Chapter 23

In the following days, Cheng Li found herself overwhelmed by a feeling called regret.

Why? Because Meng Yuange wouldn’t stop talking about how hard it was to draft her interview outline, how there were too many questions she wanted to ask. Or she would constantly lament about her fear of not writing a good article.

Unable to take it anymore, Cheng Li finally told her, “How about we temporarily break off our friendship? Once you’re done with the interview, we’ll reconcile.”

“No way! How could you abandon me at a time like this? Come over and work overtime with me this weekend,” Meng Yuange demanded unreasonably.

Cheng Li flatly refused, “Nope, no time.”

“You’re working overtime too? Fine, I’ll come to your office and keep you company.”

Cheng Li sighed and explained, “It’s not work-related, it’s something else. I really don’t have time this weekend.”

Meng Yuange found this suspicious. “You’re not secretly dating someone new, are you? Acting all mysterious.”

Cheng Li wasn’t lying.

She really did have plans this weekend because Grandma Xiang was being discharged from the hospital.

The old lady had been cooped up in the hospital for over half a month and was bored out of her mind, constantly insisting on going home.

After consulting the doctor, Rong Qi decided to handle her discharge paperwork.

Even though Cheng Li wasn’t officially considered a granddaughter-in-law yet, she was the one who had taken Grandma Xiang to the hospital, so it was only natural for her to help with bringing her home.

On the weekend, Cheng Li accompanied Rong Qi to the hospital.

The moment Grandma Xiang saw her, she lit up with joy. “Oh, how thoughtful of Li Li to come and pick me up!”

“Are you happy?” Cheng Li asked playfully.

Grandma Xiang’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Very happy.”

“That’s all that matters. We’re here to keep you happy. The doctor said you need to maintain this good mood even after you’re discharged.”

While the caretaker packed up Grandma Xiang’s belongings, Cheng Li noticed the old lady fiddling with her coat buttons and stepped forward to help.

“There’s no need, I can do it myself,” Grandma Xiang said repeatedly.

“It’s no trouble at all. You’ve just recovered, so everyone should be taking good care of you,” Cheng Li replied cheerfully, fastening the buttons swiftly.

Since the discharge procedures were already complete, they left the hospital immediately after.

To ensure Grandma Xiang’s comfort, Rong Qi had arranged for a very spacious and comfortable car.

Once everyone was seated, they headed straight home.

Back at the house, Grandpa Rong was overjoyed to see Grandma Xiang return.

Even though the two elders saw each other every day, Grandma Xiang’s homecoming was significant for the whole family. Even Grandpa Rong, usually quiet and reserved, seemed visibly cheerful.

That evening, after notifying her parents, Cheng Li stayed for dinner.

Grandma Xiang was in such good spirits that even her appetite improved.

After dinner, Cheng Li got up to leave.

Rong Qi walked her to the entrance of her building, looking down at her as he said, “Grandma has been so happy because of you.”

“I’m just doing what I should,” Cheng Li replied with a bright smile.

Rong Qi nodded calmly. “That’s why I didn’t thank you.”

His words caught Cheng Li off guard, but she quickly broke into a wider smile. “Exactly, there’s no need for thanks between us.”

Her radiant smile was too captivating, and Rong Qi couldn’t resist reaching out to pat her on the head.

Cheng Li froze for a moment, still processing the gesture, when Rong Qi urged her, “Alright, go on upstairs. I need to get back to Grandma.”

But… why did he suddenly touch her head?

Cheng Li looked up at him, her gaze full of questions.

Noticing her inquisitive stare, Rong Qi coughed lightly. “I couldn’t help myself.”

Just couldn’t help it?

Cheng Li pursed her lips, about to ask directly.

Then he smiled and said, “You looked so cute when you smiled just now. You reminded me of…”

Cute?

Cheng Li could barely contain the smile creeping onto her face.

“A chipmunk.”

What?!

Cheng Li stared at him in disbelief. “How could you compare a beauty to a rodent?”

“A chipmunk,” Rong Qi emphasized.

“I don’t care what kind of rodent!” Cheng Li protested.

“But it’s cute,” Rong Qi added.

Cheng Li pouted slightly, making one last stand. “Cute or not, it’s still a rodent.”

“Alright.”

As Cheng Li turned to head upstairs and entered the elevator, she realized she’d been completely sidetracked again.

She had intended to ask why he touched her hair.

When Rong Qi returned home, he found Grandma Xiang staring at him intently.

“What is it?” Rong Qi asked with a smile as he walked over.

Grandma Xiang sighed heavily before looking at him a few more times. Then she said, “It’s just that you lack good fortune.”

“Lack good fortune?” Rong Qi raised an eyebrow.

“Look at Li Li. What a wonderful girl! And to think you two were high school classmates. But now she has a boyfriend,” Grandma Xiang lamented.

Though Rong Qi had previously told her he had a matchmaking prospect, the woman had yet to make an appearance.

She suspected it was another dead end.

In her heart, she still favored Cheng Li the most. But unfortunately, on the day the Cheng family moved in, she had heard from Teacher Ling that Cheng Li already had a boyfriend.

Rong Qi felt annoyed at the thought but maintained a faint smile.

After all, this “fortune” was something he already had.

*

On Tuesday afternoon, it was time for Meng Yuange’s scheduled interview with Rong Qi’s assistant.

To prepare, she had even brought along a photographer.

Since the interview was not just about words but also included taking photos of the interviewee, they had coordinated in advance, and Rong Qi had agreed.

Meng Yuange was escorted into Rong Qi’s office.

Because Rong Qi’s schedule was packed, with an international meeting at 5 p.m., she had exactly three hours to complete the interview.

She barely had time to rekindle their old-school friendship before launching straight into the interview.

Of course, she had no intention of asking him upfront if he remembered her—it would have seemed unprofessional.

Thankfully, the interview went so smoothly it surprised Meng Yuange.

Contrary to public perception of him as taciturn, Rong Qi proved to be highly articulate. His logical thinking and sharp market insights made every word he said substantial and meaningful.

The sheer amount of information he shared left Meng Yuange in awe. He even revealed some future plans for Qiyu Technology—a genuine exclusive.

By the time the interview ended, and she noticed her recorder showing nearly two hours, she still felt she hadn’t had enough.

“Any other questions?” Rong Qi asked gently.

Meng Yuange glanced down at her prepared outline.

“Well…” Unable to resist her curiosity, she said, “Mr. Rong, may I ask a somewhat presumptuous question?”

Her words amused Rong Qi, as they reminded him of something Cheng Li had once said to him:

“Can I make a somewhat presumptuous question?”

Such close friends indeed.

“Go ahead. After all, we’re old classmates,” Rong Qi replied with a faint smile.

Meng Yuange couldn’t help but gape. “You remember me?”

Rong Qi nodded. “Of course.”

“I didn’t think you’d remember since you didn’t mention it earlier,” Meng Yuange said, genuinely shocked.

Rong Qi replied, “I thought you were too busy focusing on the interview to catch up.”

Meng Yuange’s impression of Rong Qi instantly improved. It was unexpected and heartwarming for a wildly successful former classmate to still remember her.

“You were about to ask your question,” Rong Qi reminded her.

“Oh, right.”

Meng Yuange smiled awkwardly before continuing, “I’m just curious—why did you suddenly agree to this interview and specifically request me?”

Could it truly be because of their old classmate bond?

She hadn’t considered this possibility at first, but seeing how Rong Qi remembered her, it seemed plausible.

“If I had to give a reason,” Rong Qi began, “it would be my wife.”

Wait, what?

His wife?

Meng Yuange’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re married?”

Why hadn’t any media outlet reported this?

What were the journalists even doing?

“Currently, it’s a bit of a secret, so I’ll need you to keep it confidential,” Rong Qi said calmly.

Only then did Meng Yuange understand—secret marriage. Wealthy people sure loved their secrets.

She nodded knowingly. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it to myself.”

Although it was a huge scoop, since Rong Qi trusted her as an old classmate, she wouldn’t betray that trust.

“I’m still curious, though—what does your wife have to do with this interview?”

Rong Qi chuckled. “My wife said you’re an excellent journalist—professional, sharp, and thorough. She believed your work wouldn’t be superficial.”

Meng Yuange was utterly floored. After a long pause, she muttered, “Could it be that your wife is a fan of mine?”

“You could say that,” Rong Qi replied with a faint smile.

*

“Babe, did you hear that? I actually have fans! Do you get it? Fans! It’s because his wife likes me that I landed this interview,” Meng Yuange exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.

“This is what they call being lifted by your fans—so amazing.”

Sitting across from her in the restaurant, Cheng Li listened patiently as Meng Yuange recounted her day, nonstop, since they sat down.

“I can’t believe Rong Qi is such a devoted husband. I’m so envious!”

Cheng Li hesitated, gripping her cup tightly, and finally decided to speak the truth.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” she said, looking at Meng Yuange seriously.

“Go on,” Meng Yuange urged.

Taking a deep breath, Cheng Li said, “Promise me you won’t scream or curse when I tell you.”

“Fine, just spill it.”

Looking directly at Meng Yuange, Cheng Li confessed earnestly, “Actually, I’m the one married to Rong Qi. He agreed to the interview because I asked him to.”

To her surprise, Meng Yuange didn’t show a shred of astonishment. Instead, her expression remained calm—almost unbelievably so.

Then, Meng Yuange suddenly leaned in and said quietly, “Alright, let me come clean too.”

“Actually, I’m Rong Qi’s long-lost sister from another father and mother, which is why he personally chose me for the interview,” she said, cracking up at her own joke.

Cheng Li: “…”

“I’m serious,” Cheng Li insisted.

“So am I,” Meng Yuange replied with a grin. “I had no idea you had this fangirl delusion going on, claiming to be married to Rong Qi.” She glanced around the restaurant and asked, “Wait, is this some kind of hidden-camera prank? Or maybe a truth-or-dare challenge? There aren’t any cameras, are there?”

Taking another deep breath, Cheng Li said, “I left the marriage certificate at home. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you come over later and see it yourself?”

“Alright, alright, I believe you,” Meng Yuange said with a laugh, clearly humoring her.

Left with no choice, Cheng Li pulled out her phone and opened WeChat.

She showed Meng Yuange the top pinned contact. “This is Rong Qi’s WeChat.”

Meng Yuange stared at the screen for a long moment before asking, “How do I know this is really his WeChat? I don’t have his contact.”

Only then did Cheng Li realize that despite the interview, they hadn’t exchanged WeChat information.

“How about this—you ask him to send you a selfie,” Meng Yuange teased, seeing how seriously Cheng Li was trying to prove her point.

Cheng Li hesitated. “That doesn’t seem very appropriate.”

“Aren’t you two married? Why so distant?” Meng Yuange replied with a mischievous grin.

It was obvious she didn’t believe Cheng Li from the start.

Somehow, Cheng Li found herself giving in. She opened WeChat and sent a message: [Can you send me a selfie?]

Thankfully, the reply came quickly.

Rong Qi: [Have you been kidnapped? Is the ransom my photo?]

The moment Cheng Li saw the response, she froze.

Meng Yuange, who had leaned over to catch a glimpse of the reply, burst into laughter. “Okay, while this person might not be Rong Qi, I’ve got to admit—he’s got a sense of humor. If you’re really into him, I wouldn’t obje—”

Before the word “object” could leave her lips, another message arrived.

This time, it was a photo.

Even without enlarging the image, both of them could clearly see it was a man’s selfie.

Meng Yuange clicked on the picture. It showed a man with slightly furrowed brows, looking straight into the camera. Even though it was just a raw, unedited shot, his sharply defined features stood out unmistakably.

There was an inherent aloofness in his expression, a subtle air of detachment.

This face… Meng Yuange had stared at it for three hours that afternoon during the interview, and yet she couldn’t help marveling at it again. Rich and good-looking—God really played favorites.

Turning to Cheng Li, Meng Yuange met her gaze.

“Is this real?” she asked.

Cheng Li nodded. “It’s real.”

For once, Meng Yuange was at a loss for words. She slumped back in her chair, utterly dumbfounded.

Cheng Li, meanwhile, quickly typed an explanation: [Sorry for bothering you. I told Yuange about our marriage, but she didn’t believe me. I had to ask you for a selfie to prove it.]

Rong Qi: [A selfie is enough proof?]

Cheng Li paused, realizing that might not entirely suffice.

After all, the selfie was only meant to confirm that her pinned WeChat contact was indeed Rong Qi.

The next moment, two voice messages came through.

Without overthinking, Cheng Li tapped to play them.

A deep, unhurried male voice echoed across the dining table:

“Cheng Li is Rong Qi’s wife.”

The first message ended, immediately followed by the second:

“Does this count as proof?”

Cheng Li: “…”

Meng Yuange: “…”

Author’s Note:

Rong Qi: Cheng Li is Rong Qi’s wife (repeated ten thousand times).

Rong Qi, the ultimate PR rep, strikes again!