However, Zhan Yunfei, who was walking behind Liu Di’er, didn’t see the profound and meaningful smile on her face. Come on, let’s light a candle for him [light a candle].
Liu Di’er: Hehe, didn’t think much? Yeah, right!
Meanwhile, Zhan Yunfei, who thought he had narrowly escaped and successfully recommended Rong Jiang to Liu Di’er, let out a sigh of relief: “Phew, I really hope Brother Liu can find a girlfriend—no, a boyfriend—soon! That way, their families won’t keep trying to pair the two of us together anymore!” He liked sweet, soft, and tender little lolis, not someone like Brother Liu, a domineering queen with an overwhelming aura!
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Zhan Yunfei’s smile turned slightly eerie: “And considering Rong Jiang’s delicate, almost feminine looks, if Brother Liu actually ends up with him, that means I win! I beat Brother Liu! Ahahahaha!”
Sorry, let him take a moment to gloat—because this was just… too exhilarating!
Once upon a time, Zhan Yunfei and Liu Di’er had a heated argument about what kind of man Liu Di’er would end up with. At the time, Liu Di’er, who preferred tall, burly, and ruggedly masculine men, firmly believed she would end up with someone extremely manly.
Meanwhile, Zhan Yunfei, who had repeatedly tried to convince Liu Di’er to date cute and pretty girls, always thought that even if Liu Di’er didn’t end up with a girl, her future partner would definitely be a pretty, delicate-looking guy (no offense intended). Because in Zhan Yunfei’s opinion, Liu Di’er alone was already more manly than two men combined. If she paired up with another burly guy, their household would be overwhelmingly yang—they needed someone to balance it out.
That argument had been intense and explosive. Zhan Yunfei, who was usually timid around Liu Di’er, even dared to slam the table and challenge her—a historic breakthrough.
Though he was ultimately suppressed by Liu Di’er’s brute force, Zhan Yunfei’s restless little heart never truly settled. And now, with Rong Jiang seemingly gaining Liu Di’er’s tacit approval, how could Zhan Yunfei resist the urge to stir up trouble?
Meanwhile, Rong Jiang, who was lost in thought about the mess around him, suddenly sneezed: “What’s going on? Is someone talking about me behind my back?” Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. After all, plenty of people gossiped about him—what was one more?
Besides, he had enough problems weighing on him already. He didn’t have the energy to dwell on trivial matters.
As Zhan Yunfei and Liu Di’er walked toward Shen Mufan and Xie Jinghong’s neighborhood, their thoughts were worlds apart—Zhan Yunfei was gleefully plotting, while Liu Di’er watched him with amusement, waiting to see what he’d try next.
Following the address, they eventually arrived at Xie Jinghong’s home. Liu Di’er stepped forward and rang the doorbell. The door opened, revealing a youthful, cheerful face: “Brother Liu, Yunfei, you’re here!”
“Meng Xiang, you’re early,” Liu Di’er said as she walked in, making herself comfortable on the couch.
Meanwhile, Zhan Yunfei slung an arm around Meng Xiang’s shoulders, laughing. “Meng Xiang! Did you bring your master today?”
Meng Xiang grinned. “Of course! My precious goes wherever I go! Right now, she’s playing with Sister-in-law. Honestly, my baby is usually so aloof, but she’s surprisingly clingy with Sister-in-law.” His expression turned bittersweet—like a father watching his beloved daughter grow attached to an outsider.
Meng Xiang, Xie Jinghong’s self-proclaimed “number one underling,” was a devoted cat lover. His elegant, black-furred feline companion had white paws and tail tip—utterly adorable and the apple of his eye.
Shen Mufan walked over with tea, a shy yet warm smile on his face. A small black cat with white paws trailed at his feet. “Liu Di’er and Zhan Yunfei, right? Welcome.” He handed each of them a cup.
After thanking him, they took a sip.
Zhan Yunfei sighed in delight. “As expected of Brother Xie—living the good life! Hello, Sister-in-law! I’m Zhan Yunfei. Nice to meet you!”
With everyone being close friends, Liu Di’er didn’t bother with formalities. Lounging on the couch, she waved at Shen Mufan. “Hey there, pretty boy! I’m Liu Di’er, your fairy godmother from now on. If that bastard Xie ever treats you wrong, come find me—I’ll make sure he pays!”
Xie Jinghong, who was busy in the kitchen with Gao Cong preparing lunch, overheard and poked his head out, his smile dripping with menace. “Liu Di’er, worry about yourself first. I’ll take care of my Fanfan—no need for your interference!”
The hot-tempered Liu Di’er immediately jumped up, ready to brawl as a pre-meal warmup. Shen Mufan quickly intervened. “A-Jing treats me very well. He wouldn’t mistreat me, so I probably won’t need your help. But thank you anyway.”
Pacified, Xie Jinghong smirked triumphantly and retreated back into the kitchen, leaving Liu Di’er to chew on the dog food she’d just been force-fed.
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Shen Mufan hesitated, unsure how to ease the tension. A gentle-looking man beside him pulled him aside and reassured him, “Di’er and Jinghong have always been like this. The more they argue, the closer they get. Don’t worry—it’s normal. You’ll get used to it.”
Seeing everyone’s nonchalant reactions and Liu Di’er’s lack of genuine anger, Shen Mufan relaxed and smiled at Yao Wenmiao. The two struck up a pleasant conversation—though the tall, stern man beside Yao Wenmiao seemed to radiate a faint aura of… jealousy.
The man was Fan Qiru, Yao Wenmiao’s partner. Naturally, seeing his significant other chat so warmly with another man made him a little sour. Still, Shen Mufan enjoyed talking to Yao Wenmiao. Unlike Xie Jinghong, who hid a wolfish nature behind a charming smile, Yao Wenmiao was genuinely kind, gentle, and considerate—a true gentleman. Since they shared similar personalities, they got along well.
Fan Qiru tolerated it only because he knew their compatibility was purely platonic. Otherwise… let’s just say he wasn’t known for mercy when it came to potential rivals.
As Shen Mufan chatted, he mentally catalogued Xie Jinghong’s friends.
Aside from Liu Di’er, Zhan Yunfei, Yao Wenmiao, Fan Qiru, Meng Xiang, and Gao Cong, there was also Qiao Zheng—a flamboyant, nonconformist speed demon with a passion for racing. Skilled, wealthy, and equipped with top-tier cars and modifications, he was somewhat of a local legend.
Everyone invited today was part of Xie Jinghong’s inner circle—good people all around. Shen Mufan felt he could gradually open up to the outside world again.
Because he trusted Xie Jinghong to protect him.
At noon, the group enjoyed a hearty hotpot meal—spicy and mild broths to suit everyone’s tastes. With Gao Cong and Xie Jinghong’s culinary skills and premium ingredients, the meal was nothing short of perfection.
Afterward, they decided to go karaoke for the afternoon. Shen Mufan didn’t refuse. Since he’d chosen to be with Xie Jinghong, integrating into his social circle was only natural.
On their way to the reserved KTV, however, they stumbled upon two gangs of thugs brawling. They initially planned to ignore it, but after a closer look, Liu Di’er frowned and stepped in.
The thugs’ eyes gleamed with vulgarity at the sight of such a beautiful woman, their mouths spewing obscenities. Zhan Yunfei could only shake his head in awe at their audacity.
“Daring to flirt with Brother Liu? They’ve got a death wish. But couldn’t they at least pick an easier way to die? Jumping straight into hell-mode difficulty right out of the tutorial? People really don’t know how to be kind to themselves.”
After glancing at the man lying on the ground, Liu Di’er swept a cold gaze over the thugs, her sharp eyes making them flinch.
But running away was out of the question—what would people say if they fled from a woman? Their reputations would be ruined! So they doubled down on their crude taunts.
Liu Di’er cracked her knuckles. “Enough talk. You wanna fight? Then bring it on! Unless you’re all bark and no bite, you spineless cowards!”
Happy New Year’s Eve, little angels~ Extra update as a gift! Mwah!
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