Upon hearing this, Chen Xueer quickly waved her hand to stop Yu Xiaoxiao, a trace of helplessness and distress on her face.
She said softly, "Xiaoxiao, why are you exactly like my parents? Even the words are almost the same—I give up."
Chen Xueer's brows knitted slightly, clearly annoyed by the urging.
Seeing Chen Xueer's resistance, Yu Xiaoxiao covered her mouth and laughed, a wry note in her voice: "This is the universal script parents everywhere recite."
"Your parents are pressuring you to marry too?" A flicker of doubt crossed Chen Xueer's eyes as she asked curiously.
Yu Xiaoxiao's expression darkened in an instant, her tone turning cold: "Yeah, but I ignore them."
The answer made it obvious that relations between Yu Xiaoxiao and her family were anything but harmonious.
Chen Xueer took the hint and changed the subject, deftly steering the conversation toward Xingchen Entertainment Company...
In a Courtyard House in the capital, Jiang Cheng lounged in a chair, reading Chen Xueer's reply on his phone.
One glance and he couldn't help rubbing his nose in embarrassment.
Whether it stank or not, Chen Xueer would have to test it herself.
Still, the topic was getting greasy.
Jiang Cheng decided to brazenly leave it on read.
After replying to the other Girls, he opened his banking app to check his balance.
Thanks to the Gourmet Card, his liquid cash had jumped to 5.8 billion, but he was still short of the 10-billion target.
Luckily, Pinduoduo's Series C valuation was underway; past experience said he had at least another month or two of buffer.
That would let him divert some funds into Social Media Platform first.
But after midnight the dream come true system had popped up with a new prompt.
"New year! Wishing the Host a smooth and happy 2018; the system bestows a special blessing."
Task description: On the first day of the new year, do something you yourself consider meaningful.
Task reward: Upon completion, a prize will be awarded based on the cause-and-effect value of the deed.
Task penalty: If not completed today, the blessing will be forfeited.
Jiang Cheng reread the message.
What counts as meaningful—and it has to be done today?
After breakfast, with Chen Ping leading the way, Jiang Cheng slipped quietly to a military unit near Great-Grandfather's residence.
After mulling it over, the meaningful thing he could think of was meeting Zhao Anning at the food street with Reba last time.
Nearly seventy, the man still did charity every single day.
He wondered whether Zhao Anning had settled in after being assigned to the unit's logistics.
Under Chen Ping's guidance, Jiang Cheng arrived at the kitchen and logistics area.
The military kitchen was huge and fully equipped.
Aromas of food filled the air; cooks bustled about.
Chen Ping explained, "I drop by sometimes. Elder Zhao fits right in here, and he..."
Seeing Chen Ping hesitate, Jiang Cheng gave him a puzzled look: "What's wrong with him?"
When they couldn't find Zhao Anning inside, Chen Ping led Jiang Cheng to the open area behind the kitchen.
Breakfast was over.
Clusters of people sunned themselves and chatted.
Some were prepping garlic and vegetables for lunch.
"Most here are retired veterans—uncles and aunties—and many of the aunties are widows. As for Elder Zhao..."
"Meaning?"
Before Chen Ping finished, Jiang Cheng spotted Zhao Anning at a glance.
The old man was holding a few scallions, chatting lazily with an auntie.
As the two drew near, they heard Zhao Anning say, "Let me test you: if you're spring tea, guess what I am?"
The auntie shot him a puzzled look: "What do you mean, I'm spring tea? What are you?"
"If you're spring tea, then I'm water."
"Why?"
"Because I want to steep you."
"Oh, you rascal, get lost!" The auntie blushed crimson and scampered off.
Zhao Anning watched her retreat, a smug, mischievous smile on his face.
Jiang Cheng's mouth fell open in shock.
That was unbearably cheesy.
The scene left him speechless, as if something were stuck in his throat; he didn't know how to call out.
In the few seconds Jiang Cheng stood frozen, Zhao Anning had already strode toward another auntie absorbed in her phone.
Grinning, he greeted her: "Xiao Li, why didn't you reply to my messages last night?"
The woman called Xiao Li looked up, embarrassment flashing across her face.
She waved dismissively: "I was in the shower, how could I answer?"
Zhao Anning shot back, "Why can't you chat while showering?"
The auntie's eyes widened in indignation: "How do you chat with water everywhere!"
He kept grinning: "Too much water? Turn on video—I'm a gentleman, I won't peek, and anyway it's nothing I haven't seen."
The auntie finally snapped: "You shameless old man, don't spout nonsense—when did you ever see me shower?"
Zhao Anning remained unflappable.
He pointed toward a glass shed where piglets were warming under a heater.
"Of course I have—look, just like you: white and tender."
Being compared to a pig, the auntie flushed with mortification, pouting like a Little Girl.
She glared: "Calling me a pig? I'll smack you!"
She raised her hand to strike.
Zhao Anning only grinned wider, clearly enjoying the attention.
He taunted: "Come on, I'm not scared!"
Furious, the auntie sprang after him.
"I'll teach you a lesson, you brat!" she shouted.
They chased each other in lively circles.
Suddenly the auntie halted, panting: "I can't run anymore—stop, you old goat!"