When the bonus arrived, Cheng Leyan was holding Zhuozhuo and had just come out of the police station. After seeing Aunt Zhang’s past misdeeds, they both felt a bit down. Just as Cheng Leyan was thinking of how to cheer up Zhuozhuo, he received a message from Assistant Chen saying that President Zheng had awarded him a bonus.

Cheng Leyan couldn’t control his excitement. Hugging Zhuozhuo, he was jumping up and down, wanting to run 800 meters or do 50 push-ups right there.

A bonus! How long has he even been working, and already a bonus!

What a godsend boss!!

No pointless BB, no random orders, pays generously, and sends money at the drop of a hat!

The sanatorium fees are 188,000 per month, for 8 months, totaling 1,504,000! 1,504,000!!

What a generous boss!

Is there such a wonderful job in the world!!

Lifting Zhuozhuo high, he said emotionally, “Hey baby, Stepfather’s got money again! Let’s go have a feast!!!”

This time they went to…

Well, Pizza Hut.

Zhuozhuo now clings to Cheng Leyan, particularly enjoying eating with him. Mainly because, watching Stepfather eat is really a treat, makes him want to eat more just by watching.

You could say, even at such a young age, the little one was in love with mukbang.

As they were eating, Cheng Leyan received a call from the scumbag Xiang Jingzhou.

In his mind, Cheng Leyan thought to 419: [What’s going on? Could he have found out about the 1.5 million and is calling to ask for money?]

System: [Quite possibly. Host, your card’s still linked to his phone, I just delinked it for you.]

Cheng Leyan: [Damn! Haha, scumbag, get lost, my bank card isn’t for you to touch!!]

He didn’t answer the call, letting Xiang Jingzhou keep calling.

Far away abroad, Xiang Jingzhou was getting increasingly anxious and restless. His financing talks weren’t going well, unlikely to secure new investments, and next month’s salaries for his employees were a concern. Cheng Leyan’s 1.5 million was crucial to him.

But he couldn’t understand why Cheng Leyan wasn’t answering!

How dare he!?

After leaving that last call with a bit of a “special” feeling, he’d quickly worn it down to nothing more than frustration and resentment.

After calling more than ten times until after 9 p.m., Cheng Leyan finally answered: “Hello.”

Xiang Jingzhou couldn’t suppress his anger: “Why didn’t you answer the phone!? Do you know how many times I called?”

Cheng Leyan didn’t bite: “Zhuozhuo got kidnapped, if Rong Wangzhi’s mom didn’t kill me.”

One sentence, and all of Xiang Jingzhou’s previous emotions faded, leaving only tension: “What? How did that happen? When? What about now? Ah, the 1.5 million in your account, was it for the ransom?”

Instantly, Cheng Leyan knew: Xiang Jingzhou was completely unaware of the kidnapping.

He had suspected him before, but now, those doubts vanished.

He said, “We’ve already got him back. Sigh.” Yawning as if it had been a long, tiring day.

Xiang Jingzhou sighed in relief: “That’s good, that’s good. His mom didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?”

Cheng Leyan: “Who knows. She’s now suspecting I was in on it, trying to kidnap Zhuozhuo.”

Xiang Jingzhou tentatively asked, “That 1.5 million…”

Cheng Leyan casually replied, “Want it? I could transfer it to you, then let’s bail after this haul. I’ll come find you in Singapore.”

Quickly, Xiang Jingzhou objected, “No way. You remember what I told you, right? We have to think long term. You can’t afford to fall out with the Rong family yet. I know, you’ve been busy today, tired too, that’s why you didn’t answer, right? And that 1.5 million, who’s to say it isn’t Mrs. Rong testing you? Cancelling my mobile link was probably forced as well. You’ve been through a lot…”

Then he continued, one-sidedly, with a long lecture.

In the past, Cheng Leyan was tired of being a lapdog; now, it was Xiang Jingzhou performing a solo and enjoying it thoroughly.

Finally, ending the call, a sense of “unfinished business” washed over Xiang Jingzhou, more distinct and intense than before.

He really didn’t want to hang up.

He couldn’t explain why, but he truly wanted to keep chatting.

Looking back, he’d paid too little attention to Cheng Leyan. Only now realizing Cheng Leyan seemed—different. Subtly altered from the person he’d known for years.

Yet, it was this “subtle” difference that made his heart pound.

He was eager to return home and see the current Cheng Leyan.

His phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller, his expression turned impatient: “Mom.”

“What? Cheng Leyan sent recordings to Xiang Jinglin’s school? Well, that’s Xiang Jinglin’s own fault first, isn’t it? Why blame anyone else? He better not drag me down too.”

“You still want to stir up trouble at his place? Mom, what’s in your head? Cheng Leyan’s our family’s golden goose now, your son relies on him, causing trouble won’t help us. Focus on more than just small change.”

“I’m busy, not talking.” He ended the call.

Leaning back in his chair, his mind again drifted to the earlier call, the sound of Cheng Leyan yawning.

It was like… a tabby cat he kept in middle school.

Cheng Leyan wasn’t concerned with a scumbag’s psychological shifts. The check for the previous 1 million from Mama Rong paid off some credit cards, and this 1.5 million came just in time, making him sleep at night with a smile.

In his dreams, the wedding turned into a four-way between him, gold apples, checks, and mobile banking.

He practically laughed in his sleep.

With the boss’s bonus dispatched, Cheng Leyan became even more diligent and dedicated to his work, immersing himself in Zhuozhuo’s education, with frequent “Criminal Law” lessons.

So much so that when Zhuozhuo quietly talked to Gu Qin about it, Gu Qin wondered if Cheng Leyan’s hopes for Zhuozhuo’s future were—

To become a judge.

Zhuozhuo was enlightened.

Stepfather expects him to be a judge!

So, he must diligently study the “Criminal Law,” aiming to become an excellent judge in the future!

The little one cherished this hope dearly.

Meanwhile, Cheng Leyan began preparing for Rong Wangzhi’s homecoming.

He arranged a suite next to the master bedroom, with medical equipment streaming in.

Once everything was set up, Rong Wangzhi moved back from the hospital that day.

Mama Rong came along, hiring two live-in caregivers specifically for Rong Wangzhi. They held a meeting with the caregivers and the butler, as after dismissing Aunt Zhang, she was convinced Aunt Zhang’s behavior couldn’t have been hidden from the entire villa, she’d sent everyone back to the old residence, and now had an all-new staff to meet properly.

The room was left with just Cheng Leyan and Zhuozhuo, the two with their big, curious eyes, gazing at the serene Rong Wangzhi on the bed.

Having completed the “Pouty Lips” and “Eyelash Fairy” tasks, 250 had accumulated some energy and channeled it into Rong Wangzhi’s body, significantly improving his health. He’d gained some flesh on his legs, and his complexion had improved.

In high spirits, Cheng Leyan remarked, “Hubby, could it be my joyous charm is working? Don’t worry, now that you’re moving home, it’ll be even more effective! I’ve got a new joy plan ready!”

With those words, Rong Wangzhi’s consciousness sprang to life upon hearing them.

Losing consciousness felt like imprisonment, while awake moments felt like freedom; after several times, Rong Wangzhi began to crave these rare moments of freedom.

So, his consciousness truly was tied to Cheng Leyan. He wondered.

Could he really bring joy?

Alright then, he thought. Let’s see what your new joy plan is.

Suddenly, the room filled with the sound of Buddhist chanting and a rhythmic “dong, dong, dong.”

Affectionately, Cheng Leyan said, “Hubby, can you hear it? I’m striking the electronic wooden fish for you, gathering cyber merit. It strikes away worry and harm! It brings joy and light!

“Rest assured, hubby, with the blessing of my electronic wooden fish, may you soon meet the mechanical Buddha and ascend to the online bliss!”

Then he called out, “Come on, Zhuozhuo, you also give your dad some incense—oh, I mean, strike the wooden fish too.”

Rong Wangzhi:…

I’m not, dead, yet.

Every part of Rong Wangzhi resisted this. He couldn’t imagine that his conscious moments would have to endure this noise in the future.

But… but he was a vegetative state. He could only passively accept it; he was powerless.

A hint of gloom rose within him.

Just then, aware of his lack of favor, often quiet as a chicken, 250 excitedly screeched: [Host! Host!!! Another task completed! What is it let me see… uh, “Your whole body is filled with refusal, but you are powerless, can only accept it wholly.” 

[Whoa, this system has goosebumps… Whatever, Host, you’re a task-completing genius!!! You’re amazing, my Host! The Host is a god!!!]

Joyous and exuberant, it threw flowers all over Rong Wangzhi’s mind.

Momentarily blank, Rong Wangzhi grasped onto a last whisper of hope, asking: [No weird buffs?]

System: [There is. A buff called “Karziran Big Eyes” that makes your eyes appear big, beautiful, and alluring.]

Rong Wangzhi even felt relieved.

Great, Karziran Big Eyes, that’s fine.

He wouldn’t open his eyes; as long as he chose not to, the buff would be pointless. 

Perfect.

He wouldn’t open them even in death.

Then he suddenly heard Cheng Leyan gasp in shock: “What the heck, what’s with my husband’s eyes… this is crazy! Who put eyeshadow and eyeliner on him???”

Seconds later, he was even more alarmed: “Aegyo-sal! They even gave him aegyo-sal!!!”

Then: “Mom, Mom!! Come quickly! Zhuozhuo, go get Grandma!”

Rong Wangzhi:…

Even someone known as “the work machine” by subordinates, praised for emotional stability, found this hard to endure.

Rong Wangzhi: [250, yes. 250. OK. Remember you, 250.]

His voice grew softer, more dangerous.

Slightly scared, the system shrank into a ball.

But ultimately, hesitantly added: [That, Host, one more thing, this buff has another effect, it’ll make you… make you tear up. After all—only eyes that shed tears are the prettiest. Oh.]

Rong Wangzhi: [What? Say ‘tear up’ again? 250, repeat that?]

He soon found out.

Because Mama Rong rushed over.

With wide eyes at the eyeliner, eyeshadow, and aegyo-sal, she marveled, and her first instinct was to take a picture.

Finally, with a mysterious maternal smile, Ms. Zheng said, “Wangzhi, you didn’t let me dress you up and put you in skirts during your childhood. Ah, in the end, it seems Mom got her wish.”

Talking about old times, she felt a twinge of sadness: “Back then you could run, jump, but now…”

Feeling pained, and at that moment, suddenly, she saw a single tear slowly trickle from Rong Wangzhi’s eye.

The tear, crystal clear and beautiful, rolled down his cheek, chin, collarbone, carving a near physically impossible path before disappearing into his clothing.

Ms. Zheng broke down instantly: “My son, why are you crying! Can you hear mom speak? Is it because you miss Mom? Must be because you miss mom, right? Ooh ooh, son! Mom misses you too! Ooh ooh!! Mom’s right here, cry if you want! Men can cry, it’s not a sin!!”

Rong Wangzhi: I’m not, I’m not!!!

I really didn’t!