Chapter 10: Xiao Xuezheng and Chi Zaozao at Eighteen

Her sudden exclamation startled Shi Runrun out of her wits. She hurriedly clapped a hand over Cen Huan’s mouth, signaling her to keep quiet. If a classmate overheard, it would surely cause an uproar throughout the school.

With her mouth covered, Cen Huan’s eyes were wide as saucers. It took her a while to collect herself. Once Shi Runrun let go, she lowered her voice and whispered, “Is it really that Xuezheng Xiao from the illustrious Xiao family? Goodness, Runrun, you’ve made it! You actually married the man every woman in the capital dreams of!”

Shi Runrun was speechless. The dream of every woman... He was nothing but a scoundrel...

Cen Huan grew even more animated. “And you’re having his child? Oh my god! This is straight out of a romance drama! Runrun, you’re just too lucky!”

Shi Runrun tugged at the corner of her mouth. Wasn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?

“So, after you were kicked out of the Shi family, you ran into Xiao—the male idol—and moved into his place? You two are sharing a bed, aren’t you?”

“How is it? What’s his house like? Is it as imposing as he is? Everything exuding power and dominance?”

Shi Runrun shot her a look, giving up all hope for her friend. “Yes, yes, very domineering! The place is covered in gold—even the toilets are made of gold!”

Cen Huan, oblivious to the joke, gasped in wonder. “Wow, that flashy? I’ve decided! My future man must also have a golden house!”

Shi Runrun could only sigh inwardly. Huanhuan truly needs her medicine...

...

Guangzheng Group.

The doors to the CEO’s office on the top floor swung open. Ji Yunan strode in, grinning. The man inside, who had just finished a meeting and was in no pleasant mood, lifted his gaze slightly and frowned. “So free today? Doesn’t your company need you?”

Ji Yunan laughed. “I’m not as ambitious as you. I only hope not to go bankrupt. With secretaries and assistants at my beck and call, I’m a CEO in name only!”

“Unfilial son—you really do your father no favors!”

Ji Yunan was long used to his friend’s venomous tongue. He sauntered over, stretched out a long leg, and nudged the desk. “Hey, how’s your new sister-in-law? After you took her away that day, I didn’t hear a word. What did you do to her?”

Abandoning million-dollar business deals just to gossip here—Xuezheng Xiao thought, only this incorrigible friend of his could be so idle.

He didn’t bother to argue; instead, he tossed the red marriage certificate over. “See for yourself.”

Ji Yunan stared, dumbfounded, then flashed a dazzling smile. “Already got the certificate? That’s quick! Well done, Xuezheng!”

He clapped him on the shoulder, raising his brows in approval. As his delight faded into a thoughtful silence, he finally asked, in a calm voice, “Xuezheng, I thought you’d bring her home, take good care of her until she gave birth. But to marry her so soon... Does this mean you’ve let go of Zaozao?”

No sooner had the words left his lips than the atmosphere in the office chilled perceptibly.

Looking at Xuezheng Xiao, Ji Yunan saw his dark, sword-like brows drawn tight, his deeply chiseled features instantly shadowed in coldness. The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows only heightened the somber, grim expression on his face.

Ji Yunan fell silent. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up the past.”

But inside, he sighed. He had thought that after so many years, his friend would finally have moved on. Who would have thought...

Eighteen years old. Xuezheng Xiao at eighteen, and that girl called Zaozao...

In the next moment, Xuezheng Xiao stood up, snatched the marriage certificate from his hand, stuffed it back into his pocket, grabbed his suit jacket, and strode out. “If you’ve nothing else, get lost. Don’t babble nonsense in my office.”

Ji Yunan could only lament. He had once again touched a raw nerve. He really should have held his tongue.

...

Leaving the office, Xuezheng Xiao strode toward the restroom on the top floor. He turned on the faucet and splashed icy water over his face. The biting cold soothed the anger burning inside him, and finally, he began to calm down.

Eighteen years old. His Zaozao... his girl...

But all that beauty had been destroyed. It was all gone.

...

Near noon, Xuezheng Xiao returned to the villa. As he pulled up at the gate and tossed his keys to the guard, he caught the scent of something delicious drifting from inside.

He knew at once—his grandmother must have come by.

Following the aroma to the kitchen, he found his grandmother bent over the stove, busy with a simmering clay pot. Beside her, Housekeeper Lin stood idle, forbidden from helping.

Xuezheng Xiao glanced at her, and she explained helplessly, “The Madam wouldn’t let me help. She said this soup is specially made for the young mistress—very important! No one else is allowed to touch it!”

At this, Xuezheng Xiao frowned. It had been ages since his grandmother last cooked. Ever since he’d brought that little fool home, she had been like this.

Even as her direct grandson, he couldn’t recall ever tasting his grandmother’s own chicken soup.

A sudden surge of jealousy for that little fool rose within him. He went over, lifted the lid of the pot, and was about to sneak a taste when his grandmother smacked him hard on the back.

“You rascal! How can you fight your own child for food? This soup was made from an old hen I asked a friend to raise for years—specifically for your wife! Don’t you dare drink it!”

He was speechless. How did she know it would be a boy? It could just as well be a girl—and he’d prefer a daughter, anyway!

“Grandma, is it necessary to be so stingy? Just one bowl...”

“Not even one bowl! Lin, serve it up for the young mistress right away! And don’t let this rascal sneak a sip!”

He could only sulk. Now that his grandparents had a granddaughter-in-law and a future great-grandchild, they’d cast aside their own grandson!

...

Once the morning classes ended, Cen Huan invited Shi Runrun to lunch at the cafeteria. Shi Runrun declined, and Cen Huan immediately teased her, “Oh, look at you now, Mrs. Xiao! Feeling too grand for the likes of us commoners and our humble cafeteria, are you? Fine, I’ll go alone!”

Shi Runrun smiled helplessly. “Huanhuan, don’t be ridiculous. Hurry or you’ll miss out on a seat!”

After parting with Cen Huan at the teaching building, Shi Runrun headed for the school gates. As expected, Housekeeper Lin was already waiting there.

Seeing her, Shi Runrun hurried over. Lin handed her a carefully packed insulated lunch box and said warmly, “Young mistress, today, along with your nutritionally balanced meal, there’s chicken soup specially made for you by the old madam. You must finish it all—it’s her own recipe, and even the young master wasn’t allowed a sip!”

Shi Runrun cradled the warm lunch box, a strange feeling blooming in her chest.

Grandmother had cooked for her with her own hands... This kind of familial affection—how long had it been since she last felt it?