Looking at Liu Changqing's calm expression beside him, Chen Dafu's facade instantly crumbled.
The lancholic aura he'd carefully maintained since entering the house dissipated in an instant, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxing.
His facial features scrunched together in an expression of utter grievance.
Seeing this familiar deanor, Liu Changqing finally felt at ease - Chen Dafu had been acting too proper earlier, making their longti friendship feel strangely unfamiliar.
This version was much more recognizable.
Hmm... the Chen Dafu he knew.
With his mask dropped, Chen Dafu deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping weakly against the sofa backrest while tilting his head at a 45-degree angle.
His voice dripped with resignation as he mumbled:
"This world... is truly cruel."
"......"
Every syllable reached Liu Changqing's ears, freezing him montarily.
Taking in Chen Dafu's defeated appearance, Liu Changqing suddenly thought of one possibility.
His expression imdiately shifted to shock.
"Did you and Gu Xiyu break up? Is it over between you two?"
"Nonsense! We're doing great!"
"Then why do you look like the world ended?"
"Well... it's complicated..."
"Stop beating around the bush."
"Sigh... to put it simply, we're getting married."
"......"
Liu Changqing remained silent for a good four-five seconds after this bombshell.
Finally recovering, he blurted out:
"So soon? Didn't you just start dating recently? You said you'd marry next year!"
"Plans changed. You know how it is - when love strikes, you can't stop it. Seriously... I'm not exaggerating, we're practically made for each other. Our compatibility is insane - she can even tell if my farts stink just by looking at !"
"No shit, everyone's farts stink."
"It's a taphor! Do I seem like soone who farts casually?"
"......"
"Hey, what's with that look? For the record, I've never farted in front of you!"
"Enough. What really happened?"
Chen Dafu sighed dramatically.
"Well... we discussed it and she took to et her parents. That would've been fine, but she also introduced to her grandfather..."
"Uh huh. And then?"
"That's where things went south. Everything was going smoothly at first when I introduced my family background. Xiyu even talked up my family's circumstances... her relatives seed quite pleased initially. Then her uncle looked up my dad online, and when her grandfather saw my father's photo... his expression completely flipped."
"Huh?"
"You think that's weird too, right? You should've seen it - one second he's all smiles calling a fine young man, the next he's swinging a broom at like a madman! Hurt like hell!"
"This..."
Chen Dafu closed his eyes, his face twisting in rembered pain.
"It was terrifying! The whole family was restraining the old man and he still kept breaking free... kept calling a beast, saying I wasn't human... I still don't get why. Had no choice but to run away. Figured I'd stop by to see you on my way back, maybe get so advice."
"This situation... I don't quite follow."
"Tell about it! I'm still completely baffled!"
Chen Dafu turned fully toward Liu Changqing, patting both cheeks dramatically with an utterly confused expression.
"I may not be drop-dead gorgeous, but I'm at least decent-looking right? What part of screams 'beast'? That's just hurtful..."
"You overestimate yourself. 'Decent-looking' doesn't apply either."
"Bullshit! Xiyu says I've got charm."
"......"
Liu Changqing didn't bother arguing further, knowing full well the universal truth:
You can't wake soone who's pretending to be asleep.
That said...
Liu Changqing carefully reviewed Chen Dafu's story. Even he couldn't imdiately discern the cause.
From the description, Gu Xiyu's family had initially approved - Chen Dafu's wealthy background and good treatnt of their daughter should've prevented such extre reactions.
So why did the grandfather suddenly grab a broom after seeing... wait!
Liu Changqing froze mid-thought.
The pieces suddenly clicked together in rapid succession. The key variable beca glaringly obvious:
Chen Dafu's father.
Chen Jianguo.
Eyes snapping toward Chen Dafu, Liu Changqing urgently declared:
"Your dad! It must be about your dad!"
"My dad? What about him?"
"Don't you see? They welcod you until they saw your father's photo! That's when her grandfather went berserk!"
Liu Changqing's expression turned grave.
"Let speculate - no offense, but your dad made his fortune in real estate during those... ethically flexible years. Could there be bad blood between your families? Maybe that's why the old man recognized him?"
"Gasp—"
Chen Dafu's eyes bulged as the realization hit.
"That makes sense! Rember at Lan Yixian's place? Your dad was dead against your relationship until he asked where Gu Xiyu was from - then suddenly laughed like a maniac?"
"Damn, Lao Liu... you're right, that was weird..."
"Case closed! Just go ho and ask your dad what's really going on."
"Brilliant!"
Chen Dafu sprang from the sofa like an enlightened man seeing the light after wandering in darkness.
"Say no more! I'm heading ho right now to—"
His excited declaration was abruptly cut off when Liu Xiazhi erged from her room - having previously disappeared with a snack haul after Chen Dafu's arrival.
Gone was her casual loungewear, replaced by a white tee, pink shorts, ankle socks showcasing her legs, and a self-styled ponytail.
Both n instinctively turned toward the unexpected interruption.
The girl marched straight to Liu Changqing with smartphone in hand.
"Dad, take my picture!"
"Picture?"
Baffled, Liu Changqing automatically accepted the unlocked phone and opened the cara app.
As he focused the lens, Liu Xiazhi retreated to position herself beside the TV, raising her right hand in a stiff V-sign.
Click.
The shutter sound sealed the mont.
"Done."
As Liu Xiazhi approached to retrieve her phone—
"Di-di!"
A QQ ssage notification chid.
Just as Liu Changqing was about to return the device, the alert instantly captured his attention.
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