Qiao Anran was also momentarily stunned.

“They’re sending you gifts. You should say thank you.”

Lu Zeqing didn’t usually stream, but he had seen the production team host live streams before and knew that he could turn off the tipping feature.

“Thank you, everyone. Stop sending gifts, I’m turning off the tipping function.”

Lu Zeqing had told his family that he earned money from food videos through ad revenue. He hadn’t hidden this during the reality dating show’s filming, but the audience had simply assumed he was just documenting his life.

He had told his family about it because he didn’t want his grandmother to worry and think he was struggling. He reassured her that making videos and eating good food wasn’t tiring at all.

But in the beginning, his account didn’t make any money, and Lu Zeqing still relied on part-time jobs and side gigs for income.

He never mentioned this to his grandmother. She was old, and he didn’t want to upset her over it.

His gaze fell on the username [Yu Qing Wei Liao 99]. It was unlikely to be a family member. The only other person who knew about his account was… Jiang Siyu.

Thinking about it, this kind of high-profile action was very much like Jiang Siyu, shamelessly hyping his own ship.

“They’re my family and friends.” Lu Zeqing explained briefly and didn’t continue the topic. “Let’s continue the review.”

Lu Zeqing tore open the ice cream wrapper.

“This one costs 46 yuan. It’s chocolate and milk flavored, with nuts inside.”

Lu Zeqing cut the ice cream in half with a knife to show the filling more clearly to his viewers. He picked up a fork, took a piece, and put it in his mouth.

“A bit sweet, a bit bitter. The milk flavor isn’t strong. The texture is average. I wouldn’t recommend buying it.”

[Hold up, my focus is off. Since when did my baby have such rich friends and family?]

[So my baby’s family is Qing Tuan? No wonder he kept tagging along with Lu Zeqing for food reviews in earlier episodes!]

[LMAO, is he helping his family chase idols?]

[I always thought my baby was struggling, but turns out his family is actually this loaded wuwuwu.]

Qiao Anran also opened a package, mimicking Lu Zeqing by placing the ice cream on a porcelain plate and cutting it with a knife and fork.

“The outer layer is a soft and fragrant glutinous rice skin. The milk flavor is quite strong. If you like milk-based ice cream, you’ll probably enjoy this one. Price: 3 yuan. Recommended.”

[That does look really tasty!]

[Ordering it right now!]

[The streamer’s hands are so pretty! As a hand enthusiast, I’m following. What time do you stream every day?]

[Hahaha, you won’t believe this, but as an old fan, this is my first time catching a live stream!]

[That scalloped plate is gorgeous. Can I get a link to buy the same one?]

[Not only do I want the same plate, but I also want to know where to get the knife and fork!]

[The white porcelain plate with the gold cutlery looks so elegant!]

[Yeah, I used to think gold looked tacky, but this combo makes it look super high-end.]

“The tableware was bought by my family. I don’t know the details,” Lu Zeqing replied while continuing the review.

After reviewing nearly fifty types of ice cream, Qiao Anran declared that he probably wouldn’t want to eat any more for a while. As a thank-you for his help, Lu Zeqing invited him to stay for dinner.

Qiao Anran had eaten plenty of gourmet food from professional chefs, but he still liked Lu Zeqing’s cooking the most. It had the warmth of home.

His parents and older brother were often away, so most of the time, it was just him, the housekeeper, and the chef at home. They would prepare all sorts of delicious food for him, but what Qiao Anran truly wanted was to sit around the dinner table with family, chatting and eating together, no matter what was on the table.

The Qiao family was different from the Qi family. The Qi family’s business was mainly domestic, whereas the Qiao family operated mostly overseas. At one point, Qiao Anran hadn’t seen his family for more than half a year.

Back then, his brother was also studying abroad, leaving him alone. That was why Qiao Anran loved making friends. When he was surrounded by people, he didn’t feel lonely.

“What do you like to eat? I’ll cook it for you.”

“Really?” Qiao Anran’s eyes lit up, but after a moment, he hesitated, feeling like it was too much trouble. Lu Zeqing smiled and said,

“I like cooking when I’m in a good mood. Auntie just bought a lot of seafood, too.”

“Then I’ll help!”

The kitchen in Lu Zeqing’s house was open-concept and spacious, it could comfortably fit three or four people without feeling crowded.

Cooking for an entire household alone was a hassle, which was why the family had two housekeepers who usually took turns helping each other in the kitchen.

“Handling seafood is a bit tricky. I’ll ask Auntie to help.”

When the housekeeper heard that Lu Zeqing was going to cook, she was stunned.

“If Young Master Zeqing wants to eat something, we can make it.”

“It’s fine, let him cook.” The butler said with a smile, looking at Lu Zeqing. “Young Master Zeqing is in a great mood today.”

Lu Zeqing didn’t deny it.

He really liked the warm family atmosphere here.

…

Meanwhile.

On his way home, Qi Zeyu noticed an unread email.

He had asked someone to investigate who had instructed Wei Yang to frame Qiqi. The attached photo showed a young man wearing a baseball cap and a white T-shirt, walking into a café.

Qi Zeyu glanced at the surroundings in the photo—it looked familiar.

“Xiao Li, check where this place is.”

“President Qi, it’s on Qixing Road.” The driver, well aware of Qi Zeyu’s terrible sense of direction, answered before he could even ask. “It’s only a few minutes’ drive from here.”

Qi Zeyu made a quick decision.

“Take me to that café.”

“Madam Qi just called. She said Young Master Zeqing is cooking tonight and bringing a friend home. She reminded us not to come back too late.”

Qi Zeyu checked the time. He had finished work early today, and it wasn’t even six yet.

“Got it. Let’s check this out first.”

The driver made a turn toward Qixing Road. Qi Zeyu entered the café and immediately spotted his target.

The young man was sitting alone at a four-person table. It was unclear whether he was waiting for someone or…

“Hello, what would you like to order?” The server asked.

Qi Zeyu casually glanced at the menu and ordered a coffee. After paying, he walked straight to the young man’s table and sat across from him.

“Yang Mian.”

“President Qi.” Yang Mian glanced at him before lowering his head to stir his coffee. “My bodyguard told me someone’s been following me recently.”

“That would be your people, right?”

Qi Zeyu didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

“Your family isn’t based in City A, and you only recently returned to the country. How do you know Qi Nan?”

Yang Mian wasn’t surprised that Qi Zeyu had tracked him down, but the speed at which he did so was a little unexpected.

“I’m surprised too. Didn’t expect you to care so much about a mere Lu Zeqing, President Qi.”

“Didn’t you deliberately make sure I’d find you?” Qi Zeyu didn’t want to waste time beating around the bush. He had to get home soon.

“Qi Nan is probably terrified of me discovering your existence, yet you intentionally exposed yourself…”

“Who said I exposed myself on purpose? With the Qi family’s status in City A, do you really think it’d be difficult for me to find someone?”

“Did your parents ever tell you not to be too high-profile while in the country?”

“No.” Yang Mian scoffed. “Sorry, but I was born with a mother but raised by none. As for my dad, you might as well consider him dead.”

Qi Zeyu was momentarily taken aback. It was the first time he had seen someone hate their own parents this much, especially someone who was still a minor. He frowned slightly but didn’t comment, and Yang Mian continued.

“I want to discuss a mutually beneficial deal with you.”

Dropping all pretense, he said, “To show my sincerity, I’ll be honest with you.”

“At the jewelry store, I deliberately stopped Lu Zeqing and intentionally caused a conflict. That was the first step. To get your attention, President Qi.”

“The second step was built on the first. During Madam Qi’s banquet, I set up that idiot to frame Lu Zeqing.”

“This plan had several more steps, but before I could execute them, you had already found me. That proves you’re quite capable, President Qi.”

“If it had been anyone else, you probably wouldn’t have noticed me so quickly.”

Qi Zeyu didn’t respond.

Yang Mian wasn’t wrong. If he had simply caused trouble at the banquet and targeted other guests, the Qi family would have dealt with it, and Wei Yang would have been thrown out. But it wouldn’t have triggered an in-depth investigation.

The person behind Qiqi’s fall was still unknown, and the kidnapping case was still tangled. The Qi family had collectively decided not to publicly reveal Qiqi’s identity for now, only to assign bodyguards for his protection.

“Cut the crap. I’m in a hurry, get to the point.”

No matter how cunning Yang Mian was, he was still just a teenage boy. Qi Zeyu had been in the business world for too long to let himself be led by him.

“Even if I don’t say it, you guys have probably already figured it out.” Yang Mian raised an eyebrow. “The only idiot who still thinks he hasn’t been exposed is Qi Nan.”

“Since you’re already aware, I won’t waste time. I have the evidence you need, but in exchange, you have to help me with something.”

“Do you really think the Qi family couldn’t get that evidence on our own?”

Yang Mian’s fingers tensed for a moment before he quickly relaxed. “Then you wouldn’t have come to find me just to have coffee together, would you?”

“Sir, your coffee,” the server said, handing over the takeaway cup.

“Thanks.”

Qi Zeyu stood up without hesitation.

“I just wanted to see what role you were playing in all this. Now that I have, I’m not interested. This is just a warning. Stay away from Lu Zeqing.”

“Otherwise, even if you’re underage, I won’t let you off easily.”

Qi Zeyu grabbed his coffee and turned to leave decisively. Yang Mian suddenly stood up.

“But the evidence you have is definitely not as complete as mine. Rather than wasting time investigating, wouldn’t it be faster if I just handed it to you? Your time is valuable, isn’t it, President Qi?”

Qi Zeyu paused mid-step. “How do I know your so-called evidence is real?”

“Tomorrow at noon, meet me downstairs at my company. I’ll give you thirty minutes. If you’re serious enough, then we can discuss a deal.”

This time, Qi Zeyu didn’t stop again and walked straight out of the café.

A kid was still just a kid, too impatient to keep his cool.

Qi Zeyu had deliberately acted indifferent. If Yang Mian was trying to get his attention, it meant that the only people he could negotiate with were the Qi family.

That was the Qi family’s best leverage.

During their conversation, if Qi Zeyu had directly asked about their goals or whether Yang Mian knew Qi Nan’s whereabouts…

If he had shown any concern, Yang Mian would never have given him a straight answer, putting him at a disadvantage. That was why Qi Zeyu had to keep control of the situation.

As long as he remained dominant, Yang Mian would be the one at a disadvantage.

Qiqi had told him before. If Qi Nan was with the eldest young master Shen, then he was definitely safe.

Though Qi Zeyu didn’t know why Qiqi was so sure, he did remember that the eldest young master Shen had been their neighbor for quite a while when they were kids. They weren’t close now, but he still knew the man well enough to trust that he wouldn’t harm Qi Nan.

Sunday, the day Qiqi and eldest young master Shen had agreed to meet, was approaching. Soon, everything would be clear.