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Cheng Qiuyi's mood came and went quickly. The next day, while brushing her teeth, she was all smiles as she cuddled with Liu Shuhan, showing no signs of having been angry the day before.
"What are your plans for today?" Liu Shuhan was preparing breakfast, and Cheng Qiuyi leaned against her, asking nonchalantly with a toothbrush in her mouth, foam spilling everywhere.
"What else could there be? Delivering packages. If I don't work, how would I have money?" Liu Shuhan finished frying two eggs, turned off the stove, and pointed to the cupboard. "Get me a plate."
Cheng Qiuyi handed her a plate but sounded a bit displeased. "Why do you have to work again? It's Saturday."
"Sister, have you lost your mind being abroad? Go ask around on the street; how many people these days actually get a weekend off?"
Cheng Qiuyi wanted to say more, but the foam in her mouth spilled down her neck. She hurried into the bathroom to rinse her mouth and wash her face. After a while, feeling refreshed, she came out and said, "Shu Han, why don't you just quit this job? I'll support you."
"I'm living in your place and using your things; isn't that already being supported by you?" Liu Shuhan served Cheng Qiuyi a bowl of lean meat porridge. "Besides, I have hands and feet; do you expect me to stay at home all day? I'd go crazy."
"So what time do you finish work today?"
"That’s hard to say; I finish when I've delivered all the packages."
Cheng Qiuyi rolled her eyes and stopped talking.
After Liu Shuhan left, Cheng Qiuyi opened the door to Liu Shuhan's bedroom.
Cheng Qiuyi had mild obsessive-compulsive tendencies; clothes in the closet had to be hung neatly according to color, season, and style. Pens in the pen holder had to face one direction only. Every wrinkle in the bed sheets and pillowcases had to be smoothed out. Liu Shuhan had been careful to follow these details since moving into her home, making Cheng Qiuyi almost think that Liu Shuhan had similar compulsions.
In her own room, however, Liu Shuhan displayed a normal person's casualness. Her room wasn't messy but was far from Cheng Qiuyi's extreme tidiness. A changed nightgown lay casually on the edge of the bed, a water cup and lamp sat on the bedside table along with some miscellaneous items, and at the foot of the bed was a large stuffed toy—just an ordinary room.
Cheng Qiuyi frowned as she meticulously tidied Liu Shuhan's bedroom. With two fingers, she disdainfully picked up Liu Shuhan's pajamas and tossed them into a garbage bag. Then, she opened Liu Shuhan's wardrobe and packed all her clothes and shoes, throwing them into the community trash station.
Heaven knows how many clothes and accessories in Liu Shuhan's wardrobe were gifts from others. Liu Shuhan belonged solely to Cheng Qiuyi; everything about her was Cheng Qiuyi's. How could she wear clothes bought by someone else, especially for so many years?
After discarding Liu Shuhan's clothes, Cheng Qiuyi went to her usual store and selected a full year's worth of clothing for Liu Shuhan, including scarves and gloves. After hanging the new clothes in Liu Shuhan's wardrobe, Cheng Qiuyi nodded in satisfaction; it looked perfect.
Just as she admired her handiwork, the doorbell rang. Cheng Qiuyi closed the wardrobe door, exited Liu Shuhan's room, and opened the front door.
Standing outside was a tall, lean man who respectfully bowed to Cheng Qiuyi. "Miss."
"A-Zhi? What brings you here?" A-Zhi's father was a servant from Cheng Qiuyi's mother's family, who accompanied Mother Cheng to the Cheng Family. Later, as A-Zhi's father aged, he introduced A-Zhi to work under Cheng Qiuyi. A-Zhi was quiet but capable, making him one of Cheng Qiuyi's trusted aides.
"Mr. Cheng wants you to return to the Cheng Family."
Cheng Qiuyi scoffed, "Didn’t I just go back last time? What kind of game is Cheng Tianhong playing?"
"Miss, this time it's not just Mr. Cheng; Old Master Cheng and the Old Man of the Ye Family are also here, along with the Young Lady of the Ye Family."
"Grandpa and Grandpa Ye are both here?" Cheng Qiuyi pondered what could have happened in the Cheng Family to summon both elders. "Then let's go."
Cheng Qiuyi thought for a moment and sent a text message to Liu Shuhan: [Shu Han, I have something on tonight and won't be back. Remember to eat on time and rest early.] Every time she returned to the Cheng Family, it was always a pile of troublesome matters. After last time’s experience, Cheng Qiuyi decided to inform Liu Shuhan directly this time to prevent her from waiting until midnight again.
The Cheng Family and Ye Family had been family friends for generations, especially between the two old gentlemen of the Cheng and Ye families, who were as close as one family. Both families were large clans with hundreds of members in their extended families; however, the direct line was sparse, each only having one son. The Ye Family had only one girl, Ye Jing. The scandal involving Cheng Tianhong had resulted in the precious son, Cheng Boming.
Cheng Qiuyi and Ye Jing had grown up together as playmates; their mothers were good friends who were pregnant at the same time and had even arranged a betrothal between them. However, both ended up giving birth to daughters instead.
Ye Jing's parents had died young in a car accident. This meant that in the vast Ye Family estate, only Old Master Ye and Ye Jing were left to support it. Cheng Qiuyi admired her silently; although she didn't think highly of Ye Jing now, she recognized that this woman was indeed capable.
After a moment of daydreaming, A-Zhi had already driven back to the Cheng Residence.
"Miss, do you want me to accompany you inside?" A-Zhi hesitated to ask.
"No need, speaking of which, your wife is about to give birth soon, right? You should go back and spend more time with her."
A-Zhi, a big man, rarely blushed when mentioning his wife, and he said happily, "Yes, it's next month."
Cheng Qiuyi laughed and scolded, "Alright, alright, hurry up and go. Don't forget to send my regards to your sister-in-law."
The Cheng Family Residence was built during the Republic Era and had quite a history. After several renovations, it appeared even more dignified and imposing.
The butler had been waiting at the door early on. Upon seeing Cheng Qiuyi, he immediately approached her. "Miss, the master and several guests are in the main hall."
Cheng Qiuyi acknowledged him with a wave of her hand to dismiss him. Taking a deep breath at the entrance, she stepped into the main hall.
Old Master Cheng and Old Master Ye were both still in good health, their voices booming as they chatted. Cheng Qiuyi could hear them from the entrance. She adjusted her expression and smiled as she interrupted the two elderly men’s conversation. "Grandpa, Grandpa Ye, what are you so happy about?"
In the hall were Cheng Tianhong and Ye Jing as well. The elders were chatting away while they sat far apart from each other, sipping tea. When Ye Jing saw Cheng Qiuyi, her eyes lit up. She put down her teacup and rushed over. "Qiu Yi, you finally came back!"
Ye Jing had short hair that reached her ears and was dressed simply in a t-shirt and cropped pants without any accessories, looking very capable.
"Cheng Qiuyi, you've been gone for nine years without even a word. You're quite something," Ye Jing said as she placed her hand on Cheng Qiuyi's shoulder and pulled her down onto the sofa beside her.
Cheng Qiuyi brushed off her hand and subtly created some distance between them while smiling politely. "I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to say goodbye; I’m sorry."
Everyone present knew the reason for Cheng Qiuyi's departure from home; it was not something suitable for open discussion. Old Master Cheng cleared his throat to change the subject. "Qiu Yi, why didn't you go sit with Grandpa when you returned? Have you forgotten about him after being away for so long?"
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? I was just thinking of coming to see you today, and you came to find me first."
Cheng Qiuyi casually glanced around but didn't see the mother and son, feeling much more at ease, and her expression softened a bit. "Why did both Grandpa and Old Master Ye come today? Is something going on?"
Old Master Cheng's expression changed slightly as he chuckled, "It's nothing serious. Since you just returned to the country, your Grandpa Ye and I thought we would come to see you. As long as you and A Jing are doing well, we old folks can rest easy."
Cheng Tianhong, who had been silent all along, seemed hesitant to speak, his expression strange.
Cheng Qiuyi felt puzzled but didn't show it on her face. She chatted randomly about her experiences abroad, and the atmosphere improved considerably.
After a while of idle chatter, the two elders made an excuse to leave, saying they had matters to attend to. Cheng Tianhong also mentioned that there were important family affairs to handle, leaving only Cheng Qiuyi and Ye Jing in the large hall.
With nothing much to talk about, Cheng Qiuyi finished her tea and was about to take her leave when Ye Jing pulled her arm, making her sit back down. "Qiu Yi, do you really dislike me this much? Is it so bothersome to stay with me for even a second?" Ye Jing pretended to be serious in front of the elders but was actually playful, smirking mischievously.
"Spit it out," Cheng Qiuyi said flatly.
"Qiu Yi, it's been over twenty years since we met, right? Time flies." Ye Jing leaned sideways on the sofa with her elbow propped up, her eyes darting around Cheng Qiuyi. "You still look as beautiful as ever after all these years."
Cheng Qiuyi couldn't be bothered with her nonsense and stood up to leave again. Ye Jing called out to her once more. "Qiu Yi, don't you want to know why I'm here today?"
"Ye Jing." Cheng Qiuyi looked at her directly and sneered, "Aren't you afraid I might kill you?"
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