Chapter 58: [You Are a Good Person]

Director Fang, accompanied by Assistant Yan, drove to the villa district. The car stopped at Chen Yan's front gate. Assistant Yan went up and rang the doorbell, and before long, the courtyard gate was pulled open from inside, revealing a thin, small old man.

Both Director Fang and Assistant Yan were taken aback.

The old man before them was a head shorter than an ordinary person, wiry and thin, with bean-like eyes, a flat nose bridge — how to put it… he had a hunched, cowering look about him.

He was wearing a traditional Chinese-style jacket with a front opening. When an ordinary old man wears something like that, it usually adds a bit of dignity, but on him it just felt oddly out of place.

"You are?" Old Turtle, currently named Gui Geng, asked stiffly.

Director Fang said nothing. Assistant Yan quickly replied politely, "We've come to visit Mr. Chen Yan."

"Oh, the young master's guests," Gui Geng said, his head bobbing in that same hunched manner as he spoke slowly. "The young master isn't home. He's gone out on business."

Young master?

Both Director Fang and Assistant Yan were startled by the form of address.

In today's society, apart from truly prominent households, who still uses a term like that?

"Elder sir, are you... Mr. Chen Yan's elder?" Assistant Yan asked tentatively.

"I wouldn't dare. I'm merely a butler," Gui Geng shook his head.

A butler?

This young Mr. Chen really isn't an ordinary mortal, is he? With a 'young master' and a 'butler' to boot.

Director Fang glanced at Assistant Yan. Assistant Yan gave an imperceptible slight shake of his head, indicating that when he had come before, there had been no such person in the house.

Although Gui Geng was a turtle cultivator, once he took on the role of butler he played the part quite convincingly. He cleared his throat: "Since you're the young master's guests, please come in and sit. Although the young master isn't home, the Lady of the House is."

Another 'Lady of the House'? From the sound of it, has young Mr. Chen's mother come to visit?

The term "Lady of the House" left both Director Fang and Assistant Yan a bit confused.

Director Fang immediately smiled and said, "Since an elder is home, by propriety we ought to pay our respects."

Gui Geng opened the gate and stepped aside. Director Fang walked in with a slight limp. Assistant Yan followed behind, asked Gui Geng to open the courtyard gate wider so the car could back in, and then directed their driver to unload the gifts from the car.

Director Fang followed Gui Geng across the courtyard, then up to the villa's front door.

The moment the door opened, standing in the entryway, he saw a graceful, slender figure seated on the living room sofa.

Director Fang was stunned.

Gui Geng, however, walked in. The little old man wore an ingratiating smile: "My Lady, there are visitors — friends of Young Chen Chen Laoshi Yan."

Gu Qingyi turned her head and took a look at Director Fang standing at the door. A flicker of nervousness passed through her eyes for no apparent reason.

The girl sat cross-legged on the sofa, a bowl of instant noodles cradled in her left hand, a pair of chopsticks pinched in her right, her big dewy eyes wide as she stared at Director Fang walking in.

Director Fang was dumbfounded.

It wasn't that he was struck by her beauty, but rather…

This is the Lady of the House?!

Although Director Fang hadn't had many years of schooling, over the years he'd had plenty of contact with those occult-world types who liked to put on traditional airs, so he at least knew a thing or two about these forms of address.

This young girl before him — the Lady of the House?

Looking at this young lady's age, if she could have given birth to a strapping son like Chen Yan…

That would be a challenge to human biology!

That doesn't add up.

If this young girl were Chen Yan's woman, she shouldn't be called the Lady of the House, but rather the Young Mistress, right?

His wild thoughts left the usually sharp Director Fang momentarily speechless.

Gu Qingii slurped up a mouthful of noodles, stretched her neck with effort, and swallowed it down. Then she quickly set the bowl and chopsticks aside and took a deep breath.

The young girl put on a composed air and said, "Mm, Mr. Chen Yan's guests? Please come in."

That one sentence brought Director Fang back to his senses. He gave an awkward smile and walked into the living room.

Gu Qingyi sat on the sofa, eyes wide as she watched Director Fang, then secretly uncrossed her legs and sat up properly.

Before, at the internet café, she saw countless people every day without a care, but now… her identity was a bit awkward.

Because… this time, she was his legitimate mother.

Mm, how is a legitimate mother supposed to talk and behave?

How do I introduce myself?

Gu Xiaoniang was a bit at a loss too.

Clearing her throat, Gu Qingyi put on a composed look and glanced at Gui Geng beside her: "Go on, fix some tea."

Director Fang's heart stirred — what a sweet voice — but why did she speak with that East Third Province twang?

Gui Geng was also taken aback upon hearing it.

What does she want me to do?

I only just learned how to use the vacuum cleaner today.

Making tea… I can't!

"No, no, no need to trouble yourselves. I'll just sit for a bit and then go."

Director Fang quickly waved his hand. He sat down on the sofa, looked at Gu Qingyi, and by now had collected himself. Looking at this young girl, even Director Fang, who had seen countless people in his life, couldn't help feeling a sense of admiration.

A woman like this does seem a match for the capable young Mr. Chen… but… what's this about the Lady of the House?

Do young people these days play things this way?

Or is it part of the act?

Director Fang's thoughts were turning in his head, but naturally he couldn't say them out loud — if he actually did, he probably wouldn't leave this house alive today.

"Um… my humble surname is Fang. I'm a friend of Mr. Chen Yan. Before, I was fortunate enough to have him help me with some matters. It's almost New Year, so I brought some New Year goods," Director Fang said with a smile. "Just a small gift, please do be sure not to…"

"Alright, Gui Geng, go bring them in."

Huh?

Before Director Fang could even finish his polite words.

Uh... does this count as a pretty straightforward personality?

"Um, when will Mr. Chen Yan be back?"

"I don't know," Gu Qingyi shook her head. "He went out to buy something, he should be back in time for dinner."

As she spoke, Gu Qingyi glanced at the digital clock on the small tea table, actually feeling a bit unhappy.

That guy had been out for nearly a whole day without coming back.

Gu Qingyi didn't have the nerve to say it out loud — she had been starving the entire day.

Poor Gu Xiaoniang had only learned to make instant noodles these past few days. Just now, starving beyond endurance, she fixed herself a bowl, only managed to take a single bite before being interrupted.

Director Fang smiled as he looked at this young girl — such a beautiful girl, even Director Fang had never seen one before, but she seemed a bit stiff and nervous.

He was willing to wait for Chen Yan to return. Since he had come to deliver gifts in person, it was best to see the favor through to the end; only meeting the man himself would achieve the best effect.

His gaze swept around the room, and suddenly he noticed the bowl and chopsticks placed on the small tea table beside the sofa.

Director Fang's heart stirred, and he smiled at Gu Qingyi before him: "May I ask how you and Mr. Chen Yan address each other?"

"Um..." Gu Qingyi was no fool. She knew that if she said outright "I am his birth mother," it would be too shocking for the world, so she answered vaguely: "I suppose I'm his elder relative."

Elder? Director Fang paused briefly, then understood: it wasn't that strange, probably some clan relative or the like. This kind of situation where ages were close but generations were far apart was common in the countryside.

Director Fang himself had a distant grand-uncle back in his hometown who was still in middle school.

Mm, distant relatives, high seniority, well... as long as they were past the fifth mourning degree, a young man and young woman dating wouldn't be considered improper.

Director Fang made small talk for a bit, and found that whenever this young lady spoke, she answered very seriously — every answer was thought over first, clearly a bit nervous.

But... in the gaps between small talk, this girl couldn't help letting her gaze drift to the side to look at that bowl of instant noodles?

Director Fang laughed heartily: "Not to say, but you young people really don't pay attention to your diet. Instant noodles are fine once in a while, eating too much isn't good for your health."

Gu Qingyi pouted, glanced at the bowl — it was almost soaked dry already — and shook her head: "Chen Yan isn't home, and I can't cook."

"Ah?" Director Fang laughed. "In that case, fate brought us together! I've always wanted to treat Mr. Chen Yan to a meal. Since we've met today, how about I play host?"

As he spoke, he beckoned Assistant Yan, who was standing at the living room doorway: "Find a nearby restaurant, order a banquet and have it delivered."

"Alright." Assistant Yan nodded immediately, then looked at Gu Qingyi: "Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"I don't eat beef."

"Got it, I'll make a note."

After speaking, Assistant Yan gave a polite smile, turned around and went out to make the call.

Gu Qingyi turned to look at Director Fang, a genuinely happy smile appearing on her face. In a quiet voice, she said earnestly: "Mr. Fang, you're a really good person."

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When Chen Yan got home, the sky had already grown dark.

He had only just stepped into the yard when he saw Gui Geng standing outside the carriage gate waving at him.

"Young Master, we have a guest at home."

"Mm?" Chen Yan strode over, tossed the pile of red candles and such he'd bought into Gui Geng's arms: "What guest?"

"Surnamed Fang."

Chen Yan guessed who it was at once. Sure enough, once he entered, he saw Director Fang sitting in the dining room talking, with a table full of dishes already laid out.

"Little Chen!" Director Fang spotted Chen Yan the moment he entered, hurriedly stood up and limped over to greet him, grabbed Chen Yan's hand and shook it vigorously a few times: "I've taken the liberty of visiting, please don't take offense!"

Chen Yan smiled at Director Fang and said with a grin: "You're too kind, Director Fang. Your leg isn't well lately, don't go to such trouble rushing about."

"I truly want to be friends with you, Little Chen! As long as you don't stand on ceremony with me." Director Fang smiled. "When I came and found no meal had been prepared at home, I took the liberty of having some food sent over. Just right — it arrived just as you got home."

Chen Yan glanced unobtrusively at the table full of various dishes, then saw Gu Qingyi walk out of the kitchen.

Gu Qingyi walked over, seeming a bit shy, and said softly: "Um, Xiaoyan, this Mr. Fang brought you a lot of things."

Her naturally soft, pinched voice was meant to be perfectly serious, but coming from her mouth, it always gave people a sense of coquettishness.

Chen Yan nodded, sighed at Director Fang: "Director Fang, this generosity of yours really makes me embarrassed."

"Just a small token — I prepared some New Year goods for clients and friends, and happened to set aside a portion for you as well." Director Fang waved his hands repeatedly.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Chen Yan looked at the dining table: "Today I'll borrow your flowers to offer to Buddha. Let's eat and chat — Director Fang, please take a seat."

At the dinner table, Director Fang had originally wanted to send Assistant Yan to the car to bring in a couple of bottles of good wine — he was a worldly businessman, and always kept a few bottles of fine wine in the car for emergencies. But Chen Yan firmly insisted he didn't drink, so he let it go.

However, when the meal was nearly finished, Director Fang glanced meaningfully at Gu Qingyi, who was sitting beside Chen Yan, earnestly shoveling rice into her mouth...

He called Assistant Yan to his side and gave him a few instructions.

Assistant Yan immediately went out, and returned shortly with an exquisite gift bag in his hand.

"I came in a hurry and only prepared some New Year goods, but didn't expect there to be a lady of the household at Little Chen's place — that was an oversight on my part! This item is my New Year gift for Miss Gu."

That gift bag had two interlocking letter Cs on it, one upright and one reversed. Inside was actually a women's handbag — one Director Fang had originally bought intending to bring home to placate his wife.

Coming to Chen Yan's place today and finding such a young, beautiful woman in the house, he simply took it out and gave it to her.

Whatever about birth mother or elder — Director Fang figured it was just young people playing around with titles.

This girl lived at Chen Yan's place, and when she spoke with Chen Yan, she seemed to carry a shy, embarrassed air.

If these two aren't a couple, I'll gouge out my own eyeballs!

Director Fang thought it through clearly: currying favor with this girl might be even more effective than currying favor with Little Chen directly.

Sure enough!

Chen Yan glanced at it, paused briefly in thought, then nodded: "Since Fang Fang Zong is so sincere, I won't refuse. Here's what — in a couple of days I'll come pay you a visit. You mentioned wanting to collect some ritual implements; I'll prepare one for you then."

Director Fang didn't know that Chen Yan's refusal to decline was simply because he was too lazy to explain his complicated relationship with Gu Qingyi.

A Chanel bag — he'd just make a Bai Yu protective talisman later to return the favor.

Director Fang was overjoyed at this. Though there was no wine on the table, he raised his tea cup in a toast to Chen Yan.

The meal was enjoyed by both host and guest.

After Director Fang took his leave, Chen Yan walked him out to the gate of the courtyard. Only then did Director Fang lower his voice and say, "Today, Old Zi from Luoyun Studio came to find me and delivered a sum of compensation. I suppose it means they want to make peace."

Chen Yan nodded, understanding, and smiled. "Then the house repair project is considered complete."

"This money came after you stepped in, so the other side backed down and sent it over. So my thinking is, once I get this money, I'll transfer half of it to your account…"

"No need." Chen Yan refused at once. "Director Fang, you already paid for the house repairs before. I like to keep things separate—one matter, one account. The compensation others gave you is for the hardships you suffered before. I can't take a single cent of this money."

His words made Director Fang pause for a moment. After a brief thought, he nodded firmly. "Good! Teacher Xiao Chen, then we'll take things slow from here on! I, Fatty Fang, have never let a friend take a loss."

After seeing off Director Fang and Assistant Yan, Chen Yan had just returned home when he saw Gu Qingyi busy in the kitchen.

Gu Xiaoniang found two insulated lunch boxes from the kitchen and packed some food inside.

"What are you doing?"

"I set aside two dishes from the food delivered today."

"Saving them for tomorrow? You don't have to, really. Overnight food isn't good for you."

"Not saving them for tomorrow. I have a use for them." Gu Qingyi shook her head. "I'm going out for a while. I'll be back later."

The two dishes set aside were one of chestnut braised pork, and one of fermented rice balls.

These two dishes—Gu Qingyi remembered—the proprietress had once said they were her favorites.

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