Chapter 305 - 175: President Duan, I’m Naturally Not One to Smile

Chapter 305: Chapter 175: President Duan, I’m Naturally Not One to Smile

"It’s so pretty, and so warm." Zhou Momo twirled around, running a hand over the leather jacket she was wearing, her smile radiant. "Thank you, Yuyan."

Zhou Yan first greeted Mrs. Qiu, then looked at Duan Yu Yan. "You shouldn’t have spent so much money, bringing her clothes all the way from Xiangjiang."

"Exactly, buying such nice clothes for a little one," Mrs. Zhao added, looking a bit embarrassed. She had seen the prices for leather jackets at the department store before; a single one cost over a hundred yuan.

Zhou Momo’s jacket might be small, but it was a high-end item from Xiangjiang. It was probably even more expensive!

"What’s there to make a fuss about? She’s my little sister. What’s the big deal about me buying her a piece of clothing?" Duan Yu Yan said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, her gaze on Zhou Momo full of adoration.

Zhou Yan had mixed feelings. ’Looks like Zhou Momo is the first one in the family to start living off a woman!’

He had only mentioned it casually the other day, not expecting Duan Yu Yan to actually take it to heart.

’It’s great, though. Putting aside everything else, when she goes back to the village for the New Year in this little leather jacket, Zhou Momo will be the most stylish girl around.’

"By the way, there’s something I need to talk to you about," Duan Yu Yan said, walking toward a corner. Zhou Yan quickly followed.

"My grandmother has agreed to sell you the Qiu Family’s Old Mansion. She’s already started clearing things out these past few days, moving her belongings over to the Duan Family’s Old Mansion. She figures she’ll be done by the end of the month," Duan Yu Yan said.

"Really?!" Zhou Yan’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly.

"My grandmother said she definitely wouldn’t sell it to anyone else, but since you’re the one who wants it, she’s willing," Duan Yu Yan said with a smile. "She thinks you’re a good person."

Zhou Yan smiled at that and nodded. "I should be able to scrape together the money by the beginning of next month."

"You’re pretty amazing, then, aren’t you?" Duan Yu Yan looked at Zhou Yan with some surprise. The last time they spoke, Zhou Yan had said he only had two thousand yuan on hand. If he could save up ten thousand by the beginning of next month, it was clear his restaurant business was doing very well indeed.

"It’s money I’ve worked myself to the bone for," Zhou Yan chuckled, the upturned corners of his mouth hinting at the pride of a young and successful man.

"We handled this matter beautifully. My dad gave me a penthouse in Central, and I’m going back to be the general manager of the branch office," Duan Yu Yan said nonchalantly.

The smile on Zhou Yan’s face froze, and the upturned corners of his mouth now carried a trace of bitterness.

He suddenly felt a little dizzy, as if he had heatstroke.

’That’s not right. People from humble beginnings like me don’t get heatstroke!’

"Huh? Why’d you stop smiling?"

"President Duan, I’m just not one to smile much," Zhou Yan said calmly.

"Is that so?" Duan Yu Yan looked at him, puzzled.

"President Duan, do you happen to have any money you don’t need? I can help you spend it," Zhou Yan asked earnestly.

"Get lost!" Duan Yu Yan pursed her lips. "I’m half Sichuanese myself! And we agreed—Sichuan people don’t cheat Sichuan people."

"Fair enough. I guess you could say we’ve helped each other succeed," Zhou Yan said with a laugh.

’Duan Yu Yan really is reliable. At least she sorted out the house situation for him smoothly. Now all he had to do was save up enough money.’

’And she’s so good to Zhou Momo. She could have just bought her a simple toy to make the little one happy, but she went out of her way to have someone bring a small outfit all the way from Xiangjiang, and the size was even a perfect fit.’

"Let’s order. I haven’t eaten breakfast, and I’m starving." Duan Yu Yan smiled as she looked at the menu, her eyes lighting up. "Mapo Tofu! Is that a new dish? I had Chen Mapo Tofu last time I was in Rongcheng. It really went well with rice, but there were too many people, so I was too embarrassed to eat much. I’ll try ordering a plate today."

Over on the other side, Mrs. Qiu had called Zhou Momo over and was helping her adjust her new clothes, speaking to her in a gentle voice.

Zhou Yan glanced outside and his eyes met with Yan Fei’s, who was squatting by the door smoking. Smoke curled upwards, and his gaze held a murderous glint.

Zhou Yan smiled and nodded at him. ’What’s with this driver? I always feel this strange hostility from him.’

Yan Fei stared at Zhou Yan. ’This guy just won’t give up. Miss Duan comes for a meal, and he pulls her aside for a private conversation.’

’I don’t know what he said, but Miss Duan seems quite happy. She’s usually so cool and distant, but today she’s been smiling nonstop since she got out of the car.’

’And yet, I can’t do a single thing about this buzz-cut bastard.’

’His game is too strong. It almost looks like Miss Duan is the one making the moves.’

’Dammit! This makes me look so useless!’

’I’m completely failing to live up to the boss’s trust!’

Huang Ying and Huang Bing hesitated at the doorway for a moment before coming in. They sat down at the table next to Duan Yu Yan’s party, just in time to hear her ordering.

’Don’t order the braised meat!’

’Whatever you do, don’t order the braised beef!’

The two of them remained expressionless, but they both perked up their ears to listen intently, praying silently in their hearts.

"One Mapo Tofu, one plate of braised pork ribs, and one Twice-Cooked Pork." Duan Yu Yan paused, then turned her head to look at Mrs. Qiu. "Grandma, should we add an order of braised beef?"

"Sure," Mrs. Qiu agreed with a slight nod.

The hearts of Huang Bing and Huang Ying, which had been hanging in suspense, finally sank.

’Sure!’

’Her favorite!’

’We’re doomed!’

"Will they be able to tell the braised meat is the same?" Huang Bing leaned closer to Huang Ying’s ear and whispered.

Huang Ying sighed softly and whispered back, "Definitely. Dad said Mrs. Qiu has been eating at our restaurant for decades, and the one thing she always orders is the braised beef."

Zhou Yan watched the siblings, his expression a little odd. ’Aren’t they going to try to be a bit more discreet? Even if Mrs. Qiu and Duan Yu Yan have probably already figured out the braised beef is the same, isn’t this at least a little awkward?’

Zhou Momo noticed the pair and happily greeted Huang Ying, "Ying!"

"Hey, sweetie Momo," Huang Ying replied with a smile, then proactively stood up to greet Mrs. Qiu. "Mrs. Qiu, long time no see."

Mrs. Qiu sized up Huang Ying, a little surprised. "You’re Huang Xiaoji’s daughter, Huang...?"

"Huang Ying," she finished for her with a smile.