Chapter 101: Flirting with the Daughter King

Chen Yixue blocked Xu Yuexin's big hand; his kiss on her palm went "um—um," and she opened her eyes wide and shook her head.

The protest was ineffective.

Xu Yuexin ignored her; the big hand continued its motion, and grew bolder.

Under his relentless advance, Da Yizi's gaze grew increasingly hazy, and she began to emit rapid gasps.

"Huff…"

When the embrace and kiss ended, Chen Yixue's cheeks were flushed, and her gaze was unfocused.

After staring at the ceiling with unfocused eyes for a while, Chen Yixue, as if resigned, turned her face aside, lightly parting her red lips to say three words: "Go inside."

"No, right here."

Xu Yuexin kept his hand moving and said firmly.

Chen Yixue shook her head, sighed, and said, "Then turn off the lights."

"No, I want to watch you."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin leaned down again to kiss Da Yizi, and his big hand slipped off the nightgown on her fragrant shoulder.

Chen Yixue frowned and pushed twice without success, so she had to close her eyes and let it be.

……

Night, in the living room.

Chen Yixue, wearing a crumpled nightgown, leaned weakly on the sofa, her snow‑white shoulder exposed, her expression lazy and melancholy.

"Break it."

Chen Yixue said lightly, "Really."

"I can't hear."

Xu Yuexin, eyes closed, leaned on the sofa, using his hand as a pillow, speaking calmly with steady breath.

"Ouch!"

Very quickly, he let out a wail.

Chen Yixue twisted his waist hard with her hand.

"After tasting the sweet, you turn your face and deny me, right?"

Xu Yuexin touched the spot he had twisted, and protested indignantly.

"Pfft, still sweet."

Chen Yixue glared at him and said, "I think you're insatiably greedy."

"Qiao Qiao, what's wrong with her? Even having her isn't enough; you spend all day scheming against me."

"I cooked for you…"

"I won't eat what you made."

"Oh, you said so."

"I said it!"

"Fine, anyway the one who'll starve to death is you."

Xu Yuexin, indifferent, said, "I should be going back too."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin rose from the sofa and left Chen Yixue's house without looking back.

"Heh, I knew you were this kind of person."

Chen Yixue sneered behind him.

"What did I do again?"

Xu Yuexin stopped at the door and said.

"Your mind is only filled with that, and you run as soon as it's over."

Chen Yixue crossed her arms over her chest and said, feeling she had seen through this man.

"Funny, am I supposed to stay and watch your mood?"

"Bang!"

After saying that, Xu Yuexin walked out, closing the door behind him.

Chen Yixue pursed her lips, stared at the empty doorway for a while, then sat back on the sofa.

On the sofa, some lingering marks remained, and Chen Yixue felt irritated upon seeing them.

"It's just not a good thing."

Chen Yixue muttered, fetched a rag and wiped the sofa clean.

"Boom…"

"Snap!"

As she leaned on the sofa, firecracker sounds came from the balcony outside.

Looking out, she saw the myriad lights of countless homes in East Third Ring.

Through the window, she could see silhouettes of some households under the lights.

How nice.

When she thought that among the myriad lights there was one of her own, Chen Yixue couldn't help but lift the corner of her mouth, and went to the bedroom to fetch a radio.

"Yesterday has already vanished, parting makes meetings hard…"

After turning on the radio, Li Guyi's melodious voice came out, adding a vivid atmosphere to the living room.

Chen Yixue stayed by the radio, listening and listening, and her mood grew increasingly joyful with the song.

The past year was the biggest turning point in her life.

Leaving the Cultural Troupe, making big money, buying a house…

Hmm, in this year she achieved accomplishments that she hadn't reached in the past ten years of her performing career.

However, when she thinks of these things, a figure she can't get past appears in Chen Yixue's mind.

"Alas, this person really is …"

Chen Yixue muttered to herself, feeling a surge of complex emotions toward Xu Yuexin.

After Li Guyi's "Country Love" ended, it was other singers' turn to perform.

Chen Yixue quietly rested her cheek while listening, her gaze once again turning toward the outside of the balcony.

Outside it remained lively; warm lights reflected the silhouettes of each household, and children laughed and set off firecrackers in the street.

In comparison, the sound from the radio was ultimately thin and faint.

Just then the signal faltered again, and a squeaking static crept into the singing.

Chen Yixue, irritated and unsettled, flipped the switch and got up to return to her bedroom to sleep.

As soon as she opened the bedroom door, Chen Yixue felt a chill: the heating hadn't been turned on beforehand.

She opened the heating valve, turned off the light, and got into bed.

In the quilt, Chen Yixue endured bone‑deep cold, and the darkness surrounded her like endless loneliness.

Parents, younger sister …

Thinking of those relatives made Chen Yixue feel vulnerable, and her mind recalled the bitter years when she first entered the industry.

Don't overthink; a fragile person can't go far on the artistic path.

Chen Yixue quickly warned herself internally, crawled out of the quilt and turned on the bedroom light to prevent the darkness from disturbing her mood.

By then the bedroom had warmed up, and Chen Yixue no longer felt cold.

She looked ahead and saw her favorite sky‑blue alarm clock on the table, the one Xu Yuexin bought for her in Xiangjiang.

It really can't be avoided.

Chen Yixue recalled what happened between them in Xiangjiang, feeling somewhat conflicted.

If she hadn't gone to Xiangjiang with him that time, perhaps she wouldn't have reached this point now, right?

Chen Yixue mused, feeling only guilt toward her sister.

She kept thinking, and Chen Yixue fell asleep carrying her guilt.

…

At midnight, Chen Yixue woke in the darkness, and after a brief sit‑up was again surrounded by solitude.

Can't overthink.

Must not.

Chen Yixue repeatedly admonished herself, suppressing the inner sense of loneliness, and lay back down to sleep deeply.

After that sleep, when she opened her eyes again it was already high noon.

What woke her was a strong hunger in her stomach.

She thought, "I'll get up later; that way I can skip a meal."

Chen Yixue thought.

Unlike Qiao Qiao, Chen Yixue extremely detested kitchen chores.

The reason was that when she was young, her mother would scold her whenever a bowl wasn't washed clean.

After once or twice, Chen Yixue came to utterly hate kitchen work.

"Crunch, crunch …"

Just then, a door‑opening sound came from outside, followed by a squeak, and the house door was opened.

What the heck! Chen Yixue was instantly terrified, her whole body curled into the blanket, not daring to move.

She was the only one with the key to this apartment; what else could it be now but a thief? Chen Yixue said anxiously, wavering on whether to dash out recklessly.

As a result, the puzzling thing happened.

From the kitchen came the sound of a gas stove igniting, followed by the sizzle of oil as dishes were fried.

Who is this?

Chen Yixue said, utterly bewildered.

After thinking it over, she slipped out of bed in her nightgown and tiptoed to the kitchen to investigate.

Good grief, it's Xu Yuexin!

Chen Yixue finally let out a sigh of relief, followed immediately by anger.

"Why are you picking the lock when there's nothing wrong!"

Chen Yixue asked, utterly speechless.

"I'm not a thief, why would I pick a lock?"

Xu Yuexin, still frying, didn't reply, "I opened it with the key."

"Where did you get the key from?"

After asking that, Chen Yixue thought of something, "Did you steal my spare key?"

"Clever, but it can't be called stealing."

"Call it taking, right?"

"No, call it retrieving. The key was originally mine."

" …"

Chen Yixue was at a loss for words. Thinking seriously, Xu Yuexin taking a key really wasn't a problem at all.

"Next time you do something, give a heads‑up beforehand; don't scare people early in the morning for no reason."

After a brief silence, Chen Yixue reminded him irritably.

"I told you, you still expect me to take the key? Besides, it's not early morning anymore."

"......"

Chen Yixue was speechless ×2, and blushed at her own laziness.

In the kitchen, Xu Yuexin finished stir‑frying the vegetables and then boiled a pot of noodles as lunch for Da Yizi.

"Here, bring the dishes."

When the noodles were cooked, Xu Yuexin shouted in the kitchen.

Chen Yixue hurried in and placed the stir‑fry and noodles on the table.

She ate that meal with great relish.

"Next time, don't come in silently, or you'll actually scare someone to death."

Chen Yixue stared at the empty bowl, lingering, and said.

"Anything else? If not, I'm leaving."

Xu Yuexin looked at Da Yizi and said.

"Wait a moment."

"Wait for what? You still want me to wash the dishes for you?"

"Stay with me and chat for a while."

Chen Yixue shifted her gaze out the window and said, "If you're busy, never mind."

"That's really no time."

"Alright, do you usually cook for Qiao Qiao?"

"Usually she does."

Seeing Da Yizi's behavior, Xu Yuexin just found it amusing.

He agreed to leave while searching for a topic—so contradictory.

"Feel sorry for her, she's younger than you."

"She likes cooking, unlike you."

Xu Yuexin choked Chen Yixue again into silence.

"No words, huh? Then I'm leaving."

Seeing Da Yizi silent, Xu Yuexin stood up and said.

Chen Yixue became unhappy.

Trying to chase her away at that moment, but can't; even a single word in everyday conversation feels excessive?

"You leave, and don't come back after you leave."

Chen Yixue, sulking, said, then got up and walked toward the bedroom.

Xu Yuexin reached out, grabbed Da Yizi's jade‑like hand, and pulled her into his arms.

"This is my home."

"Why wouldn't I come back?"

Xu Yuexin whispered in Chen Yixue's ear.

Chen Yixue, fearing Xu Yuexin would misbehave again, quickly broke free.

"If you want to come back, stay and chat with me."

Chen Yixue, angry, looked at him and said.

Being surrounded by that loneliness from last night feels truly unbearable.

Only by staying longer with close people during the day can she not feel so alone when facing the darkness at night.

"Fine, I'm not leaving."

Xu Yuexin walked to the sofa, plopped down, and looked at Chen Yixue, "What do you want to talk about?"

"Talk about music."

"Sure, let's go to Xiangjiang; what's your take on the music there?"

……

Mention music, and Xu Yuexin and Da Yizi's conversation suddenly expanded.

From Teresa Teng to Xiang River's rising stars Tan Yonglin and Chen Boqiang, and the debate between bel canto and pop singing styles…

Not until the afternoon sun shifted west did Xu Yuexin finish his talk with Da Yizi, finish preparing dinner for her, and get ready to go home.

"I'm leaving."

"Remember, don't overthink when there's nothing going on."

Xu Yuexin placed his hand on Da Yizi's shoulder and said, "I'll often come to keep you company when I'm free."

"Hmm..."

This time Chen Yixue didn't argue, but obediently nodded and said.

That night, she slept soundly and sweetly, and Xu Yuexin's figure appeared several times in her dreams.

The next noon, Xu Yuexin came again to keep Chen Yixue company and also made her lunch.

"After the New Year, what plans do you have?"

After the meal, Chen Yixue leaned on the sofa, looking languid, and said.

"Planning to write a new book."

"Hmm? About what area?"

"Secrets."

"You're still afraid I'd leak it?"

Chen Yixue smiled and said, "Are you even hiding Qiao Qiao?"

"Not at all; what's there to hide about her."

"So you're only keeping it from me?"

"Uh, yeah. You all are my women, so there shouldn't be a difference."

"Hurry, stop talking."

Chen Yixue's eyes reddened with shame and said, "Big rogue."

"You know I'm a rogue, yet you still can't leave me?"

Xu Yuexin teasingly looked toward Da Yizi.

"Stop bragging; who can't leave you?"

Chen Yixue snorted, shot him a glance, and replied.

……

In the first few days of the New Year, Xu Yuexin, besides spending time with his family, went to Unity Lake to accompany Chen Yixue.

In the meantime, Zhu Chen also came with his family to pay a New Year visit, bringing generous gifts.

Xu Yuexin couldn't refuse, so he accepted, and arranged with Zhu Chen to go out together next time.

Originally, they had agreed that four people would go out together.

Xu Yuexin, Chen Qiaoqiao, Zhu Chen, and Xu Yanran.

As it turned out, that day Chen Qiaoqiao had to rush a report, Xu Yanran needed to review for the College Entrance Exam, so only he and Zhu Chen met in the community.

Zhu Chen was clearly dressed up today; not only did his clothes look good, but he also held a hairpin with a silver clasp.

Combined with her dignified, beautiful face, it was simply unforgettable.

Realizing that only Xu Yuexin was out today, Zhu Chen felt a bit uneasy: going out alone with a married man might sound bad if it got around.

Xu Yuexin saw her hesitation and played a little trick.

"Lin Jie isn't free either, right? Then I'll go back and write a book."

Xu Yuexin deliberately looked at Zhu Chen and said.

"Writing a book? Are you a writer?"

Zhu Chen asked with interest.

"Hmm, I've published a few pieces."

"What are they called? I'll go take a look."

"'Wreaths Under High Mountain', 'The Horse Herder', and the ongoing serial 'Great Ming 1566' are all my works."

Xu Yuexin lightly put on a show, about 20% intensity.

Hearing the list of titles, Zhu Chen's dignified face showed a hint of disbelief.

The savior of his mother turned out to be a great author.

Awesome, really awesome.

"I've read all your books."

Zhu Chen hurriedly showed his fan status, saying, "I've bought everything you've published in People's Literature, as well as the standalone volumes."

"Thanks for the support; with readers like you, we authors can earn a living."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully.

Readers are Xu Yuexin's bread-and-butter. He has always been grateful to them.

"It should be me thanking you."

Zhu Chen smiled shyly, "I always gain a lot after reading your books."

"Oh? Tell me specifically."

As they talked, Xu Yuexin stepped toward the outskirts of the community, and Zhu Chen followed.

After a brief recollection, she voiced the answer in her mind.

"Let's discuss each book separately."

"'High Mountain' had a big impact on my values, and 'The Horse Herder' gives me spiritual strength."

"As for 'Great Ming 1566', after reading it my understanding of our country's ancient society became deeper."

Zhu Chen chose her words carefully, then looked anxiously at Xu Yuexin, "Of course, my literary cultivation can't compare with a professional writer like you; my appreciation is probably still shallow."

"Well said, not shallow."

Xu Yuexin calmly asked, "Which genre would you like to read next?"

"Tell me, I'll write it."

"Really?"

Zhu Chen was at a loss for words, her heart pounding.

He's so enthusiastic and proactive; could he be interested in me?

Zhu Chen thought to herself quietly.

(End of Chapter)