Do You Think I'm Stupid

"Second Sister's back. Wanna watch TV? This drama's pretty good—no surprise it was last year's ratings king... especially Old Chen's performance."

Cao Cheng pointed at the screen. "You have no idea how big he’s gonna get. Dude can even sing..."

It was the weekend, and the markets were closed, so Cao Cheng finally had time to catch up on shows.

Second Sister’s face was icy.

Cao Cheng paused. "Not your thing? How about Soldiers Sortie? Just came out... probably this year’s hit. Trust me, I’ve got a good eye for this stuff. Wanna bet?"

"......"

Second Sister took a deep breath and walked away without a word.

Cao Cheng chuckled. This woman, seriously...

"Didn’t catch the suspect, did you? Vanished into thin air, right?" Cao Cheng suddenly spoke up.

Screech—

Second Sister halted abruptly, the soles of her shoes scraping sharply against the polished floor.

She turned to glare at him.

Cao Cheng just smiled, refocused on the TV, and ignored her.

Second Sister stared at the back of his head, emotions tangled, when something clicked.

Back on New Year’s Eve, he’d brought her food.

Back then, he’d also mentioned a bet—about this very case.

Meaning, while she was eating, this guy must’ve seen the case files.

Cao Cheng hadn’t wandered around, but the office was cluttered with documents, case files piled everywhere.

Maybe...

He’d noticed something?

Sometimes it’s like that—those closest to a case get lost in the weeds, while an outsider’s offhand remark can flip the switch.

Ever seen Young Justice Bao? Same formula.

Conan too.

Sherlock Holmes?

Yep.

All those damn shows.

......

"What do you know?" Second Sister stepped forward, breaking her silence.

Her tone was still frosty.

Unpleasant.

Ignored.

Cao Cheng sipped his coffee, lounging as the drama played.

The killer wouldn’t strike again.

So he wasn’t in a hurry.

She was.

"Every citizen has a duty to cooperate with police investigations," Second Sister said stiffly.

Cao Cheng smirked, side-eyeing her. "Oh, we’re playing the official card now? Sorry, I know nothing, Officer. Wait—should I call you Ma’am?"

Cao Cheng had always been the type to yield to softness, not force.

His stomach had never handled tough things well.

Two lifetimes of that.

So no hard stuff.

And besides,

He treated others as they treated him. Kindness? Remembered.

Disdain? Reciprocated.

No ass-kissing here.

Even if Second Sister stood at 1.75 meters, with legs longer than most people’s lifespans—legs that were, objectively, Cao Cheng’s ideal: straight and honey-toned.

But,

That wasn’t reason enough to grovel.

Second Sister fumed silently.

Cao Cheng gestured around. "This is home, not an interrogation room. If you think I’m involved, arrest me. If not, let me watch my show in peace."

He grinned. "On New Year’s Eve, I gave you a chance. Was gonna share some insights, but you walked off—so cool. But hey, my memory’s decent. Still remember that."

"Had your chance. You blew it."

"Now you wanna ask me outright? What does that make me?"

"Don’t act like I owe you anything."

"If you want something, ask nicely. Can you soften up? Smile? Show some damn courtesy?"

"Spring’s here. Winter’s over. Who’s your cold act for?"

"Me?"

"Think I’ll indulge you?"

His voice was calm, his tone almost playful, but each word was a needle.

After observing her for so long, Cao Cheng had her figured out.

Politely put: she was strong-willed.

Needed taming.

Bluntly? She was just... difficult.

Couldn’t give her an inch.

Otherwise, she’d take a mile.

......

Fists clenched.

The housekeeper, watching the tension between Second Sister and the young master, panicked.

She hurried upstairs to the music room, seeking The Fourth.

But could The Fourth mediate?

She was scared of Second Sister too.

Hearing the commotion, she tiptoed out, lurking at the stairwell’s corner, peeking down, ready to bolt if things escalated.

The Fourth even pulled out her phone, debating whether to text Mom or Eldest Sister.

But then...

Involving Mom would escalate things.

Better to wait. If they really started fighting, she’d call Eldest Sister first, then Mom.

......

No fight broke out, though.

Second Sister wasn’t the screeching type.

And Cao Cheng didn’t argue with women.

Besides,

His words were sharp, but his delivery was smooth. In the end, Second Sister just stormed off—

To the basement gym, where she pummeled a sandbag.

Once she was gone,

The Fourth slid over to Cao Cheng.

"What’d you fight about? So glad you’re alive, thank God," she said, exaggerating relief.

Cao Cheng laughed. "Buzz off. Why thank God? Does he even have jurisdiction here? Thank the Jade Emperor."

The Fourth waved it off. "Whatever. Tell me, what happened? Spill!"

Cao Cheng frowned. "Why do you sound so thrilled? You’re just here for the drama, hoping we’d throw hands, huh?"

The Fourth didn’t deny it. Nodded. "Yep. She’s had it coming. I’ve put up with her for over 20 years. Know how many times she’s hit me? Too many to count... sob."

"......"

That fake crying couldn’t be more obvious.

But it was clear—The Fourth had suffered.

"Ever fight back?"

"I’m the youngest. How?"

"By that logic, I’m the youngest now. Still stood my ground."

"Hence why I said you’re lucky to be alive. I thought she’d hit you—she doesn’t hold back." The Fourth patted her modest chest.

Cao Cheng squinted. "So you saw everything but didn’t help? Just waiting to laugh at me if I got beaten up?"

The Fourth flustered, forcing a guilty grin. "No way! I’d never let you get hurt. You’re my favorite little brother. Sister’s got your back."

"Sure, sure." Cao Cheng shoved her lightly.

The Fourth flopped onto the couch, giggling as she sat back up. Leaning in, eyes sparkling with curiosity: "Seriously, what happened?"

"Sigh."

Cao Cheng exhaled dramatically.

The Fourth pressed, "Well?"

He shook his head, pointing at the TV. "I said Old Chen’s gonna blow up, even drop a song. That he’d dream of sleeping center-stage. Second Sister called me blind, then stormed off. That’s it."

"......"

The Fourth rolled her eyes. "You think I’m stupid?"

Like I’d believe that.

Fine, keep your secrets...

Brat.