Chapter 014: The Substitute x Overbearing CEO x White Moonlight (14)

Chapter 014: The Substitute x Overbearing CEO x White Moonlight (14)

Cheng Junfeng's pride had always prevented him from seeking out Shen Xi.

After the two nosebleed incidents, he became even more suspicious and brooding, sometimes casting a gaze at Yan Chun that would send chills down the latter's spine.

He spent a long time investigating whether there were any of Shen Xi's insiders in his household, secretly searching for Taoist masters who could break curses, and reevaluating Shen Xi as a person.

Initially, Shen Xi appeared to him as a clear and innocent presence.

But because of this innocence, he seemed bland and insignificant, never truly understanding the estrangement in Cheng Junfeng's heart during their years of dating.

It wasn't until one incident after another unfolded, culminating in the resolute rejection at the restaurant, that Cheng Junfeng gradually realized that Shen Xi genuinely wanted to be on equal footing with him.

He refused to be a pampered pet or a fortunate figure in a wealthy marriage; he only desired the most impeccable dignity and pride.

When Cheng Junfeng experienced two consecutive nosebleeds, enveloped by an unknown fear, his arrogance was shattered for a moment, allowing him to see Shen Xi's cold gaze from afar.

At this point, what would happen if he went to find him?

Would an apology lead to forgiveness, or would it invite further danger, planting even harsher retaliation?

Practitioners from various schools came and went, few possessing genuine skills.

Some peddled their talismans and bracelets, while others performed rituals with water, speaking of karmic debts and vengeful spirits in grandiose terms.

The man remained silent, allowing his secretary to escort them out of the office.

There were also masters who could instantly discern the cause and effect, revealing many secrets of the Cheng family that were not known to outsiders.

Cheng Junfeng would be moved and ask how to break the curse on him.

The master shook his head, "You are fine; there is no curse on you."

"Then what about the nosebleeds?"

"You don't have a terminal illness, nor are you possessed by demons or ghosts," the master said calmly. "If you have a mental knot, go to the person who gave it to you and untie it yourself."

No one knew what would happen if a third nosebleed occurred.

Was it the end of fate, death, or complete madness?

Cheng Junfeng tossed and turned many nights, eventually choosing to sleep separately from his newlywed spouse.

Yan Chun silently accepted this, not daring to ask more.

They both lived in the shadow of fear.

On February 22nd, the man finally said, "Let's go find Shen Xi."

Yan Chun, sitting across the dining table, no longer felt the intense affection of a newly married couple, merely pondering, "Would it be more dangerous if we go ourselves?"

"Do you think, given his personality, involving outsiders in negotiations would yield good results?"

Yan Chun chose to remain silent.

Just before they left, the phone rang.

"It's me," Shen Xi said cheerfully. "You're planning to come find me?"

Cheng Junfeng's eyes instantly turned sharp, almost glaring fiercely at Yan Chun.

The latter froze, taking a long time to react, feeling extremely wronged.

At this point, do you still think I'm collaborating with him? Do you think I'm leaking information inside and out, revealing your movements?!

Cheng Junfeng, do you have any sense at all? Are you crazy?!

"Yes, may we come?"

The young master rarely used formal language.

Shen Xi said, "I'll give you a list; since you're passing by anyway, help me buy these things."

"I want a bucket of popcorn, still warm when you deliver it."

"There's a honey-flavored potato chip, forgot the brand, buy three packs."

"The braised goose wings from that restaurant last time were delicious, bring two boxes."

Yan Chun hastily scribbled notes, while Cheng Junfeng, with a grim face, put the call on speakerphone.

You'd better tell me this is part of the ritual to lift the curse.

"... A pack of Thai-style red milk tea, a pack of osmanthus chestnut wine, both in old-fashioned plastic bags, no ice, and three parts sugar."

"If there's roasted sweet potato on the street, get one, oh wait." Shen Xi turned to shout into the kitchen, "Mom—do we have any soy sauce left!"

"No soy sauce or pepper! Are you going out?" "No! Two friends are coming over, it's just a favor!"

"That's not good!" "No problem!" "Oh! Then have them bring some scallions too!"

Shen Xi leaned back to the phone, "Did you hear that? Bring some scallions."

"But we don't have enough chopsticks, so we won't keep you for dinner."

"Alright." Cheng Junfeng, after looking at five sheets of notes, suppressed his anger and said, "We will comply with all twenty-three items you listed."

"When we meet, can we talk properly without any gestures?"

"Sure."

The eldest son of a financial tycoon in Lujiazui, newly married Cheng Junfeng, along with his esteemed new wife, the internationally renowned violinist Yan Chun, embarked on their first-ever food delivery errand.

Shanghai, a city of impeccable order, where queues outside every internet-famous store were neatly lined up, stretching endlessly.

Guangming Village on Huaihai Zhong Road sold not only fresh meat mooncakes during the Spring Festival but also eight-treasure rice and crab roe and pork soup dumplings. The queue was so long that people would occupy spots with metal basins and stools in the middle of the night, extending for blocks during the day.

The New York Bagel Museum in Xintiandi had an average wait time of two hours. Ingredients included flour from American Red Mill, butter from French President, and cream cheese from Australian Philadelphia.

Beside People's Square, at the International Hotel’s Patisserie, one could buy oversized puff pastries larger than a face, available in both cheese and original flavors, with a limit of twelve packs per person, and an average wait time of fifty minutes.

The two young masters, inexperienced in civilian life, did not fully grasp the reality when Shen Xi listed dishes over the phone. They instinctively knew it would be troublesome to drive around running errands.

Not until they stood in the long queue of live-streaming influencers did they see the endless sea of people stretching far into the distance.

Office workers on their phones, whistling delivery riders, and idle old men—no one cared about which magazine covers these two had graced or how much their coats were worth.

They were completely submerged in the long queue, becoming mere ants among the masses.

—all for the sake of queuing and buying those damned puff pastries for their exes and rivals.

"Breakdown Value received! Twenty!"

"Breakdown Value received! Twenty!"

"Breakdown Value received! Twenty!"

The system lowered the incessant cash register sounds and said, "Can you believe this?"

"It's possible," Keding said with a smile. "If I'm unhappy, they have to comfort me."

When he listed the dishes, his conscience didn’t hurt; instead, he felt very comfortable.

Before he entered the book, Shen Xi had already endured a lot, eventually even sacrificing his life and dignity.

Keding felt his methods weren't harsh enough, that his retaliation wasn't thorough enough, blaming his inexperience as a newcomer.

The system, perceiving his thoughts, sincerely said, "You're already very experienced, my dear. I think no one is better suited for this. They’re already going crazy."

The winter wind was biting, and the Bvlgari coat offered little warmth compared to down jackets.

—Of course, the designers never intended it for outdoor queuing for two hours to buy mooncakes.

Yan Chun managed to maintain his elegance at first, but soon his nose started running, and his face turned red from the cold.

Accustomed to fine dining and minimal carbohydrate intake, he couldn't handle such physical labor and began experiencing hypoglycemia from the smell of warm meat.

The violinist looked at his new husband with a pained expression and asked, "I’m starving. Can I eat two once we get them?"

Cheng Junfeng remained expressionless, glancing at the scalpers selling marked-up mooncakes nearby.

"There are scalpers here. Do you dare buy from them?"

"Do you dare eat the mooncakes bought by Shen Xi?"

Yan Chun showed an unprecedented look of despair.

That day, he hadn’t gone swimming at all; he had just finished dinner before meeting Cheng Junfeng and had scoffed at the instant noodles’ smell downstairs that night.

Yet, as if fate was mocking them, today a delivery rider was eating instant noodles in the cold, using pre-boiled water in a thermos, sweating profusely with satisfaction.

Not just the couple but everyone in the queue looked resentful, causing a stir.

Are you really eating instant noodles here?! Are you even human?! Where is your limit?!

They had left home at ten in the morning, and by three in the afternoon, they were already in the third queue, having only dared to drink water.

Even Cheng Junfeng couldn’t hold out anymore and, swallowing his pride, dialed a number.

He needed to ask if they could eat something.

That damned nosebleed and curse made him too afraid to make any mistakes.

Damn it, Shen Xi, you could have asked for money, gold bars, property, or shares in my company—anything but this torture!!

Why don’t you just ask for money!! I’d give it to you if you just asked!!

The system watched TV in the living room, laughing uncontrollably.

"Mr. Cheng is calling. Answer it?"

"Not the first one," Keding said gently. "More Breakdown Values, right?"

System: "Alright, alright, I get it."

The first call went unanswered, followed by the cheerful sound of the cash register.

"Breakdown Value! Plus thirty!"

Keding continued lounging on the sofa, watching variety shows, now accustomed to the constant influx.

The system suddenly said, "Keding."

"Hmm."

"Is the money-printing machine fun?"

"Very fun," Keding said sincerely. "I don’t want to go to the next world. I love listening to this sound all day."

The first call was not answered, either because it was not allowed or because it was not heard.

Cheng Junfeng had been freezing in the cold wind all noon, and he was almost starving to death, his nose uncontrollably greedily sniffing the distant bagel aroma coming from a shop.

He finally had a dog-like keen sense of smell, even able to detect that it was an outrageously fragrant scallion and leek bagel.

Scallion and leek, scallion and leek, damn it!

This insane, populist internet sensation combination, which he would never have given a second glance under normal circumstances, now made him want to eat three in a row!

If Shen Xi said it was okay, he would forget about his dignity and rush into the shop past the queue for a frenzied feast, not caring how much he would be fined afterward!

Yan Chun weakly said, "Before the engagement banquet, I had never met Shen Xi, nor did I collude with him to deceive you."

"This morning, I really didn't know how he managed to call me, as if he had some kind of divine insight."

Cheng Junfeng took a deep breath of the rich scallion fragrance wafting from afar and said, "Should we give him another call?"

"Please, Junfeng, I beg you," Yan Chun, hungry to the point of tears streaming down his face, pleaded, "ask him again!!"