Chapter 25

Cheng Liqi rubbed her eyes and looked up, carefully examining the wound on her father's lips. "Dad, what happened to your lips?"

The injury looked quite severe. Dad had been getting hurt in such strange places recently - first his nose bridge, and now his lips. Was Dad using the bitter flesh strategy again?

"Dad accidentally bit himself."

Shao Chengze stroked Cheng Liqi's disheveled bangs away from her forehead, glancing around to meet the other person's gaze. She immediately looked away whenever their eyes met. The corner of Shao Chengze's mouth imperceptibly curved up - she hadn't lost her memory and still remembered what had happened last night.

Another "accident" - last time it was accidentally bumping into something, this time it was accidentally biting himself. Cheng Liqi now confirmed this was another of Dad's bitter flesh tactics. She felt the need to impart her grandfather's wisdom to Dad - whenever Grandpa used the bitter flesh strategy, he would only injure his fingers. As soon as his fingers were hurt, Grandma would hold his fingers, blow on them, rub them, apply medicine, and stick on a bandaid. Then Grandma would forgive Grandpa, just like that. There was no need to injure his nose or lips - she was a little worried that if Dad kept using this bitter flesh strategy, who knew what he would hurt next time.

"Mom, there was heavy rain last night and loud thunder. I was very scared, so I asked Dad to sleep with me. I told Dad that after I fell asleep, he could sleep on the sofa in the living room. The sofa is soft and just as comfortable as the bed," Cheng Liqi explained to Mom why Dad was here, "Mom, was it good of me to arrange it like this?"

"Little Liqi arranged it very well." Cheng Jinglan gave her a big compliment.

Cheng Liqi looked at Mom and exclaimed, "Mom, why are your ears red?"

That one sentence instantly made both adults' expressions turn awkward.

Cheng Jinglan thought back to last night, leaning against him with her hand stroking his ear, asking why his ears were red.

Shao Chengze also thought back to last night, her cool fingers rubbing and tickling his ears, hooking his soul.

Then both of their minds simultaneously flashed back to that abruptly halted kiss.

Cheng Jinglan put her arm around Cheng Liqi's shoulder, pushing her towards the bathroom. "It must be because the weather is too hot. Let's hurry up and wash, or you'll be late for school and Mom will be late for work."

As Cheng Jinglan pushed her to walk, Cheng Liqi kept talking. "Mom, Dad was so awesome last night. He picked you up from the chair on the balcony so gently, like he was holding a precious treasure. Mom, did you not even feel it when Dad carried you from the balcony to the bedroom?" Cheng Liqi was speaking up for Dad, because she felt Dad was too dumb and didn't even know how to use the bitter flesh strategy.

Cheng Jinglan replied, "Yes, Mom didn't feel anything at all. I slept so deeply last night that I slept until daylight without even knowing it rained."

This kind of lame excuse that tried to deceive herself was probably only able to fool Cheng Liqi.

Shao Chengze watched her panicked footsteps that she couldn't conceal even as she tried her best to maintain composure. The corner of his mouth slowly curled up.

The flustered woman who had fled into the bathroom poked half her body back out to look at him. Her gaze no longer held last night's soft warmth, and had reverted to the previous aloof detachment. Even her voice carried chilled airiness. "Don't you have a morning meeting? You'll be late if you don't leave soon."

He didn't even know he had any meeting this morning. How did she know? She just wanted him to leave but didn't dare say it outright because of Little Liqi.

"I'll leave after I finish cooking the soup. Little Liqi gave me orders that you're not feeling well and I have to take care of you." Since she always said he was shameless and despicable, then he would shamelessly use Little Liqi's words as an excuse. It would only make him a little more shameless and despicable in her heart, and he couldn't get any worse than he already was. The morning was so warm and intimate, who knew when they would have such a chance again. He was reluctant to leave so soon.

Cheng Liqi also peeked out from the bathroom, her mouth full of toothpaste foam, and spoke unclearly to show off to her mom, "Mom, it was me who said Dad had to take care of you. I'm still small and can't take care of you when you're sick, so I could only ask Dad to help me take care of you. When I grow up, I can take care of you myself."

Her daughter's mouth was Cheng Jinglan's weakness. She pinched her petite chin, "Then hurry up and brush your teeth well, eat a lot, and grow up quickly."

Otherwise I'll have to sell you off before you grow up.

Cheng Liqi nodded vigorously. "Mom, I'll eat two bowls of rice this morning, then whoosh, grow up immediately. Once I'm grown up I can take care of you."

Because of her daughter's thoughtful childish words, a smile crept onto the corners of Cheng Jinglan's mouth.

Seeing her mom smile, Cheng Liqi's eyes curved happily as she giggled too.

The morning sunlight coming in through the window lattices shone on the smiling faces of mother and daughter, intense and dazzling.

Shao Chengze could barely restrain himself from walking over and taking the little girl into his embrace as well.

Just then, the doorbell rang, followed by Cheng Jinchuan's loud voice, "Little Liqi, are you still sleeping in? It's so late already, hurry up and come see what nice things your uncle brought you!"

Cheng Jinglan's heart jumped. She asked Shao Chengze, "Is your car parked in the yard?"

Shao Chengze replied, "I already had the driver take it away."

He knew his identity couldn't see the light of day. Early this morning, he had the driver bring a change of clothes and take away the car as well.

Cheng Jinglan breathed a sigh of relief. She threw Shao's coat, watch, and shoes into the bedroom and closet before going to open the door. "What's with you coming over so early in the morning?"

Cheng Jinchuan tsked. What kind of sister was she, calling her big brother crazy.

"Here, look." Cheng Jinchuan shook what was in his hand. "Little Liqi was clamoring a few days ago that she wanted to fly a kite, Elsa's kite. She'll definitely love it. Where is she? Still not awake?"

Cheng Jinglan replied, "She's using the bathroom, she just went in and will take a while to come out."

Cheng Jinchuan felt a little regretful. He was in a rush and had to leave immediately. Otherwise he really should at least wait for Little Liqi to come out and personally hand her the kite. When she saw this kite, she would definitely hug his neck and excitedly yell that the person she loved most in the world was Uncle.

"I heard Mom say you had dinner with He Zhiqin last night?" As Cheng Jinchuan was about to leave, he suddenly remembered this matter.

"Mm." Cheng Jinglan didn't want to talk much about it.

"This He Zhiqin is decent. He's the third son of the He family. Back then his school was next to mine. He's quite famous in the Chinese community, clean and upright, not the reckless type. His family's reputation is also clean from top to bottom, no shady business whatsoever. Their family wants to expand into the domestic market and he's responsible for this part. He'll certainly be staying long-term in the future. If you really got together with him, you also wouldn't need to worry about living apart in two places."

If He Zhiqin wasn't set on staying domestic, Cheng Jinchuan would not agree to his sister meeting him. Their family's daughter definitely could not marry far away. Marrying into the groom's family would be best.

Cheng Jinglan cut him off before he could continue. "It was just a meal. Nothing's happened. You're thinking too far ahead."

Cheng Jinchuan also knew he was thinking too far. But he was anxious. Ever since Little Liqi found out her dad was Shao Chengze, he'd been anxious. He kept feeling like things would develop in unpredictable directions.

"He Zhiqin isn't bad. If you feel the first impression is decent, you can try gradually developing it further. If he's no good, we still have others. I have plenty of outstanding young men around me. If you're willing, I'll organize a party for you in the future with lots of men for you to pick from. I refuse to believe we can't find an absolutely perfect brother-in-law." In short, anyone but Shao Chengze. There were no good people in the Shao family.

Cheng Jinglan glared at him. Still lots of men for her to casually pick from? "Keep quiet. When you talk properly you can't even string a few sentences together. You're just a confirmed old bachelor but you're rushing me?"

Cheng Jinchuan felt like he'd been shot through the heart, blood gushing out. He stumbled out the door. Outside he was known as the "single noble diamond king number five" yet his own little sister was calling him a confirmed old bachelor.

Cheng Liqi couldn't hear very clearly what Uncle and Mom were talking about. She was diligently brushing her little teeth white.

Shao Chengze stood in front of the half-closed bathroom door, his expression murky.

After seeing Cheng Jinchuan off, Cheng Jinglan called Fei Zuhui to say something suddenly came up and she had to leave early, so wouldn't be going for the meal. She would take Cheng Liqi to eat at the hotel. She couldn't let him swagger out of her home, in case they ran into someone at the door. That would blow up. She had to hide him in the car and take him out with her.

Following an online recipe, Shao Chengze cooked a pot of red date and snow ear soup. It wasn't a total success but also not a total failure. Cheng Liqi really propped up her dad by drinking two bowls.

Under her daughter's watchful gaze, Cheng Jinglan reluctantly drank a couple sips first. The hot sweet soup slid down her throat into her hungover stomach, unexpectedly making her feel much more comfortable. Even her queasy stomach didn't feel as bad. She leisurely finished a whole bowl, then refilled it for another.

Shao Chengze's eyes softened slightly.

This was the first time Cheng Liqi was seen off to school by both her mom and dad together. At the door she lingered for a long time, first telling her dad the soup he cooked was delicious and she wanted to drink the soup Dad cooked next time too. Then she told her mom she would miss her every second.

Her mouth was sweeter than drinking ten jars of honey. She insisted on watching her parents get in the car before following the teacher in.

Cheng Jinlan stopped the car at the next intersection from the kindergarten and let the passenger get out of the car, "Jinchuan and Shao don't go the same way, let your driver come pick you up."

Shao Chengze turned his head to look at the driver, with his injured mouth facing her, "Could you please stop at a pharmacy door, my lips hurt badly and need some medicine."

It's just a small wound, how bad could it hurt.

As if Shao Chengze knew what she was thinking, he said, "You were drunk last night so you may not remember, actually this wound on my mouth wasn't from me biting myself, it was from you biting me. Last night when your stomach felt uncomfortable, you held my hand to help massage your stomach. Halfway through you said you were thirsty, so I went to get you water but you didn't let me. You probably mistook my lips for a cup, pressing and biting me. I struggled but couldn't resist, so I could only let you do as you wished."

"Bullshit." Cheng Jinlan was embarrassed and furious, he was spouting nonsense, what did he mean let her do as she wished, "It was clearly you--" She hurriedly stopped herself halfway, he had set a trap for her.

Shao Chengze smiled, "Remember now?"

She pretended not to remember, and he didn't intend to expose her, but he changed his mind now.

"Get out," Cheng Jinlan's expression was indifferent, but her ears and neck were flushed red.

Shao Chengze unfastened his seatbelt but didn't move, "You used my hand and mouth last night, you can't just take advantage and leave. But I guess bridges can be demolished quickly after crossing the river."

Cheng Jinlan squeezed the words through clenched teeth, "Yes, President Shao is so precious, I certainly won't take advantage for nothing. But first, you have to let me think carefully about how to repay President Shao for this favor. I'll give you a reply before I'm off work today, I don't know if President Shao can wait that long?"

Shao Chengze raised his eyebrows, surprised that she agreed so readily. He consented to this plan, at least she would be thinking of him all day today.

Just after Shao Chengze entered his office, his phone buzzed with an incoming message from Tang Yicheng at Jinchuan, it was a red envelope transfer of 0.01 yuan.

Following that was a message, "[President Shao, our President Cheng said this is the service fee paid to President Shao.]"

While sending the message, Tang Yicheng wondered what kind of service Shao provided that was only worth 0.01 yuan, it seemed a bit too cheap.

Shao Chengze's face turned black as charcoal.