Chapter 697: A Long-Lost Happiness

One hour later—

The car stopped outside the gate of the Liu Family Villa.

Liu Qingze jumped out of the car with lightning speed, looking over the home he hadn't returned to for a long time.

"Let's go."

Liu Xin'ai felt a long-lost sense of ease as she led the two of them through the door.

In the living room, only two servants were cleaning; seeing them enter, they hurriedly greeted them.

"Is that all the people left?"

Liu Qingze asked casually.

"Mm."

Liu Xin'ai nodded: "I don't live here often, and Dad is at the Hospital, so I didn't keep many people at home, and also..."

Thinking of Liu Rumeng, Liu Xin'ai fell silent for a moment.

She had never told Liu Qingze about Liu Rumeng's affairs until two days ago, when she finally told him the situation.

Liu Qingze's evaluation at the time was only four characters.

Bringing it upon oneself.

He and Liu Rumeng were not far apart in age, and the two had been incompatible in personality since childhood; after growing up, they each went abroad to develop, so naturally, their relationship wasn't as close as the one with the older Liu Xin'ai.

"Don't just stand there, I'll take you to see the rooms."

Liu Xin'ai pulled back her thoughts and hurriedly led the two upstairs, heading first to the guest room on the second floor.

"Xiao Tang, would it be alright for you to stay here?"

Liu Xin'ai had specifically chosen one of the largest rooms; looking out from the balcony, one could even see the garden in the back.

"Anything is fine for me, thank you Xinaijie."

Cai Xiaotang wasn't picky and hurriedly thanked her.

Immediately after, the group went upstairs to Liu Qingze's room.

Pushing open the door, Liu Xin'ai hurriedly introduced: "Qingze, I was afraid the previous bed would be too small for you to sleep in, so I specifically had someone change it for a new one, and all the other furniture was replaced as well; I didn't touch your original things, I had them all stored on the bookshelf..."

Liu Xin'ai's face was full of happiness, yet she couldn't help but feel a trace of melancholy.

Back when Qingze went abroad... the villa wasn't this desolate.

Dad's health hadn't had any problems, and she and Rumeng would often come back...

In just such a short time, things had already changed and people were gone...

"Sister, thanks."

Liu Qingze seemed to notice her mood and stepped forward to gently pat her shoulder.

Cai Xiaotang also sensed that the atmosphere was a bit off and hurriedly spoke up: "Xinaijie, what do you want to eat for lunch? Why don't I cook! Consider it my repayment for you taking me in!"

"You can cook?"

Liu Qingze was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"Ahem... it's just average..."

Cai Xiaotang didn't dare to "brag" in front of Liu Xin'ai, only saying modestly: "Anyway, it's edible... I just wanted to do something to express my gratitude..."

"No need, you are a guest, how could I trouble you? I'll do it; Qingze hasn't tasted my cooking in a long time either."

Liu Xin'ai smiled and took over the conversation.

Cai Xiaotang hurriedly said loudly: "Then I can help!"

"You won't be helping by making a mess, will you?"

Liu Qingze teased her, unafraid of death.

Cai Xiaotang clenched her fists abruptly and gave him a very "friendly" smile.

"Do you want me to chat with Xinaijie about how the two of us met?"

Sure enough, this sentence was Liu Qingze's "Achilles' heel."

"Ahem! Sister, I'll go help too!"

He deliberately didn't take the bait, hurriedly shot a warning glance at Cai Xiaotang, and pushed Liu Xin'ai out the door.

The three of them went to the kitchen laughing and talking, preparing the ingredients for lunch together.

Two hours later, five or six dishes were placed on the table.

Liu Xin'ai's culinary skills were quite excellent; every dish was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

The three sat at the table, and Cai Xiaotang immediately couldn't help but sniff.

"Wow... so fragrant... Xinaijie, I didn't know you were so good at cooking!"

Cai Xiaotang did not spare her praise.

Liu Qingze didn't speak; he had already moved with lightning speed to pick up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and take a bite.

He then let out a long sigh of relief and leaned back against his chair, satisfied.

"What's wrong? Is it not good?"

Liu Xin'ai asked hurriedly.

She then heard Liu Qingze exclaim: "As expected, it has to be this taste... the Chinese food abroad is simply not fit for human consumption..."

"Then you should eat more!"

Liu Xin'ai was amused by him, hurriedly served him more food, and invited Cai Xiaotang not to be polite.

She then asked: "By the way, Qingze, Dad told me earlier to have you hurry up and learn about the company's business, and then..."

"Sister... I've been back for less than a few hours..."

Liu Qingze looked at Liu Xin'ai with some helplessness, his tone carrying a bit of childishness.

Liu Xin'ai looked at him with amusement: "I'm not rushing you, but you'll have to learn these things sooner or later."

"What if I say I don't want to take over?"

Liu Qingze poked at the rice in his bowl and asked in return.

He had been used to freedom since he was small, hated being constrained the most, and had never thought about taking over the family company.

Hearing this, Liu Xin'ai's eyes flickered for a moment, and she suppressed all her bitterness deep in her heart.

She didn't want to force Qing Ze like this either...

But the current Liu Family could no longer let him be as free and easy as before...

Dad's condition could no longer be kept from him either...

"Let's not talk about this for now, let's eat first."

Liu Xin'ai smiled; not wanting to make him unhappy, she hurriedly changed the subject.

Cai Xiaotang listened from the side and, being sensible, did not interrupt others' family affairs.

Soon, the few of them finished their lunch.

Cai Xiaotang and Liu Qingze had both eaten their fill, and after the meal, they collapsed onto the sofa together, not wanting to move at all.

Liu Xin'ai returned carrying tea and saw this scene, and she couldn't help but want to laugh.

"I told you not to eat so much; I could have made more tonight..."

"Xinaijie's cooking is just too delicious!"

Cai Xiaotang replied with a grin and took the initiative to pour tea for the three of them.

Seeing this, Liu Qingze immediately poked Cai Xiaotang's arm like a pampered master.

"Big sister, pass the teacup to me."

Cai Xiaotang: "..."

How did this guy manage to use a tone for ordering around a maid while using an honorific for her?

She complained in her heart, but for the sake of Liu Xin'ai, she still handed the teacup over.

"Qing Ze, why don't you get up and get it yourself?"

Liu Xin'ai watched their interaction with some amusement and felt increasingly puzzled.

Why did she feel...

That the relationship between Qing Ze and Xiao Tang didn't look as simple as just having met once?

They were clearly very familiar with each other...

And, when did that brat Qing Ze learn to use such an obedient form of address, calling a woman older than him "big sister"?

Liu Xin'ai could not figure it out, but she didn't think too much about it; seeing that Liu Qingze was already happily drinking his tea, she didn't say anything more.

"Ah... it feels like it's been so long since I've been this relaxed..."

Cai Xiaotang suddenly sighed, and she felt a bit grateful that Liu Xin'ai had "taken her in" today.

If she had really gone to a hotel alone, she didn't know what she would be overthinking right now...

Just as she was thinking this, the next second—

She suddenly heard her phone ring.

Cai Xiaotang paused in the middle of drinking her tea, glanced casually at the screen, and her heart suddenly tightened.