Perhaps because Chen Xiaoyan had been thinking for too long, the person on the other end of the phone suddenly grew anxious.
Mu Qingxue: “Are you even listening to me?”
Mu Qingxue: “Chen Xiaoyan!!!”
“Oh, sorry, Xue-bao. I was just thinking. Don’t worry, even if you kill me, I won’t do that thing.”
Mu Qingxue: “Swear it!”
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Is that really necessary? I’m a woman of my word.”
Mu Qingxue: “Swear it! Do it now!!!”
“Fine, fine, I’ll swear, I’ll swear. Don’t get worked up. I swear to the heavens.”
Mu Qingxue: “I’ve recorded the whole thing.”
A row of black lines appeared on Chen Xiaoyan’s forehead.
‘Is this girl really that afraid of me doing IVF? Should I tell her I actually wanted her to do it? Uh… never mind. No sense in seeking death. If little Qingxue gets truly angry, my salary will be in jeopardy.’
Mu Qingxue: “Yan Bao.”
“Hmm?”
Mu Qingxue: “Will you consider what I said?”
“What thing?”
Mu Qingxue: “The engagement.”
“Okay, I’ll think about it.”
Mu Qingxue: “Mm. This is a major life event, so I won’t force you, but I’ll be waiting for your answer. I’ve already had Yaoyao make you a new lunch. Eat it and then get online early.”
“I know, Xue-bao. Thank you, Xue-bao.”
Mu Qingxue: “Eh? What’s with the ‘thank you’?”
“Hehe, it’s just that you, the prestigious Eldest Daughter of the Mu Family, actually like a nobody like me. To be honest, I’m quite flattered. It feels a bit surreal.”
Mu Qingxue: “Chen Xiaoyan, are you trying to annoy me to death today? I really want to crack open your skull and see if there’s a pig’s brain inside. Do you have absolutely no idea how charming you are? Or are you just playing dumb to mess with me?”
“No, no, no, I’m definitely not messing with you. I’m telling the truth.”
Mu Qingxue: “The truth makes me even angrier! However, I don’t plan on correcting you. Hmph! Lest you get too confident and start flirting with everyone again.”
“I don’t do that — ” Chen Xiaoyan tried to argue, feeling a bit indignant.
Mu Qingxue: “You don’t? Should I list them for you? Me, the little internet celebrity, Liu Yue, and even that Xianyun. Don’t tell me you don’t feel anything for her.”
“I don’t.”
Mu Qingxue: “Whether you do or not, you know it in your heart. Anyway, I’ve seen right through you. You’re just a closet pervert who acts serious on the surface but is actually a flirt deep down.”
“That’s slander! I’m not, and I didn’t!”
Just as Chen Xiaoyan was about to argue further, the door suddenly opened. She turned her head and saw Qian Renxue walking in, carrying a thermal lunch box. Looking at Chen Xiaoyan on the living room sofa, she waved awkwardly in greeting.
“Sister Xiaoyan, good afternoon. Are you ready to eat?” As she spoke, she shook the thermal lunch box in her hand.
Mu Qingxue: “Is Yaoyao there? Yaoyao, come over here and tell her if she’s a closet pervert or not.”
“This… Missy, I’m not sure.” Qian Renxue glanced at Chen Xiaoyan’s unfriendly expression and decisively played dumb.
No matter how she answered this question, she would inevitably offend one side.
“What! Did! You! Say?” On the other end of the phone, Mu Qingxue’s tone gradually became menacing.
“Uh…” Qian Renxue looked troubled and sent a pleading glance toward Chen Xiaoyan.
The latter’s lips curled up slightly, and she spread her hands, indicating she couldn’t help.
‘Girl, did you forget how you messed with me earlier? Now you’re asking for help? Too late.’
But Chen Xiaoyan certainly didn’t want Qian Renxue to call her a closet pervert either, so she immediately changed the subject. ‘Why tell the truth? Honestly.’
“Xue-bao, stop it. I still need to eat. My stomach is already staging a protest.”
Chen Xiaoyan’s sudden coquettishness caught Mu Qingxue off guard, and the other end of the phone went silent. After a moment, she replied haltingly.
“Well… alright then, Yan Bao. Eat slowly. If it doesn’t taste good, have Yaoyao go back and make it again.”
Chen Xiaoyan smiled and reached out a hand toward Qian Renxue, gesturing for her to bring the lunch box over. Qian Renxue obediently handed it over. She felt both wronged and relieved.
‘These two… seriously. Good thing I didn’t pick a side just now, otherwise, I’d definitely be targeted by both of them right now. That was close, so close.’
Opening the lunch box, Chen Xiaoyan picked up the chopsticks and took a bite, giving a satisfied thumbs-up.
“Mm, tastes good.”
Mu Qingxue: “Of course. Yaoyao is this young lady’s personal chef.”
“Xue-bao, you gave me your personal chef. What are you going to eat?” Chen Xiaoyan asked curiously.
Mu Qingxue: “There are chefs at home, more than one. How about it? Want to move to Zhongzhou and live with me?”
“Sigh — a golden nest or a silver nest is never as good as one’s own doghouse,” Chen Xiaoyan replied with a sigh.
Mu Qingxue: “Psh. One day, you’ll be the one begging me to let you move in.”
“Oh, then I’ll look forward to that day, Xue-bao.”
Afterward, Chen Xiaoyan and Mu Qingxue chatted for a few more minutes before ending the call. She stood up and placed all the food from the lunch box onto the dining table. There were three meat dishes, one vegetable, and one soup.
“Yaoyao, have you eaten? If not, come join me. I can’t finish all this anyway.”
“Sister Xiaoyan, you aren’t mad at me anymore?”
Chen Xiaoyan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Why would I be mad at you? It was just a little playfulness. Besides, those were Qingxue’s orders, and you couldn’t exactly refuse, right?” She picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks, waved it in front of Qian Renxue, and smiled. “Consider this meal an apology from you. Sit down and eat with me.”
“Then I won’t be polite.”
The dishes from earlier were still on the table, uncleaned. Qian Renxue smoothed the skirt of her maid uniform and sat down with an elegant posture. Chen Xiaoyan had originally wanted to get her revenge, but then she thought about how the girl was just following the boss’s orders. Besides, this girl’s cooking was truly delicious.
‘I’ll have quite the treat from now on. How wonderful.’
“Yaoyao, are you going to keep wearing those clothes?” She glanced at the black and white maid uniform on Qian Renxue. It had to be said, it was very pleasing to the eye.
“Yes.” Qian Renxue nodded. “I’m used to it. I wear my wardrobe at home and only change into casual clothes when I go out.”
“How long have you been looking after Qingxue?”
“I don’t quite remember. I went to the Family of Mu when I was a child. If I count the years, it’s been over ten.”
“Then, Yaoyao, why don’t you tell me some of her dark history from when she was a kid?”
Qian Renxue immediately shook her head. If this reached the Missy’s ears, she would definitely be punished. She couldn’t afford to lose the bonus she had worked so hard to earn.
“Tell me. I promise I won’t tell anyone.” Chen Xiaoyan placed a piece of braised pork into her bowl.
Qian Renxue remained unmoved. ‘She thinks a single piece of braised pork can sway my year-end bonus?’
Seeing she had no reaction, Chen Xiaoyan put down her chopsticks and pressed her hands together. “Yaoyao, I’m begging you. I’m really curious.”
Qian Renxue hesitated.
“Yaoyao — ” Chen Xiaoyan continued her pursuit, acting cute and coquettish.
“Fine.” Qian Renxue gave in. She really couldn’t handle such a charming face acting cute in front of her; it gave her goosebumps all over. “You really won’t tell anyone?” She looked at Chen Xiaoyan with suspicion.
“I, Chen Xiaoyan, swear to the heavens. If I speak of this, may five bolts of lightning strike me down and — “
*BOOM!*
Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden, thunderous roar erupted.