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7. Chapter 7
Yu Qingnian sat there, dumbfounded, unable to grasp how things turned out this way. Clearly, Yu Antong was just a naive individual who didn't know how to resist. It shouldn't have come to this!
Rising to chase after Yu Antong, a waiter stopped him, "Sir, please settle your bill first. It's „1298."
Yu Qingnian: "He ate over a thousand by himself?! This must be a scam of a restaurant, charging such exorbitant prices. It's no wonder you're going out of business!"
The waiter responded with a polite smile, "Please settle the bill."
By the time the infuriated Yu Qingnian had paid, Yu Antong was nowhere to be found. When he tried calling, Yu Antong had already blocked his number.
In contrast to Yu Qingnian's frustration, Yu Antong was in high spirits.
Thinking about the soon-to-be-acquired millions and the valuable properties he now owned, he felt delighted. He didn't even mind the taxi fare home.
Passing by a newly opened supermarket, he bought a plethora of ingredients and then called his darling husband.
Yu Antong: "Honey, do you miss me? Come home early, and I'll make something delicious for you."
After seeing the dormitory conditions, Yu Antong was sure he wouldn't be spending the night there. Luckily, the university's strict checks only applied during the freshman year; they relaxed in the subsequent years.
At lunchtime, napping in the dorm was still doable. Their roommate Han Lele, being a local, felt the same.
Xing Lixuan, at his company, was in a meeting about a property development project. The project leader, under Xing's relentless scrutiny, was sweating profusely and speechless.
Having been transferred from a branch office, he'd often heard colleagues praise the young CEO, Xing Lixuan, for his business acumen. Yet, he had dismissed it, attributing the adulation to flattery from subordinates.
Today's meeting was an eye-opener to Xing Lixuan's capabilities, and he began to truly respect, even fear, this young CEO.
Facing Xing Lixuan's hawk-like, predatory gaze, he began to regret not giving his all to this project proposal, fearing Xing might dismiss him.
Suddenly, a phone ringtone broke the tense atmosphere.
Everyone in the room looked around, wondering who had forgotten to silence their phone during such an important meeting.
To their surprise, it was their stoic CEO, Xing Lixuan, who took out his phone.
It's said that happiness is contagious. Hearing Yu Antong's vibrant and cheerful voice, Xing Lixuan's mood instantly lifted.
Especially when told that dinner was being prepared for him.
He hadn't felt like eating today, as usual. But the thought of Yu Antong's cooking suddenly made him hungry. He replied with anticipation, "Sounds great."
Yu Antong: "Stingy! Can't you add another word? Why act like a tight-lipped, domineering CEO? Compliment me, quickly!"
With a sigh of resignation, Xing Lixuan explained, "I'm in the middle of a meeting. Please refrain."
"You should've said so earlier," Yu Antong murmured, a hint of annoyance evident. "Then get on with your work."
Xing Lixuan responded, "Yes, I'll see you at home."
The secretary, seated beside Xing Lixuan and diligently noting the meeting's details, discreetly caught a glimpse of the incoming call's ID: Yu Antong.
He was taken aback. Wasn't she the one slated to marry the CEO?
Hadn't the CEO been particularly averse to this family-arranged marriage? Yet upon receiving her call, he appeared... quite amicable.
The boss truly had depths that were hard to fathom. Best for him to concentrate on his tasks.
After ending the call, Xing Lixuan told the project manager sternly, "This is your last chance. Revise the proposal diligently. If it's still unsatisfactory, be prepared to leave."
The project manager, rejuvenated by the unexpected opportunity, quickly assured, "I will give it my all, honoring the company's training and trust in me."
Xing Lixuan declared, "Good. Meeting adjourned."
Only when Xing Lixuan stepped out of the conference room did everyone else begin to relax. For such a young CEO, his commanding presence was truly formidable.
All wondered who had the audacity to call the CEO during working hours. Most surprising of all was the CEO's unusually gentle demeanor during the call.
A female supervisor inquired, "Zhao, do you know who called Mr. Xing earlier?"
Secretary Zhao teased, "Why? Still fancying our Mr. Xing even when your child's already three?"
She replied playfully, "Indeed, if Mr. Xing would have me, I'd remarry in a heartbeat, child and all."
Zhao chuckled, "You've missed your chance. Mr. Xing is off the market."
The female supervisor, puzzled, questioned, "Going by your tone, was the caller his wife? But wasn't Mr. Xing against the idea of marriage?"
She left her thought unfinished.
Seeing the direction of her thoughts, Secretary Zhao shook his head, indicating his own uncertainty.
While the other attendees appeared to exit the room without paying any heed, many lingered discreetly, their ears attuned to the conversation, leaving them full of questions.
Xing Lixuan's marriage wasn't a secret; many of them had even been invited to the wedding.
However, rumor had it that the wedding was orchestrated by the elder chairman, Mrs. Xing. The CEO was reportedly unenthusiastic, evident by his stern countenance on the wedding day.
But as it seemed now, perhaps things were not as straightforward.
Regardless of the employees' speculations, for the first time, Xing Lixuan eagerly anticipated the end of the workday.
As quitting time approached, Secretary Zhao noticed that Mr. Xing, who usually stayed late, was the first to step into the elevator.
Secretary Zhao was taken aback, recalling the phone call during the afternoon meeting. Indeed, a married man is different.
Xing Lixuan rushed home and just as he stepped out of the elevator, he could faintly catch the aroma of food wafting from his apartment.
The moment he opened the door, the fragrance intensified manifold, triggering the most primal human hunger.
Hearing the door, Yu Antong peeked out from the kitchen like a cheerful bird with an apron on, saying, "Honey, you're home!"
After changing his shoes, Xing Lixuan looked up only to be enveloped in a hug from Yu Antong, who purred, "Husband, give me a kiss, mwah~"
After receiving an unexpected peck, Xing Lixuan finally managed to say, "Why are you wearing my clothes again?"
Yu Antong was draped in a loose white shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a prominent collarbone. Xing Lixuan recognized it as his own at a glance.
Yu Antong, pouting, went back to the kitchen, "I didn't get a chance to buy new clothes today. I accidentally stained mine and borrowed yours for a bit. After dinner, you'll accompany me to buy some clothes."
As he turned, without the apron to shield him, Xing Lixuan noticed that the rascal wasn't wearing any pants underneath the shirt.
His slender, pale legs were brazenly exposed to the open air.
Xing Lixuan remarked, "Why aren't you wearing pants?"
Yu Antong casually responded, "What's the big deal at home?"
He glanced down and continued, "Your shirt is big, so nothing's revealed. And even if something were, isnât it all just for you?"
Xing Lixuan, "...", felt like he was being made out to be the lucky one.
Yu Antong had prepared braised eggplant, pickled cabbage fish, minced meat tofu, and stir-fried king oyster mushrooms with meat, along with a pot of steamed white rice.
Without a hint of humility, Yu Antong said, "Taste the exquisite culinary skills of your virtuous darling."
He was in a good mood today and felt like cooking. If it wasnât just the two of them at home and if the kitchen was better equipped, he would've made even more.
The glossy, rich sauce on the braised eggplant was appetizing at a glance.
The pickled cabbage fish was cooked to perfection - the fish was tender and flavorful without being overly soft, and the pickled cabbage neutralized any fishy taste.
In the minced meat tofu dish, the meat complemented the blandness of the tofu, while the tofu's refreshing taste balanced out the meat's richness, making them a perfect match.
For the king oyster mushrooms stir-fried with meat, Yu Antong had innovated by frying the mushrooms first before stir-frying them with slices of lean meat.
The mushrooms didnât soak up the oil, but frying them made them even more aromatic and chewy.
To Xing Lixuan's surprise, the mushrooms tasted even better than the meat.
The four dishes, paired with the translucent, perfectly cooked rice, were so irresistible that he couldnât stop eating.
Xing Lixuan, who had always been slightly averse to eating, for the first time felt that dining could be such a delightful experience.
Chewing on the delectable king oyster mushrooms, Yu Antong closed his eyes and exaggeratedly boasted, "Oh my God, how can there be someone as skillful and gorgeous as me in this world? I must be a celestial being reincarnated. So delicious!"
Xing Li Xuan silently swallowed the praise he was about to voice, along with a mouthful of the minced meat tofu.
This guy clearly doesn't need any compliments. Any more would inflate his ego sky high.
After dinner, Yu An Tong let out a satisfied, tiny burp and nudged his bowl toward Xing Li Xuan, âYour turn to do the dishes.â
Almost every plate on the table was empty, showing that Mr. Xing was firmly supporting the clean plate initiative.
Xing Li Xuan, who rarely stepped into the kitchen and had a reputation of being untouched by menial tasks, obediently started to clear the table.
Usually exuding an intimidating aura, like a fierce predator, he now resembled a well-fed big catâlanguid and harmless.
Before Yu An Tong could relish his success in training his partner, a crisp sound echoed from the sink.
The unmistakable sound of a porcelain plate shattering.
Yu An Tong rushed to the kitchen, meeting Xing Li Xuan's innocent gaze.
Yu An Tong remarked, âIf you didnât want to wash the dishes, you could've just said so. No need to break them.â
Ever the competitive one, Xing Li Xuan retorted, âIt was an accident.â
After helping him clean up, Yu An Tong suggested, âWe need to get a dishwasher later.â
Xing Li Xuan nodded in agreement.
Yu An Tong slipped on a pair of jeans, tucking the oversized shirt into the waistband.
Both being men, the shirt Yu An Tong borrowed from Xing Li Xuan was big but not comically so. Styled this way, it looked intentionally oversizedâa cool look.
Burning text
After changing, Yu An Tong urged Xing Li Xuan to accompany him shopping for clothes. "Let's go. It's also a good way to digest."
Xing Li Xuan looked him over, his eyes lingering on the partly exposed collarbone, âButton it up properly.â
âNo way, it looks too old-fashioned fully buttoned,â Yu An Tong protested, âMr. Xing, do you have the aesthetic of a middle-aged man?â
Xing Li Xuan simply stared, planted firmly in his spot, unmoving.
Yu An Tong gave in, âFine, just one button then.â
They reached a compromise, leaving one button undone.
Xing Li Xuan felt as if he might have a touch of OCD. Why else would he find that single undone button so distracting?
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