Thank you, dear sisters. Your brother here pays his respects.

Returning home.

All four sisters were present.

Ren's mother and Old Cao had already gone to rest, as they still had to take care of the baby.

"Oh, the young master is back."

"Hard at work, as always."

The youngest sister, Ren Yuege, acting as if she’d taken some mischievous medicine, swayed forward with exaggerated charm, fetching slippers for Young Master Cao and helping him change his shoes.

She even took off his coat and hung it aside.

Her overly attentive demeanor made Cao Cheng a little embarrassed.

With genuine sincerity, he raised his hand and patted her shoulder: "Secretary Ren, keep up the good work. Stick with me, and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Fine food, fancy houses, Western meals, and even making a fool of yourself abroad—I’ll make sure you get it all."

"Thank you, boss~~~"

Ren Yuege cooed, fully embracing her role. "Boss, are you thirsty? Would you like something to drink?"

"Hmm, how about a bottle of 1982 Feichang Cola?"

"..." Ren Yuege rolled her eyes but kept up the act. "No 1982 cola here, but how about some 1982 toilet water? Freshly brewed!"

"Is it fresh?"

"Super fresh."

"Then pour me a glass."

"Coming right up!"

The other sisters watched their antics with amused smiles.

Walking to the sofa, Cao Cheng asked, puzzled, "It’s almost midnight. Shouldn’t you lovely ladies be resting? Don’t you have work tomorrow? I get Ren Yuege—she’s always late anyway, and her entertainment company doesn’t care. But... ow ow ow!"

"Who’s always late? You’re the laziest one in this house!" Ren Yuege pinched his waist in retaliation.

The eldest sister spoke up, "We were waiting for you. We know you’ve been working hard. The others made soup—it’s still warm."

"Aiyaaa~~"

Cao Cheng dramatically dodged Ren Yuege’s pinching hand and clasped his hands together in an exaggerated bow.

"My dearest sisters, your care and devotion leave me at a loss for how to repay you.

Tonight, while I toiled for my career, you waited for me deep into the night. Moved by your affection, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

If there is a next life, I shall gladly return as your younger brother, bringing joy to your hearts and repaying tonight’s kindness.

Once again, I thank you all. Your humble brother bows before you!"

"..."

"..."

The cringe was unbearable.

His sisters didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

What kind of person pulls this act in the middle of the night?

Yet, they felt no trace of the imposing aura Cao Cheng had displayed during his livestream earlier. It was as if the man on screen and the one before them were two entirely different people.

It dawned on them—at home, Young Master Cao was still that playful, mischievous kid who loved nonsense and chaos.

But outside, those same shoulders carried immense responsibility.

Come to think of it, it made sense.

If Cao Cheng acted this carefree in public, he’d never have climbed the ranks to become one of the wealthiest in just a few years.

Ren Yuege burst out laughing, pointing at him. "You’re insane, hahaha..."

"!!"

Cao Cheng shot her a sidelong glare.

(▼ヘ▼#).

Here I am, showing off my literary flair—wait, no—my poetic charm, and you call me insane? You’re the one who’s crazy.

"Whatever, I’m not wasting time on you. Time for soup."

As he headed to the kitchen, he muttered, "Drinking soup this late? Isn’t that bad for uric acid levels? Gout risk, anyone?"

"Red date and snow fungus soup—good for replenishing qi and blood."

"Ah, now that’s a proper soup."

Cao Cheng turned his head and called out, "Anyone else want some?"

"I’ll join you." The third sister stood up.

In the kitchen, she quietly gave him a thumbs-up. "You were amazing today."

"..."

Third Sister, phrasing! That could be taken the wrong way.

Cao Cheng smirked. "Handsome, right?"

"Very!" The third sister was always his biggest cheerleader. Even if he weren’t handsome, she’d say he was—let alone when he actually was.

"Hmph. See? Ren Yuege has no taste. She’s the one who’s crazy."

The third sister chuckled, shaking her head as she took the ladle from him. "Let me serve the soup. Want sugar?"

"Nah, I like it plain."

"Mmm~~~"

...

Cao Cheng was back, but the second sister hadn’t spoken a word to him.

It was an unspoken agreement—keep things under wraps in public.

But Cao Cheng thought this was too forced. Wouldn’t acting natural be better?

As the second sister headed upstairs, he called out, "Second Sister, want some soup?"

"..."

She turned, her gaze lingering. "No."

With that, her steps quickened slightly as she disappeared around the corner.

Cao Cheng sighed.

This kind of forced avoidance would give them away sooner or later.

Couldn’t she just act normal?

He made a mental note to talk to her alone later.

Second Sister’s acting skills weren’t even as good as Ren Yuege’s.

Sure, he and Ren Yuege had no "deep exchanges," but they had their little tacit understanding—an understanding that needed no words.

Had she ever slipped up?

Not once.

Ren Yuege’s scheming nature meant she knew how to keep secrets.

The eldest sister approached the table and casually asked, "Did you upset Second Sister?"

"Not that I know of." Cao Cheng’s face was the picture of innocence—30% pure, 30% confused, 30% bewildered, and 91% handsome.

"Really?" The eldest sister eyed him skeptically.

"Yeah. I can’t think of anything. Maybe it’s work-related?" Cao Cheng handed her a bowl. "Eldest Sister, have some soup."

She waved it off. "I should rest. Early day tomorrow."

"Just a little?" Cao Cheng admired her graceful retreating figure.

"You two enjoy." She didn’t look back.

Cao Cheng could tell—she knew.

The phrasing was convoluted, but the truth was clear: the eldest sister had noticed something.

Ever since her recovery, she’d grown sharper.

Maybe giving her that enlightenment pill was a mistake.

Before, her soul had been damaged, limiting her true potential.

Now, fully healed, her mind was sharper than ever.

Every neural pathway was firing on all cylinders.

Looking back, Cao Cheng realized that whenever he and Ren Fanxing were alone, the eldest sister always seemed to appear—grabbing something, passing by.

Too many coincidences weren’t coincidences at all.

This was bad.

If she found out, this household would be in chaos.

...

After soup, everyone retired to their rooms.

Cao Cheng checked on the little "gas tank" (the baby), now over six months old and no longer waking every half hour. These days, it was twice a night at most.

Then he slipped into the second sister’s room.

Unlocked.

They had an understanding.

In the dark...

Ah.

I’m a sinner.

A pang of guilt hit him. He knew it was wrong.

But it felt so good.

What could he do?

A century of life experience had taught him to be a little selfish. If it felt good, why not?

Those hundred years hadn’t brought enlightenment, but he’d learned one thing:

Life might or might not be bitter—that depended on the person.

But it was undeniably short.

A blink, and it’s over.

So,

In this fleeting existence,

Making others happy? That’s compassion.

Making yourself happy? That’s wisdom.

"What? I have work tomorrow."

Her tone was dismissive.

She kept her back to him.

Yet she instinctively nestled closer into his embrace.

Cao Cheng smiled—this woman was so contradictory.

He didn’t move either, savoring the quiet intimacy.

After a while,

Cao Cheng finally spoke: "Your eldest sister seems to know there’s something between us."

"..."

Ren Fanxing stiffened abruptly and turned to face him.

The room was too dim to see clearly,

but the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains outlined the contours of his face.

Face to face,

Ren Fanxing gasped, "She asked you?"

"Not directly, but she was probing."

"What did you say?"

"Obviously, I didn’t tell the truth. Otherwise, would you still be resting here so peacefully?"

"..."

At home, Ren Fanxing feared nothing—except the words of Ren's mother and her eldest sister.

A moment later,

Ren Fanxing grumbled, "Ugh, stop pawing at me and think of something!"

Cao Cheng withdrew his hand helplessly. "It’s not a big deal. We just deny it. Unless they catch us red-handed—"

"Ugh!"

He shifted tone. "Just act like nothing happened."

"Stop with the theatrics and focus! What do we do?"

"Look at you, panicking already. Where’s that calm, collected team leader demeanor? ‘Stay composed in crisis’—ever heard of it?"

"..."

Ren Fanxing scowled and pinched his pressure point.

Cao Cheng yelped, "Actually, this is all your fault."

"My fault?"

"You’re too obvious, like a bad actress. And you know how sharp your sister is—since her recovery, her eyes miss nothing. Running the family business has sharpened her instincts. With your clumsy performance, of course she’d notice."

"But—"

"Relax!" Cao Cheng soothed. "At most, she suspects you have a crush on me. No way she knows we’re already like this. So keep up the half-hearted act. If you change now, it’ll backfire. When she confronts you, just explain it away."

Hearing this,

Ren Fanxing exhaled quietly.

"How do I explain?"

"Two options: admit you have feelings for me, or flat-out deny it and make up an excuse."

"..."

After a pause,

Ren Fanxing punched his arm. "Who has feelings for you? Don’t flatter yourself."

"Right, right, no feelings at all. Now sleep—we’ve got work tomorrow."

"Go back to your own room."

"Too tired. Don’t worry, I’ll just sleep. No funny business."

"..."

Ren Fanxing didn’t believe that for a second.

How many times had he said that?

And how many times had it ended with them tangled up till dawn?

Sure enough,

Cao Cheng soon stirred again.

Ren Fanxing sighed inwardly. What a mess.