Chapter 19

When Nian Nian went to choose a gift for her mother, Shen Mingyou and Huo Xingze went to the vegetable market.

Tonight, mothers and guests will prepare a sumptuous dinner for their children.

Since Shen Mingyou lost the talent competition, her team received the least money for buying groceries, just like the amount Nian Nian had for buying gifts.

Fortunately, Huo Xingze is a skilled homemaker. Even with only fifty yuan for groceries, he quickly planned three dishes and a soup, wrote down what he needed, and spent the fifty yuan exactly, without overspending.

Shen Mingyou praised him: “With you here, it seems that I only need to help today.”

Huo Xingze: “Of course. We bought dishes that you and Nian Nian like. I will show you my cooking skills and guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

[Ahhh, can my idol cook too? I’m so excited!]

[Huo Xingze knows what Shen Mingyou and Nian Nian like to eat. He is very considerate.]

On their way home with groceries, they met Nian Nian, who had just returned with her gifts. She was carrying two or three beautifully packaged bags that looked quite heavy.

“Mom, the gift is back.”

Shen Mingyou opened the two bags Nian Nian handed her and found two very expensive bags. She remembered that Nian Nian only had 20 yuan for gifts. How did she end up with such pricey bags?

“Nian Nian, where did these bags come from?”

Nian Nian said, “I bought them.”

“Where did you get the money?”

“Dad’s money.”

“…” Shen Mingyou guessed something. She pinched Nian Nian’s smooth little face and teased her: “So, is this a gift from Dad to Mom, or from Nian Nian to Mom?”

Nian Nian frowned: “It’s… a gift from my dad.”

Gifts bought with Dad’s money are from Dad, but in the future, when Nian Nian earns money, they will be from her.

Nian Nian then took out another gift: “Xingxing, this is from Nian Nian, a small microphone. Do you like it?” She spent ten yuan on this gift for Xingxing, so it was considered a gift from Nian Nian.

However, Nian Nian knew that a ten-yuan plastic microphone wouldn’t be durable. With the gold card from her father, she used it to buy another gift for Xingxing.

“This is the gift Dad gave to Xingxing.” Nian Nian took out another gift.

Huo Xingze was surprised that Nian Nian’s father suddenly appeared. When he learned this gift was from Nian Nian’s father, he hesitated, then opened it to find a box of exquisitely packaged, handmade rose chocolates, a limited edition gift box.

Such gifts are usually given from a boyfriend to a girlfriend, so receiving them from Nian Nian’s father felt a bit odd.

“Thank you, Nian Nian, for the gift.” Huo Xingze paused, “Thank you, Nian Nian’s father, for the gift as well.”

[Huo Xingze is confused: Why did my brother-in-law give me roses and chocolates? What should I do if I don’t really want to receive them!]

[Hahahaha, I was almost dying of laughter because of Nian Nian. When Nian Nian’s father heard her ask if she could use his card to buy a gift for Xingxing, there was probably a pause before he said “yes.”]

[Shen Mingyou’s husband: I gave my wife the gift! But Huo Xingze’s gift has nothing to do with me!]

After receiving the gifts, Huo Xingze followed Shen Mingyou into the kitchen. Nian Nian was sitting alone on a stool in the living room, swinging her legs and playing.

Shen Mingyou would call out to Nian Nian from time to time in the kitchen. Huo Xingze was particularly considerate, ensuring Shen Mingyou didn’t cut herself or get burned. He was very gentlemanly and gentle, making the cooking scene very heartwarming.

[The scene of Huo Xingze and Shen Mingyou cooking together is so warm and loving. I’m really enjoying this brother-sister dynamic!]

[Everyone, please stop shipping them. Sister Youzi is already married. It’s not appropriate to ship Sister Youzi and Huo Xingze as siblings.]

[It’s just a normal sibling relationship. If you insist on shipping them, are you crazy?]

[Can’t we ship couples? Even married male and female celebrities are shipped. Why not Shen Mingyou and Huo Xingze? I just like this sibling relationship. It doesn’t bother others. Please don’t bother me. Just mind your own business.]

[Compared to the brother-sister pair, real couples are the best, right? A wealthy lady and her wealthy husband make a great couple. Come on, Jiang and Shen! Come on, Nian Nian’s father!]

[We don’t even know what Nian Nian’s father looks like. What if he’s unattractive? Can you support him? Unlike Huo Xingze, who has broad shoulders, long legs, and a great body. Nian Nian’s father’s body is definitely not as impressive as Huo Xingze’s, so I still support the brother-sister pair.]

[Looks and body shape are just natural. No matter how rich you are, it doesn’t change this. You can’t compare.]

[Yes, Huo Xingze has a strong presence, while Youzi’s brother-in-law seems unremarkable except for sending a bag. It’s hard to support them as a couple.]

…

Jiang Chen watched the live broadcast and saw Huo Xingze standing next to Shen Mingyou. They worked well together and quickly prepared three dishes and a soup.

Jiang Chen thought he should be sitting next to Shen Mingyou, not Huo Xingze, who seemed a bit annoying.

Recently, since his wife often appeared in hot searches, he learned to use Weibo. 

He saw that his wife and Huo Xingze were trending:

#Shen Mingyou Huo Xingze#

#Youyou Xingxing Nian Nian dancing trio#

#Shen Mingyou and Huo Xingze are siblings#

Jiang Chen noticed another trending search related to himself:

#Shen Mingyou’s husband gave chocolates to Xingxing#

He found some odd comments:

“Everyone is supporting the brother-sister CP and the wealthy couple CP. Am I the only one supporting the couple of Shen Mingyou’s husband and Huo Xingze?”

“Hahaha, me too! Limited edition rose chocolates are much more romantic than a handbag.”

“Sister Youzi is so familiar with Huo Xingze, so my brother-in-law must be too. I wonder what they are like together. I really want to see their interactions and support this couple openly.”

Jiang Chen was baffled by these strange fans and their wild ideas.

He didn’t even know Huo Xingze!

And he didn’t think giving chocolates was more romantic than giving bags.

At 10 o’clock in the evening, Jiang Chen called Shen Mingyou.

Shen Mingyou asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing,” Jiang Chen replied.

“Then I’m hanging up.”

“Wait, about you and Huo Xingze…” Jiang Chen hesitated. He wanted to ask about their relationship and when they met. Huo Xingze said they were neighbors, but Jiang Chen had never heard of this.

He met Shen Mingyou when she was 20, during a major project involving the Zhao family and Lingyu Capital, leading to an alliance.

Jiang Chen didn’t know much about Shen Mingyou’s life before she turned 20. He only knew she lived abroad with her mother until she was 16 and then moved to the Zhao family’s home.

He didn’t know where Huo Xingze came into the picture.

“Huh? What about me and Huo Xingze?” Shen Mingyou asked.

“I didn’t know you were such good friends.”