Since Tang Wan was going back to Yanjing, Yang Chen didn't want to add to her troubles. He simply wished her and her daughter a safe journey and ended the call.
After talking about so many things, Yang Chen felt much of his depression lift. Seeing it was already afternoon, he rembered his earlier promise to visit Liu Mingyu's new place. So, he dialed her number.
Liu Mingyu was in her office, reviewing docunts for so new projects. She had been quite busy lately. Since Lin Ruoxi returned from Europe, instead of relaxing, she intensified her efforts in expansion. Various acquisitions and rgers kept appearing, and Yu Lei's imnse financial reserves were being utilized aggressively. The public relations departnt was constantly busy, with every PR person running around negotiating and dealing with matters.
When Liu Mingyu saw Yang Chen's call, she took off her black-frad glasses and smiled, guessing why he was calling. Answering, she asked, "Do you have ti now?"
Yang Chen was taken aback, then smiled wryly. Was he that predictable? "When do you get off work? I'll co pick you up."
"I have a car," Liu Mingyu replied. "And you're a Yu Lei employee too, so you know our quitting ti."
"Don't be so sharp with ," Yang Chen said, rubbing his nose. "I'm just trying to be considerate."
"You're so fake. If you want to skip work, just say it," Liu Mingyu laughed playfully.
Yang Chen felt a bit wronged; he hadn't intended for her to skip work. But realizing she was teasing, he played along. "You've got . Alright, skip work. I'll drive over to pick you up. It's more fun to ride together than in separate cars."
"That's more like it," Liu Mingyu said, hanging up, clearly having made up her mind.
Liu Mingyu had been overworked recently and relished the rare opportunity to spend so private ti with Yang Chen. She wanted to take a break from work, hence her willingness to skip work.
Half an hour later, Yang Chen drove Liu Mingyu away from Yu Lei's parking lot. Adele's music played in the car, a CD that Rose had put in the day before and never changed.
Liu Mingyu curiously asked, "I didn't know you liked Adele's music. I thought soone as carefree as you would prefer sothing lighter and simpler."
"What do you an by carefree?" Yang Chen pouted in dissatisfaction. "Couldn't you use a different term, like dashing or carefree? Besides, this CD isn't mine."
"Whose is it then?" Liu Mingyu asked, puzzled.
Yang Chen hesitated before saying, "Rose was listening to it when she was in the car yesterday."
Liu Mingyu knew about Rose because of her connection to Liu Qingshan. She was aware that Yang Chen had a lover who was the leader of the Red Thorns Society, Situ Rose. Hearing Yang Chen ntion it, she nodded, "I see, it's hers. I should et her soti."
Yang Chen chuckled to himself, thinking how both won were quite similar in spirit.
As they drove further, Yang Chen rembered and asked, "You haven't told where your new place is yet."
Liu Mingyu pondered for a mont before saying, "Let's not go to my place right away. Let's visit the market first. I want to buy so fresh vegetables and at. We'll cook dinner at my place tonight."
Yang Chen naturally had no objections. Among the won around him, only Mo Qianni and Lin Ruoxi, who was still a novice, could cook. So, he was happy to enjoy Liu Mingyu's culinary skills.
When they arrived at the market, Yang Chen accompanied Liu Mingyu, and they strolled around like a young couple shopping for groceries after work. Liu Mingyu had grown up like an ordinary girl in Zhonghai City before learning her father Liu Qingshan's true identity, so she knew how to handle everyday tasks.
As they walked, Liu Mingyu haggled vigorously over the price of vegetables and at, often engaging in playful disputes with the vendors. She even perford the classic "walk away if you don't sell" routine, with Yang Chen playing the role of the impatient partner.
Yang Chen found the whole scene quite amusing. He wondered if Lin Ruoxi acted similarly when she accompanied Aunt Wang to buy groceries. It seed unlikely; although Lin Ruoxi had beco more talkative recently, she was still mostly aloof with strangers. Haggling? She might never do that in her lifeti.
Every ti Liu Mingyu secured a good deal, she would flash a bright smile and hand the plastic bags to Yang Chen, then move on to the next vendor.
Yang Chen smiled and asked, "Are you really that happy? We're not short on money. You say so much and save just a few bucks. What's the joy in that?"
Liu Mingyu pouted and rolled her eyes at Yang Chen. "You don't get it. It's not about the money; it's about the process. Haggling is a joy. Shopping at the market without haggling is more painful than death."
"Did your mom teach you this?" Yang Chen asked curiously.
Liu Mingyu nodded and laughed. "When I was little, Dad was still in Yanjing, so it was just and my mom. We didn't have a lot of money, so we had to be frugal. Following Mom to buy groceries and clothes, we haggled all the ti. It beca a habit. Don't be fooled by my job at Yu Lei in the fashion industry; I still know the prices in the local markets well. Many things are just overpriced because of branding. Without the brand, they're just like any street market goods."
Yang Chen looked at Liu Mingyu's adorable, proud expression and sighed inwardly. He realized he didn't know enough about the won around him. Who would have thought that the elegant Liu Mingyu had such a "street-smart" side?
But loving soone ans loving everything about them. Yang Chen quickly grew to appreciate Liu Mingyu's loud and enthusiastic bargaining. He even joined in the fun, participating in the haggling with great enthusiasm.
Shopping this way naturally took ti, and it took over half an hour to buy everything they needed.
By the ti they arrived at Liu Mingyu's new high-end apartnt complex, it was already evening. The apartnts in this block were all designed with environntal features, using geothermal and underground water systems for air conditioning. Each unit occupied an entire floor, making the prices comparable to small villas.
Liu Qingshan had spared no expense for his daughter. Without his financial support, Liu Mingyu's salary alone would never have allowed her to buy such a multi-million-dollar apartnt.
Carrying large bags of groceries, Yang Chen followed Liu Mingyu up the elevator to the top floor, where she lived alone. It seed like a waste of space.
"Tsk, tsk, having a rich dad really makes a difference," Yang Chen said with a smile.
Liu Mingyu blushed, "I didn't ask to live here. It was my dad who insisted."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. He left you and your mom to go to Yanjing all those years ago. This is his way of making up for not taking care of you properly. Use his money and enjoy it. He'd be happy," Yang Chen said encouragingly.
Liu Mingyu ignored him and opened the door, instructing Yang Chen to bring the groceries into the kitchen.
The interior of the large apartnt was decorated in a soft, warm beige tone, with light brown leather sofas, a vibrant patterned wool carpet, and all the latest electronic gadgets. There was even a magnetic massage bed worth tens of thousands. This place was more luxurious than Lin Ruoxi's mansion, with renovations and the apartnt costing millions. Liu Qingshan had truly spared no expense for his daughter.
"Have a seat on the sofa. I'll go to the kitchen to cook. Dinner will be ready in an hour," Liu Mingyu said, changing out of her work uniform into a light blue shirt and white cropped pants. Her loose hair made her look more delicate and charming.
"An hour? That's too long," Yang Chen said, feeling a bit hungry. "I thought we'd be eating in half an hour. How about I help you? I might not be great at cooking, but I'm a top-notch vegetable cutter."
"Really? Are you sure you won't cut your fingers?" Liu Mingyu looked at him doubtfully.
"If I cut my fingers, it won't be because of my knife skills. It would be because of you," Yang Chen laughed.
"Why would it be my fault?" Liu Mingyu asked, puzzled.
Yang Chen put on a thoughtful expression. "With such a beautiful chef in the kitchen, how could I not get distracted and cut my fingers?"
"Stop being so glib. I think if you kept your mouth shut, there wouldn't be any problems," Liu Mingyu said, pleased but pretending to be annoyed.
So, the division of labor was set. Yang Chen helped in the kitchen, cutting various ingredients, while Liu Mingyu took charge of cooking. They chatted and laughed, just like a real couple.
Yang Chen quickly finished his task. Cutting potatoes was sothing he could do with his eyes closed. When he was done, he leaned against the kitchen door, watching Liu Mingyu in her apron, busy at the stove.
Won often find n especially attractive when they are focused on their work, and n feel the sa way about won seriously cooking.
A warm feeling spread in Yang Chen's heart. Reflecting on their journey from when they first t until now, he realized how little ti they had spent together.
But the truth was, Liu Mingyu didn't ask for much. She was busy and trying hard to make this dinner special because she knew this was a rare opportunity, and she cherished it.
Love, many tis, isn't about what you gain but about how much you long to give.
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