Chapter 88: The Last Chance for Da Yizi

From now on, Xu Yuexin can no longer always find excuses to take advantage of her.

Chen Yixue thought lightly, standing quietly at the doorway waiting for Xu Yuexin to return.

(Da Yizi photo, visible to subscribers) "Boom…"

Before long, a revving engine sound came from downstairs.

Xu Yuexin drove Qiao Qiao back from school and parked the motorcycle in a small basement downstairs.

The basement originally belonged to a professor in the building; a few days ago the professor was transferred to the South China Institute of Technology in Guangdong as dean, and the house was taken over by the authorities.

Upon learning the news, Xu Yuexin rented the basement for two yuan a month, securing it for parking the motorcycle.

After locking the basement door, Xu Yuexin and Qiao Qiao walked upstairs.

"The new semester is about to start; do you plan to live in the dormitory or at home afterward?"

"It depends. Probably sometimes in the dorm, sometimes back home—just like you now."

…

The two said this as they reached the space between the second and third floors, where they saw Chen Yixue standing at the doorway.

"Sister."

Qiao Qiao quickened her steps up the stairwell, "Why did you come?"

"Just came over to your place to sit."

Chen Yixue placed a hand on her younger sister's shoulder and then looked meaningfully at Xu Yuexin.

Xu Yuexin, as always, politely addressed Da Yizi in front of Qiao Qiao: "Have you eaten? If not, we'll eat together later."

"I've already eaten."

Chen Yixue said lightly, feeling a little strange inside.

Given Xu Yuexin's cleverness, she was sure he could grasp the meaning behind her glance.

Why isn't he nervous?

Perhaps, having not met for a while, he has already let go of himself?

If that's true, it's a good thing; I won't have to worry anymore.

These days, Chen Yixue often recalled that conversation on the plane, making her sleepless.

Whenever her thoughts were chaotic, Chen Yixue kept reminding herself: He's her brother‑in‑law!

If Xu Yuexin truly figures out how to step back, she won't have to fret about it.

After entering the house, Qiao Qiao went to the kitchen to cook, while Xu Yuexin poured two glasses of water and sat by the coffee table chatting with Da Yizi.

"How's the draft coming along?"

As soon as she sat down, Chen Yixue got straight to the point, "If you haven't reached twenty‑thousand words, you can't make excuses."

"How do you know I haven't reached it?"

Xu Yuexin replied calmly, got up, walked toward the bedroom, and returned to the coffee table carrying a stack of drafts like a small mountain.

Chen Yixue's first reaction was that he cheated: how could anyone write twenty‑thousand words in a day?

"Did you get someone to help you write?"

Chen Yixue picked up a piece of Manuscript Paper clipped together and examined it carefully.

"If it's ghost‑written, you can tell by the handwriting."

Xu Yuexin lounged lazily in his chair and said, "Just a reminder, don't be a sore loser later."

"I'm not that kind of person."

Chen Yixue answered defiantly, picking up several more pieces of Manuscript Paper to inspect.

The result was that every sheet's handwriting was identical, and the storyline was continuous.

Unwilling to give up, Chen Yixue pulled out several stacks of Manuscript Paper from the middle and lower parts, trying to find a flaw.

She couldn't believe Xu Yuexin could really write that many words in a day.

But contrary to Chen Yixue's expectations, none of the Manuscript Papers showed any sign of ghost‑writing, and none were scribbled.

"Consider yourself lucky."

Chen Yixue placed the Manuscript Papers back in order, unusually calm, "But don't go overboard."

"Sounds fun, want to bet?"

Xu Yuexin lifted the Manuscript Paper without even raising an eyebrow.

His composure was only outward; inside, Xu Yuexin was ecstatic.

From now on, he had another chance to do as he pleased with Da Yizi.

When to use it and how to use it would depend entirely on his mood.

"We'll talk about it later."

Chen Yixue closed her beautiful eyes, feeling a terrible headache inside, "Focus on writing your novel, stop daydreaming about all that nonsense."

"It won't affect me; I'm full of energy."

Xu Yuexin smiled and said, moving the Manuscript Paper back to the bedroom.

When he came out of the bedroom, Chen Yixue was in the bathroom adjusting her hair in front of the mirror, while Qiao Qiao was cooking in the adjacent kitchen.

Seeing Da Yizi's exquisite beauty reflected in the mirror, Xu Yuexin's playful spirit surged instantly.

Smack!

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and gave Da Yizi's pert butt a solid smack.

In the mirror, Da Yizi's mouth opened wide, her eyes filled with anger.

"Qiao Qiao is cooking right next door!"

Chen Yixue turned her face, both shocked and angry, "You're going to die!"

"When she's not around, we can take photos freely, right?"

Xu Yuexin produced an enterprise‑level understanding, his big hand stroking Chen Yixue's pert buttocks.

"Dream on!"

Chen Yixue glared at him, lowly scolding, "Hurry up and take it off!"

Xu Yuexin squeezed hard and, under Chen Yixue's cutting gaze, moved his hand away.

"I'll tolerate you this time."

"From now on, don't act recklessly."

Chen Yixue warned.

"Why the rush? There's still one more chance."

Xu Yuexin said leisurely.

Chen Yixue, irritated by him, asked, "What do you mean there's another chance?"

"Forgetful, huh? Then I'll remind you again."

Xu Yuexin smiled warmly at Chen Yixue, saying, "The first bet you lost. Later I kissed you, and you were angry for a while."

"So you didn't keep the agreed restraint; that chance doesn't count as used."

"Got it?"

"I don't get it."

Chen Yixue's face hardened and she left.

Tsk, such good‑looking person, yet insists on a stone‑cold face.

Xu Yuexin shook his head and said.

Soon, Chen Qiaoqiao finished the dishes, and the three sat around the table to eat.

"Sister, I heard you're betting with Brother Xin," Qiao Qiao said, looking at Chen Yixue.

Chen Yixue felt very depressed.

It's always the same old complaint, and it's my own closest sister.

"Yes, he's already shown me the manuscript."

Chen Yixue said expressionlessly.

Qiao Qiao was delighted.

"Hey, didn't expect him to write twenty thousand words a day, huh?"

Qiao Qiao teased her sister, "By the way, what exactly are you two betting?"

Is this something I can say to my sister? Chen Yixue felt embarrassed, glared at Xu Yuexin and said, "Ask him."

"Just a trivial wager."

Xu Yuexin smiled faintly at his daughter‑in‑law, "Hurry and eat, or the dishes will get cold."

After the meal, Xu Yuexin rode a motorcycle to take Chen Yixue home.

Since Xu Yuexin bought this Harley motorcycle, the burden of family commuting has fallen on his shoulders.

He has already given Chen Yixue many rides, but this time she was a bit resistant.

"I'll just take a car back."

In the dim, cramped basement, Chen Yixue, heavy‑hearted, said, "We can't keep going like this."

Riding means having to embrace Xu Yuexin again, and she feels guilty about it.

Xu Yuexin had already pushed the Harley to the basement doorway, and upon seeing this, parked the bike again properly.

"Whether I give you a ride or not doesn't matter; the point is Qiao Qiao will ask me later."

Xu Yuexin spread his hands and said, "Besides, I think you don't need to worry about this or that."

"You married my sister and still dare to make a move on me."

Chen Yixue's eyes flashed with displeasure, "I really misjudged you back then."

Before all the entanglements with Xu Yuexin, Chen Yixue always thought he was extremely upright and devoted.

It wasn't until later that Chen Yixue discovered he had another side! Faced with Da Yizi's accusation, Xu Yuexin fell into thought.

Clearly, she's serious today.

If not handled properly, their relationship will become awkward and might even break.

Conversely, if dealt with well, she can get over that mental hurdle, and future dealings will go much smoother.

"Choosing the wrong person is your own responsibility."

Xu Yuexin took Chen Yixue's hand, speaking calmly, "But have you ever thought that feelings easily arise between authors and singers."

"There are many cases, both domestic and abroad, of such pairings."

"Sophistry."

Chen Yixue withdrew her hand, gave him a glare, "You're already married; can it be the same?"

"There are always some commonalities."

Xu Yuexin persisted, again taking Da Yizi's hand, his voice turning affectionate, "Don't worry, even if you're with me, I won't shortchange Qiao Qiao."

"Look at what Qiao Qiao eats and uses. Not even families of ordinary workers compare; even those married into officials' families can't match her."

"I'm still young, the road of creation is long; not to mention fine clothes and food, even things ordinary people can't imagine, I can get for you two sisters."

"You can't stay single forever. Apart from me, could you have a better choice?"

Chen Yixue was dumbfounded.

She never expected… that anyone could speak so brazenly.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Chen Yixue, full of helplessness, placed a hand on her forehead and said, "Let's just partner up to write songs and make money, okay? Don't think about those things."

She was flustered.

Xu Yuexin thought to himself.

He had never intended to persuade Da Yizi directly with these words, because even an ordinary woman could not nod in agreement under these circumstances, let alone someone as proud as she was.

As long as Chen Yixue didn't pull away and leave immediately, Xu Yuexin could be sure he had succeeded.

"It's fine, I'm not in a hurry for an answer. Let's go home."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin mounted his motorcycle and rode out of the basement, not looking back at Chen Yixue.

After hesitating for a while, Chen Yixue finally got on his motorcycle and, turning around, pulled the door shut.

Back home, Xu Yuexin extracted the portion written by Chen Qiaoqiao in Great Ming 1566, intending to finish the rest later.

A few days later, another audio‑visual company arranged a meeting with Chen Yixue to discuss publishing.

Chen Yixue behaved honestly this time, directly approached Xu Yuexin and asked him to go negotiate together.

Xu Yuexin rode his motorcycle with Chen Yixue, hurried to the agreed location, and began the negotiation.

Just like last time, 3,600 yuan, not a cent less.

No matter how much the other side chattered, Xu Yuexin made no concession.

In the end, it still resulted in the other side fully accepting the concession.

Xu Yuexin collected the money, brought Chen Yixue back home to split it.

"This half is yours."

"This half is mine."

1,800 each, a fifty‑fifty split, fair and just.

Chen Yixue took the money, and in her mind the image of Xu Yuexin's confident negotiating demeanor floated up.

If it were her, she could never have negotiated such a splendid result; the songs would have been sold for a few hundred yuan.

"It's getting chilly, let's buy some clothes."

Out of gratitude toward Xu Yuexin, Chen Yixue proactively said, "I think the newly released trench coat looks great, it suits you well."

"Let's go buy it together on the street."

Xu Yuexin took the car key he had just put in the drawer and said, "You just walked from the street, why didn't you say?"

"I was in a hurry to go home and split the money."

Chen Yixue, rarely, showed an embarrassed smile, "If you think the fuel is costly, I'll even cover the fuel expense for you."

Today Chen Yixue wore a thin white, form‑fitting turtleneck sweater; her pair of high, full, towering curves were about to emerge, and when she smiled they trembled slightly, exceedingly alluring.

"What joke are you telling? You're already mine, why should you pay any money?"

"Don't speak nonsense; you're my brother‑in‑law, and I'm your Da Yizi."

Chen Yixue was in a great mood today, so she wasn't angry; she simply corrected patiently, "We can't possibly do that."

"Who said it's impossible?"

Xu Yuexin lifted his head, looked straight at Da Yizi, his gaze somewhat scorching.

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that?"

Chen Yixue felt a little uneasy and stepped back.

"I remember, I still have one more chance."

Xu Yuexin's Adam's apple rolled slightly as he spoke.

In Chen Yixue's ice‑mountain‑like calm eyes, panic surfaced: "Don't act recklessly."

(End of chapter)