Contradiction

At this moment, Ye Shuang was also sitting in the living room entertaining the guests. Though 'entertaining' is the word, it was really just a simple matter of cutting up a fruit platter and putting out some snacks and such.

"A-Ye, I'm a bit tired," Chen Qin whispered in Ye Shuang's ear. After all, she had just rushed back from abroad, and all this commotion was actually quite exhausting for her.

Also, she didn't want to see Zhou Min.

"Go rest in the room for a while." Ye Shuang felt his cheek itch slightly from Chen Qin's fragrant hair brushing against it.

"Mhm."

Chen Qin gave a slight yawn and went straight upstairs.

As a result, Yi Wan, who had been lying nearby, immediately perked up its tail high and trotted after her, following right on her heels.

My dear mother.

Ye Shuang also sat down next to Aunt Li and casually chatted about recent happenings. Perhaps because Zhou Min was present, the conversation didn't delve too deeply, and there was even an awkward feeling—a feeling that wasn't there when Chen Hai's wife was around.

"Ah-Hai, I want some fruit," Zhou Min said at this moment, her voice carrying a hint of a coquettish tone.

"Okay, have some fruit." Chen Hai speared a piece of fruit with a toothpick and fed it to Zhou Min.

Perhaps sensing his good buddy's disapproving look, Chen Hai cleared his throat and said, "Ah-Min is heavily pregnant now and not very mobile, so she needs someone to take care of her."

"Wouldn't it be better if your Ah-Min just stayed home and didn't run around?" Aunt Li's tone was unusually blunt and sarcastic, even carrying a hint of displeasure at Chen Hai's current attitude.

"I, I'm not..."

Zhou Min seemed to pick up on the meaning behind Aunt Li's words as well. She suddenly put down the toothpick in her hand, looked at Chen Hai, and said with a grievance in her voice, "Ah-Hai, maybe I shouldn't have come here... I'm sorry, I was just a bit curious. I shouldn't have come if I'd known."

"It's fine, my buddy doesn't mean it like that. Dammit, Aunt Li, can't you watch your words?" Chen Hai said to Aunt Li now.

"Detestable." Aunt Li rolled her eyes at Chen Hai. "Stinky man."

Seeing the atmosphere turning sour, Ye Shuang immediately stepped in to smooth things over. "Ahem, alright, alright. Today's my housewarming, let's talk about something happy."

Perhaps because Ye Shuang spoke up to mediate, the tension on the sofa eased a little. When it came down to it, this matter was still Chen Hai's problem—and he really shouldn't be treating Zhou Min with this kind of attitude, especially considering his own wife was still living outside.

The most normal one was still Aunt Xian. Because Bai Yuyou was washing dishes, she stood at the kitchen doorway recording a video on her phone while chattering away,

"Sisters, sisters, look at my good girl, my good girl! Such a gentle girl, so sensible washing dishes."

...

"Ah-Hai, I suddenly feel a bit unwell. Should we head back?" Zhou Min said suddenly.

"Oh, okay then, let's head back." Chen Hai also felt uncomfortable staying, so he helped Zhou Min to her feet.

"I'm leaving."

"Alright, take care." Ye Shuang also said goodbye, then watched as Chen Hai closed the front door.

Ye Shuang: "..."

He then glanced at Aunt Li. "Aunt Li, you shouldn't have said those things either."

"Hmph." Aunt Li let out a huff like a little girl. "That damn fatty Chen Hai is probably just bewitched by that Zhou Min."

"It shouldn't be that serious." Ye Shuang smiled. "It's probably just because she's pregnant."

"Hah, his wife has a fiery temper, and they've been arguing about this lately. Chen Hai must be unhappy having to coax her all the time. Now look at that Zhou Min, she coos at him a couple of times. With the comparison, isn't he bewitched in an instant?" Aunt Li shot an exasperated glance at Ye Shuang, as if saying 'how can you not understand this?'

"One needs to be coaxed, the other does the coaxing. Who do you think Chen Hai will choose?"

"After all, the foundation of their relationship is there," Ye Shuang said.

"Hmph, hard to say. Chen Hai definitely feels like he's been living a hard life all this time." Aunt Li shook her head. "Women who can whisper sweet nothings in your ear are the most dangerous."

"Alright, don't be angry anymore." After comforting her for a few sentences, Ye Shuang first looked towards the kitchen, then started asking about the matter concerning Taozi.

"This thing about Taozi, are you serious?"

"Mhm." Aunt Li looked at her manicured nails, answering absentmindedly, seemingly still thinking about Chen Hai's situation.

"My original plan was to arrange for Taozi to join our company after she graduates from university," Ye Shuang said, explaining his initial intention.

Moreover, the company is a listed enterprise with great potential for growth. Plus, he could lend a hand. As long as she had talent, she could climb the ladder quickly.

"That child's talents are better suited for inheriting my company after she graduates," Aunt Li said.

"You're not retired yet, are you?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Me? I just want to stay in my styling salon. Managing so many businesses is too much trouble," Aunt Li also said. "Anyway, I won't have any children of my own later. Having an heir is a good thing."

Ye Shuang pondered. "I don't think Taozi is suitable. She's still just a child, after all."

"Annoying~~~" Aunt Li chided playfully. "It's not like I'm forcing her. It was her own choice in the end."

Right at that moment, Taozi seemed to have finished in the kitchen and came out to wipe the table.

"Sweetheart, come here for a second." Seeing this, Aunt Li beckoned.

Hearing this, and noticing that Ye Shuang was sitting with Aunt Li, Taozi hesitated for a moment, but still walked over.

"Come, sit with us."

"Okay."

In the end, Taozi sat between Ye Shuang and Aunt Li. She placed her hands obediently on her knees, like a frightened little quail.

"What are you afraid of? We're not going to eat you." Aunt Li pinched Taozi's cheek.

"It's not that." Taozi became shy.

Seeing Taozi's bashful appearance, Ye Shuang became even more firm in his thoughts and spoke up,

"Taozi, Aunt Li and I discussed it a bit. That is to say... it might be better if you still come to my company after you graduate."

Hearing this, Taozi paused. The shy expression on her face disappeared, replaced by a mature and serious look. "Do you know about Mother's situation?"

"Aunt Li and I grew up together. I know her inside and out," Ye Shuang said.

"Him? He even knows the color of my underwear," Aunt Li covered her mouth and laughed at this moment.

Ye Shuang: "..."

Well, maybe not that inside and out.

"Thank you for your kindness. I am truly very grateful to you." Taozi thought for a moment, then said with a slight smile. "Mother brought all my younger sisters out. Now everyone has enough to eat and wear. Mother has given me a new lease on life, and I wish to repay her."

"And, I don't find those matters particularly daunting. Although there's a lot I don't understand, it's actually not as difficult as one might imagine. I also have the confidence to do it well."

"This is my choice. I don't regret it."

For a drop of water in need, a fountain of repayment.

Perhaps this is the most direct reflection of Taozi's nature of remembering and repaying kindness.

One could even say that the kindness she received growing up was far too little, so she strives with all her might to repay every ounce of goodwill shown to her.