Chapter 103: Chen Yanqing

Chapter 103: Chen Yanqing

The man standing by the streetlight, suitcase in hand, was surprised when a car with an unfamiliar license plate pulled up in front of him. The person in the car lowered the window, and the man was even more astonished.

"Ming Ze?" he asked, recognizing the face behind the wheel.

"Uncle Yanqing, I thought I was seeing things!" Yu Mingze was overjoyed. "Why are you back all of a sudden?"

"I'm on vacation, so I figured I'd come back and check things out."

"That's great!"

Of all the adults Yu Mingze looked up to as a kid, Chen Yanqing was at the top of the list—more important to him than even his own dad, Yu Zhili.

Growing up, Yu Mingze’s dad, Yu Zhili, wasn’t around much. But Chen Yanqing, who wasn’t married and didn’t have kids, would take Yu Mingze out whenever he had time. He always went out of his way to make sure Yu Mingze was happy, practically treating him like his own son.

There were times when Yu Mingze, still young and naive, wished Chen Yanqing could be his dad so he could see him every day.

Yu Mingze glanced around and offered, "Uncle Yanqing, are you waiting for a ride? If you’re in a rush, let me give you a lift."

Chen Yanqing nodded without hesitation.

"Uncle Yanqing, let me take your luggage! I'll help you put it in the trunk!" Yu Mingze quickly got out of the car and opened the trunk to help stow the luggage inside.

They both got back into the car.

Yu Mingze turned the car around and headed in a different direction.

As they drove down the smooth road, Chen Yanqing noticed Yu Mingze’s sharp suit and asked with concern, "Did you just get off work?"

"Yes."

"At your dad's company?"

"Yeah, I work at a subsidiary."

"That's good!"

Seeing how Yu Mingze had grown from a little kid into a mature adult stirred deep emotions in Chen Yanqing.

He apologized, "I heard you got married. Sorry I missed the wedding."

"Uncle Yanqing, I know you're always busy. You don't need to worry about that."

"Your marriage isn’t something small! Next time, bring your wife over, and I'll give both of you a red envelope."

"Uh, okay."

Noticing Yu Mingze’s discomfort, Chen Yanqing asked, "Ming Ze, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, nothing’s wrong! Uncle Yanqing, when will you be free? I’ll bring my wife to see you."

"I'm always available. Just let me know when you're coming."

"Will do."

"By the way, how’s your mom doing these days?" Chen Yanqing asked, glancing at the road ahead.

"Yu Mingze pouted. 'He's doing great, always sticking to my dad like glue.'"

"'To your dad?'"

"'Well, to be precise, it's my dad who's always sticking to my mom!'"

Chen Yanqing's lip twitched.

"So Yu Zhili moved on that quickly?"

"'Mingze, your dad hasn't changed his phone number, has he?'"

"'No, he hasn't.'"

"'Good, I'll find some time to talk to him tonight.'"

Chen Yanqing pushed up the glasses on his nose. He looked refined, but his tone was chillingly cold.

However, Yu Mingze didn't give it much thought. He knew that Chen Yanqing was his father's high school classmate and had grown up as a friend of his mother. Their relationship has always been close.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Yu Mingze drove him back.

After getting out of the car, Chen Yanqing took out his luggage. "Mingze, if you're not in a hurry, would you like to come in for a bit?"

"Uncle Yanqing, I'll come by another time when I'm free!"

"That works too. Drive safely on your way back."

"I will." Yu Mingze didn't stay long.

Chen Yanqing stood at the door, watching him leave, then picked up his suitcase and walked into the house.

"I'm home!"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Chen Yanqing called out inside, and the first to respond was not a person, but the large wolfhound tethered in the yard.

The wolfhound's sharp teeth looked fierce, and its loud barking resounded as it faithfully guarded the house.

Chen Yanqing wasn't the least bit worried. He put down his suitcase and walked towards the wolfhound with a smile. "Happy, don't you remember me after a year?"

"Woof!"

"Happy? Stupid dog! Really don't recognize me?"

Listening to the low growl coming from the wolfhound's throat, Chen Yanqing boldly extended his hand.

—Beep, scent recognition successful!

The wolfhound's eyes instantly cleared up, its tail wagging excitedly like a propeller, making excited whimpering. It instantly turned from a menacing dog into a friendly one.

Even with Chen Yanqing's tall stature, he couldn't resist the force of the large dog jumping on him, so he sat down and vigorously rubbed the dog's head.

"Happy, long time no see!"

"Woof! Woof!"

"Hey Happy, what are you barking at?"

The person inside heard the commotion outside and rushed out to see what was happening.

"It's me, Aunt Liu," Chen Yanqing said, not stopping his motion as he continued to stroke the dog’s head and turned to look at the person approaching.

The woman was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed excitedly, "Ah, it's the second young master, the second young master is back!"

The people inside heard the noise and came out one after another...

Both of the Chen family's two little troublemakers were back, so it was no wonder the house was bustling.

When Yu Mingze returned home, he was greeted by a cold, empty house.

"Where are my parents?"

He stopped a young maid and asked. The maid replied, "Mr. and Mrs. are at the Fu family’s place."

"...??"

No wonder the car parked outside his grandparents' house looked familiar just now.

Yu Mingze then asked, "Is anyone else here? Where’s Song Qingyu?"

"The young mistress went out with Madam," answered the butler Wang Yue, who then thoughtfully asked, "Young master, have you had dinner? Shall I have the kitchen prepare something for you?"

Yu Mingze nodded. "Just bring me whatever you have."

He should have followed them to the Fu family just now since everyone was there!

"I'll have them prepare it right away. Young master, why don't you rest for a bit? I'll send someone to call you when it's ready."

"Mm."

Yu Mingze took off his suit jacket, hung it on his arm, and with long strides, headed upstairs.

The young maid he had questioned, Xiao Yu, quickly stepped aside and texted her mistress.

——[Reporting to you, Madam, the young master is home, but he returned alone!]

Fu: [What expression did he have?]

——[The young master seemed quite upset.]

Fu: [OK, keep an eye on him for me, and I'll make it worth your while!]

——[I understand, thank you, Madam!]

Xiao Yu slipped her phone back into her pocket and looked up toward the stairs. *Sorry, young master,* she thought. *I wasn’t trying to snitch, but the reward Madam Fu Yining offered was too tempting!*

Moreover, her task from Madam Fu was straightforward: to report on Yu Mingze’s activities when he was home alone and check if he brought anyone else back, especially that Miss Zheng and her mother.

Madam Fu just didn’t want to be blindsided while she was having fun elsewhere, so she had enlisted the clever Xiao Yu to help and paid her extra for it.

Xiao Yu figured she had no reason to refuse.

"Xiao Yu? Come help!"

"Coming!"

Xiao Yu stuffed her phone back into her pocket and headed toward the living room.