In the kitchen.
An Yuanyao stood by the counter wearing an apron when she happened to catch sight of the scene before her.
Zhou Shiyan was chopping vegetables with skilled knife work - the kind of proficiency that could only co from extensive practice over a long period.
This made An Yuanyao pause her own tasks montarily.
With newfound interest, she asked,
"Shiyan, do you often cook at ho?"
"..."
Zhou Shiyan, who had been preparing ingredients, suddenly stopped her knife. After a brief silence lasting only seconds, she responded to An Yuanyao's question.
"No, I only started learning recently."
"Really? With knife skills like that, I thought your mother must have taught you... By the way, how's school going? Are you getting along well with your roommates?"
Mid-sentence, An Yuanyao changed the subject. As the elder, it was only natural for her to ask such questions.
After carefully considering her response to ensure no obvious flaws, Zhou Shiyan answered,
"It's been good. The other students at university are very friendly, and we all get along well."
"That's wonderful!"
An Yuanyao visibly relaxed upon hearing this, then continued on her own,
"Recently I saw news online about roommates putting bugs in each other's costics... How terrifying! I've been worried about how you're getting along with yours."
"Auntie, there's no need to worry. My roommates are all very kind and harmonious. Nothing like that would happen."
"That's good, I feel much better now."
As soon as she finished speaking, a small figure dashed into the kitchen and threw themselves at An Yuanyao, wrapping their arms tightly around her.
"Mom! I'm hungry!"
"Just wait a little longer, we haven't started cooking yet."
Looking down at her youngest son clinging to her, An Yuanyao smiled before raising her gaze to Liu Zhiyue who had followed him in.
"Mom."
"Is Xiazhi awake yet?"
"She's up, just went to wash up in the bathroom."
"Good. She wouldn't wake up no matter how much I called her this morning. Who knows how late she stayed up last night..."
"She's been staying up late again?"
Catching the key point in his mother's words, Liu Zhiyue frowned and asked imdiately.
As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. During the years when their father was building his career, it was Liu Zhiyue who accompanied his younger siblings as they grew up. Compared to their father, the three children were probably more afraid of him.
After all... during those years, this big brother had disciplined them plenty.
Realizing her slip of the tongue, An Yuanyao quickly tried to recover,
"It's not exactly staying up late. Just on weekends she'll watch so dramas in her room. Not as bad as before - she sleeps before 2 AM now."
"That's still quite late, Mom... You can't keep indulging her like this. Her middle school exams were already a ss. I know you and Dad dote on her and can't bear to scold her, but you shouldn't spoil her too much. It's not good for her."
"Hehe, we're not spoiling her. Xiazhi is very obedient..."
Seeing his mother's cheerful expression, Liu Zhiyue found himself unable to continue despite having more to say. Compared to his father, his mother's personality was simply too soft.
The very picture of a doting mother.
With a helpless sigh, Liu Zhiyue chose not to press the issue further and changed the subject instead.
"Is Dad not back yet?"
"He said he had work to do last night."
"I see... Is there anything I can help with in the kitchen?"
"Just keep an eye on the three of them outside. Shiyan and I can handle things here."
"Alright."
Seeing this, Liu Zhiyue didn't insist. He pulled Liu Zhiyun away from their mother and led the child out of the kitchen by the hand.
————————————————————
anwhile.
Liu Changqing, who was driving ho, kept glancing at the passenger seat. He opened his mouth several tis as if wanting to say sothing, but ultimately held back.
After a long while, he finally uttered two words:
"My condolences."
"Condolences my ass! I'm not dead yet!"
Chen Dafu threw his used tissue out the window before turning a look of utter despair toward Liu Changqing.
He continued recounting his tragic post-marriage experiences:
"I'm so miserable... So stupid. I should've known better than to brag carelessly. Why did I have to make those promises back then..."
"Sigh... Who could've predicted this outco?"
"But... this is just unnatural! Three children, all girls, and every one of them looks exactly like !"
"..."
"My dad says he's going to break my legs - I don't even dare go ho now. Xiyu's been depressed too - her waist's gotten thicker just from postpartum recovery..."
"..."
Sniffling, Chen Dafu gazed out the window, his eyes turning lancholy.
Compared to before, he now appeared much more mature - at least when he kept his mouth shut. The mont he spoke, his old personality ca rushing back.
Having not sneaked out from ho in ages, this desperate reunion with Liu Changqing was truly a last resort.
One had to admit - the Chen family bloodline was rather peculiar.
Not only had their ancestors maintained a single male heir for generations, but after Gu Xiyu beca pregnant, they thought this curse had finally been broken. Yet...
Three births later.
All girls.
This left Chen Jianguo rather displeased.
Though granddaughters were nice too... he still preferred grandsons.
Let's be honest - who doesn't prefer boys?
So people don't.
Liu Changqing attempted to correct this unhealthy mindset:
"Actually, having too many boys isn't great either. Look at my family - three boys and only two girls. We thought the last one would be a girl too - even the tests said girl. Then out cos another boy! Wasted all my excitent for nothing!"
"..."
"Boys are so rowdy. Girls are much better - cute and affectionate. I can't even bring myself to scold them!"
"..."
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
After receiving no response for a while, Liu Changqing couldn't help asking. When he glanced over, he found Chen Dafu staring straight at him.
With eyes full of resentnt.
Before Liu Changqing could figure out why, Chen Dafu urgently demanded:
"Old Liu, teach your secrets! How did you have sons? Is it special supplents? Certain positions? Please, I'm begging you - tell !"
"Get lost!"
"Don't hold out on ! There's nobody else here!"
"Keep talking nonsense and I'll throw you out of this car!"
Only after this threat did Chen Dafu finally settle down. He had no doubt Liu Changqing would actually do it.
Don't ask why - just know their history.
After watching Chen Dafu quiet down, Liu Changqing hesitated before speaking again:
"Old Feng's family is about to have their baby soon - another girl... Your family shouldn't be in such a rush."
"I'm not in a rush. I actually like daughters, but... sigh, you know how old-fashioned my dad is..."
Rubbing his face with both hands, Chen Dafu suddenly looked years older.
Sotis... the pressures on a man can be overwhelming.
The atmosphere remained heavy until they reached their destination. After parking in the garage, both n got out of the car.
Entering the villa, Chen Dafu watched as three children ca running toward their returned father - especially the two boys among them...
He... couldn't help feeling bitter.
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