Chapter Nine: Go Ahead and Scream—No One Will Hear You

“I was thinking we’d go out for lunch today to welcome Long Fei, but since things turned out this way, let’s just eat at home. Long Fei, do you mind? I’ll treat you properly another time,” Ye Wentian turned with a smile to Long Fei.

Ye Qian, sitting nearby, snorted coldly. She couldn’t stand Long Fei’s calm demeanor—why should he act so composed? She simply couldn’t understand how a country bumpkin like Long Fei could enter their home and seem entirely at ease. It wasn’t normal!

Long Fei laughed and readily agreed, though inwardly he chuckled, “Perfect, leave it to me. I’d be happy if you never came back at all!”

Qi Yufei glanced at Long Fei, her gaze deep and inscrutable, before smiling as if nothing were amiss. “Wentian, you two chat. I’ll head to the kitchen and start cooking.”

Ye Wentian had no shortage of money, so Qi Yufei, as a full-time housewife, felt quite at ease in her role. Still, she hadn’t hired many maids or servants; she handled all the cleaning and cooking in the main villa herself.

While Qi Yufei cooked, Long Fei kept Ye Wentian company, their conversation roaming far and wide. Ye Wentian was a lively talker, widely knowledgeable, and his unique perspectives on society always impressed Long Fei. Clearly, Ye Wentian’s achievements were well-deserved.

Yet Long Fei couldn’t summon much energy, especially whenever he caught Ye Qian beside him, expressing her anger and hatred through exaggerated gestures. It almost made him want to laugh—this girl truly had the makings of a little vixen; the more he looked, the more adorable she seemed.

Though Ye Wentian doted on his daughter, his anger was not something Ye Qian could handle, even if he rarely showed it.

With him present, Ye Qian refrained from acting out further against Long Fei, but in her heart, she was determined to drive him out, watching him with mocking eyes—she’d get rid of him at any cost, by any means, just because he was so unpleasant to look at.

In truth, Long Fei wasn’t as bad as Ye Qian claimed. If he dressed up a bit, he could pass for handsome; not quite a paragon, but respectable enough. Yet first impressions are crucial. Once she’d dismissed him in her mind, every behavior rubbed her the wrong way.

Qi Yufei’s cooking was good, but compared to Long Fei, she was leagues behind. Back in the day, Long Fei had spared no effort honing his culinary skills to serve the old man, who was picky not only in dress but also in food. Long Fei often took a beating for not meeting his standards.

Of course, Long Fei wasn’t about to boast. Instead, he kept praising the meal, repaying Ye Wentian’s earlier flattery—now he flattered his wife, evening the score. Besides, Qi Yufei was now his employer, and managing their relationship started with such details. Flattery never hurt—being pleasant was always wise. He had no designs on either of these beauties, but working with them was easy on the eyes, so the job mattered to him, regardless of pay.

Long Fei ate with gusto, though his manners were less than refined, as if he hadn’t eaten in months. Truthfully, he hadn’t eaten for two or three days, so his strong constitution spared him discomfort, but the delicious meal and his desire to please Qi Yufei made him eat with enthusiasm.

Qi Yufei was both surprised and delighted—was her cooking really as good as he said?

Long Fei’s messy eating put Ye Qian off entirely, killing her appetite.

The clothes Long Fei bought in the town had become even more rumpled after two days on the train, as if salvaged from a trash heap, making Ye Qian frown repeatedly. But Ye Wentian and Qi Yufei minded neither his eating nor his appearance, exchanging amused glances.

“Hey, country bumpkin, where are you from?” Ye Qian finally couldn’t hold back, frowning at Long Fei.

Long Fei didn’t even lift his head, “The mountains.”

He spoke the truth, but to Ye Qian it sounded like he was mocking her. She stomped her foot under the table, her face flushed, and sneered, “No wonder! Bet you haven’t eaten in three days, right?”

Long Fei looked up, tossed the last piece of braised pork into his mouth, chewed twice, then swallowed it whole. He burped, looking astonished at Ye Qian. “Wow, how did you know?”

Indeed, he hadn’t eaten in three days.

“You—!” Ye Qian saw Ye Wentian glaring her way and, furious, slammed down her chopsticks and stormed upstairs.

“Qian’s getting more and more rude,” Ye Wentian feigned anger, though his tone barely concealed amusement.

“I’m so mad, I don’t need to eat!” With a bang, Ye Qian slammed her bedroom door, then suddenly reopened it to shout at Ye Wentian, “If you don’t make him leave, I’ll go on hunger strike!”

This was Ye Qian’s favorite tactic, but Ye Wentian and Qi Yufei were used to it. They knew she’d last no more than a day, after which she’d raid the kitchen for snacks. So Ye Wentian wasn’t worried; he turned to a bewildered Long Fei and smiled, “Don’t mind her. She’s been spoiled by me since childhood. Don’t take it to heart!”

Qi Yufei nodded to Long Fei with a smile, making his heart flutter. He grinned, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Kids are bound to be a bit mischievous.”

After dinner, Qi Yufei cleared the dishes while Ye Wentian was summoned by a phone call. As he reached the door, Qi Yufei emerged from the kitchen.

“Wentian, are you leaving again?” Qi Yufei followed him with a smile.

“Yes, I have an important meeting at the company, and tonight I’m flying to America. While I’m away, you must all listen to Long Fei and be careful, okay?” Ye Wentian spoke with concern.

Ye Wentian was always impeccably dressed, even in the sweltering heat.

Qi Yufei helped him into his suit as she laughed, “I know, let me see you off!”

From afar, they saw the driver waiting by the door, so Qi Yufei stopped at the open-air plaza.

As soon as Qi Yufei stepped out, Ye Qian dashed downstairs, coming straight to Long Fei and suddenly grinning darkly, “Country bumpkin, I advise you to resign and leave, or you’ll see what I can do!”

She clenched her fist in front of Long Fei, extending five fingers one by one. She tried to make her knuckles crack, but only managed to grind her teeth loudly.

Long Fei feigned fear, shrinking back into the sofa as if confronted by a demon, trembling, “No, please don’t come near! If you do, I’ll call for help!”

“Go ahead, scream all you want. No one will hear you—this is my home, my turf, I make the rules—I… Long Fei, you bastard, are you mocking me?! I’m not done with you!”

Long Fei truly wasn’t above mischief; the exchange had become both ambiguous and oddly familiar.

Just then, Qi Yufei entered, frowning, “Qian, what are you doing?”

“Mom, he bullied me! Mom, please, make him leave! With him here, I just can’t stand it—I can’t stay in this house another day!” Ye Qian began to pout and plead.

Qi Yufei lovingly stroked Ye Qian’s head, but this time, she didn’t indulge her as usual. With some difficulty, she said, “Long Fei bullying you? I think it’s the other way around. Enough, no more fuss. How about this: this afternoon, Long Fei joins us shopping, and tonight we go to Qibao Snack Street for your favorite bamboo chicken?”

“Hmph, not interested! I told you, I’m on hunger strike!”

Seeing her usual ploys fail, Ye Qian glared at Long Fei with hatred, then dashed back to her room, slamming the door shut.

Qi Yufei sat down with some embarrassment, noticing Long Fei’s eyes lingering on her chest. Her cheeks flushed as she said, “Mr. Long, I’m so sorry. Qian’s a bit stubborn, but I’ll talk to her. She’s not a bad person, really—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Please don’t take offense!”

Long Fei shifted his gaze from Qi Yufei’s chest to her legs, habitually licking his lips before replying with a smile, “It’s nothing, nothing at all. I’m used to it.”

“What do you mean?” Qi Yufei was puzzled.

Long Fei laughed awkwardly, “Nothing, nothing.”

He certainly couldn’t admit he’d grown used to seeing beauties with ample bosoms—there was nothing unusual about it anymore.

(The Mad Fish has returned—shouldn’t you all add this to your favorites?)