Chapter 585: Break Up with That Dog of a Jerk!

Li Guohong was no longer the naive boy he had been in his youth.

Even back then, he wasn't one of those celebrity worshippers—at most, he'd occasionally enjoyed the style of Yuan Wanqing's debut album when listening to music.

Calling him a fan would be overstating it; he was merely a music enthusiast.

But given Yuan Wanqing's youthful and beautiful appearance, she naturally attracted many fans who became Yan fans.

Yet someone like Li Guohong, an ordinary guy, clearly understood the gap between celebrities and common people, and never entertained any delusions.

Who could have imagined that his childhood friend, Ying Zhicheng, would end up with Yuan Wanqing…

To be honest, over the years, although Ying Zhicheng's career kept climbing and he earned far more than Li Guohong's family,

Li Guohong had always been worried about his friend's romantic life.

During past New Year's drinking sessions, he often asked if Ying Zhicheng had anyone he was interested in, suggesting he at least meet someone and nurture some feelings.

But Ying Zhicheng almost always turned him down.

Li Guohong had thought the guy was deeply devoted.

So he'd been sneaking around behind everyone's back?!

At this moment, the complex feeling was like having lived for years with a roommate, a close buddy who always joked and laughed together.

Then suddenly, your buddy says, "I've got a girlfriend."

You're stunned, happy for him, and then he adds, "My girlfriend is some celebrity."

And worse, he brings her to a dinner gathering.

And the most crucial part? That celebrity is your own idol.

Who wouldn't be stunned?

"You bastard…" Li Guohong leaned close to Ying Zhicheng and whispered, "You didn't use your CEO status to do something shady, did you?"

"What are you thinking?" Ying Zhicheng shot him a sidelong glance. "It was mutual affection. With her status and position, I couldn't force her."

"So… it's true?" Li Guohong still couldn't believe it.

"Yes, it's true," Ying Zhicheng nodded in confirmation.

"When did this happen?"

"Several years ago, around the time Xi Xi started middle school," Ying Zhicheng added. "Didn't I mention it before? When she first debuted, I was her agent."

"Why the hell didn't you ever tell me this before?!" Li Guohong snapped.

"It's professional ethics—I never disclose who I represent," Ying Zhicheng said simply. "Besides, back then, I didn't even know you were a fan of Wanqing."

"Fan? That's too strong…" Li Guohong muttered. "I just listened to her songs sometimes."

Ying Zhicheng smiled: "And do you remember? After her first debut album briefly took off, she vanished almost immediately."

"Yes, I do."

"She got heart disease," Ying Zhicheng said. "She left the entertainment industry right at her peak—only about one or two years total."

"How did you two end up together?" Li Guohong still couldn't picture it.

But after thinking it over, Ying Zhicheng was a widower, Yuan Wanqing was a widow, and both had a daughter.

Xi Xi and Zhusheng were classmates and had long lived together with Li Luo.

If these two really got together, they were actually quite well matched.

And besides,

Even though that bastard Ying Zhicheng had won the woman, Li Guohong was still happy for his friend.

Besides… his own son wasn't bad either!

After all, Xi Xi and Zhusheng both really liked Li Luo.

Soon enough, Ying Zhicheng would have his hands full.

…

While Li Luo and the others were setting off fireworks downstairs, Ying Zhicheng told Li Guohong the full story of his relationship with Yuan Wanqing.

Upon learning that Yuan Wanqing was actually Yan Ruqing's sister-in-law, Li Guohong was stunned again—and suddenly realized that meant Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng were cousins.

Then he thought: you bastard, you even chased your wife's sister-in-law—you're even more despicable!

Two older men sipped wine on the balcony, chatting, while Li Guohong's face shifted expressions like a Peking opera performer—constantly changing, utterly entertaining.

By nearly one a. m., Li Luo and the others downstairs had finished their fireworks.

Auntie called upstairs for everyone to tidy up and prepare to head to the temple for incense and prayers.

Since the men had all been drinking, Lin Xiuhong and the others drove the whole family to the nearest temple.

On the way to the temple, Li Luo pulled out his phone and checked it.

During the New Year's countdown, his phone had vibrated nonstop like a massager.

So he'd turned it to silent, sent New Year greetings only to close ones, then gone downstairs to set off fireworks with Xi Xi and Zhusheng.

Now, looking again, he saw Xu Youyu had sent him a flood of messages in the middle of the night—he finally had time to read them.

【Chongran】: It's New Year's Eve. In the new year, I hope we can still see each other the moment we open our eyes every day.

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Is this a New Year's greeting? Are you treating this like a wishing well?

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Try again!

By then, Li Luo had already gone downstairs with the fireworks, phone on silent, unaware of the later messages.

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Where are you? Did you go downstairs to set off fireworks with Xi Xi and the others?

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Send me a few photos! Our neighborhood doesn't allow fireworks!

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Where are you?! I'm so bored—only a few people at home, mahjong's no fun, so I'm just writing.

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Look! I updated today—even on New Year's Day! Won't my readers cheer and shout "Amazing"?

【SleepEarlyGrowTaller】: Tomorrow I'm going with Mom and Dad to your place—be ready to welcome me!

【EarlySleepPresident】: It's been three days since I last saw you! Do you even miss me!?

【EarlySleepPresident】: Waaah! You don't love me anymore! I'm your official girlfriend, okay!

【EarlySleepPresident】: Send me a photo! I want to see!

【EarlySleepPresident】: You don't love me anymore? Break up then, you dog of a jerk!

【EarlySleepPresident】: Haven't finished setting off the fireworks yet? Respond to me already.

【EarlySleepPresident】: You're dead tomorrow.

【EarlySleepPresident】: You're not answering my calls!?

【EarlySleepPresident】: Reply to me!!!

Li Luo looked at the chat history on his phone and immediately pictured the adorable sight of someone rolling around in bed; he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

【Chongran】: My phone was on silent. I'm on my way to the temple to burn incense.

【EarlySleepPresident】: Ha, we've already broken up. Why are you still replying to me?

【Chongran】: Breakups must be done face-to-face. Texting doesn't count.

【EarlySleepPresident】: Then I'll come find you tomorrow to break up in person.

【Chongran】: But didn't you just ask me to pretend to be your college boyfriend? Can't you break up with a fake boyfriend too?

【EarlySleepPresident】: You're talking too much! Shut up!

One minute passed.

【EarlySleepPresident】: Where are you?! Why are you gone again? Did you get to the temple yet?

【Chongran】: Not yet. You told me to shut up.

【EarlySleepPresident】: I think you're itching for a beating.

【Chongran】: I'm not itchy.

【EarlySleepPresident】: Other places might be itchy—I won't help you with those anymore.

【Chongran】: You never helped me before. It was Youyu herself who kept teasing me.

【EarlySleepPresident】: You're taking advantage and acting innocent! I'll bite you to death.

【Chongran】: Not impossible.

【EarlySleepPresident】: Then I'll bite you right in front of Chanxi.

【Chongran】: We're about to break up—isn't that a bit inappropriate?

【EarlySleepPresident】: But we haven't broken up yet, have we?

The two bantered back and forth, and soon Lin Xiuhong drove them to the temple's parking lot.

Ying Chanxi, seeing Li Luo constantly tapping his phone screen, curiously asked, "Who are you chatting with?"

"Replying to people who sent New Year greetings," Li Luo said. "Also chatting a bit with Youyu."

"You're chatting with Youyu," Yan Zhusheng corrected from beside him. "And incidentally replying to New Year greetings."

Well, Yan Zhusheng understood Li Luo's nature better.

But not well enough.

Li Luo hadn't replied to anyone else—he'd only been flirting with Xu Youyu.

【Chongran】: We've arrived. I'll stop chatting now. You should go to sleep too. Aren't you coming to our place tomorrow?

【EarlySleepPresident】: Got it~ Remember to make a wish for me when you burn incense.

【Chongran】: What wish do you want me to make?

【EarlySleepPresident】: Let me think~

【EarlySleepPresident】: Then I wish your new book's sales climb another level~

【Chongran】: Isn't that supposed to be my own wish?

【EarlySleepPresident】: Then make one for me too.

【Chongran】: Fine. I'll wish that Youryu's book becomes wildly popular at Qianjiang University.

【EarlySleepPresident】: I think you won't live to see the first day of the New Year.

They said they'd stop chatting, but kept talking all the way to the temple gate before Li Luo finally ended his idle chat with Xu Youyu and put his phone in his pocket.

Following Li Guohong and Lin Xiuhong, Li Luo brought Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng inside the temple gate and, following last year's routine, offered incense and paid respects one by one.

Yuan Wanqing had gone to Jingzhao City on New Year's Eve last year and hadn't joined them for the temple visit.

This was her first time coming along, following closely behind Yin Zhicheng, doing exactly as he instructed.

Facing the Buddha statue, Yuan Wanqing held three sticks of incense, knelt silently, and let countless wishes float like bubbles in her heart.

In the end, she softly whispered a wish: that her new little family with Yin Zhicheng would be harmonious, happy, and healthy.

…

January 28th, the first day of the New Year.

Early in the morning, Cui Suling was sound asleep.

The next second, she felt a sudden blaze of light—blinding rays flooded in and jolted her awake.

She raised her hand to shield her eyes, squinting open a slit through her dazed state, and saw her daughter already fully dressed, having pulled open all the curtains in their bedroom, standing at the bedside with hands on hips.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Cui Suling cursed. "What time is it?! What are you doing?!"

"It's already half past six! The sun's shining on your butt," Xu Youyu said sternly, arms crossed. "The day begins early, especially on the first day of the New Year. How can you sleep in? Get up now!"

Xu Rongsheng was also woken by the sunlight and jolted awake by his daughter's righteous tone; he groggily opened his eyes and glanced at Xu Youyu.

"Didn't we agree last night at the reunion dinner?" Xu Rongsheng said. "We leave at ten to get to Li Luo's for lunch. Why the rush?"

"I never said we needed to leave early," Xu Youyu said, her eyes darting nervously to the ceiling, avoiding her parents' gaze, fingers twisting nervously. "I just think a fresh start means waking up early—it's good for your health."

"You're fooling ghosts," Cui Suling grumbled, having lost all sleep now. She got out of bed, slipped on her slippers, and spat. "Last year was the same. Don't pretend otherwise."

"You still remember what happened last year?" Xu Youyu blinked innocently. "I barely ever get up early—why are you all unhappy about it?"

"Then you should get up early every day," Cui Suling shot her a disgruntled look. "You're only eager when it's to see Li Luo."

"Mom, what are you saying?" Xu Youyu, though usually carefree and unbothered, felt a girl's proper shyness at her mother's words and immediately fidgeted. "I'm going to see Chanxi and Zhusheng, okay?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Cui Suling had long seen through her daughter's little schemes and didn't even bother refuting her.

Ever since she'd entered Xu Youyu's room and lifted the covers to see the girl wearing something utterly improper, Cui Suling had completely changed her earlier opinion.

Where was her daughter ever passive?

She was far too proactive.

Just look.

This morning, just because she was going to visit Li Luo's hometown, she got up at six-thirty on her own.

When had she ever seen her daughter act like this on a regular day?

She'd usually sleep until noon.

"Alright, alright," Xu Rongsheng got out of bed too and said to Xu Youyu, "Tell Li Luo we'll arrive early this morning."

"Got it!" Xu Youyu snapped into a military stance, saluted Xu Rongsheng, then grinned and ran off to grab her phone and call Li Luo.

After the whole family was ready, they went downstairs at seven-something, grabbed a quick breakfast at the gated community's entrance, and Xu Rongsheng drove the mother and daughter toward Li Family Village in the countryside.

It was still before eight in the morning.

The car had already arrived smoothly at the entrance of Li Family Village.

Relying on her scholar-level memory, Xu Youyu eagerly leaned forward from the back seat to guide Xu Rongsheng, pinpointing exactly the courtyard where Li Luo's family lived.

Li Luo had already risen early; after receiving Xu Youyu's call, he waited by the courtyard gate. Seeing Xu Rongsheng's car, he raised his hand and waved.

Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng stood beside him.

Barely had the car stopped when Xu Youyu flung open the door and rushed out to hug Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng: "Chanxi~ Zhusheng~ I've missed you so much~"

No sooner had she spoken than she turned and threw herself into Li Luo's arms.

In front of their parents, she didn't even care about propriety.

(End of Chapter)