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They said they would chat on the side, but in reality, they just moved to a corner to stand for a while.
Chi Yizhen was familiar with the scene and effortlessly knew where to lay low. However, it was evident that this was not the time for idling. Standing beside him was a woman almost his height, holding the status of He Tiao’s mother in Chi Yizhen’s memory.
She was also Sheng Xin’s mother.
Chi Yizhen couldn’t fathom the program team’s intentions.
One could only say that Zhang Miya was truly remarkable; she could even win over this woman. So, did this mean the relationship between mother and son wasn’t good?
In the original host’s memory, there was some connection with Sheng Xin. Sheng Xin’s mother, Wen Chanjuan, and Chi Yizhen’s grandmother had some student relationship, although Wen Chanjuan was not the type to involve herself in family matters.
Perhaps she, disliking the rumored aristocratic connections, never brought her child along when visiting, always coming alone.
Moreover, since Grandma didn’t live with Chi Yizhen, in all these years, he had only seen Wen Chanjuan once.
Later, at school, the original host got to know Sheng Xin and only learned about Wen Chanjuan being his mother through others’ mentions. The original host was always polite to Sheng Xin at school, partly due to having seen Wen Chanjuan at Grandma’s place.
However, Grandma passed away during Chi Yizhen’s high school years, and he never encountered Wen Chanjuan again.
Before understanding Sheng Xin’s feelings, Chi Yizhen’s attitude towards him was acceptable—just a bit more than an ordinary classmate but not excessively so. Unfortunately, Chi Yizhen’s good-natured temperament couldn’t extinguish Sheng Xin’s feelings.
Even in the end, Chi Yizhen didn’t understand why Sheng Xin liked him so much, to the extent of turning that affection into an insult.
Many people knew about the things Sheng Xin had done; wouldn’t Wen Chanjuan be aware of them too?
Now, the evening breeze enveloped the lively night market, with hustle and bustle mingling with the glow of lights around people. Chi Yizhen smiled and asked Wen Chanjuan, “Auntie, why did you come?”
It had been many years since Wen Chanjuan last saw Chi Yizhen. The child standing in front of her now, compared to the young boy in her memory, hadn’t changed much. He had grown taller, but the carefree and brilliant expression was no longer there.
When Chi Yizhen used to visit with his grandmother, Wen Chanjuan had observed him with a gaze that she still remembered.
He asked the elderly lady, “Who is this pretty sister?”
Chi Yizhen’s grandmother had always lived alone, preferring solitude in her later years, tending to flowers and plants and, at most, having a cook as a caretaker. She seldom interacted with relatives, but she cherished her grandson.
Reflecting on it now, Chi Yizhen still admired the family setup the original host had, not realizing that the beauty of it would only intensify the pain when destroyed.
Sheng Xin was, fundamentally, a scoundrel.
His aim was to wear down Chi Yizhen’s will, to make him willingly step into the trap. However, Chi Yizhen didn’t succumb in the end. Instead, he yielded to the conditions proposed by You Yuxing. He would rather be with another man; Sheng Xin would never be his ultimate choice.
After learning about Sheng Xin’s actions, Wen Chanjuan visited the Chi family many times. The Chi family had declined, and after much searching, she found the house rented by Chi Yiming.
Chi Yizhen wasn’t home at the time. The refined and gentlemanly man, who seemed to have just returned, politely declined her visit, showing a hint of dust on his clothes.
Within his gentle words lay profound wounds.
Chi Yiming asked, “What can I compensate for? After all, Sheng Xin is your biological son.”
Wen Chanjuan nodded at the time but also hoped Chi Yiming would provide an opportunity for compensation.
However, he simply closed the door, saying, “I’ll take care of things. There’s no need for you to come again.”
…
In the country, it didn’t take long at all.
Suddenly landing and appearing on a down-to-earth lifestyle variety show has left many people utterly surprised.
Chi Yizhen couldn’t help but think: If I didn’t know that He Tiao’s family runs a roast duck restaurant, I would really believe she’s He Tiao’s mom.
The resemblance is just too uncanny, even though the eyes aren’t quite the same; the aura is identical.
Wen Chanjuan is playing the role of the concerned mother, advising her son to return home after he left to start a business and set up a stall.
Miya, who provided her with the script, is smiling amiably, saying, “Of course, feel free to improvise. Our show thrives on spontaneity.”
Now, Chi Yizhen hasn’t shown the expression he used to have when they first met. The smiles he wears are warm, as if he wants to establish a good relationship with the other party.
[Crying, I feel heartbroken again. Even though Wen Chanjuan’s participation in the variety show is a slap in the face for Sheng Xin, Chi Chi must know who Wen Chanjuan is! Why does it have to be like this?]
[If the enemy’s mom, indirectly responsible for my family’s tragedy, became my colleague, I would also break down!]
[Production team, I’ll kill you!! I thought it was fine at first, but now I’m going crazy.]
[Production team, it’s enjoyable to see Wen Chanjuan and He Tiao play mother and son, but, but! I’m crying loudly.]
Chi Yizhen exclaimed, “Then you don’t need to take on a part-time job, right?”
He seemed to recall something and a hint of suspicion appeared on his face. Nevertheless, he continued to smile at Wen Chanjuan and asked, “Aunt, what does your family do?”
He looked at He Tiao’s figure over there and added, “He told me his family is struggling, with both parents gone, and he wants to work hard with me to build a future.”
[Hahaha, when did he mention both parents being gone? Can we get a hint, sisters!]
[This character setting is getting more and more absurd! A former barely-known model on the 18th tier and a pretend-broke guy selling barbecue, but actually inheriting tens of millions?]
[In the end, it’s still a transformation, right?]
[Exciting! I’m even more looking forward to it.]
Wen Chanjuan made a sound of surprise. There were no traces of cameras around, and the environment seemed exceptionally ordinary.
However, Wen Chanjuan hadn’t been to a place like this in many years, and she felt completely out of place.
Wen Chanjuan said, “I came to persuade him to go home.”
Chi Yizhen exclaimed, “So, are you going to offer me a check with millions, or rather, tens of millions, to leave him alone?”
He even thought about it seriously, asking with extra seriousness.
[I burst out laughing! Why is it so funny!]
[How desperate for money is Chi Yizhen after all! I’m really afraid that if Wen Chanjuan really hands him a check, he might actually ditch his husband!]
[Can’t you exchange husbands? .jpg]
[Wouldn’t that be a delightful mansion crematorium! In the past, you abandoned me for a check, now I’ll make you unreachable!!】]
[What kind of script is this? It’s not as good as the idol drama next door!!]
[Let them turn the play into reality!!]
Wen Chanjuan: “If I give you a check, will you really leave him?”
The director on the second floor across from them found it hard to keep a straight face. He didn’t expect such an outrageous plot twist.
Chi Yizhen replied, “If I say yes, it would make me seem heartless and ungrateful.”
Just then, He Tiao finished delivering the barbecue and, unable to contain his curiosity, walked over. He happened to hear the part about being heartless and ungrateful.
“What are you guys talking about?”
“Isn’t it about discussing salary?”
Chi Yizhen asked, “Can you bear to let your mom help out?”
He Tiao glanced at Wen Chanjuan and asked again, “If it wasn’t about discussing this just now, what were you talking about?”
Chi Yizhen: “Your mom said she’d give me a billion to leave you.”
Wen Chanjuan was about to shake her head when He Tiao reached out and hooked Chi Yizhen’s shoulder. At the same time, he leaned in, “You definitely agreed to it.”
He got really close, so close that Wen Chanjuan couldn’t tell if these two were on a show or actually having a conversation. This intimacy was without any barriers, as if it naturally flowed.
Oddly, just a moment ago, He Tiao was cold and distant when facing Chi Yizhen and other guests.
Boyfriends are indeed different.
Chi Yizhen said, “How is that possible?”
“But you are my priceless gem.”
But this statement was too cheesy. Chi Yizhen, after saying it, felt a bit awkward and sighed, “You didn’t even tell me about your hidden identity before.”
He spoke with a cheerful tone, and it was hard to tell if he was angry. “I was still thinking that we might be some rumored destitute couple, with a chance for a miraculous rise.”
“It didn’t take long, and your family is already paying a visit.”
“Before, you even said you were an orphan working here alone. He Tiao, you’re quite something.”
He Tiao held back for a while, only managing to say, “I’m sorry.”
[Hahaha, even though I know it’s acting, I still want to laugh.]
[How does Chi Yizhen manage to play a cold and aloof master during the day and a sweet boyfriend at night? This is like a play within a play!]
[Adding another variety show is indeed like doing three jobs alone… not easy.]
[E-god’s expression kills me!! He looks so helpless yet my wife is really cute! Lock me in!]
But He Tiao couldn’t keep up with Chi Yizhen’s wit. Those who have been watching the live broadcasts these days could easily understand that Chi Yizhen has several different faces.
[He Tiao, forget it, forget it. Can your wife be considered sophisticated?]
[I’m now waiting for this non-inheriting, barbecue-selling scion of a wealthy family’s character, hahaha.]
[Although… but… He Tiao and Wen Chanjuan really look too much alike! Do you guys get it? It’s not just a superficial resemblance! Anyway, it’s just… just…]
[Get it… it completely doesn’t break the immersion, after all, it’s really exaggerated for someone selling barbecue to look so handsome.]
Chi Yizhen also wanted to laugh, but he held back. However, the way he looked at He Tiao couldn’t conceal the laughter in his eyes. Under the current lighting, it seemed particularly affectionate.
He pushed He Tiao, saying, “Go talk to your mom.”
Chi Yizhen glanced at the director team on the opposite second floor and noticed that someone had written a big slogan asking He Tiao and Wen Chanjuan to step forward.
Chi Yizhen held He Tiao’s arm and affectionately called him “husband.”
“I’ll help out here. When we finish today, go home and watch the video I shot. What do you think?”
He even exaggeratedly blinked, but unfortunately, it didn’t have the effect of being nauseating. Instead, due to his good looks, it carried a bit of cuteness.
Originally, the audience found it cute, especially He Tiao, who was taking it seriously with Chi Yizhen.
It was a complete ambush; his face turned red, and he didn’t have time to hide it, rapidly changing under Wen Chanjuan’s gaze.
After He Tiao and Wen Chanjuan left the scene, he turned off the microphone and looked at the message sent by Zhang Miya.
Then, he glanced at Wen Chanjuan again.
“Hello, have you seen the jade I gave to Manager Zhang?”
His entire demeanor changed. The soft, shy gaze he had with Chi Yizhen just a moment ago vanished, as if a sudden frost had covered him. Wen Chanjuan felt a distinct difference in how he treated her.
Wen Chanjuan nodded.
Actually, there was no need for confirmation. The jade was genuine, micro-carved with a unique number, completely different from the imitation piece on Sheng Xin. When Wen Chanjuan hastily returned with Sheng Xin, she didn’t pay attention to inspecting the jade on the child.
She put it in a box as soon as she got back, only opening it later when she realized something was wrong.
Even without a maternity test, He Tiao was undoubtedly her biological son.
He Tiao said, “Let’s do a maternity test.”
He Tiao appeared calm on the surface, but there was an indescribable sense of disgust in his heart. Zhang Miya did deliver on her promise, but the result surprised He Tiao.
In fact, he had hoped the Maternity test would be wrong. If it confirmed that he was Wen Chanjuan’s son, it meant something.
Sheng Xin was the biological son of Zhang Cuijia.
But Sheng Xin was the one who harmed Chi Yizhen and kept a close eye on him.
Wen Chanjuan asked, “Do you like him?”
He nodded quickly, then looked up at He Tiao. He Tiao was a bit taller than Sheng Xin, and his features were exceptionally attractive.
Even though he still wore an apron around his waist, his extraordinary demeanor was evident.
Selling barbecue as a local seemed a bit unbelievable.
The question caught He Tiao off guard, and he paused for a moment.
He and Wen Chanjuan stood off-camera, the microphones were turned off, and the director received a message from Zhang Miya, cutting off all communication.
The audience in the live broadcast could only see Chi Yizhen’s footage, and many were wondering where He Tiao had gone.
Chi Yizhen took over He Tiao’s place at the barbecue, handling it with skill. He looked good doing it, and since he wasn’t wearing a stern expression, when people passed by and glanced at him, he greeted them with a smile.
It made the passersby feel embarrassed, and some even hesitated to ask about the prices.
He seemed to radiate a vigorous vitality, completely contradictory to the melancholy entwined in his brows, creating a charming contradiction.
He Tiao nodded, “I really like him. I want to…”
“Get married to him.”