Chapter 403: Love Develops Over Time (Part 2)
Qiao Yunran struggled in Cao Pingao's embrace, her face flushed, saying:
"No, no, I need to shower first."
Seeing Qiao Yunran's firm stance, Cao Pingao set her back down on the floor:
"Alright, you can shower first then."
Qiao Yunran lowered her head and said, "When I shower, could you wait in another room?"
Cao Pingao chuckled, "Didn't we already have an in-depth exchange last night? Why are you still treating me like a stranger?"
Qiao Yunran stood still, her head slightly bowed. She didn't refute Cao Pingao, just persisted silently.
After a stalemate of more than ten seconds, Cao Pingao sighed, "Fine. You shower in the master bedroom, and I'll use the one next door."
"Thank you."
---When Cao Pingao finished showering in another room on the second floor, changed into his pajamas, and returned to the master bedroom, he found that Yunran had already turned off all the lights.
"Yunran, are we going to do this in the dark again tonight?"
"I'll be too embarrassed if the lights are on."
"Alright," Cao Pingao said, feeling somewhat helpless.
He climbed onto the large bed in the dark. The moment his hand touched Qiao Yunran's body, her entire frame instantly tensed up like a bowstring.
"Why are you even more nervous than yesterday? Relax a little."
"Don't mind me---just do whatever you want, and try to make it quick."
Cao Pingao was so annoyed he laughed, "This is such a wonderful thing, and you're treating it like completing a mission?"
Qiao Yunran lay flat on the bed, her eyes vacant, "Say whatever you like."
---Although Qiao Yunran had delicate features and extremely high beauty, Cao Pingao couldn't see anything without the lights on.
Although Qiao Yunran's figure was balanced, her skin smooth, slim where she should be, and curvy where she should be, she remained completely silent throughout, offering no interaction or feedback, making Cao Pingao briefly mistake her for a high-end synthetic doll.
Moreover, immediately after their intimacy, Qiao Yunran disconnected her phone and charger and retreated to the side, showing no lingering attachment or emotion.
In short, it was quite unsatisfactory.
[Loyalty Badge (Bronze) activated]
[Qiao Yunran's loyalty to the host +1%. Current loyalty: 30%]
Listening to the system announcement in his ear, Cao Pingao thought: Not bad, at least the effort wasn't wasted.
Given Big Qiao's situation, I can only rely on my good physique and the [Loyalty Badge] to let her slowly develop feelings for me over time.
"Um, could we sleep in separate rooms for now?"
Qiao Yunran, tightly wrapped in the blanket, huddled on the edge of the double bed, keeping her body as far away from him as possible: "I'm used to sleeping alone. If suddenly there's another person, I won't be able to sleep."
Cao Pingao, sitting in the darkness, said with slightly furrowed brows, "Fine."
He got out of bed, quickly put on his clothes, and strode out of the bedroom to the first-floor living room.
"Old Dian, leave the white Phantom specifically for Miss Qiao.
Old Xu, we'll take the black Phantom back to the villa area."
Dian Wei and Xu Chu replied, "Understood, Boss."
---The Lakeside Villa Area of Donghu Bay.
The dark gold iron gate automatically opened before the square-faced rolls-royce.
As the sedan drove into the villa area, Cao Pingao saw that Villas No. 1 through No. 9 were all brightly lit.
In front of many lit windows stood slender young women, some holding Little babies, some sporting large bellies, and some waving at him.
"Old Xu, stop in front of Villa No. 6."
Xu Chu, the big round face, nodded, "Understood, Boss."
After the car stopped, just as Cao Pingao got out, Li Yixuan, wearing a thin set of pajamas, ran out of Villa No. 6, shouting "Honey!" as she rushed into his arms.
Seeing this, Cao Pingao quickly opened his overcoat and wrapped up Little Yixuan:
"Silly girl, aren't you cold running out here wearing so little?"
"Not cold~"
Li Yixuan pressed her small nose into Cao Pingao's clothes, vigorously sniffing his scent: "Honey~ I thought you wouldn't come back tonight because you were busy~"
"Hahahaha, I was busy, but I came back as soon as I finished."
Cao Pingao lowered his head and kissed Li Yixuan's round little face, then carried her into Villa No. 6—
He saw Jin Yao, Li Jing, and Zheng Jiaqi standing together in the foyer to greet him:
"Honey~ You're back~"
Jin Yao stood behind him with a gentle expression: "Honey, let me help you take off your coat~"
Zheng Jiaqi obediently squatted by his feet: "Honey, let me help you change your slippers~"
Li Jing asked solicitously, "Honey, did you eat well for dinner? Are you hungry now? Do you want a late-night snack?"
"I'm not hungry right now. We can talk about a late-night snack later."
Cao Pingao looked at the four girls surrounding him, his mood brightening considerably: Home is the best; the girls here always maximize my emotional value.
After taking off his overcoat and changing into slippers, Cao Pingao carried Li Yixuan and walked with Jin Yao, Li Jing, and Zheng Jiaqi into the living room. He chatted with them for a while, then went to the children's rooms to check on the sleeping kids.
Finally, he took Li Jing's hand and returned with her to her bedroom.
Without Cao Pingao even having to ask, Li Jing, who wanted to conceive a second child, lowered her head with a shy expression.
---Two days later, Zou Huimin, who was waiting to give birth at St. Marys Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, successfully delivered a healthy baby boy for Boss Cao.
[Congratulations, host, on gaining a biological son]
[host has completed the Many Children, Many Blessings Mission. Mission reward: 100 million yuan]
[Skill reward: Loyalty Badge (Bronze) upgraded to Loyalty Badge (Silver)]
[When the host possesses the Loyalty Badge (Silver), intimate interaction moderately increases the loyalty of the opposite sex to the host]
[Random reward: 2 great tonic strengthening pills]
Cao Pingao sat by Zou Huimin's bed, holding her hand and saying:
"You worked hard, Huimin."
Zou Huimin, whose face was slightly fatigued, smiled and shook her head: "Honey~ For our son and for you, I'm willing to endure any hardship~"
Beside them, Zhang Xiu and Zhou Jing were cooing at the newborn Little Baby lying in the crib: "Aunt, have you decided on the little guy's name?"
Zou Huimin and Cao Pingao exchanged a smile: "Yes, we have. His name is Cao Xuan, the Xuan from Xuanyuan~"
---In the following days, before returning home from work every day, Cao Pingao would first make a trip to Tongque Garden to increase Qiao Yunran's loyalty to him in the dark.
With the assistance of the [Loyalty Badge] and Cao Pingao's persistent efforts, Qiao Yunran's body first gradually began to accept him, no longer being completely unresponsive during their 'duo queue' game sessions as she was initially.
After becoming physically familiar with each other, Miss Qiao, the Eldest Daughter's attitude towards him also became much gentler. When they met, she no longer always wore a stern face, but occasionally showed him a slight smile.
---As Cao Pingao slowly wore down Qiao Yunran with persistence, December quietly passed, and the new year quickly arrived.
That evening.
In the master bedroom on the second floor of the Tongque Garden villa, where the lights were off.
Cao Pingao was diligently exercising his body, doing push-ups, as usual.
Suddenly, a pair of warm, soft hands gently wrapped around his waist.
Cao Pingao paused, then chuckled, "Yunran, this seems to be the first time you've proactively hugged me."
The small hands instantly pulled back.
"I—I didn't mean to~"
Although the room was pitch black, Cao Pingao could still vaguely make out Qiao Yunran's small, oval face, flushed crimson with embarrassment.
He secretly reached out his hand toward the bedside and, with a "snap," turned on a yellow bedside lamp.
"Oh no~" Qiao Yunran covered her face with her hands in shyness, "Why did you turn on the light?"
Cao Pingao laughed, "Are you only going to cover your face?"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Yunran quickly pulled the blanket over her snow-white body, then covered her face again:
"Can you please turn off the light?"
"No."
"I'm begging you."
"Then call me 'Honey' so I can hear it."
Having no choice, Qiao Yunran called out in a voice barely louder than a mosquito:
"Honey~"
Cao Pingao lay sideways beside her, propping up his head with his hand, and chuckled, "The sound is too soft, I can't hear it."
Qiao Yunran bit her lip hard and increased her volume slightly:
"Honey~"
"Yes! Why did you call your Honey?"
"Could you please turn off the light?"
"Alright."
With a "snap," darkness returned to the room.
Qiao Yunran lowered the hands covering her face, just about to sigh in relief, when her cherry lips were captured by Cao Pingao's large mouth.
"Mmm mmm mmm---"
---After a storm of passion.
Cao Pingao sat on the edge of the bed as usual, starting to dress in the dark, preparing to go home.
Suddenly, a pair of soft small hands wrapped around his waist, and two masses of gentle softness pressed against him from behind:
"Honey~ Can you please stay and accompany me tonight?"
//404//
Chapter 404: Returning Home (Part 1)
Cao Pingao chuckled, "Didn't you say you're used to sleeping alone, and that an extra person would make you unable to sleep?"
Qiao Yunran wrapped her arms around his waist and said with a hint of grievance in her voice, "But you leave every day after we're done, it makes me feel so cheap—as if I'm not your fiancée, but just a mistress you're keeping in a hidden love nest~"
Cao Pingao inwardly snickered: Your description isn't wrong.
"Alright, if you want me to stay with you, I'll stay with you for a night."
Cao Pingao first took out his phone, sent a wechat message saying "Not coming back tonight" in a small group, then took off the jacket he had just put on, turned around, hugged the soft and delicate Big Qiao, and lay back into the covers.
The excitement hadn't worn off, and Qiao Yunran, still in a semi-aroused state, couldn't fall asleep, so she quietly asked:
"Everyone outside says you're very promiscuous and have many Girlfriends. Is that true?"
Cao Pingao lay on his side next to Qiao Yunran, feeling the tenderness of her skin with his large hand:
"Mhm, it's true."
Qiao Yunran was a bit surprised because she didn't expect Cao Pingao to be so candid, and she even felt a tiny bit of jealousy:
"Then, besides me, your fiancée, how many Girlfriends do you have right now?"
Cao Pingao grinned and said, "There are too many to count, I'm afraid I'd scare you if I told you directly."
"Scare me? Are there five?"
"More than that."
"Ten?"
"More than that."
"Hmph, you really know how to brag~ Fine, don't tell me then~"
Qiao Yunran, with her small mouth slightly pouting, turned over, leaving her defenseless beautiful back to him.
Seeing this, Cao Pingao naturally quickly pressed against her, then embraced her from behind, and whispered in her ear:
"Yunran, no matter how many women I have outside, when I'm with you, my heart will only have you, absolutely no one else."
Listening to Cao Pingao's somewhat outlandish sweet talk, Qiao Yunran suddenly felt a warmth in her belly:
It's normal for a man as young, excellent, and physically fit as him to have many admirers—I'll just slowly get him to settle down after we officially get married.
---The next morning.
As soon as Cao Pingao opened his eyes, he heard the system broadcast beside his ear:
[host holds the prosperous husband badge (silver): 2% of total assets rewarded on the 15th of each month]
[According to system big data calculation, the host's current total assets are: 6.67914 billion yuan]
[The cash reward for this month is: 133.58 million yuan, which has been transferred to the host's designated bank account via the Central Bank]
[The host's current total cash balance is: 2.183214272.06 billion yuan]
After listening to the system broadcast, Cao Pingao used the system to scan Big Qiao, who was lying beside him, her sleeping face incredibly charming—
[Qiao Yunran's loyalty to the host is: 75.75%, no risk of cheating]
Seeing the safe blue light glowing around Qiao Yunran, Cao Pingao felt exceptionally pleased:
After fighting hard for over a month, I finally managed to'sleep-convince' her.
Half an hour later, Qiao Yunran slowly woke up.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Cao Pingao lying on his side next to her, looking at her with a smile—
Qiao Yunran quickly pulled the blanket to cover her oval face, only revealing her beautiful large eyes.
"You, what are you staring at me for?"
Cao Pingao chuckled, "I'm staring at you because you're beautiful, of course."
Qiao Yunran's pretty face flushed, "Oh, I slept all night, and now I haven't washed my face or combed my hair. How can I be beautiful~"
Cao Pingao laughed, "Hahahaha, a natural beauty like you looks good no matter what."
"Oh dear~ Can you please turn around first, I want to get dressed~" Qiao Yunran pleaded, blinking her big eyes.
"Hahahaha, alright, alright." Cao Pingao got up and sat on the edge of the bed, his back to Qiao Yunran, and said, "You know how many times we've been honest with each other, do you still need to turn your back when you get dressed?"
Qiao Yunran, while nervously watching Cao Pingao, deftly fastened her bra clasp behind her back:
"Well, that was always when the lights were off. Now it's broad daylight, it's so bright—"
"Then when can we make love without turning off the lights and fumbling in the dark?
Yunran?"
Not hearing a reply, Cao Pingao turned around and found that Qiao Yunran had secretly slipped into the master bedroom's private bathroom to wash up.
---In the dining room on the first floor of the villa.
Cao Pingao and Qiao Yunran sat opposite each other at the dining table, eating breakfast together.
The maids and aunties standing not far away exchanged glances, their eyes filled with the excitement of gossiping:
"Hey, hey, hey, this is Miss Qiao's first time eating breakfast with the boss."
"Last night should also be the boss's first time staying overnight in our Tongque Garden."
"It looks like their relationship is finally getting better—"
"What are you all mumbling about over there?" Cao Pingao turned his head and smiled.
A bolder maid replied, her head slightly bowed:
"We were saying that you, Boss, are tall and handsome, and Miss Qiao is young and beautiful. You two are truly a perfect match~"
Qiao Yunran's small face immediately flushed red upon hearing this.
Cao Pingao chuckled, "Hahahaha, you seem quite clever. What's your name?"
The maid said, eyes downcast, "Boss, my name is Xiangxiu, Li Xiangxiu."
Cao Pingao glanced at her sideways:
[Name: Li Xiangxiu]
[Age: 18]
[Bare-faced: 76 points]
[Figure: 79 points]
[Vocational high school education, virgin, no bad habits, no tattoos, good health]
[System determined: Qualified breeding partner]
Cao Pingao's lips curved slightly: "Xiangxiu, starting next month, your salary will increase by 2000."
Li Xiangxiu looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with excitement, "Thank you, Boss~"
Cao Pingao chuckled, "Don't thank me. You just need to take good care of Miss Qiao for me. As long as she lives comfortably in this Tongque Garden, your salaries will all rise quickly."
Everyone's faces lit up upon hearing this: "We understand, Boss, we will definitely take good care of Miss Qiao."
---After breakfast, Cao Pingao and Qiao Yunran walked out of the villa together, passed through the courtyard, and arrived at the main gate of the yard—
At this moment, two rolls-royce phantoms, one black and one white, were parked there.
Cao Pingao first saw Qiao Yunran into the white Phantom, then turned to walk towards his black Phantom.
"Hey~ Hubby~"
Qiao Yunran suddenly poked her head out of the car window and called out to him:
"Um, my dad wants me to have a meal with you at home—when are you free?"
Cao Pingao asked with a smile, "What did you just call me?"
Qiao Yunran said softly, her face shy, "You clearly heard it~"
"Hahaha, I like hearing you call me that."
Cao Pingao reached his hand into the car window and gently stroked Qiao Yunran's cheek. This time, she just blushed and didn't hide:
"I'm free these two days; I can accompany you home to your parents' place for dinner anytime."
---That evening.
Qiao Family Grand Villa.
Qiao Yueran, who had showered and washed her hair, sat in front of the dressing table and meticulously applied a light, girlish makeup.
Then she got up and went to the spacious walk-in closet, trying on one outfit after another.
Finally, she chose a backless red evening gown.
Looking at her young, beautiful, and slender self in the mirror, Qiao Yueran couldn't help but frown slightly:
"Oh, what am I doing?"
"Sister and that scoundrel are just going home for a casual meal—who am I dressing up for?"
Little Qiao gently sighed, took off the slightly revealing red evening gown, and then put on a pink hoodie and a pair of ripped jeans.
Just then, two knocks sounded at the room door:
"Second Miss, Sir said that Big Miss and them are almost home, so please come downstairs quickly."
"Got it, I'll be right down."
Qiao Yueran looked at her exquisitely made-up face in the mirror again:
"I won't remove the makeup, after all, I just spent a lot of effort putting it on."
She touched up her lips with a bit of pink lip gloss, carefully tidied her hairstyle, then pushed the door open and walked out of her bedroom.
//405//
Chapter 405: Returning Home (Part 2)
Qiao Yunran, dressed in a light gray overcoat, was the first to enter the house:
"Dad, Yueran, we're back."
It was her first time returning home for dinner with her fiancé, and her pretty face was slightly flushed, clearly still a bit shy.
Cao Pingao, who followed behind her, was wearing a black woolen overcoat, holding an exquisitely packaged gift box in each hand:
"Father-in-law, these are tea and red wine that Yunran and I bought for you."
Qiao Weigong, standing in the foyer, smiled so widely his eyes became two slits. He motioned for the butler to quickly take the items from Cao Pingao's hands, while saying with a laugh:
"Oh, Pingao, it's just a casual meal at home. Next time, don't buy these things."
Qiao Yueran, standing nearby, looked at Qiao Yunran and Cao Pingao, who seemed a perfect match together, and a faint sour taste rose in her mouth:
"Sister, Brother-in-law."
Qiao Yunran walked up to her sister and embraced her tightly.
Cao Pingao also smiled at Qiao Yueran: "Long time no see, Yueran."
After exchanging greetings, everyone moved to the dining room—where a sumptuous dinner had already been prepared.
Qiao Weigong: "Pingao, sit, sit, let's eat and chat."
"Okay, Father-in-law."
Cao Pingao first pulled out a chair for Qiao Yunran and waited for her to sit down before taking his own seat.
During the meal, he would occasionally serve Big Qiao food, showing that their relationship was quite intimate.
Qiao Weigong was naturally very happy to see this, while Qiao Yueran, sitting beside them, felt a mix of emotions.
After dinner, Qiao Weigong took Cao Pingao to his study to discuss business.
The two sisters, Qiao Yunran and Qiao Yueran, held hands and went up to the bedroom on the second floor, lying together on the big bed to chat.
"Sister, are you used to living in that Tongque Garden?"
Qiao Yunran gently nodded: "He made the decorations and furnishings there very similar to our home's style, so I'm quite used to it."
Qiao Yueran asked curiously, "What about him? Is he good to you?"
Thinking of how over 95% of her meetings with Cao Pingao in the past month had involved physical exchanges, Qiao Yunran's pretty face couldn't help but flush again:
"It's alright~"
Qiao Yueran: "Alright? Did he bully you?"
"No~" Qiao Yunran's little face turned even redder. "Yueran, don't overthink it, he's very good to me.
On the contrary, when I first moved in with him, I was still thinking of Sun Feng—he didn't blame me or say much, but gave me time to adjust slowly."
"I didn't expect him to be so magnanimous~"
Hearing her sister praise Cao Pingao as "magnanimous," Qiao Yunran didn't retort, but thought to herself: Although I didn't give him a smile at first, he didn't go easy on me every night either.
Qiao Yueran lay beside her sister, playing with the silky black strands of hair near her ear, when a mischievous smile suddenly appeared on her face:
"Sister, you've been living with him for a while now, how's his body?"
Qiao Yunran understood her sister's unspoken meaning and said softly with a shy expression:
"His body is quite good~"
Qiao Yueran hugged her sister's neck and laughed: "How good? Tell me in detail~"
---By the time Cao Pingao and Qiao Weigong finished their business talk, it was already past 10 PM.
Qiao Weigong looked at the clock on the wall and said: "Pingao, why don't you and Yunran stay here tonight? You can just stay at home.
It'll also allow the two sisters to chat a bit longer."
Cao Pingao: "Okay, Father-in-law."
After leaving the study, Cao Pingao climbed the stairs to the second floor, arrived at Qiao Yunran's bedroom door, and knocked:
"Big Miss, Second Miss, may I come in?"
A string of bell-like laughter came from inside the room:
"Come in."
Cao Pingao pushed the door open and walked in, saying to the Qiao sisters, who were sitting on the bed, hand in hand:
"Yunran, we're not leaving tonight. We're staying here overnight."
"Wow~ That's great~" Qiao Yueran happily hugged Qiao Yunran, "Sister, then we'll sleep together tonight~"
Qiao Yunran smiled and nodded: "Okay~"
Cao Pingao laughed: "So I'll be sleeping alone?"
Qiao Yueran, hugging her sister's waist, turned to look at him with a meaningful gaze and said: "Sister is mine tonight. You two can sleep together every day once you're back at Tongque Garden~"
"Oh, Yueran~" Qiao Yunran's little face flushed as she lightly slapped her sister's arm, "Don't talk nonsense."
Then she turned to Cao Pingao: "You sleep in my room tonight. Yueran and I will sleep in her room."
"Alright." Cao Pingao smiled and nodded.
---Because the two sisters' bedrooms were adjacent, and a pair of double wooden doors were installed in the wall between the two rooms, the sound insulation was not very good.
After showering, Cao Pingao lay in his pajamas on the soft, comfortable large bed. As he inhaled the lingering scent of the two girls on the bedding, and listened to their lively chatter and laughter from next door, a wicked fire involuntarily rose in his heart—
Damn, I really want to go over and join their conversation!
Cao Pingao picked up his phone and sent a wechat message to Qiao Yunran:
{I can't sleep alone.}
After a while, Qiao Yunran replied with a message:
{We'll be chatting very late, are you willing to wait for me?}
Cao Pingao typed back:
{No matter how late, I'm a night owl.}
Soon, Qiao Yunran replied with a {smiley face}.
With the affirmative reply, Cao Pingao's lips curved slightly. He shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning against the headboard, and chatted flirtatiously with his other Girlfriends on wechat while waiting for Qiao Yunran to come find him.
Time quickly passed, reaching past 2 AM.
Suddenly, the bedroom door was gently opened, and Qiao Yunran, wearing a white silk nightgown, tiptoed in:
"You're still awake?"
Cao Pingao laughed: "I told you I can't sleep without someone accompanying me."
Qiao Yunran's small face was slightly flushed as she just sat on the edge of the bed, when Cao Pingao reached out with his large hands and pulled her into his embrace.
"Oh~ Turn off the light first~"
"Where's the light switch?"
"Over there, directly above the bedside table."
"Is it okay now?"
"Mm~ But we need to be quiet, Yueran is already asleep, and our rooms aren't very soundproof~"
"Got it."
At this moment, Qiao Yueran, who was "already asleep," was wide-eyed, pressing her ear against the wooden door between the two rooms.
Soon, sounds of'struggle' came from the next room.
Qiao Yueran, her face beet red, knew that eavesdropping like this was wrong, but her ear simply couldn't leave that wooden door.
///406//
Chapter 406: The white moonlight Who Changed Her Heart (Part 1)
Qiao Yueran hadn't expected that Cao Pingao in real life would be even more vigorous than the "Dark Horse Knight" from the erotic dream she had before.
By the time the sounds of battle from the next room finally quieted down, her two long legs were already numb from standing.
Qiao Yueran quietly stretched her body, and just as she was about to go straight to bed, she suddenly felt something amiss.
Thus, she could only blush slightly and head to the cloakroom to change into a nightgown and a pair of underwear before finally lying back down on her large bed.
After tossing and turning for a long time, Qiao Yueran finally drifted off to sleep.
Unsurprisingly, she had another erotic dream—
In the dream, as she was strolling in her family's garden, Cao Pingao suddenly appeared and hugged her tightly.
Cao Pingao: "Yueran, I like you."
Qiao Yueran looked bashful: "But—you are already engaged to my sister~"
Cao Pingao said with eyes full of affection: "But the person I like is you.
I will break off the engagement with your sister and marry you. Will you marry me?"
Just as Qiao Yueran was still hesitating, Cao Pingao lowered his head and kissed her lips—In Qiao Yunran's bedroom next door.
Cao Pingao, having finished the Double-Rank Match, lay naked in the quilt, embracing the soft and gentle Big Qiao.
He had just closed his eyes, ready to sleep, when the system broadcast sounded in his ear:
[Armor-Piercing Badge (Bronze) Activated]
[Congratulations, host, on successfully completing the Many Children, Many Blessings Mission]
[Breeding Target Qiao Yunran successfully conceived naturally. System rewards 10 million yuan for prenatal care]
[Skill Reward: Armor-Piercing Badge (Bronze)]
[Bronze Badge: Critical Hit Rate 25%]
[Silver Badge: Critical Hit Rate 50%]
[Gold Badge: Critical Hit Rate 75%]
[Legendary Badge: Critical Hit Rate 100%]
[When the Little Baby is born healthy, the Armor-Piercing Badge will automatically upgrade by one level]
[Random Reward: 2 Great Stride Body Strengthening Pills]
Cao Pingao: This is secure now. Once a well-mannered good girl like Qiao Yunran gets pregnant with my Little Baby, she will become even more devoted to me.
---The next morning.
In the dining hall on the first floor of the Qiao Family Villa.
Qiao Weigong asked his listless younger daughter beside him while eating breakfast:
"What's wrong, Yueran? Did you stay up too late chatting with your sister yesterday and didn't rest well?"
Qiao Yueran's small face flushed, and she quickly took a small sip of white porridge: "I'm fine."
Qiao Weigong turned his head to look at his elder daughter, Qiao Yunran, on the other side, but found that she was in excellent spirits, and her complexion was rosy, looking very healthy.
So he turned back and said to his younger daughter, who was drinking porridge: "Yueran, after talking with Pingao last night, Dad thought about it alone for a long time.
In the past, Dad did have some outdated old ideas, believing that girls like you and your sister weren't suited for business, but were better off learning music or art, marrying a good husband, raising children at home, and enjoying life.
However, since you have already chosen to major in Business Administration in college and are interested in commerce, Dad shouldn't continue to stop you."
Qiao Yueran looked up, surprised: "Dad, does that mean you are willing to let me participate in our family's business?"
Qiao Weigong nodded with a smile: "Pingao suggested that you serve as a Special Business Consultant, directly participating in the specific cooperation projects between our two group companies."
After hearing her father's words, Qiao Yueran looked at Cao Pingao with gratitude:
"Thank you, Brother-in-law~"
"You're welcome." Cao Pingao said with a smile.
After finishing breakfast, Qiao Yunran bid farewell to her father and sister and left with Cao Pingao for work.
On the way, she said to her fiancé beside her with grateful eyes:
"Thank you for speaking up for Yueran in front of my dad~"
Cao Pingao thought happily: If I don't let your sister participate in the two families' businesses, how can I reasonably increase my chances of meeting her and seize the opportunity to take her down?
He pointed to his cheek with a mischievous smile: "If you really want to thank me, give me some practical thanks."
Qiao Yunran's pretty face flushed, and she glanced at the driver, Dian Wei, sitting in the front row.
Dian Wei quickly turned the rearview mirror inside the car to the side, gripped the steering wheel with both hands, and focused on driving without glancing around.
Qiao Yunran first bit her lip, then shyly brought her beautiful little mouth close to Cao Pingao's large face and lightly kissed him.
Cao Pingao laughed triumphantly: "Yunran, this is the first time you've kissed me voluntarily, and in broad daylight, no less."
"Oh, don't talk about it~"
Qiao Yunran turned her head away, too embarrassed to look into his eyes, her small face turning even redder.
"Hahahahaha."
Cao Pingao reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, forcibly embracing and kissing her again in the car.
---Three days later, Jiangcheng Tianhe Airport.
As Sun Dajian, Chairman of the Dongwu Group, accompanied by several female secretaries and attendants, walked out of the arrival gate, Sun Feng, dressed in a sharp suit, led several core members of the Jiangcheng Branch Company to greet him.
"Chairman, thank you for your hard journey."
Sun Dajian looked at Sun Feng expressionlessly:
"Did that Huang Dazu agree to cooperate with us?"
Sun Feng bowed his head slightly and replied seriously: "Boss Huang has agreed to our Cooperation Framework. Huangs Real Estate will become our new partner for the Dongwu Group in Jiangcheng.
Chairman, would you like to meet Boss Huang first?"
A hint of disdain appeared in Sun Dajian's eyes:
"A small character of Huang Dazu's level, I don't necessarily need to see him.
My main purpose for coming to Jiangcheng this time is for the plot of land on Donghu Avenue.
Lead the way."
"Understood." Sun Feng quickly made a "please" gesture. "Chairman, please follow this way. The vehicle prepared for you is parked in this direction."
---On the airport expressway, six black mercedes-maybachs lined up in a row, driving steadily toward the direction of Jiang City center.
Sun Dajian, sitting in the second car, said to Sun Feng beside him:
"I know that because the cooperation with the Jinqiao Group fell through, you broke up with that daughter of Qiao Weigong, and you must feel somewhat uncomfortable about it."
Sun Feng felt a dull ache in his chest, but he still said firmly: "Just a woman.
Compared to the long-term commercial interests of our Dongwu Group in Jiangcheng, my small sacrifice is insignificant."
"Very good! That's the spirit my son, Sun Dajian, should have!"
A look of appreciation finally appeared in Sun Dajian's eyes: "As long as our Dongwu Group can successfully expand our commercial territory in Jiangcheng, won't all the beautiful young ladies of Jiangcheng be yours to choose from?"
"I understand, Dad." Sun Feng nodded through gritted teeth.
---One hour later.
In Auction Hall No. 1 of the Jiang City Land Exchange Center.
Sun Dajian, sitting in the back row, patted Sun Feng's shoulder and said:
"Manager Sun, you will sit in the front later and bid for land on behalf of our Dongwu Group.
The goal today is to acquire as much land as possible, but the most important thing is Plot No. 5 on Donghu Avenue; we must secure it."
Sun Feng replied with a serious expression: "Chairman, please rest assured, I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Not long after Sun Feng walked to the front row of the venue and sat down, Qiao Weigong and Jiang Dawei also entered the Land Auction Site with their respective Secretary Teams.
Sun Feng: The Jinqiao Group and Jiang Shi Industrial really came to compete with us for the land—Hey, where is that Cao Pingao?
Speak of Boss Cao, and Boss Cao arrives.
Just as the land auction was about to officially begin, Cao Pingao, tall and dressed in a sharp black Armani suit, walked in, escorting a stunning beauty with long, flowing hair.
Sun Feng's eyes instantly widened:
"Yunran—"
//407//
Chapter 407: The white moonlight Who Changed Her Heart (Part 2)
Qiao Yunran, with her exquisite makeup, was wearing a white high-neck wool sweater, paired with tight jeans and black knee-high boots, with a long, light grey coat over it.
With her slender figure, beautiful features, and long hair draped over her shoulders, she immediately attracted everyone's attention the moment she walked into the land auction, making them all I couldn't help it begin to envy Cao Pingao, whose arm she was holding.
After the two walked to the front row and sat down, Qiao Yunran noticed Sun Feng not far away, sitting in the same row as them.
She was stunned for a moment, then turned to Cao Pingao and whispered in his ear:
"You suddenly asked me to take leave from school and brought me to this land auction. It's not just because he's here, is it?"
Cao Pingao grinned: "That's exactly why."
Qiao Yunran pouted slightly and said, "I haven't contacted him since I got together with you. Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you."
Cao Pingao looked at the gritting-teeth Sun Feng not far away, then deliberately leaned into Qiao Yunran's ear, half-hugging her as he laughed:
"But I still want to see your reaction when you see your ex-boyfriend again.
I want to see if you've completely let him go in your heart."
"Hmph~ You're so boring."
Qiao Yunran angrily turned her head away from Cao Pingao, while also feeling a little surprised: When I saw Sun Feng just now, my heart didn't even ripple. He was the boy I liked for many years before—I can't believe I let him go so quickly.
He was the boy I liked for many years before—I can't believe I let him go so quickly.
Cao Pingao put one arm around Qiao Yunran's fragrant shoulder, and with the other hand gently turned her small face back, continuing to whisper to her:
"Hahahaha, alright, Yunran, I'm not playing with you anymore.
Actually, I brought you here today mainly to disrupt Sun Feng's plans and make Dongwu Group bleed a little more during the land acquisition."
Qiao Yunran looked up and glanced at him: "Really?"
Cao Pingao smiled and nodded: "Of course, I know very well whether you have me in your heart or not; there's no need for such probing."
Qiao Yunran pouted even higher: "Hmph~ Who has you in their heart? Don't flatter yourself~"
"Hahahaha, you don't admit it with your mouth, but your body is always very honest every night."
"Oh, you're annoying~" Qiao Yunran's pretty face flushed slightly as she hit his arm, "My dad is still sitting next to us~ Don't talk nonsense~"
Not far from the two, Sun Feng, with tightly furrowed brows, watched as his white moonlight intimately leaned against another man, flirting and bickering right in front of him.
What was most unbearable for him was that the look in Qiao Yunran's eyes when she looked at Cao Pingao clearly held an undisguised affection—Sun Feng's heart was gripped by pang after pang of agony:
Yunran, from junior high until now, how many years have I liked you, and how many years have I pursued you?
Have you really changed your heart so quickly?
Cao Pingao, you bastard! Once our Dongwu Group establishes a firm foothold in Jiang City, the first one we'll destroy will be your Cao Wei Group!
---Soon, the land auction officially began.
Sun Feng, as the representative of Dongwu Group, frequently raised his bid, hoping to acquire as much land as possible to prepare the company for its major entry into the Jiang City market.
Cao Pingao, sitting next to him, frequently raised his bid to drive up the price, forcing Sun Feng to buy land at a premium of 30 to 40 percent.
Reason told Sun Feng that he was being played by Cao Pingao and shouldn't follow every bid.
But whenever he turned his head and saw Cao Pingao holding Qiao Yunran's slender waist, his blood would rush to his head, and he couldn't help but want to outbid the other party at the land auction.
The host on stage said, "Next up for auction is Lot No. 77. The land is for commercial use, with a total area of 20.8 mu, located on Waihuan South Road, Jiangdong District, Jiang City. The starting price is 28 million."
Sun Feng raised his bid with a serious expression: "30 million."
Cao Pingao also raised his bid with a smile: "38 million."
Sun Feng: "40 million."
Cao Pingao: "45 million."
Sun Feng: "46 million!"
Cao Pingao's large hand slid down a bit from Qiao Yunran's waist: "50 million."
A vein throbbed on Sun Feng's forehead: "51 million!"
The host's face was flushed: "Dongwu Group bids 51 million. Are there any higher bids?
51 million once, 51 million twice, sold for 51 million."
At this moment, Sun Dajian's female secretary walked from the back row to the front, patted Sun Feng's shoulder, and whispered:
"President Sun, the group's total budget for today is 800 million, and you've already spent 450 million.
The chairman wants you to stop wasting funds on marginal land plots. Lot No. 5 on Donghu Avenue is the group's main target today."
Sun Feng looked back at his father, only to see Sun Dajian, sitting in the last row, staring at him with icy eyes—
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Sun Feng's forehead: "I understand. I will definitely complete the task the chairman has given me."
After wiping away his cold sweat, the calmed Sun Feng no longer bid recklessly. Instead, he watched Cao Pingao continuously bid and aggressively hoard land, while accumulating his own strength.
Before long, the redline map and information for Lot No. 5, which had great development value, appeared on the large screen.
The host spoke into the microphone: "Next up for auction is Lot No. 5. The land is for commercial use, with a total area of 45.5 mu, located on Donghu Avenue, Jiangnan District, Jiang City. The starting price is 218 million."
This time, before Sun Feng could even speak, Cao Pingao was the first to raise his bid: "300 million."
"Oh—" The land auction site erupted in an uproar.
"It looks like Cao Wei Group is determined to get Lot No. 5."
"I heard that Dongwu Group is also very interested in Lot No. 5. It's estimated that this Lot No. 5 will be the 'Land King' by the end of this year."
Sun Feng frowned slightly and glanced at Cao Pingao, then raised his bid without hesitation: "320 million."
Cao Pingao raised his bid with a relaxed expression: "400 million."
Sun Feng's face twitched, and he quickly turned back to look at Sun Dajian—
Sun Dajian, with tightly furrowed brows, gently nodded at him.
Receiving the instruction, Sun Feng immediately turned and raised his bid: "420 million."
Cao Pingao: "500 million."
Sun Feng: "---"
When he turned back again to seek his father's opinion, he saw that the expressionless Sun Dajian had already stood up and was leaving with his female secretary and entourage.
---After the land auction ended.
In the parking lot of the Jiang City Land Exchange Center.
Sun Feng, his face covered in cold sweat, stood by the window of a black mercedes-maybach, bowing his head and saying to Sun Dajian, who was sitting in the car:
"I'm sorry, Chairman. It's all my fault for not controlling the rhythm in the first half and using too much land acquisition funds, which caused the group to miss out on Lot No. 5—"
Sun Dajian, with his arm around his female secretary's slender waist, didn't even look Sun Feng in the eye:
"Forget it. That kid surnamed Cao was clearly well-prepared today.
Even if you hadn't made so many mistakes earlier, it would have been difficult for us to secure that plot of land.
Sun Feng, you need to thoroughly investigate that Cao fellow and his Cao Wei Group. Find out where he's getting such immense funds from."
Sun Feng's head remained bowed very low: "Yes, Chairman."
"Alright, that's all for now." Sun Dajian said to the driver in the front seat, "Drive."
The car windows slowly rolled up, and three maybachs successively drove out of the parking lot, heading towards Jiang City Airport.
The colleagues from Dongwu Group's Jiang City branch who were left behind looked at each other, not daring to speak.
After a long while, a male colleague finally mustered the courage to walk up to Sun Feng and cautiously asked, "President Sun? What do we do now?"
Sun Feng's face was gloomy: "You all go back to the company first. I want to be alone for a bit."
"Understood, President Sun."
---Just as Sun Feng walked out of the parking lot alone, smoking a cigarette and aimlessly walking along the road.
A gleaming black rolls-royce phantom suddenly appeared beside him, slowly driving alongside him, as the dark car window slowly lowered—
Sitting in the car, of course, was Cao Pingao, with his arm around Qiao Yunran:
"President Sun, I apologize, I know your Dongwu Group also really wanted Lot No. 5.
But Donghu Avenue is within our Cao Wei Group's sphere of influence, and there's no way I would give such a prime commercial plot to you."
Watching his white moonlight obediently nestle in Cao Pingao's arms, Sun Feng's molars were almost ground to dust:
"Boss Cao, you don't need to be so smug. It's just a piece of land; our Dongwu Group will let you have it."
Cao Pingao tightened his grip, making Qiao Yunran lean even closer into his embrace, then said with a mischievous smile:
"President Sun, that's not quite right. This good land wasn't given to me by you; I earned it myself after putting in a lot of thought and effort. But don't worry, unlike you, I will cherish this good land and cultivate it well, so it can yield abundant fruits for me."
//408//
Chapter 408: The Coveted Son-in-law
jiang family Villa.
Hearing the front door open, Zhou Li, who was watching TV in the living room on the first floor, quickly got up and went to the hall:
"Honey, you're back."
Seeing Jiang Dawei return from outside with a somewhat solemn expression, she curiously asked:
"What's wrong, dear? Was something at the Land Transaction Center today not going smoothly?"
"No, it went quite smoothly."
Jiang Dawei took off his coat, slipped into slippers, and walked inside with Zhou Li: "Cao Pingao's power is truly unfathomable—today he pulled out nearly 1 billion yuan and secured all the key parcels we three families were after."
Zhou Li was even more puzzled: "Isn't that great? Why are you still frowning?"
Jiang Dawei plopped onto the large sofa in the living room, sighed, and said:
"Business is going well, but our future Son-in-law might be snatched away by that old hustler Qiao Weigong."
Zhou Li instantly grew nervous: "What do you mean? Are you saying Cao Pingao has been getting close to that Qiao Yunran I met before?"
"Yes, that's the situation."
Then Jiang Dawei recounted in detail to his wife Zhou Li everything he had seen today at the Jiang City Land Transaction Center.
"Although Qiao Weigong told me that Cao Pingao and Qiao Yunran are just friends for now, I know he's only preserving the cooperation among our three companies."
Zhou Li furrowed her brows and said, "Oh no, that Qiao Yunran is so beautiful—won't Cao Pingao end up abandoning our Qianqian and instead turn around to marry her?"
Jiang Dawei's mindset was completely different from Zhou Li's at this moment, because he had keenly sensed that:
Cao Pingao's strength is rapidly growing, and Cao Wei Group is no longer on the same tier as Jiang Industrial and Jin Qiao Group.
In other words, when it comes time for him—Cao the boss—to officially marry a lady of a certain family, it will be entirely up to his own wishes; neither he nor Qiao Weigong can influence it.
Jiang Dawei looked at Zhou Li, smiled, and said, "Madam, you hadn't decided before whether to let our Qianqian marry him. Have you changed your mind?"
Zhou Li gave him a sidelong glance, her tone tinged with grievance:
"Qianqian's belly is growing day by day, and she loves Cao Pingao so much. Can I possibly stop it?"
//409//
Chapter 409: The Clone Is Exhausted (Part 1)
Time quickly slipped to late January, and the Lunar New Year was just around the corner.
That morning, in the A‑building of Donghu Bay Tower, on the 39th‑floor large conference room.
Cao Wei Group CEO Chen Shuting, CFO Jie Jie, COO Qingyu, and the management cadres of the four subsidiaries—Cao Wei Real Estate, Cao Wei Capital, Banana Media, and Banana Film and Television—gathered here, waiting for Boss Cao to arrive.
Sitting in the secondary main seat, Chen Shuting glanced at Qian Wan, who was sitting not far away, and whispered to the nearby Jie Jie and Qingyu:
"Did you tell her to come to the meeting?"
Jie Jie and Qingyu both shook their heads gently.
Chen Shuting smiled with a knowing look: "She really has thick skin—never mind, let's wait for the boss to decide her fate later."
Although Qian Wan's housekeeping company hasn't formally merged into Cao Wei Group, the executives in the conference room all knew her special status as one of Boss Cao's first personal secretaries.
Therefore Chen Shuting, Jie Jie, and Qingyu said nothing, and the others dared even less to question her eligibility to attend.
Soon, the sharply dressed Cao Pingao strode into the conference room, accompanied by his three female secretaries.
Chen Shuting was the first to rise from her seat to greet him.
Cao Pingao quickly pointed at the noticeably pregnant Jie Jie and Qingyu and laughed:
"You two, stay seated and don't move."
He plopped himself onto the main seat between Chen Shuting and Jie Jie, then waved casually at the standing crowd in the conference room: "Everyone, please sit down."
After sitting down, Chen Shuting leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Xiao Wan is also here for the meeting."
Following her gaze, Cao Pingao looked in that direction and indeed saw Qian Wan sitting beside Deng Xiaorong:
"Who told her to come?"
"No one told her."
Cao Pingao also leaned to Chen Shuting's ear and said cheerfully, "Fine, she's here, let's just start the meeting."
"Alright."
Then, under CEO Chen Shuting's chairmanship, the "Cao Wei Group Year‑End Work Summary Meeting" officially commenced.
The heads and deputies of the four subsidiaries each gave brief reports to the group's management on this year's achievements, holiday and work arrangements during the New Year, and next year's plans and outlook.
Next, Chen Shuting, Jie Jie, and Qingyu, representing the parent company, announced several personnel changes and the good news that the company would award an extra six to twelve months' salary as a year‑end bonus based on performance.
Hearing the joyous news, the executives in the conference room all broke into beaming smiles—except for Cao Wei Real Estate CEO Li Gui, who tried to laugh but couldn't, and Marketing Deputy Director Li Feng.
Because at that moment, the bellies of Wang Hui and Sun Ying, who were sitting behind Cao Pingao, were already unmistakably swollen.
Colleagues silently marveled that the "female secretaries working in the Chairmans Office inevitably become pregnant" pattern had manifested again, and they occasionally cast complex glances toward Li Gui and his son.
Those looks contained teasing, admiration, disdain, and envy.
Of course, the pregnant women on site weren't limited to Wang Hui and Sun Ying; also with swollen bellies were the group's two vice‑presidents, Jie Jie and Qingyu, another chairman's secretary Qian Jia, Cao Wei Real Estate's deputy general manager Deng Xiaorong, Marketing General Manager Fan Binbin, and Qian Wan.
One has to admit, Cao Wei Group is truly a company brimming with pregnancy energy.
---After the meeting, Cao Pingao took the twin‑pregnant Jie Jie to St. Mary's Maternity Hospital and arranged for her to stay in a luxurious single room in the third‑floor SVIP area.
Cao Pingao sat beside Jie Jie's bed, held her small hand, and said gently:
"Xiao Jie, from today onward your job is to rest well and focus on your delivery.
You no longer need to worry about company matters; just leave them to Sister Shuting and Qingyu."
"Mm, husband, I'll listen to you~"
Jie Jie turned her head toward Chen Shuting and Qingyu, who were sitting on the other side of the bed:
"Sister Shuting, Sister Qingyu, during my childbirth and postpartum period I'll be a big burden on you both."
Chen Shuting gave a gentle nod.
Qingyu then placed Jie Jie's small hand on her own rounded belly:
"My due date is only two months later than yours; once you finish your maternity leave, it'll be my turn to have a baby."
And when that time comes, the work I'm responsible for will also need you to help manage it~"
Cao Pingao and the others chatted with Jie Jie a while longer in the room, and when they were about to leave, he suddenly noticed Jie Jie looking at him with a reluctant gaze, clearly not wanting him to go—
Cao Pingao then realized that he had spent so much of his recent time in Tongque Garden, leaving little time to accompany the girls living in the lakeside villa area.
"Sister Shuting, Qingyu, you both go home first; I'll stay tonight to keep Xiao Jie company."
Chen Shuting and Qingyu exchanged a smile, then said to Cao Pingao: "You still have a bit of conscience."
"Let's go, Qingyu, we're heading home."
---That night, Cao Pingao carefully turned to lie beside Jie Jie, whispering sweet nothings to her.
Rarely enjoying such exclusive affection, Jie Jie gently rested her head on his chest, her face radiating happiness:
"Husband~ I can't believe it's been almost three years since we met; our two little babies are about to be born, time really flies~"
Cao Pingao stroked her cheek and asked: "When I hired you back then, did you ever imagine a day like this would come?"
Jie Jie covered her mouth and laughed: "No, actually at first I even doubted you were a fraud."
"Hey, your husband is tall, handsome, and dashing—how could I look like a fraud?"
"Who would give a 25‑year‑old girl such a high salary and make her the company's general manager right after we first met~"
Cao Pingao chuckled: "Fortunately you didn't run away immediately, and stayed to give it a try."
If you weren't here, my business would never have reached this scale.
Jie Jie's cheeks flushed: "Oh dear~ I'm not as important as you say."
"You certainly do." Cao Pingao lowered his head and kissed his little mouth, saying, "Xiao Jie, you know, you're one of the most important girls in my heart, just like Yao Yao, Sister Shuting, and Qingyu."
Jie Jie was moved to tears: "Really, husband?"
Cao Pingao placed her small hand over his heart: "Of course it's true."
Jie Jie burst into joyous tears, clutching his neck tightly: "Wah wah wah, husband you're so good~"
---The last day of January.
Cao Pingao flew from Jiangcheng to the Magic City.
Poly Tianyi Residential Area.
Cao Pingao stood at the doorway of the big house he bought for Chen Xue, knocking while speaking to the interior:
"Xiao Xue, why did you change the electronic lock's password?"
Chen Xue replied in a plaintive tone, "Hmph—haven't you been away for so long that you forgot…?"
//410//
Chapter 410 – Torn in Every Direction (Part 2)
Cao Pingao, standing outside the door, felt rather helpless. Year-end business was always heavy, and with Jie Jie—one of the Group's three main pillars—hospitalized and awaiting delivery, the workload had only grown heavier.
He had to juggle corporate affairs, counter the Dongwu Group, and quickly tame Qiao Yunran, the fiancée with whom he'd built no real bond.
Last month, torn in every direction, Boss Cao had failed to honor his standing agreement with Chen Xue: spending a few days each month in the capital with her and their son.
"Xiao Xue, I was swamped last month.
I asked for leave and you said yes."
From behind the door came Chen Xue's plaintive reply: "I approved your leave, but I never promised not to be mad at you."
Cao Pingao: "—"
"Xiao Xue, open the door and let me in, okay? If I keep knocking, the neighbors will come out for a free show."
A brief silence, then the electronic lock clicked open from inside.
Chen Xue appeared in the doorway, long hair draped over her shoulders, delicate light make-up on her face, a deep-blue body-hugging dress hugging her curves, sheer stockings on her shapely legs—her expression unreadable.
Cao Pingao stepped inside, shut the door, and swept an arm around her slim waist.
"Xiao Xue, you look gorgeous today."
Petite and lovely, Chen Xue's face still carried a trace of pique.
"Tell me—asking you to spend a few days each month in the capital with me and Xiao Chongchong, is that such a tall order?"
"Not at all, of course not."
Arm still around her, Cao Pingao steered her inside, chuckling: "Last month was special. Dongwu Group swooped into Jiangcheng and started hoarding land; I had to respond with everything I had.
I'll make it up to you and our son during the New Year—extra days to cover what I missed, all right?"
Chen Xue shot him a sidelong glance, lips curled. "So Dongwu of City really is marching into Jiangcheng in force?"
Cao Pingao smiled and nodded. "Sun Dajian has already bought plenty of land here; his Dongwu Plaza and Dongwu Grand Hotel have broken ground."
Chen Xue looked up again. "Hubby, are you short on funds? My exhibition company has over sixty million in ready cash—I can transfer it anytime."
Cao Pingao brushed her satiny cheek, grinning. "Xiao Xue, you're so good to me."
With that he lowered his head and kissed her.
"Mmmph~"
Chen Xue pressed both hands against his chest, struggled a moment, then melted into his kiss and embrace.
Just then the on-duty Maternity Matron carried little Cao Chong out from the bedroom after his nap.
At the sight of Chen Xue, the toddler stretched out chubby arms, calling "Mama, Mama" in his baby voice, squirming to be held.
Face flushed, Chen Xue slipped from Cao Pingao's arms, took her son, and held him up to Cao Pingao.
"Baby, look—who's this? It's Daddy. Daddy's here to take us home for New Year."
Still drowsy, little Cao Chong took one look at the tall, imposing stranger and buried his face in Mama's shoulder in fright.
Chen Xue shot Cao Pingao a speaking glance: "Keep staying away and our son won't even recognize you."
Cao Pingao stroked the child's soft hair. "It's fine. Over the holiday he and I will get reacquainted."
Chen Xue handed the boy back to the Maternity Matron. "Prepare a bottle first; I'll feed him myself later."
Then she took Cao Pingao's large hand, cheeks pink, and led him toward the bedroom.
"Come with me."
—After three quick rounds, every last trace of grievance in Chen Xue's heart evaporated.
Rosy-faced, she nestled against Cao Pingao, pouting slightly.
"You heartless devil, next time don't you dare stay away so long without seeing me and our son."
Cao Pingao hugged her fragrant shoulder. "All right, if I can't come to the capital, I'll send for you two to join me in Jiangcheng."
Clever Chen Xue saw through him at once. "Hmph, I know exactly what you're scheming.
I'm not taking our son to Jiangcheng to live with your other Girlfriends."
Cao Pingao grinned wickedly. "Xiao Xue, you've got it wrong. I've prepared a big villa in Jiangcheng just for you and our son—waiting for you to move in."
Chen Xue lifted her head, skeptical. "Really? Just the three of us—no other Girlfriends under that roof?"
Cao Pingao looked utterly sincere. "I swear—only servants and the Maternity Matron, no other women."
Chen Xue batted her long lashes, doubt still flickering in her eyes.
"Then during the holiday I can spare a little time to see what this big villa looks like.
As for moving to Jiangcheng with you—I'll need to think it over."
Cao Pingao smiled. "No problem, whatever you decide goes."
—January ended, February arrived.
After two days in the capital, once Chen Xue had wrapped up her company affairs, Cao Pingao took her and little Cao Chong by high-speed rail back to Xiangyang for the New Year.
While Cao Pingao accompanied Chen Xue visiting relatives in her hometown,
back in Jiangcheng, Tongque Garden, in the second-floor master bedroom of the villa,
Qiao Yunran sat by the broad window, iPhone in hand, hesitating over whether to send her fiancé a wechat telling him she missed him.
Opposite her, Qiao Yueran frowned delicately. "Sis, if it were me, I'd video-call him right now and see whether he's busy with business or out fooling around."
Qiao Yunran set the phone down. "Forget it. Knowing he keeps other women, why call and upset myself?"
Qiao Yueran's lips curled in a pout. "Sis, that's so unfair to you."
Qiao Yunran shook her head gently, smiling tenderly at her sister. "Ours is a business marriage; I knew his lifestyle long ago and accepted it—there's nothing unfair."
"Sis—"
Qiao Yueran, aching for her sister who forced herself to be strong, declared: "Then I'm staying here with you these days instead of going home."
—That evening,
Qiao Yueran emerged from the bathroom, toweling her hair. "Sis, I'm done; your turn."
"Mm, okay." Qiao Yunran rose and walked into the bathroom.
Once her hair was dry, Qiao Yueran wandered the master bedroom in her nightgown and drifted into the walk-in closet—
Inside hung rows of her sister's clothes; only in the innermost section hung several men's coats and suits.
A quiver ran through Qiao Yueran. Glancing back at the empty bedroom, she couldn't resist reaching toward a black Armani suit.
///411//
Chapter 411: New Year, The More People the More Lively
On New Year's Eve night.
Xiangyang Bigu Yuan Community, Cao Pingao's parents' home.
After finishing the reunion dinner and watching the Spring Festival Gala together for a while, Chen Xue left Little Chongchong with her parents-in-law to look after, and dragged Cao Pingao back to their bedroom.
The moment they entered the room, a fierce Chen Xue pinned Cao Pingao onto the big bed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and began to kiss him.
---Outside the window, the firecrackers welcoming the new year crackled loudly for a long time, from past 9 p.m. until the early morning.
Inside, under the warm blankets, naked Cao Pingao lay on his side behind Chen Xue, tightly holding the voluptuous white moonlight in his arms:
"Little Snow, the New Year has arrived. Can you fulfill a New Year's wish of mine?"
Chen Xue, her cheeks flushed, said gently, "Go ahead~"
Cao Pingao grinned, "I want you to give birth to another daughter for me."
Hearing this, Chen Xue turned her head and smiled at the Cao Pingao behind her:
"I definitely don't want to have a second child for you~
Having one son is already enough trouble; if we have another daughter, where will I find the energy to run our exhibition company?"
Cao Pingao hugged her tightly and laughed, "That's easy. As for the company, we can just hire a reliable professional manager to help out later."
"Xiao Xue, we're not exactly young anymore, so we should have a daughter while we're still healthy."
"Besides, I'm so handsome and you're so beautiful; the daughter we have together will surely be gorgeous."
Chen Xue thought: If I don't give him a daughter, he'll surely look for another girl to bear one—so she turned and kissed his cheek:
///412//
Chapter 412 – The Study-Room Meet-and-Greet (Part 1)
Li Xiaoman had been Qian Feng's college classmate and the foreign-languages department's reigning beauty.
When they graduated and job-hunted, the two were coincidentally hired by the same Zheng City tutoring firm, turning classmates into co-workers.
After working together for nearly a year, Qian Feng finally mustered the courage to pursue the "Goddess Li" he'd silently adored for years.
Unsurprisingly, the high-minded Li Xiaoman, long used to being worshipped, looked down on Qian Feng's thoroughly ordinary family background.
With a few coy glances and sweet smiles she effortlessly recruited him as yet another of her devoted lapdogs, then began enjoying his endless favors at zero cost.
Three months ago their tutoring company folded.
While Xiaoman still hadn't found a job she liked in Zheng City, Qian Feng told her his cousin's husband ran a big company in Jiangcheng and could line them up positions.
After sizing things up, Xiaoman told Qian Feng: if he could really land her a well-paid post, she would "consider" becoming his Girlfriend.
——Qian Wan glanced toward table three:
"Her name's Li Xiaoman, Qian Feng's brand-new Girlfriend; they came to Jiangcheng together to job-hunt."
Cao Pingao chuckled: "Job-hunt? You mean you want me to give them jobs, right?"
Qian Wan's lips curved in a wicked grin, her eyes full of meaning:
"Darling~ with Jiajia and Sun Ying both showing now, after New Year's your Chairmans Office will have only Wang Hui left as a usable secretary.
If this Li Xiaoman strikes your fancy, you could make her your personal secretary~"
Cao Pingao mused delightedly: Xiao Wan, you're awfully generous—planning to hand your cousin's Girlfriend straight into my arms?
Qian Wan's private thought: So what if Qian Feng's only my cousin? Even my own brother's girl, if hubby likes her, hubby comes first!
Besides, Li Xiaoman hails from Zhoukou in Southern Henan; if she "stays" and joins my Yunan Faction, my clout at home will rise another notch.
Qian Wan leaned close to Cao Pingao, eyes flirtatious, and whispered: "So, hubby? Good idea, right~"
Cao Pingao sipped his red wine and smiled: "I'll think about it; we'll talk after dinner."
——At that moment, at the third large round table not far from the main one.
Li Xiaoman, who had only arrived in Jiangcheng that afternoon and checked into the Donghu Bay private villas, whispered to Qian Feng in shock:
"At first I thought you were joking—never imagined every beauty in this villa is… your brother-in-law's, um—"
Qian Feng nodded, envy written all over his face: "Told you—my brother-in-law is a legendary self-made man. After New Year we'll stay in Jiangcheng and work in his company."
Qian Juan and Qian Jing, seated beside him, had fantasized before coming to Jiangcheng for New Year that they might stay and become sisters with Qian Jia and Qian Yi.
But after seeing the looks-level of the girls living in the villa zone, their dream of becoming rich men's wives shattered on the spot.
Qian Juan, finally slim after much effort, whispered to Qian Jing:
"Jingjing, if Xiao Wan whispers a few more sweet pillow-talks for us—maybe we still have a shot at staying?"
Qian Jing rolled her eyes at her:
"Sis Juan, back home we might count as beauties in our own circles,
but here we're miles below the average—stop dreaming. Enjoy Jiangcheng for a few days, then head back to Southern Henan."
——In fact, besides Qian Wan's relatives, many other girls' parents and kin had come from their hometowns to spend New Year with them.
Yet none had Qian Wan's nerve; none dared let their relatives join the evening banquet without Cao Pingao's say-so.
After dinner, therefore, Cao Pingao went to the large study on the first floor of Villa No. 1 to meet, in batches, the in-laws who'd arrived from every corner of the country.
The first to enter were Qian Yi, Qian Feng and Li Xiaoman.
Qian Feng greeted him with an ingratiating smile: "Happy New Year, brother-in-law!"
Qian Yi, head slightly lowered and fingers tightly laced before her, couldn't quite meet Cao Pingao's eyes:
"Darling~ my brother's tutoring company suddenly folded before New Year, and jobs are scarce out there; could you arrange something for him and his Girlfriend?"
Cao Pingao, seated in the swivel chair behind the large desk, smiled and beckoned Qian Yi over.
She hurried around the desk and perched on his lap, cheeks flushed.
In full view of Qian Feng and Li Xiaoman, Cao Pingao slipped an arm around Qian Yi's slim waist and kissed her cheek:
"Silly girl, you only want me to find jobs for your brother and his girl? Such a trifle—why be shy about asking?"
Qian Yi lifted her rosy face, gratitude shining in her eyes: "Thank you, darling~"
Cao Pingao turned his gaze to Qian Feng and Li Xiaoman across the desk and activated the system in his mind—
[Name: Li Xiaoman]
[Age: 23]
[Make-up-free score: 78]
[Figure: 80]
[Bachelor's degree, intact virgin, no bad habits, no tattoos, good health]
[System verdict: Qualified breeding subject]
Though meticulously made-up Li Xiaoman was fairly attractive, her level of beauty no longer stirred the well-seasoned Boss Cao.
He pondered for barely two seconds, then told Qian Yi in his arms:
"Xiao Yi, take your brother and his girl to find Sister Shuting right now and have her arrange their jobs."
"Mm, okay~"
Qian Yi stood, planted a shy kiss on Cao Pingao:
"Darling, we're off then~"
Cao Pingao smiled and nodded: "Go on."
——Seeing them emerge, Qian Wan, Qian Jia, Qian Juan and Qian Jing hurried over:
Qian Wan asked: "What did hubby say?"
Qian Yi answered truthfully: "He told me to find Sister Shuting and have her arrange jobs for my brother and Sister Xiaoman."
The guileless Qian Jia exclaimed: "Hubby didn't let Sister Xiaoman take my place as Chairman's secretary?"
Qian Wan shot her a fierce glare that said: Shut your mouth—stop blurting everything out!
Qian Jia read the look, pouted and fell silent.
Qian Feng and Li Xiaoman exchanged glances, then asked curiously:
"Sister Xiao Wan, is the Chairman's secretary position that great?"
Qian Wan gave them a meaningful glance but didn't answer; instead she turned back to Qian Yi:
"Since hubby wants Chen Shuting to sort jobs for your brother, Xiao Yi, hurry and find her; get it settled fast."
Qian Yi nodded gently: "All right, Sister Xiao Wan."
After Qian Yi headed to the living-room to find Chen Shuting, Qian Wan told Qian Juan and Qian Jing:
"I know you two long for a gorgeous lake-view villa, but we take things step by step; our goal now is to stay and work in Jiangcheng—everything else comes later, understand?"
Qian Juan and Qian Jing nodded earnestly: "We understand."
"Good." Qian Wan's face was solemn. "Then follow me inside."
///413//
Chapter 413 – The Meeting in the Study (Part 2)
After leading the meticulously dressed-up Qian Juan and Qian Jing into the study, Qian Wan circled the desk and settled onto Cao Pingao's lap, cooing:
"Darling, my eldest cousin just got laid off and has been stuck at home for half a year, and the primary school where my second cousin teaches is downsizing because there are fewer and fewer kids. They want to stay in Jiangcheng after the New Year—what do you think?"
"Of course they can; Jiangcheng is huge—plenty of jobs."
"Oh, you're awful, darling~"
Qian Wan slipped her arms around his neck. "Then could you find them spots inside your Cao Wei Group?"
Cao Pingao smiled at the woman in his arms. "Xiao Wan, aren't you the general manager of Cao Wei Housekeeping? Just slot your two cousins in there."
Qian Wan instantly realized Cao Pingao still felt zero interest in Qian Juan and Qian Jing.
"Thanks, darling~ After the New Year I'll have Eldest and Second Cousin report to your housekeeping company~"
---When they stepped out of the study and saw Qian Wan's serious face, Qian Juan and Qian Jing asked in bewilderment:
"What's wrong, Xiao Wan? Pingao agreed to let us work in his company—why the long face?"
"Because the Cao Wei Housekeeping I control isn't a subsidiary of the group yet; it's just a tiny asset under hubby's name that he can't even be bothered to manage."
Qian Wan linked arms with both of them. "But it's fine. Eldest Cousin, you'll be the accountant; Second Cousin, you'll run training. Together we Qian sisters will make Cao Wei Housekeeping huge."
---Next into the study came Yang Zihan with her parents and her cousin Zhan Peng, who'd tagged along for visibility.
Father and Mother Yang, meeting Cao Pingao for the first time, behaved with utmost deference, never treating him as a son-in-law but reverently addressing him as "Boss Cao":
"Boss Cao, thank you for valuing Zhan Peng and giving him so much help in his career.
And Zihan—compared with before, she's put on weight, her complexion is better, and she's happy every day. We truly thank you for taking such good care of Zihan and the two little babies."
Facing the overly humble Yang parents, Cao Pingao politely produced two hundred thousand in cash and, right in front of Yang Zihan, presented it as a greeting gift.
The Yangs, whose family was poor and both of whom suffered chronic illnesses, were moved to tears by the bright-red banknotes.
Yang Zihan, seated beside them, gazed gratefully at Cao Pingao, her face slightly flushed as she mouthed, "Thank you, darling~ you're wonderful~"
---After seeing the Yang family off, Cao Pingao received, one after another in the study, the families of Zheng Jiaqi, Xu Tiantian, Zhou Jing, Xu Yingying, Wei Mengmeng, Wang Yuwen, Li Shihan, and Sun Ying—eight households in total.
Some of the girls' parents he'd met before; others were first-timers.
All these families shared modest means, many children, and unmarried sons.
Thus they approved—sometimes even encouraged—their daughters living with Cao Pingao and bearing his babies.
Cao Pingao generously handed each set of parents fifty thousand in cash as greeting gifts; any reasonable small requests were granted on the spot, his good mood making him obliging.
After a quick bathroom break, he returned to find Wang Lulu and her parents already seated at the big desk.
Seeing her man enter, the second-pregnant Wang Lulu rose, patting her little bump, and introduced:
"Darling, these are my dad and mom."
Plainly dressed Father and Mother Wang hurriedly stood from their chairs.
"Good day, Boss Cao."
Cao Pingao smiled. "Lulu, you're carrying—sit down, quick. Uncle, Aunt, you sit too."
Wang Lulu obediently sat back, glanced at her parents, and only then did they follow suit.
Among all the girls at home, Cao Pingao rather liked the clever and clear-sighted Wang Lulu, so from a suitcase he pulled two hundred thousand—double the usual gift—and placed it before her parents.
"Uncle, Aunt, first meeting—please accept this small gift."
To his surprise, the dark-complexioned middle-aged couple didn't accept with instant joy like the others; instead they simultaneously turned to Wang Lulu seated between them.
Only after she gave a slight nod did they thank Cao Pingao and stuff the two thick wads of cash into their woven tote.
Once they'd finished, Cao Pingao added politely, "Uncle, Aunt, I heard from Lulu you still have an older daughter and a younger son. If the family ever faces difficulties, just tell Lulu—I'll solve them."
"No difficulties, no difficulties."
Father and Mother Wang waved hurriedly. "Boss Cao, you already take great care of Lulu and our family."
"Yes, yes—Lulu paid for a new house in town and opened a little department store for us."
"We don't have to take odd jobs or farm anymore; we just mind the shop—life's wonderful!"
"Lulu even set aside money for her brother's city apartment and wedding," Mother Wang said, eyes brimming with gratitude. "With such a good sister, we parents need worry about nothing."
Seeing how methodically Wang Lulu had arranged everything, Cao Pingao looked at her with admiration.
After a bit more small talk, Wang Lulu rose to escort her parents out, freeing the study for the next sisters.
Cao Pingao motioned for her to stay behind.
"Lulu, where are you planning to buy your brother's apartment?"
"He's dating a girl from Changsha, so probably there."
Cao Pingao slipped an arm around her waist and gently stroked her slightly swollen belly.
"Nice flats in Changsha run twenty-thousand-plus per square metre. Will you have enough, or should hubby chip in extra?"
Wang Lulu smiled and shook her head. "Darling, you misunderstand—I'd never pay the full price for my brother's flat.
I'll only cover the down-payment and a hundred-thousand betrothal gift; the rest he has to earn himself."
"Hahaha, so that's it." Cao Pingao hugged her. "As the saying goes, a pint of help earns gratitude, a peck breeds hate—smart move, Lulu."
---Meanwhile, in the villa's ground-floor lounge.
After chatting with Qian Yi and the others, Chen Shuting rose, found Jin Yao, sat beside her, slipped an arm around her slim waist, and whispered:
"Yaoyao, just go ahead and tell hubby about that matter."
Jin Yao looked conflicted. "Sister Shuting, but I still think it's not quite right—"
"What's not right?"
Chen Shuting murmured in her ear. "Qian Wan can't wait to move her whole family to Jiangcheng and stuff them all into hubby's companies.
You've silently given so much for hubby, for all of us sisters—now it's your turn to fight for what you deserve."
Seeing Jin Yao still hesitate, Chen Shuting took her hand and stood up.
"Stop dithering—come, I'll go with you to see hubby."