Yu Qianying figured that Qi Chengzhi would not kiss her again, and moved over in embarrassment. The one flaw this son-in-law of hers had was being thick-faced wherever he was.
“Haha, Chengzhi, you’re here!” Yu Qianying said while smirking.
Qi Chengzhi’s face quickly changed to calmness and said, “Mom”.
“…” Song Yu watched the exchange.
Chengzhi did not even try to hide his prompt change of attitude. He showed no shame in front of Yu Qiangying, as if he was not the one who just kissed her in front of everyone. This calmness of his could send shivers down one’s spine.
Yu Qiangying nodded and walked ahead of the couple.
Qi Chengzhi grabbed the bag in Song Yu’s hand and asked indifferently, “What did you buy?”.
“A four-wheel toy truck for Youxuan,” Song Yu said while passing her things to him. It was a natural habit.
Whenever she went out with him, she did not need to carry anything other than her own purse.
“Didn’t I just get him a racetrack? Why did you buy this?” Chengzhi asked out of curiosity.
“Isn’t it his birthday tomorrow? It’s a present for him. Moreover, that racetrack of yours was given to him based on a trade. That does not count as a present,” Song Yu said. “You fail as an uncle for letting your nephew ask you to trade items,”.
Qi Chengzhi had a glimpse inside the bag, looked at her and jokingly said, “This is the first time and you’re getting him such fancy presents. Watch out, he’ll extort you in the future,”.
“It’s alright, he has a rich uncle! You’re my strong backup anyway,” Song Yu smiled while wrapping her hand around his arm.
Qi Chengzhi gave a hollow laugh. Song Yu’s face changed as she said, “Come to think of it, has anyone in the family taken an initiative and gotten him anything? Even though his toy collection seems massive, but he only got them whenever you guys asked him for help. If he didn’t do that, none of you would think of getting him anything,”.
“Youxuan is still young and he’s at the age where he likes playing with anything. Your mom and dad are usually strict with him and do not like wasting money on these things. You and Chenglin are also busy with work, not to mention how alpha male he is. How would he pay attention to minute details like these? He probably thinks his job is done if he gives his son anything he asks for. But getting a present you asked for and receiving one are two different feelings. His uncle and aunt spoil him, but the grandparents still don’t know what the kid likes. To be frank, the fact that Youxuan is still cheerful and active, unlike children who throw tantrums or look gloomy whenever they don’t get something they want, it’s really Chenglin’s luck that his son doesn’t have any issues with mental health.”
Qi Chengzhi kept quiet. No one actually thought about these things.
“I’ll talk to Chenglin about this and make sure he gives it a thought. But Youxuan really needs a mother figure in his life,” Qi Chengzhi said.
…
…
Yu Qianying did not expect them to be back today, and there was not enough food at home. Usually, she had simple meals with Song Dong at home as it was just both of them.
Before leaving the mall, she went to the supermarket in the lower ground and bought some instant food and cold dishes. She just needed to stir fry some vegetables at home and dinner would be ready.
Song Yu looked over at Qi Chengzhi in the driver’s seat as they left the Song residence in the afternoon. She was thinking about how to bring up the topic when Qi Chengzhi looked over and caught her by surprise.
“What do you want to tell me?” he looked back to the road, his voice mellow and light.
Song Yu gave it a thought and said, “Today, at the mall with mom, I saw Xiaolin shopping for clothes with Jianyi’s mother,”.
She told Qi Chengzhi every detail about the encounter.
“By the looks of it, anyone would have assumed that they were either mother and daughter or in-laws. On top of that, Jianyi did date Xiaolin in the past. If you told me Jianyi had an affair, I would believe it – Guan Xiaolin is the only daughter in her family, and Jianyi looks like he is going nowhere in the Qi family. If he went to approach Xiaolin for the sake of his future, I wouldn’t be surprised. But it is possible that Guan Xiaolin never moved on from Jianyi,” Song Yu said.
“Do you remember the time you dropped me at Jianyi’s?”
Qi Chengzhi replied, “mmhmm,”.
“That day, I heard what Guan Xiaolin said to Jianyi, she basically said even if they were just lovers, she did not mind as long as Jianyi comes to see her.”
“So it is possible that Guan Xiaolin is pursuing Jianyi. She did not mind that he is married, that’s why she is being nice to Jianyi’s mom. As for Jianyi’s mom, she loves taking advantage of people – since Guan Xiaolin is the one approaching her, she is most definitely happy and would not care what Qi Chengyue thought.”
“What do you think about this?” Song Yu asked.
“I’ll get Dong Ge to investigate it,” Qi Chengzhi briefly said.
“When we get to the house tomorrow and see Qi Chengyue, should I remind him about this?” Song Yu sighed and added, “If Jianyi is really having an affair, we should warn her about it. If it’s just a one-way pursuit by Guan Xiaolin, she could solve the problem as soon as possible so Guan Xiaolin wouldn’t stand a chance,”.
Qi Chengzhi glanced over, “Aren’t you afraid that she might take it the wrong way? What if she thinks you’re just jealous that she’s with Jianyi, and purposely degrade him in front of her? Even if it was true, coming from you, she might be too embarrassed and deny your words. It might have a completely different effect than what you intended,”.
“That’s what I was worried about. What if we just let Chenglin do it?” Song Yu looked down, and her soft fingertips fiddled with her purse.
“Go back and give Chenglin a call,” Qi Chengzhi said.
…
…
The next day, Song Yu got up early and wrapped Qi Youxuan’s presents with a pretty wrapping paper, including the racetrack Qi Chengzhi bought for Qi Youxuan. She put it in a bag and left it by the door so she would not forget it.
Aunty Yong is almost done making breakfast. Song Yu went back to the bedroom and saw Qi Chengzhi sleeping soundly.
He lied on his stomach in bed, and the quilt only covered his buttocks. The beautiful curve of his back brought out the shape of his buttocks.
He slept on one side of the bed, and Song Yu squatted by the bed and watched him sleep. His lashes were thick, long, and curved – he seemed honest and quiet in his sleep. His lashes did not move at all, and his pointy nose inhaled and exhaled deeply.
Song Yu lifted her index finger, and put it on his lashes while moving them up and down. She made Qi Chengzhi feel itchiness in his eyes.
His eyelids moved a little before they opened lazily. Song Yu giggled and kissed the corner of his lips, saying “Wake up, let’s go to the house earlier today,”.
“Mmhmm, I’m really up,” Qi Chengzhi mumbled, turned over all of a sudden, grabbed her hand and shoved it under the sheets.
“…” Song Yu blushed as her hand was put against his boner – she had to hold it eventually.
“Get it out for me,” he urged as he moved her hand.
A red-faced Song Yu looked at his dark eyes. She could not say no.
Qi Chengzhi laughed excessively and pressed her body against his. His hand slipped to the back of her head, and pressed his lips against hers.
Song Yu’s hair was messed up in the end, and her clothes became crumpled.
A refreshed Qi Chengzhi got out of bed, and he was good to go for the day. Song Yu’s cheeks were slightly blushed, and she looked a little out of it. She seemed like she had some rough loving.
Qi Chengzhi was satisfied as he got dressed and tidied himself up in front of the mirror, and said, “Aunty Yong took the day off, she’s leaving after breakfast,”.
“So?” Song Yu did not understand and lifted her eyebrows at him.
Qi Chengzhi tidied himself up, and his long arm reached to pull her in before saying in a raspy voice, “Didn’t we say the last time that we could try at home when Aunty Yong goes on leave? Any corner, right?”.
“…” Song Yu was speechless towards his indecency. It had not been brought up for some time, thinking he forgot about it – at least she did. She did not expect him to remember it all.
Song Yu blushed, glared at him, and said, “Let’s go eat,”.
She pushed his hand off her waist and walked away. But Qi Chengzhi followed and whispered into her ear, “When we come back in the afternoon, we can just walk around the house naked! No one will be here, we can just be naked no matter what we do,”.
“Qi Chengzhi!” Song Yu’s cheeks were flushed after hearing what he said. She did not know what he was capable of doing!
“So that is how it’s going to be. Come, let’s go eat,” Qi Chengzhi said nonchalantly, and walked out of the bedroom with his arm around her.
“…” Song Yu got annoyed. No one made a promise with him.
She was already brought to the living room by then, she could not continue debating the issue with him.
…
…
The duo finished breakfast and walked towards the door. Qi Chengzhi grabbed the bags that contained Qi Youxuan’s presents, and he realised that they were in pretty wrapping papers. Qi Chengzhi glanced at her.
Song Yu became a little embarrassed. She was worried that he would say she did more than what she should have.
But Qi Chengzhi said nothing, and walked out of the door with both the bags.
After arriving at the house, Qi Chenglin was already there with Qi Youxuan. Qi Youxuan was watching an old action film on TV – it was showing a four-wheel-drive race.
Grandma was still at the movie set, and Grandpa was out playing chess. Neither of them were home.
Seeing Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu, Qi Chenglin nodded with a dark expression. There were also light shadows under his eyes. It was obvious that he did not have a good night’s sleep due to the call from Qi Chengzhi yesterday.
“Uncle, aunty!” Qi Youxuan temporarily shifted his attention from the action film, and his butt did not leave the couch as he called. He then went back to watching TV.
Song Yu did not interrupt. Five minutes later, the end credits of the film played – that was when Qi Youxuan reluctantly turned the TV off.
After moving his attention, his big, dark eyes glowed as they landed on the two bags Song Yu left on the coffee table.
“Aunty, what are in those bags?” Qi Youxuan asked in curiosity.
“Take it out and find out yourself,” Song Yu laughed.
Without delay, Qi Youxuan’s chubby arm reached for the bags and embraced them.
The bags did not seem huge in Qi Youxuan’s arms, but they were nearly half the size of him. Watching him struggle to hug the bags, on top of his chubby body, it was an adorable sight.
Qi Youxuan moved the bags to the couch, and he supported himself with his hands as he lifted his chubby legs onto the couch. He knelt on it as he took the things out of the bags.
Once his sight landed on a particularly pretty package, Qi Youxuan’s round cheeks became flushed and turned around to look at Song Yu before asking shyly, “Aunty, is this… a present for me?”.
“Yes!” Song Yu loved Qi Youxuan’s round but good-looking face. His chubby face looked exactly like mochis, and she could not help but punched his soft dimples. That delicate touch felt all too good.
Qi Youxuan blushed even more, and his grape-like eyes were particularly sparkly. Song Yu did not wait for him to ask before saying, “Go, open them,”.
Qi Youxuan’s excited arms jumped on the gifts, but he stopped himself. It was the first time he had received such a beautifully wrapped present, and it would be a waste to tear the wrapping paper. His chubby hands carefully peeled the wrapping paper to keep it intact.
After opening it, he realised it was the racetrack he had asked for from Qi Chengzhi. Qi Youxuan looked at him in shock and asked, “You really bought it, uncle?”
Qi Chengzhi was planning to just reply coldly – he had always been that way with Qi Youxuan. But Song Yu looked over all of a sudden and glared at him as a warning in order to make him remember what she said yesterday.
Qi Chengzhi nodded and forced himself to say a few extra sentences, “I saw a toy store on the way here, so I went in to ask about it. This is the last one,”.
“Thank you uncle!” Qi Youxuan shouted in excitement.
Song Yu took the box and put it on the coffee table before saying, “There’s one more, I bought it,”.
Qi Youxuan carefully peeled off the other wrapping paper. The moment he saw the drawing on the box, he shouted “It’s the 30th anniversary edition!” before even opening it.
“You knew that?” Song Yu was surprised. Seeing the look on Qi Youxuan’s face, she knew she bought the right thing.
Qi Youxuan nodded with strength. His short and chubby hands opened the box – he still had to put the four-wheel toy together himself. The little guy cautiously touched the wheels, the base, the outer case, and the other parts.
“Most of the boys in our class have the one in the action film just now. But because Grandpa already bought me one last year, I did not dare to ask him for the new one when the movie came out this year. Otherwise, I would be lectured,”.
Song Yu could imagine. To be real, children are more competitive than adults. Adults would not show much of their competitiveness even if they felt it, but children would unapologetically show it in their actions.
For a competitive kid, if he was the only one who had the old model while the others had the new four-wheel toy, he would be uneasy and sad about it. On top of that, he would have to tolerate the other kids who showed theirs off, as well as the teasing and bullying.
“Aunty, no one in the kindergarten has this yet!” Qi Youxuan seemed pure and honest when he was excited. His usual cunning antics were nowhere to be seen.
“As long as you like it,” Song Yu was glad that she picked the right gift, as her fingers ran through his hair.
Qi Youxuan looked at his presents, then looked at Song Yu as tears filled his eyes. Everyone in the family treated him well, but no one knew what he liked as much as Song Yu did.
“Aunty!” Qi Youxuan ran into Song Yu’s arms. “Why can’t you be my stepmother!”
Aunty loved and cared for him. With her as his stepmother, it would feel exactly like having a biological mom. He would not need to worry being abused by a strange stepmom in the future.
“…” Qi Chengzhi watched.
Qi Youxuan hugged Song Yu tightly. Qi Chengzhi had enough of it, got up and walked over, and dragged him by the back of his collar. “That’s enough, go play with your toys.”
Qi Youxuan mumbled something, moved his little butt down the couch, and ran while hugging his presents.
Qi Chenglin still seemed a little down. Looking at Song Yu, he was about to speak up – but the doorbell rang.
Aunty Liu opened the door and was heard saying, “Miss. Sir,”.
A while later, Qi Chengyue and Jianyi walked inside together.
After what she learnt yesterday, Song Yu unconsciously began to observe the interaction between Qi Chengyue and Jianyi. Since the moment they walked in, they never looked at each other – not even once.
It was expected of Jianyi – she knew he had been using Qi Chengyue and he never gave her his heart. There would not be any display of affection from him.
But Qi Chengyue always liked Jianyi. This time, she acted as if he was invisible.
If two people were in love with each other, they would definitely look at each other at some point in time, or exchange glances, or make a few moves.
But none of these were seen on Jianyi and Qi Chengyue.
“Big brother. Brother,” Jianyi briefly called, and his sight landed on Song Yu – as if he wanted to find out something.
Song Yu could not help but lift her eyebrow – could it be that Jianyi was observing her reaction after what happened yesterday?
Qi Chenglin only responded with a cold nod. Jianyi did not mind – Qi Chenglin was always this way with him anyway.
None of them spoke after that.
Qi Chenglin said nothing until Jianyi’s phone rang. He walked out to take the call, and Qi Chenglin said, “Chengyue, come with me. I need to tell you something,”.
“What’s up, why so serious?” Qi Chengyue said nonchalantly and followed Qi Chenglin.
The duo entered the study, and Qi Chengyue closed the door behind them upon Qi Chenglin’s request.
Qi Chenglin sat on the couch and pointed to the seat next to him, “Sit,”.
“Brother, what is so serious?” Qi Chengyue asked as she walked over to sit.
Qi Chenglin had a dark expression on his face and did not speak for some time. He touched his pocket, and remembered he left his cigarettes in the car as no smoking was allowed in the house.
Qi Chenglin sighed, and retold the story of Guan Xiaolin shopping with Zhou Mingyan at the mall yesterday – but he did not mention that Song Yu was the one who witnessed it.
“Brother, you were working overtime in your office, how could you have seen my mother-in-law at the mall?” Qi Chengyue asked. She believed him – but she wanted evidence.
The credit card held by Zhou Mingyan was created using Qi Chengyue’s identity card. The moment Zhou Mingyan swiped the card yesterday, Qi Chengyue received a message notification for it. Even though the message did not reveal the location of the transaction, but it could have something to do with what Qi Chenglin was saying.
Qi Chenglin glanced over, weighed his options, and decided to tell the truth. “Song Yu was the one who told me. Yesterday she went to the mall with her mother and saw them. Zhou Mingyan looked a little frightened when she bumped into them. Zhou Mingyan is not a bright woman – her first reaction can’t trick anyone.”
