Chapter 015: The Substitute x Overbearing CEO x White Moonlight (15)

Chapter 015: The Substitute x Overbearing CEO x White Moonlight (15)

Rarely had making a phone call felt so humiliating.

In those few seconds while waiting for the call to connect, Cheng Junfeng had never felt his life stretch out so long.

He was actually going to ask his ex if it was okay to eat something now.

Fortunately, Shen Xi answered the phone quickly, and through the receiver, he could faintly hear the sound of a TV in the background.

"What's up?"

"We're still in line and might not be able to come over until five or six o'clock," Cheng Junfeng said tactfully. "Can we grab something simple for lunch?"

"For your health, should you eat something light?" Shen Xi asked with concern. "I heard you've been having some heat issues lately."

Cheng Junfeng: "…Thank you."

He had hoped to record the conversation and capture some evidence of Shen Xi cursing him.

But the lawyer had made it clear that even if Shen Xi admitted it outright, it would be nearly impossible to secure a legal conviction.

This cunning person—there wasn't a single slip-up in the phone call, giving him no chance at all!

After hanging up, Yan Chun was almost at the end of his patience.

"How did it go? Can we eat?"

"He wants us to eat something light." Cheng Junfeng took a deep breath and pulled out his wallet. "Stand here; I'll go get some cash."

He had been using credit cards and mobile payments for years, but now, for necessary means, he had to withdraw a large amount of cash.

Five hundred bills were stuffed into his handbag, with a few held in his hand.

Cheng Junfeng quickly returned and said to the person in front of him, "One hundred bucks for your spot, okay?"

The white-collar worker (xiaobailing) in front of him took the money hesitantly, examining it for a while before saying, "Sure, go ahead."

Yan Chun, who had looked like a dead man walking, suddenly saw a glimmer of hope.

Money!! Money can indeed solve most problems!!

Even without buying from scalpers, they could use cash to buy their way forward and end this torturous errand sooner!

Clearly, Cheng Junfeng also saw a way out and smoothly bribed his way forward.

The first two or three people were easy to convince, allowing them to quickly close the gap to the bagel shop.

Soon, however, an older woman refused.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting in this line? Why should I give my spot to you?"

"Auntie, we have an urgent matter. Please be understanding." Cheng Junfeng didn't want to say more and added three hundred-yuan bills, handing them to her. "Please do us a favor and move back a bit, would you?"

"Oh! Young people these days think money can solve everything!" The old lady raised her eyebrows. "I see plenty of youngsters like you when I collect rent. Throwing money around doesn’t impress anyone!"

Before Cheng Junfeng could speak, Yan Chun quickly opened his handbag, dumped the keys and miscellaneous items into his arms, and handed over his luxury bag. "Do you like this Hermès? It's a limited edition I just picked up from the boutique. I spent 470,000 yuan just on the accessories for it. I'll give it to you."

Cheng Junfeng took a deep breath, noticing the auntie seemed moved, and added five more bills. "Please, we're really in a hurry."

The old lady grumbled a few complaints but still accepted everything, eyeing them suspiciously as she stepped back, as if looking at two lunatics.

Cheng Junfeng quickly smiled, seeing there were only about ten people left ahead of them, giving them hope.

He must have been frozen silly; it took him until the third store to think of this!

Money—what can't be solved with money?

He tapped the shoulder of the bald old man in front, who turned around with a triangular glare.

"What do you want?"

Yan Chun, holding a basket of miscellaneous items, explained the situation and asked him to be accommodating.

The old man had already been observing the situation when they were handing out money earlier.

Seeing the young men approach him, he lifted his chin arrogantly.

"No way."

Cheng Junfeng knew this was a case of raising the price, and the further back they went, the more outrageous the demands might become. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Name your price."

"What price? I don’t understand."

Yan Chun, burning with hunger, couldn't care less and grabbed a handful of money from Cheng Junfeng without counting. "Please, I have low blood sugar, and my hands and legs are shaking. Can you let me go ahead?"

Just as he finished speaking, the old lady who had given up her spot earlier approached.

"You have low blood sugar? You should have said so!"

Cheng Junfeng thought she knew the bald man and felt elated inside. "Yes, yes, my partner isn't feeling well. Please help us."

"Here, I have some corn candy and a cold vegetable bun. Eat these for now." The old lady rummaged through her pocket. "You should have bought him a sweet milk from the coffee shop next door."

Yan Chun almost wanted to cry.

Bagel!! Bagel!! I want a bagel!! A hot, fresh, meat-filled bagel!!

Who wants your lousy corn candy!!

He was about to go insane right there, but the old man also turned his head to observe, as if confirming whether he was lying or not.

Cheng Junfeng pushed Yan Chun and said, "Eat quickly, thank you, Auntie."

Yan Chun took the cold vegetable bun, tears streaming down his face as he ate.

"Really delicious, really delicious," he sobbed, his shoulders shaking. "Thank you, Auntie."

The old lady wore a satisfied expression for doing good, then continued to stand in line behind them.

"Sir, please have mercy," Cheng Junfeng turned and said, "We only brought this much money. You can buy so much with it, right?"

"He's already eating," the bald old man said. "If he has something to eat, what are you worried about?"

"..."

By the time they finished their twenty-three-item shopping list, both were enveloped in gloom.

This was probably the darkest day of their lives and also the most miserable day for the Bentley, thoroughly infused with the smell of scallions and leeks.

The doorbell rang shortly after, and Shen Xi's mother came to open the door, wiping her hands and saying warmly, "Xi Xi's friends are here?"

When she opened the door and saw who it was, her face immediately darkened. "You're not welcome here! No gifts will change that! Go away!"

"Auntie, your scallions and pepper," Cheng Junfeng used his shoulder to hold the door, forcing a smile. "Shen Xi invited us. We've reconciled and are now good friends."

Shen's mother found their pretentiousness nauseating and turned to yell, "Shen Xi! Who told you to bring these shady people into our home?! Haven't I taught you? Hasn't your father taught you?!"

"Still feeling unlucky, aren't you? Can't live a peaceful life without stirring up trouble! Pah!"

Yan Chun shrank back at her scolding, still feeling wronged.

If your son hadn't learned some evil tricks from somewhere, who would want to come to this rundown neighborhood?!

Not long after, Shen Xi shuffled over in slippers.

"Oh, I invited them. Please rest, don't worry."

He patted his mother to reassure her, opened the door wider, and gestured for them to enter: "Put the cooked food in the kitchen. If the fridge is full, clear some space. When you're done, come to the study."

Yan Chun's face was blank.

Running errands for you, queuing for you, buying milk tea, popcorn, and butterfly pastries for you, and now cleaning the fridge too?

Cheng Junfeng, with a grim face, nudged Yan Chun again. "Hurry up."

Yan Chun suddenly turned, seeing his husband's face for the first time and feeling like vomiting.

Living a life of luxury, never touching anything mundane, and now dumping all the chores on me? Why?!

Why should I?

Seeing their expressions, Shen's mother still blocked the entrance, determined to vent her anger on behalf of her son.

"Look at your unhappy faces. No one forced you to come here," she said coldly. "If you don't want to be here, leave."

"Auntie, what are you saying?" Yan Chun, carrying several bags, walked in, acting like a diligent temporary housekeeper. "I'm just having a tantrum with Junfeng. It's not directed at you."

"Alright. Clean the fridge inside and out, scrub the kitchen hood, sterilize all the dishes, and tidy up the living room. Mop it a few times."

Shen's mother added, "My back and legs aren't good. Since you're here to take care of Xi Xi, help take care of me too."

Cheng Junfeng held back his curses. Being tormented all day and not even allowed to eat meat was already his limit. Now, he was seething with rage. "Shen! Xi!"

Enough is enough! Don't think I won't hit you!

Isn't today enough already?! If you push me too far—

Shen Xi still looked calm and relaxed, wearing pajamas and greeting them lazily. "I heard Mr. Yan has been a bit stressed lately?"

Before he could finish, blood gushed from Yan Chun's right nostril, dripping down.

Yan Chun, who had been hesitating while organizing the fridge, suddenly started crying and laughing. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, not bothering to get paper, and rushed to the kitchen to wash dishes.

The violinist had never done such work before. His family always protected his million-dollar hands, never letting him wash a single plate.

But today, he had no choice. Even if he didn't know how to clean the hood, he'd Google it and do it!

His life was on the line; Shen's hood must shine tonight, gleaming brighter than headlights!

Shen Xi glanced at Yan Chun's back as he vigorously washed dishes, then looked at Cheng Junfeng, seemingly asking a question.

The man bowed deeply. "I spoke too loudly. I'm sorry."

"Oh."

"I'll clean the fridge now," Cheng Junfeng said politely. "You two can watch TV and rest. We'll take care of everything here."

Shen's mother looked at them suspiciously, then pulled her son into the next room.

"What's going on? Did they suddenly feel guilty?"

"Not likely," Shen Xi said. "Humanity is a precious asset for ordinary folks, but they don't have it."

"Oh, do you have something on them? They look like madmen." Shen's mother was still worried. "They won't poison our oil, right? In TV shows, they use ricin powder. You die, and it's undetectable during autopsy."

"Don't worry. We have security cameras."

"What? We have security cameras?"

Once Shen's mother returned to her room to rest, Shen Xi walked over to them.

The two of them worked diligently like professional housekeepers, not daring to utter an extra word.

"It's now six-thirty in the evening," Shen Xi said, taking a sip of iced milk tea and checking his watch leisurely. "Let's meet in the study at seven-thirty. Remember to clean every nook and cranny of my house; try to be quick about it, okay?"

Cheng Junfeng suddenly stopped wiping the refrigerator, staring at him as if he had never seen this person before.

Yan Chun directly gave him a hard pinch, scolding, "What are you still dazing for!! Finish cleaning the refrigerator and come help with the stove quickly!!"