Chapter 24 Part 1

Although Zhou Yexuan had a high status, he was still a gentleman. He stood outside Zhuangyuan Mansion patiently waiting for his wife and child.

He had already changed out of the suit that Zhou Jiayan had messed up earlier. Since it was early summer and the temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius, he also took off his heavy suit jacket.

Of course, without Zhou Jiayan’s supervision, there was no way he would dress up. He only wore a simple white shirt, but his presence was still just as striking.

The man was tall and lean, standing straight with a dignified posture. His shirt was buttoned all the way up, as always. When the wind blew against him, a glimpse of his toned muscles could be seen beneath the fabric.

He stood against the red walls of Zhuangyuan Mansion, attracting the attention of passing tourists.

Since the program crew had Zhou Yexuan’s permission to film, they didn’t miss a second and began recording as soon as he arrived at Zhuangyuan Mansion.

Even though the man wasn’t speaking or doing anything, his presence alone was captivating for the viewers in the live stream.

[He’s so handsome! Now I can finally visualize the CEOs in my romance novels.]

[Mr. Zhou has to be over 185 cm tall. His proportions are insane!]

[His physique is even better than male celebrities. Some actors just let themselves go.]

[People used to say Shen Qingqing went to great lengths to marry into the Zhou family. Honestly? If I were her, I’d try even harder!]

[Sisters in the live chat, control yourselves. You’re practically drooling.]

[Wow, I’m so jealous of Shen Qingqing for having such an amazing man.]

Zhou Jiayan didn’t want to keep his dad waiting too long, so after about ten minutes, Zhou Yexuan finally spotted them approaching.

A woman in a yellow floral dress was leading a small, fair-skinned boy in a matching yellow tracksuit. The two of them, one big and one small, had bright smiles on their faces, instantly lightening the mood.

Zhou Yexuan, who had been standing there with a serious expression, now had a hint of a smile in his eyes.

As they got closer, Zhou Yexuan could see their outfits clearly.

Shen Qingqing, unlike her messy appearance earlier in the day, now wore light makeup. Her long hair was neatly braided, with a yellow headband to match her dress. She looked youthful and full of energy.

Zhou Jiayan, with his fair, chubby cheeks, looked just as adorable. His curly hair bounced as he walked, making him look even cuter.

The audience watching in Zhou Yexuan’s temporary live broadcast room also saw this harmonious scene.

[This scene is so warm and loving.]

[Qingqing is so beautiful. Today’s makeup looks amazing—fresh, playful, and full of energy. Can you give us a tutorial?]

[Wake up, it’s not just the makeup, it’s her natural beauty. I looked closely, and Shen Qingqing seems to be wearing only light makeup.]

[As a straight woman, I was already envious of Shen Qingqing. Now, I envy Ms. Zhou too, such a gorgeous lady.]

[No one wants to steal the kid? Then I’ll pack up Yanyan and take him home.]

Zhou Yexuan knew Shen Qingqing was beautiful, but at this moment, he still couldn’t help but admire her. Especially her clear, pure eyes, which were now looking at Zhou Jiayan with a smile.

Zhou Yexuan was momentarily dazed until Zhou Jiayan called him “Dad.”

Zhou Jiayan used his usual trick—hugging his leg—while looking up with a smile and saying, “Dad, we’re here.”

Zhou Jiayan was always reserved in front of his father. After hearing his father’s “Mm,” he let go and stood aside. But he had just seen his dad’s look of amazement at his stepmother, so he couldn’t resist showing off.

“Dad, I picked out Mom’s dress today and supervised her makeup. What do you think? Doesn’t she look great?”

Knowing Shen Qingqing well, Zhou Yexuan understood she wouldn’t dress up just to please him like before. So it turned out Zhou Jiayan was the one who asked her to dress like this. No wonder.

Zhou Yexuan naturally had to support his son’s words. Besides, Shen Qingqing did look young and beautiful today, so he nodded and said, “She looks great. Yanyan, you have great taste.”

Shen Qingqing was dissatisfied with Zhou Yexuan’s praise for Zhou Jiayan. “Obviously, I’m the one who’s good-looking. I could look great even in a sack, okay?”

After all, the real reason she dressed up today was because of little Zhou Jiayan, this mischievous kid, who made sure she didn’t slack off.

Zhou Yexuan sighed internally at how unpredictable women were. Just earlier, in the studio, he praised Shen Qingqing, and she looked embarrassed. Now, when he avoided directly complimenting her, she was unhappy again.

Zhou Jiayan, however, understood Shen Qingqing’s temper better than his father. He quickly explained, “Dad didn’t mean that. He meant that when you dress up, you look even better.”

Zhou Jiayan could be annoying when he wanted to be, but when he said nice things, he was truly sweet.

Shen Qingqing immediately pinched Zhou Jiayan’s cheek. “Aww, you’re so smart and know just what to say! Unlike some people who can’t see the real picture. But you’re only five, and you’re already this good at sweet-talking girls. I’m worried about your future girlfriend.”

Zhou Jiayan opened his mouth in shock. Why was he being “attacked” by his stepmother when he was just trying to praise her? Besides, he was still so young—how could he have a girlfriend?

Their conversation made everyone watching laugh.

[Hahaha, the kid is confused. Why did the fire come back at him?]

[Yanyan, don’t get involved in the battle between Mom and Dad. Shen Qingqing doesn’t care about the praise, haha.]

[Yanyan’s words are sweeter than honey—way better than my 20-something boyfriend.]

[Not only is he better than regular men, but he also beats his parents at this, hahaha.]

[Why am I getting boyfriend vibes from a five-year-old again?]

In the end, Zhou Yexuan couldn’t stand it anymore. He decided to step in and apologize.

Looking at Shen Qingqing, his eyes held a smile. “Alright, I wasn’t good at expressing myself earlier. I apologize. The main thing is—you’re naturally beautiful. The outfit is just a bonus.”

Zhou Yexuan said this sincerely, not just to calm her down.

At this time, it was close to 6:30 p.m., the time set by the show crew.

Zhou Yexuan lowered his head and pointed at his wristwatch. “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

Shen Qingqing wasn’t entirely satisfied with his apology, but for someone like Zhou Yexuan, this was already a big step.

Of course, the most important thing was that she was still living in Zhou Yexuan’s mansion, enjoying the service of his housekeepers and chefs. She had to be a little grateful.

Sometimes, you have to compromise in life. Shen Qingqing nodded modestly and accepted it, though reluctantly. “Fine, I’ll forgive you this time. Let’s go.”

Saying that, she took Zhou Jiayan’s hand and started walking toward the observatory.

Seeing this, Zhou Yexuan couldn’t help but laugh. Why did he feel that Shen Qingqing was even more childish than Yanyan?

Taking a few steps forward, Zhou Yexuan took Zhou Jiayan’s other hand. The three of them walked toward the observatory together.

It was already evening, and the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.

This scene later became one of the most iconic moments in “Shi Qing Chao Ye” cpf.

[Looking at their backs, I got emotional.]

[They really are the perfect match, both of them so beautiful.]

[I’m tired of saying the word “match.”]

[Is anyone producing a dating show? Come see our “Shi Qing Chao Ye” couple. They’re real, good-looking, and have an adorable kid! No money if it’s not sweet!]

[+1 to the comment above! I’d totally watch it.]

The observatory was located in the center of Zhuangyuan Town. It wasn’t far from Zhuangyuan Mansion. After a twenty-minute walk, Shen Qingqing and the others arrived.

It was called an observatory, but it was actually a newly built tower in the town. The top floor was semi-open, with a roof overhead and only fences around it. A telescope stood nearby, along with a stone table.

Since most buildings in town were low, this five or six-story tower was the tallest structure in the entire ancient town.

From the platform, they could see the entire town.

Zhuangyuan Town was known for its focus on culture and education, so unlike other old towns, it didn’t have many music bars. Because of this, the town was now much quieter than during the daytime.

Zhuangyuan Town is not completely dark at night. On the contrary, the shops lining the streets have hung lanterns in various styles. When viewed from the observatory, they resemble stars scattered across the town. It’s easy to see why this tower got its name in another way.

The program team’s “feast” was already set on the stone table, featuring a lavish spread of chicken, duck, fish, seafood, barbecue, and many local specialties. It was evident that the production team had spared no expense.

Director Xu Xiang was also waiting there, and when he saw Zhou Yexuan’s face, he greeted him with a bright smile.

For a star like Shen Qingqing, who was still active in the entertainment industry, he could be harsh and push her for the sake of the show’s effect. After all, being in this industry meant following its rules. However, these rules held no weight when it came to Zhou Yexuan.

The Zhou Corporation owned multiple brands and was a major investor in TV stations and streaming platforms. Shen Qingqing was able to join this show largely because advertisers supported her participation.

For a director who had once struggled to secure commercial sponsorships, currying favor with financial backers had become second nature.

Xu Xiang reached out his chubby hand and said, “Mr. Zhou, I never expected you to come see your wife and child as soon as you returned to China. You are truly a role model for modern men.”

Although Zhou Yexuan had an inherently arrogant nature, he was known for his politeness in business settings. He smiled and shook hands with Xu Xiang, replying, “Director Xu, it’s not like that. I haven’t seen my family in a long time, and I acted on impulse. I should be the one thanking you for not blaming me for interrupting your show’s recording.”

Hearing this, Xu Xiang became even more excited. He hadn’t expected someone like Zhou Yexuan to be so courteous to him. “Mr. Zhou, it’s no trouble at all. You have no idea how much attention your arrival has brought to our show!”

Seeing Xu Xiang’s overly eager attitude, Shen Qingqing was speechless. How could this be the same person who had made things difficult for past guests? The contrast was too striking.