Chapter 374: Understood, Mom
Yang Chen awkwardly smiled, knowing the woman had misunderstood. He walked over and pinched her cheek lightly.
"Little Qianqian, this is Ruoxi's sister and mine. Don't get any wrong ideas."
The woman strolling through the market alone was none other than Mo Qianni. Hearing Yang Chen's explanation, she ignored her displeasure at having her face pinched and looked at him with a flash of confusion in her beautiful eyes. "Sister?"
"Yes, her name is Huilin. She's Ruoxi's sister. We came out to buy fireworks and picked up some trinkets she liked along the way," Yang Chen introduced.
Mo Qianni then noticed Huilin, who seemed too shy to look at her directly, instead sneaking glances at Yang Chen, clearly embarrassed by Yang Chen's familiarity with her.
Realizing she had misunderstood, Mo Qianni rolled her eyes at Yang Chen, then smiled sweetly. "Why are you explaining to me? After all, I'm not your official girlfriend. Even if I get jealous, it's just pointless trouble."
"If you keep talking like that, I'll spank you," Yang Chen said, pretending to be angry as he raised his hand and aimed at Mo Qianni's butt as a playful threat.
Mo Qianni, full of bashfulness, pushed Yang Chen's hand away. "Stop it! Do you want to embarrass me on the street?"
"It's your fault for doubting my loyalty," Yang Chen replied, pouting.
Mo Qianni rolled her eyes again, having grown used to Yang Chen's shamelessness. "Your 'loyalty' is like the numerator in a fraction, part of a 'fraction of loyalty,'" she teased.
Yang Chen clutched his chest dramatically. "Little Qianqian, your words cut deep. My heart is broken. If I had a knife, I'd show you my heart, all minced up like dumpling filling."
Mo Qianni's eyebrows arched as she slapped Yang Chen's chest hard. "You're horrible! During the New Year, I was just about to buy dumpling skins to make dumplings, and you make it sound so gross."
Yang Chen laughed. "So, Little Qianqian, you're here to buy dumpling skins? Can you make dumplings? Can I have some? I want to eat your dumplings."
"Hmph, aren't you busy preparing for New Year's at home? How can you find time to eat my dumplings?" Mo Qianni pouted.
"The New Year is still two days away. I'll come over tonight and eat dumplings. I don't think we make any at our place," Yang Chen said with a flattering smile.
Mo Qianni hesitated, "You really want to come?"
"Of course," Yang Chen nodded.
"Alright then, I'll reluctantly make you a few," Mo Qianni said, struggling to suppress a smile.
With that settled, the two of them understood that this was just an excuse to have dinner together, but neither pointed it out.
Seeing Yang Chen and Mo Qianni interact so intimately, and noticing Mo Qianni's blushing, joyful expression, Huilin felt a bit downhearted.
It seemed Big Brother Yang had many close female friends, but he really did see her as just a sister.
From Yang Chen's complete indifference to showing affection with other women in front of her, it was clear that he didn't consider whether she might feel jealous. However, Huilin wouldn't mention this at home. For her, maintaining family harmony was more important than anything else.
On the drive home, Yang Chen didn't notice Huilin's complicated emotions. His thoughts were occupied with another woman. Seeing Mo Qianni shopping for New Year goods alone at the market tugged at his heartstrings. A single woman spending the New Year alone in a foreign land, preparing a whole table of dishes just for herself on New Year's Eve, would feel lonely, even if she ate steaming dumplings.
Fireworks might seem brilliant and fiery to ordinary people, but to Mo Qianni, they were likely just cold, solitary blossoms. However, Yang Chen couldn't openly show his pity for Mo Qianni, so he chose to say he wanted to eat her dumplings and spend New Year's with her.
Mo Qianni was proud. She wouldn't agree to come to Lin Ruoxi's home to celebrate the New Year as a friend. So, understanding Yang Chen's true intention, she accepted his gesture gratefully without rejecting it.
If Mo Qianni was like this, what about Rose, who also had no family? Thinking of the silly woman who only occasionally needed "ten seconds," Yang Chen felt more like a jerk. He decided that after spending time with Mo Qianni, he should also have a New Year's Eve dinner with Rose.
As for Liu Mingyu, she had her family, so although there might be some regret, she wouldn't feel too lonely. And An Xin, the playful and erratic sprite, likely wouldn't feel melancholic either. Besides, with her father, An Zaihuan, around—though not great, still her father—the An family's status had risen significantly in Zhonghai, replacing the Liu family. Naturally, many relatives would gather, probably overwhelming An Xin with their presence.
Thinking about it, Yang Chen's mind flashed to the innocent face of that girl Zhenxiu. He wondered how she planned to spend the New Year.
With only two days left, Yang Chen realized he had a lot to do. Though he felt troubled, there was a warmth in his heart.
After arriving home, Yang Chen stored the fireworks in the underground garage to use on New Year's Eve. He went up to the living room but couldn't find Lin Ruoxi. He went upstairs to the study and knocked on the door.
Yang Chen's keen hearing picked up the sounds of hurriedly rearranging things and drawers being pulled inside the study. He frowned, wondering what Lin Ruoxi was trying to hide.
When the door opened, Lin Ruoxi appeared a bit flustered but still coldly asked, "What is it?"
Yang Chen pretended not to notice anything unusual. "Oh, I was just thinking, with the New Year coming up, I wonder how Zhenxiu is planning to spend it. Do you want to come with me to check on her?"
Lin Ruoxi's expression softened, and her eyes showed a hint of warmth. She found Yang Chen suddenly more agreeable. "Hmm, we should go check on her. I told Aunt Guo we would go to the orphanage tomorrow. How about we visit Zhenxiu tonight?"
"Well," Yang Chen scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "I promised someone I'd go out for dinner tonight."
Seeing Yang Chen's somewhat guilty smile, Lin Ruoxi immediately guessed it was a date with another woman. The warmth in her eyes vanished instantly. "Then let's go tomorrow. You don't have a date every day, do you?"
"Of course not," Yang Chen said earnestly.
"If there's nothing else, I'll close the door," Lin Ruoxi said and, without waiting for Yang Chen's response, shut the study door with a bang.
Yang Chen stood at the door, looking helpless.
Inside the study, Lin Ruoxi stomped her foot angrily after closing the door. She walked to her desk and pulled out a large drawer. Inside were some yarn and knitting needles, and a small, loosely knitted piece of fabric that she had been working on for two hours.
She picked up her "masterpiece" and stared at it for a while, sighing softly.
Meanwhile, back in his room, Yang Chen, unaware that he had severely undermined Lin Ruoxi's confidence in learning to knit, was dialing An Xin's number.
If any woman in his life was the most affectionate, it was An Xin. But she was also the most carefree! Since returning from Hokkaido, An Xin had not contacted Yang Chen at all. She was the type of woman who, if she loved you, loved you deeply, but if she decided not to, she wouldn't bother at all. This was a trait Yang Chen used to appreciate for its convenience in his past life of fleeting pleasures, but now it seemed rather unusual.
The call connected quickly, and An Xin's sweet voice came through the phone, "Darling, you finally remembered me."
"Hey, little vixen, it seems you haven't called me either," Yang Chen said, feeling a bit frustrated.
An Xin giggled, "Well, you always play the cool knight role. I thought knights were supposed to be aloof and distant. What if you found me too clingy?"
"Are you getting back at me for ignoring you for six months before?" Yang Chen asked with a bitter smile.
"A little," An Xin replied half playfully, half seriously.
Yang Chen was about to explain further when he heard some noise from An Xin's side.
An Xin quickly said, "Honey, there are a lot of relatives I don't know at my house. I have to entertain them. Happy New Year! I have a surprise for you after the New Year. Bye-bye!"
An Xin hung up hastily, leaving Yang Chen staring at his phone. He wondered what the "surprise" was but decided he would scold her next time they met.
Gathering his thoughts, Yang Chen dialed Liu Mingyu's number.
After quite a while, Liu Mingyu finally answered the phone, but her tone was somewhat hurried. "What is it? I'm cooking right now, make it quick."
Yang Chen was just about to speak when he heard another woman's voice in the background. "Mingyu, the food is about to burn! Who are you talking to?"
"Ah, got it, Mom."
Before Yang Chen could say a word, the call ended with a beep. Stunned, Yang Chen found himself speechless, realizing he had been hung up on without even getting a chance to speak.
Feeling both amused and helpless, Yang Chen decided not to call anymore. He figured he could just visit Rose directly later. If she was busy with some end-of-year celebration with her subordinates and he got hung up on again, it would be even more frustrating.
After changing into clean clothes and checking the time, Yang Chen went downstairs to inform Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma that he would be out for dinner.
When he reached the living room, he saw Lin Ruoxi and Huilin watching a long-running Korean family drama together. Wang Ma was busy marinating something. Yang Chen approached her and said, "Wang Ma, I'll be out for dinner tonight, so you don't need to prepare my portion."
Before Wang Ma could respond, Guo Xuehua, who had just come down the stairs, curiously asked, "It's almost New Year's, why are you going out for dinner? Is it with a colleague?"
Yang Chen hesitated for a moment. "Well, sort of. It's someone important, and I promised to have an early New Year's dinner with her."
Before Guo Xuehua could probe further, Lin Ruoxi, sitting on the sofa, spoke coldly. "Aunt Guo, don't ask him anymore. If he thinks it's important, let him go."
Guo Xuehua looked at Lin Ruoxi's icy expression and then at Yang Chen's embarrassed face as he walked out the door, her curiosity piqued and a thoughtful look on her face.