I advise you not to meddle in others' affairs

Double the Jealousy?

Well, well…

Looks like I’ve become quite the hot commodity. How beloved I am.

"Ahem!"

Cao Cheng cleared his throat and stood up, straightening his collar with exaggerated flair.

The Fourth, blocked by the sofa back, hadn’t noticed the newcomer behind her.

Seeing Cao Cheng rise, she was still fuming. She lifted her foot and kicked at him, grumbling, "You bully! You bully! I’ll kick you to death… stomp you to death~~~"

Cao Cheng gave an awkward laugh and nudged her calf. "Cut it out. Someone’s here. Hey, someone’s here… get up already~~~"

"……"

Only then did The Fourth snap out of it.

She sat up, took one look, and her face flushed red in an instant.

Then it turned pale.

Then yellow.

Then… black!

Her emotions were all over the place, especially under Second Sister’s icy glare. The Fourth shrank back.

Already the most intimidated by Second Sister, she had none of her earlier bravado left.

Second Sister barked, "Stand up."

The Fourth obediently straightened up, standing next to Cao Cheng.

Second Sister pointed at her. "Look at yourself. Prancing around in a skirt—have you no shame?"

Cao Cheng shot her a sidelong glance: I’d advise you not to meddle.

"……"

The Fourth hung her head, not daring to argue.

Her T-shirt dress was long enough to avoid any exposure, but it was a skirt—still a bit improper.

Second Sister’s voice was stern. "A grown woman should act like one. Are you three years old?"

"……" The Fourth kept her head down.

Second Sister snapped, "Speak."

"……"

To her credit, The Fourth held her ground—she just refused to speak.

Tang Xin chimed in, "Come on, it’s just siblings roughhousing. Isn’t that normal?"

With someone stepping in, there was now a way to ease the tension.

Second Sister took a deep breath, her tone softening slightly but still cold.

Second Sister asked, "When did you get back?"

The Fourth mumbled, "Just now."

"When are you leaving?"

"Three days from now."

Second Sister nodded. "Pour us two drinks."

"Oh!" The Fourth obediently headed to the bar to fix whiskey for Second Sister and Tang Xin.

Once The Fourth was gone, the two women turned their attention to Cao Cheng.

Seemed like they were gearing up to gang up on him.

But who was Cao Cheng?

Could he really be controlled by women?

What a joke…

Cao Cheng squared his shoulders. "What’s with the looks? Do you know who my mom is? If you dare scold me, I’ll call her right now and see who gets an earful."

"……"

"……"

That one line left both women speechless.

Well, damn.

No real comeback to that.

This spoiled rich kid, riding on his mother’s coattails.

Second Sister jabbed a finger at him, shaking it midair. "Fine, fine. You’re something else."

"Tch—" Cao Cheng smirked triumphantly and pointed at the TV. "Come on, let’s watch something."

"Not interested." Second Sister huffed and turned to change her shoes.

Tang Xin could only shake her head in amusement.

She noticed that whether he was rolling in money or not, Cao Cheng’s personality hadn’t changed much.

Even with a fortune and a big reputation in the industry, at home, he still acted like a pampered, bratty heir.

Of course, it was clear most of it was just playful banter, not serious.

……

Second Sister, true to form, didn’t keep her word. She’d said she wouldn’t watch TV, but after changing shoes, she came right back.

Dressed in her crisp culottes…

She settled onto the sofa, crossing her legs with an air of elegance.

And Second Sister loved dredging up the past.

Once seated, she accepted the whiskey from The Fourth and shot Cao Cheng a sidelong glance. "What were you two doing earlier? The Fourth, where are you going? Get back here!"

The Fourth, who’d been about to slip away, had no choice but to stop.

Tang Xin took a sip of her drink, staying silent, watching the three siblings "squabble" with an amused smile.

It was pretty entertaining.

Tang Xin came from a big family herself, with plenty of siblings.

But at best, only one or two got along well—most were rivals.

If the competition stayed healthy, relationships were tolerable.

But if it turned nasty? Big trouble.

Plenty of sprawling families were like that—too many people, too much drama.

Nothing like the Ren family, where the bickering was just surface-level and the affection underneath was obvious.

Second Sister pointed at Cao Cheng. "You. What were you two doing earlier?"

Cao Cheng chuckled. "Why so curious?"

"Is this curiosity? This is about making sure you two don’t—" Second Sister cut herself off, but the implication was clear.

Don’t do anything reckless.

The Fourth was a little guilty, still avoiding eye contact.

But Cao Cheng genuinely didn’t get it. "Don’t what?"

"……" Second Sister narrowed her eyes. Playing dumb, are we?

Cao Cheng grinned and let it go. "Nothing much. She cursed at me, so I smacked her."

Second Sister frowned. "What did she call you?"

"She called me a dog."

The Fourth burst into giggles, as if remembering something hilarious. The laughter took over, her shoulders shaking harder and harder.

Cao Cheng scowled. "You’re still laughing? Now that we’ve got an audience, explain—how am I a dog? If you don’t clarify, I’ll smack you again."

"Pfft—" The Fourth turned away, shoulders quivering as she tried to hold it in.

Second Sister relaxed a little.

Laughter was contagious, and though her expression stayed stern, her eyes warmed slightly.

The little drama soon wrapped up.

Tang Xin finally brought up business.

"Any interest in attending a few gatherings? All industry insiders." By "industry," she meant finance.

But Cao Cheng shook his head. "Not my calling."

"??"

Tang Xin was stunned.

Seriously, dude? You won’t be an analyst—fine, I’ll accept that’s not your thing.

But networking isn’t either?

It’s just drinks and chatter.

Do you not know any other idioms?

Cao Cheng, however, said, "After this market cycle, I’m leaving the secondary market. No point getting chummy with your crowd."

That shocked Tang Xin.

She never expected Cao Cheng to make that call.

Why?

Cao Cheng turned solemn. "I’ve always preferred real industry. I firmly believe that industry builds a nation, hard work drives progress, and manufacturing fuels national prosperity."

"My goal has always been to strive tirelessly for China’s rise, to fight relentlessly for our country’s development and flourishing."

"Without regret, even unto death!"

"I admit, finance can make money."

"But I’m not in it just for profit. My philosophy is different from theirs…"

"This money has a purpose—to fund real industry, to be the first capital poured into our nation’s construction and ascent."

"I will channel my wealth into every corner of our homeland."

"I will ensure that China stands tall and glorious once more!"

"At the pinnacle of all nations!"

In that moment, Cao Cheng felt like he could run for office.

In that moment, Cao Cheng shone.

The three women were floored.

What a speech…

Damn.

We might’ve actually believed you… if you didn’t spend all day lounging at home.

Ugh.

Second Sister couldn’t even be bothered to call him out—not with Tang Xin, an "outsider," present. No need to embarrass the fifth sibling.

The Fourth also suppressed a laugh, tilting his head to gaze at the ceiling. Huh... that chandelier was quite beautiful—he’d never noticed it before.

Tang Xin didn’t seem entirely convinced.

But for now, she decided to take it at face value.

Cao Cheng was speechless.

"What’s with the three of you?

Didn’t I explain it perfectly?

I’ll admit, my execution might be a bit lacking.

But I’ve got the gift of gab..."

Tang Xin abruptly shifted the topic. "Does your business venture need investment?"

"No, I handle my own investments. But you could invest in my management firm," Cao Cheng replied with a smile.

Money was meant to be shared, after all.

She was so stunning... and more importantly, she was Second Sister’s close friend!

A little favor wouldn’t hurt.

Besides, Tang Xin controlled substantial funds and had considerable influence—she could be a lifesaver when needed.

In finance, the more connections, the better. They could pull you back from the brink when it mattered.

Cao Cheng understood this perfectly.

But there was nothing he could do. This damn system just wouldn’t cut him any slack.