Chapter 208: The Cool Young Guy in Aunt

Fine, Cheng Ayi is just teasing herself.

Xu Yuexin, realizing, said.

How about I try a scheme on Aunt Cheng too? "Actually, you coming over won't help; I'm about to leave."

"I have some business in Japan."

"Then when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Xu Yuexin lied to Cheng Ayi.

He really intends to go to Japan, because Mei Naizi will give birth in two months.

But the timing isn't tomorrow; it will be after some more time.

"You're not lying to me again, are you?"

On the phone, Cheng Ayi sounded a bit confused, "Mei Naizi mentioned you to me, saying you usually don't go to Japan."

"No need to lie to you; I've already bought the plane ticket."

"Oh… then I wish you a safe journey."

"Alright, goodbye."

Having said that, Xu Yuexin hung up, his expression calm and confident.

Xu Yuexin believed that soon Cheng Ayi would call him first, falling into his scheme.

This round of scheming was necessary; he couldn't let Cheng Ayi have the initiative in their interaction.

"Ding—ring—..."

Just as Xu Yuexin expected, the phone rang after a while.

"Hey, Xiao Xu, can you leave a couple of days later?"

From the phone, Cheng Ayi's seemingly casual voice said, "After I finish the business here in Hu Hai, I still need to go to Jingcheng to handle matters."

"Then I can drop by to see you."

"No, the matter in Japan is quite urgent."

"Oh? Could you tell me what it is? If possible, I can have someone handle it for you."

"If you can really arrange it, I'll have Zijie look for Mei Naizi."

"Alright, I won't keep you, I still have to pack."

"Hang up later."

From the handset, Cheng Ayi's firm voice said, "If you postpone a bit, leaving the day after tomorrow should be okay, right?"

"What, you must see me?"

"It's not that I must see you. I've been working in Xiangjiang for years; I can tell you about some events in Huaguang."

"Alright, then you come over; I can postpone by a day."

Xu Yuexin, putting on a pretentious air, said, "When you've bought the ticket, remember to give me a call."

"Okay, I'll tell you the time then."

……

After the call ended, Xu Yuexin hung up, feeling a bit smug.

Cheng Ayi had originally wanted to tease him, but ended up being schemed by him.

Being able to scheme such a shrewd, capable mature lady gave Xu Yuexin a sense of achievement.

A moment later, Xu Yuexin received another call from Cheng Ayi.

On the phone, she said she would arrive at Capital International Airport at 10 a. m. tomorrow, hoping Xu Yuexin could meet her there.

Xu Yuexin readily agreed, planning to arrive at the airport half an hour early the next morning.

He waited and waited in front of the airport lobby, finally seeing Cheng Ayi gracefully walk out of the hall dragging a suitcase.

Cheng Ayi today wore a black trench coat; the cinched waist highlighted her slender waist and full, firm curves, and a pair of high heels made her meat‑colored‑stocking‑clad beautiful legs look even longer.

Especially, her matte stockings today added to her aloof, mysterious, and elegant aura.

But only Xu Yuexin knew that Cheng Ayi's aloof mystery was just for outsiders…

"Aunt Cheng, good morning."

Xu Yuexin stepped forward to greet her, taking the suitcase, and asked, "No longer handling the matters in Hu Hai?"

Cheng Ayi, knowing Xu Yuexin was saying it on purpose, gave him a cold stare and said, "Didn't you say you were leaving tomorrow?"

"Who said you were leaving tomorrow? You're mistaken."

Xu Yuexin replied calmly, his expression unchanged.

Cheng Ayi immediately realized: he was lying to her! "Alright then, you, so young, have learned to deceive?"

Cheng Ayi pretended to be angry, "Aren't you afraid I'll leave?"

"Leave, as long as you're willing to fly back and forth for free."

Xu Yuexin was unfazed, even a smile at the corner of his mouth as he said.

"You thought I wouldn't?"

Cheng Ayi said irritably, but she didn't actually return to the terminal.

"Stop messing around, where are you staying?"

"Xin Qiao Hotel."

Cheng Ayi replied briefly, still annoyed at being duped by Xu Yuexin.

She was a full ten years older than Xu Yuexin, so logically she should have far richer life experience.

Yet she fell into Xu Yuexin's scheme so easily.

She wonders what on earth happened to her? Cheng Ayi thought helplessly.

At that moment, Xu Yuexin led Cheng Ayi to the Dispatch Point, and they got into the taxi together.

After arriving at Xin Qiao Hotel, Cheng Ayi did not rest but went out.

"I'm going to see Ru Ru."

"Do you want to come along?"

"Let's go."

Xu Yuexin said.

Shen Qingru's home is along Line 1, and Xu Yuexin and Cheng Ayi arrived by subway.

The two walked to the small courtyard of Shen Qingru's house, where Xu Yuexin knocked on the gate.

"Aunt Shen, please open the door."

"Coming…"

Then Shen Qingru's footsteps sounded from inside, and shortly the gate opened.

"When did you come to Jingcheng?"

Seeing Cheng Li Yan, Shen Qingru asked excitedly.

"I just arrived this morning."

Cheng Li Yan stepped forward, took Shen Qingru's jade‑like arm, and said, "I was originally handling some matters at Hu Hai, and I came over because I wanted to see you."

Saying that, Cheng Li Yan gave Xu Yuexin a meaning‑laden glance.

If it weren't for her scheme, would she really have dropped the half‑finished business and rushed to Jingcheng? Shen Qingru was completely unaware, still delighted by her sister's arrival.

"Let's go out for lunch; tell me what you want to eat."

"No need, we can eat at Aunt Shen's place."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully, "I'll cook for you." "You can actually cook?"

Cheng Li Yan exclaimed in surprise.

During their time in Xiangjiang, whenever they ate at home they always hired a chef in advance.

Moreover, she thought that given Xu Yuexin's background, not being able to cook was normal.

"Alright, I'll make a few dishes for you to try later."

Xu Yuexin said with a somewhat swaggering expression.

Walking into the Guogong Mansion Main Hall, Xu Yuexin went straight into the kitchen and started preparing the vegetables Shen Qingru had bought.

Slicing lettuce shoots, chopping ribs, braising tofu…

A fragrant four‑dish‑one‑soup spread was freshly served, and Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru carried the dishes to the table together.

"Smells great."

Cheng Li Yan saw Xu Yuexin's work and nodded approvingly.

She had thought that even if Xu Yuexin could cook, it would be at most average.

She didn't expect it to be so presentable, even worthy of the phrase "color, aroma, and taste all complete."

"Your cooking has improved again."

Shen Qingru took a bite and praised nonstop, "Did you learn some new techniques?"

"Yes, I've learned a few methods."

Xu Yuexin sat down beside Cheng Li Yan and said.

When he previously lived with Da Yizi in Dongyang, he would occasionally go out to buy groceries and cook himself, even asking the landlady for advice.

After a few rounds, he had refined his skill.

"No wonder, you should try it too."

Shen Qingru said to Cheng Li Yan.

"Alright."

Cheng Li Yan picked up some lettuce shoot strips, put them in her mouth, and immediately nodded, "Mmm, tasty."

"Right? He really does know how to take care of people."

Shen Qingru smiled at Xu Yuexin and said.

Cheng Li Yan was momentarily stunned, then nodded, "He really does know how to take care of people."

Xu Yuexin may be a mischievous kid, but one must admit he's genuinely considerate.

"Here, have a bowl of soup."

Xu Yuexin ladled a bowl of soup for each of Cheng Li Yan and Shen Qingru, placing them before them.

"Thank you…"

Shen Qingru and Cheng Li Yan each took a spoonful of the soup and found it very fresh and tasty.

They finished the meal cleanly.

After the meal, Xu Yuexin and Cheng Li Yan stayed at Shen Qingru's place to chat until the afternoon before leaving.

Leaving Shen Qingru's home, Xu Yuexin did not return to Guogongfu, but went with Cheng Ayi back to Xin Qiao Hotel.

"Aren't you going home?"

Cheng Ayi saw that he was walking the same road as her and asked curiously.

"No one at home, it's boring being alone."

"I have to handle work at the hotel; you might be bored then, too."

"Two bored people are still better than one bored person."

Xu Yuexin replied, then walked into the subway station together with Cheng Ayi.

After taking the subway to the Xin Qiao Hotel, Cheng Ayi took out two stacks of case files from her suitcase and sat at the table to study them carefully.

"What, you got a case?"

"Yes, from the Xiangjiang side."

Cheng Ayi, without turning her head, said, "This is the first commission I received after arriving in Xiangjiang; I have to win it."

"Then, may you achieve a triumphant start."

"Borrowing your auspicious words."

After Cheng Ayi finished speaking, she buried herself in study, her expression meticulous, occasionally circling and annotating the dossiers.

When she finished, it was already night.

"Let's go eat."

Cheng Ayi neatly organized the files, stood up, turned to Xu Yuexin and asked, "Are there any good restaurants nearby?"

"The Xin Qiao Hotel itself is quite good."

Xu Yuexin also got up from the bed and said, "How about we eat right here."

"Alright, let's go down."

Cheng Ayi replied, following the suggestion.

The two took the elevator to the lobby on the lower first floor, sat down and ordered dishes.

Considering Cheng Ayi had traveled a thousand miles, her stamina was depleted and a heavy meat meal might be hard to digest, Xu Yuexin ordered very light dishes in modest portions.

When the food arrived, the two ate slowly while chatting.

"When are you leaving?"

"The exact date hasn't been set, but I definitely won't stay long."

"I still have a bunch of matters to handle."

"Alright, will you be coming to Jingcheng often in the future?"

"I should be coming here often."

Cheng Ayi smiled faintly after speaking, "But it's certain that we can't meet every time."

"Oh, that's fine then."

Xu Yuexin ladled her a bowl of kelp soup and said, "If you really come often, I'll buy you an apartment to settle in."

"No need."

Cheng Ayi quickly, embarrassed, refused, "You've already spent enough money on me."

"Just a small dish."

Xu Yuexin shrugged indifferently.

After the meal, the two walked along Dong Chang'an Street outside.

Soon after stepping out, Xu Yuexin grabbed Cheng Ayi's hand and asked, "Are you ready this time?"

"Prepare what?" Cheng Ayi was puzzled by the question, not knowing how to answer.

"Huh? It's what you mentioned last time."

Xu Yuexin nudged Cheng Ayi with his arm, reminding her.

"Ah, so that's what he was referring to…"

Cheng Ayi caught on, and a flush immediately rose on her face.

"Guess."

After thinking, she gave Xu Yuexin an elegant, mysterious wink and said.

(End of chapter)