min with bone china cups and plates.
At some point, the coffee table was decorated with small plates and cans from the same series, filled with New Zealand milk and a pyramid of sugar cubes.
This is the tone that the Zheng family should have. Zheng Cheng sneered.
"Sisi, I watched your new drama recently. I heard that you will be in the next season?" After taking a sip of coffee, Chen Min couldn't wait to speak.
"Hehe, yes, the director said that I have a good understanding. The female hero Zheng Sisi is officially making her debut here." Sisi made a few bowing gestures with her hands.
Zheng Sisi is indeed lively and likable. When she took on a new role, she also introduced her family's hotel to the crew to hold a wrap-up party, which drew praise from several brothers.
Chen Min was so happy that she asked her if she wanted to take over Forsythe in Brisbane.
"Mom, I just like filming and don't want to care about the hotel. Just give it to Brother Chengcheng." Zheng Sisi grabbed her mother's hand like a spoiled child and winked at Zheng Cheng.
It was really thoughtful. Zheng Cheng didn't even bother to raise his eyes, but he noticed Chen Min's evasive look from the corner of his eye. He didn't respond, but leisurely took a small bite of the candy from the bowl.
"Collin, have you dealt with the recent negative reviews on Nanjiang Road?" Before the situation became quiet, Zheng Yuan slowly took back the initiative to speak.
Good job, Kaolin! Zheng Cheng couldn't help laughing.
It would be troublesome if Zheng Liu's full name was pronounced in Shanghainese, so Zheng Yuan always called him by his English name.
"I've already asked the website to handle it. It will just cost a little money and the problem can be solved by giving me a waiver." In order to make a big deal out of a small matter, Zheng Liu deliberately responded in Shanghainese.
Zheng Yuan fell for it, and the two of them started discussing the hotel's recent reputation, with Chen Min and Zheng Miao also joining in. Although Zheng Sisi couldn't get a word in, she listened with gusto while eating Zheng You's cookies.
In the entire living room, Zheng Cheng was the only one who sat back on the sofa as if nothing had to do with him. The cat in his heart had already torn the toilet paper into pieces.
What are you worried about? Isn't this expected?
His connection with the family business had been completely severed along with the "transnational kidnapping case of the third son of the Zheng family" that was widely reported in the news that year.
"How can Chengcheng be in a bad mood? He didn't sleep last night?" Chen Min noticed that he was silent in the corner and asked.
"No, it's just too hot and I don't have the energy." Zheng Cheng replied listlessly upon hearing his mother's concern.
Zheng You just didn't want to talk about the negative reviews anymore, so he took the opportunity to turn the topic to Zheng Cheng: "Our Cheng Cheng is now an Internet celebrity with more than 90,000 fans."
"90,000? That's incredible. Big brother really cares about you. I, as your father, didn't even know that." Zheng Yuan always spoke with a Shanghainese accent, which sounded very irritating to Zheng Cheng.
He knew something even harsher was coming.
"Yes, I will soon reach the 100,000 level, which brings me one step closer to the top food blogger - Peach Juice Yaoyao." Zheng Liu said.
Haha. Peach Juice Yaoyao, Zheng Liu probably only knows this one food blogger.
But it is enough to anger Zheng Cheng.
"I can't compete with that." Zheng Cheng leaned back. "I don't have the guts to scrape together 2 million followers. I can't afford to lose face in the Zheng family."
"Oh my, that's absolutely not allowed." Chen Min immediately jumped out to object, "It doesn't matter, don't worry about the number of fans, as long as Chengcheng is happy."
"Oh, I can not do it if I am unhappy? You were not like this when I was a child, Mom." Zheng Cheng showed his neat teeth and a perfect smile.
Chen Min's expression froze, and the corners of his mouth twitched as he looked at Zheng Yuan.
"Chengcheng, just play around with the internet," Zheng Yuan continued. "I've always told you that your names are Chengsi Miaoliu. You are the first piece of flesh in your parents' hearts, and they just want you to be happy..."
"Heh." Zheng Cheng had a cold smile on his face.
Just tell him to be happy, isn't it because there is no Cheng in Yuanlv Group?
Cheng Si Miao Lu, this idiom was thought up by Zheng Miao's parents after they got pregnant with their baby. It just so happened that Zheng Cheng was the first character.
Normally he would smile and agree with a few words, but today his mood was ruined by Zheng Lu.
"Sorry, Dad, I suddenly remembered something." Not wanting to listen to his clichés, Zheng Cheng stood up with his phone in hand. "I won't be having dinner with you brothers and sisters today. Let's chat slowly."
He then stood there, waiting for everyone's reaction.
As expected, a fleeting flash of intense emotion flashed across everyone's eyes, including surprise, anger, disappointment, and gloating. Soon, everyone cleverly concealed their feelings and began to chatter with concern:
"Hey, leaving so soon?"
"It's better to be busy."
"Where are you going? Let Uncle Chen take you there."
Taking in everyone's expressions, Zheng Cheng waved his hand with satisfaction and replied, "No need, I'll let Xiao Ming pick me up."
"Eat before you go. You have a weak stomach and it's not good for you to be hungry." Finally, Zheng Yuan crushed the sigh in his throat into his words. This fake fatherly tone only made Zheng Cheng feel sick.
"I ate Zhang Ma's biscuits. I'm not hungry anymore." He pointed to the biscuit crumbs on the stainless steel tray, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the door.
"Come, we'll see you off." As the master took the lead, the whole family stood up and looked at Zheng Cheng and laughed again. How could they be so honored?
When walking past Zheng You, Zheng Cheng deliberately straightened his chest, looking down on his elder brother's height, and then spoke leisurely:
"Dad, that new orchid by Bai Jiao in the hallway is really nice, but it's a bit lonely. Christie's is having an auction of a bamboo by Tang Yun this Saturday. I can use the profits that Brother Lu saved from buying it on Nanjiang Road and buy it again. We can make a pair."
Without looking back, one could imagine his embarrassed expression at the moment. Zheng Cheng knew that he had achieved his goal, so he walked confidently past Zhang Ma with a smile on his face.
"Auntie Zhang, it's time to go." He greeted her softly and walked out of the entrance without looking back.
Walking under the sycamore tree again, Zheng Cheng imagined Zheng Lu's awkward explanation in the Zheng Mansion behind him. Ignoring the summer heat, his mood improved again.
But it only lasted five minutes.
"Xiao Ming, come and pick me up quickly!"
Zheng Cheng was so hot that he unbuttoned two more buttons on his collar: "Hey, don't drive, can your scooter carry people? Come on, come on, this shabby place is too uncomfortable for me to stay in for another moment."
It was only 11 o'clock, but the sky was already dark as if it was about to fall at night. The stuffy and humid air made Zheng Cheng's cheerful mood become sticky and irritable again. He freed one hand and gathered the hair on the back of his neck so that his neck could breathe.
All the young people on Xinhui Street are trying their best to be fashionable. In comparison, Zheng Cheng's Le Mergans silk suit is just mediocre.
But he is tall and well-proportioned, so this casual and relaxed feeling is just right for him. Coupled with the sunglasses and the world-weary look, many passers-by turned around to take a second look at him.
A street photographer stopped in front of Zheng Cheng, but he blocked his camera and refused: "What good can I take in this lousy daylight?" Ugly rejection!
"Brother Cheng—" Xiao Ming's Vepa drove up to him and stopped. He took off his helmet, smoothed his sweaty hair, and chuckled, "Sit in the front or the back?"
"Are you sick? Sit in the front, is this Roman Holiday?" Zheng Cheng lifted his long legs and sat directly astride, urging, "Come on! Let's go eat! I'm starving."
Although the wind brought by the motorcycle was still hot, it did blow away some of the tissue paper scraps stuck to his heart.
The coffee was just beginning to take effect, and the sleepiness was driven away by the hot air. He savored Zheng You's embarrassed expression with pride.
"Where are you going, Brother Cheng? You really don't need me to drive? It's going to rain soon." The two of them drove along Xinhui Road, and Xiao Ming shouted at the back seat.
Zheng Cheng was feeling comfortable in the breeze. He shook his head to blow away the strands of hair stuck to his forehead, squinted his eyes and smiled triumphantly: "Let's talk later, let's talk later."
"What the hell have you driven to?!"
Ten minutes later, the two sat in the corner of a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, completely losing their previous carefree attitude. Zheng Cheng's hair was half wet, so he could only comb it all back, staring at Xiao Ming who looked like a drowned rat.
"Didn't you say we'll talk about it later..." Xiao Ming wrung out his clothes and pointed at the sign on the table with grievance: Conveyor Belt Sushi "Talk About It Later".
Are you really going to find one for him first?
"Yan Xiaoming, you've been with me since I opened this shop. When have I ever eaten at a chain restaurant like this? Are you trying to poison me?"
"I do find it strange..."
"Strange you didn't ask?!"
"Brother, I thought being weird was normal for you." Xiao Ming grinned. "Then I'll go drive. You wait here for a while and think about what to eat."
"You're crazy! It's raining so hard. Either you're heartbroken or you need money. Otherwise, who would go out?" Zheng Cheng pointed at the cascading rain outside the window and huddled in the corner of the booth. "Let's talk about it after the rain stops. I'll just starve to death."
"My dear brother, please don't be like this. Sister Zheng Miao even came to ask me to make sure you eat well." Xiao Ming held the menu under Zheng Cheng's nose and pleaded, "Just take a look. I beg you."
I really can't stand these people. Zheng Cheng glanced at the menu. The chain sushi restaurant's three-star look made him lose his appetite. He was about to refuse when a man who looked like the store manager suddenly poked his head in from the booth.
"Are you...Mr. Guan Er?" the man asked tentatively, bending over.
"Hello, it's me." Zheng Cheng smoothed his frown as he saw someone else coming. "What's going on?"
"Great! I'm a huge fan of yours. It's an honor for you to visit our restaurant." The store manager's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Look, we'll give you a free meal. Could you help promote our restaurant?"
"Sorry, we're here to explore the store for real, we don't accept advertising." Xiao Ming immediately stepped forward and skillfully said, "Today is a private trip..."
Yan Xiaoming was reliable in this regard. He knew that Zheng Cheng despised this kind of evaluation that was done for money, and he refused the store manager's hard-working salesmanship as if to make amends.
Zheng Cheng's gaze passed over the edge of the booth and looked at a young man in black who was working at the counter with his head down. Suddenly, his eyes flashed.
"Excuse me, is that tall guy in black your sushi chef?" he asked, pointing at the man.
"Ah? Yes." The manager looked in the direction he pointed and immediately smiled, "Master Guan has good taste. Don't look at his young age, he has experience in making orthodox Japanese food. The chefs here are all..."
"Ask him to make the Kappa roll." Zheng Cheng interrupted the manager's chatter and closed the menu.
The manager was stunned for a moment, then immediately nodded with a smile and walked towards the chef in black.
"Brother, why did you change your mind? I almost rejected him just now." Xiao Ming was confused.
Didn’t you just say you’d rather starve to death? Why are you lighting it up again now?
"That man, don't you remember him?" Zheng Cheng's eyes never left the black-clad chef. His eyes, which had been cold just now, now seemed to be spitting fire.
Xiao Ming looked at the man: he couldn't see his face clearly because he was wearing a mask. After listening to the manager's instructions, he glanced at the booth, nodded and started to prepare.
Apart from being tall, he seemed to be nothing special, just an ordinary chef. He touched his almost dry crew cut and looked at Zheng Cheng apologetically.
"Have you really forgotten? Xiao Ming, Xiao Ming." Zheng Cheng hugged his hands in front of his chest and stopped talking, not intending to help him remember.
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