Who wants to take the civil service exam after being reborn?

Chapter 498 A Proactive Kiss

"already solved."

As Chen sat down, he answered his mother-in-law's questions.

"They already had an advantage in terms of shares, so after a brief chat, they took the money and left."

But he spoke so casually, as if it were an easy thing to happen, that Lu Lin and Lu Man didn't even have the interest to learn more about it.

Xiang Xiaohui pursed her lips. She felt that if this happened to her, she might be able to write a biographical story about "the brave boss outwitting the greedy shareholder" and pass it around among her family and relatives.

"Hello, what would you four like to drink?"

At that moment, a coffee shop waiter dressed in a black and white tuxedo came over with a menu to take our order.

To be honest, he was dressed even more formally than Chen Zhe.

Chen Zhe doesn't know if the term "manager" still exists, but he feels that if he called them "waiter," they would probably explode.

However, he wasn't the type to cause trouble, so he just kept it to himself and obediently ordered a classic coffee.

Xiang Xiaohui wanted to eat tiramisu, but felt she might not be able to finish it, so she pulled her little cousin to share it with her.

Ma Haijun went straight back to his hotel room. He was very perceptive and knew which occasions he should be in.

This atmosphere of family reunion is not suitable for outsiders to disturb.

When the afternoon tea everyone ordered was served, they started chatting casually. Perhaps influenced by the bourgeois atmosphere, Professor Lu and his group found themselves talking about art without even realizing it.

Chen then realized that Sweet Sister could also play the piano, but she just didn't pursue it professionally.

Why didn't you tell me this?

Chen asked.

Song Shiwei was scooping cake into her mouth with a small spoon when she heard Chen Zhe's "questioning." She put down the spoon and said softly, "You didn't ask me either."

Chen smiled, then suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Is it that you don't really like playing the piano, and you only learned it because Professor Lu forced you to?"

Song Shiwei raised her head. Although the little girl didn't admit it, her eyes sparkled with mischievousness. Her cheeks were rosy in the sunlight streaming through the window, making Chen feel a little tempted to take a bite or pinch them...

"cough!"

A disgruntled reminder came from inside; Professor Lu was reminding someone.

Be mindful of your boundaries in public and don't get too close!
Chen gave an awkward smile, picked up his coffee, and prepared to listen to what they were talking about, but then...

“Xiaoman, a friend of mine said that there will be an internal exchange competition among the eight major art academies in October.”

Lu Lin was saying, "Are you free? Let's go admire some of them together. I've heard there are many talented young painters who rose to fame through this exchange competition."

Chen almost dropped the cup in his hand as the conversation shifted from music to art.
"Okay!"

Lu Man responded with a sound of agreement.

Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"……no."

Lu Man quickly shook her head again: "I've taken on two new graduate students this year, and I'll be busy with their research, so I probably won't have time to go."

"Alright then, if you're not going, I'm too lazy to go either."

Lu Lin shook her head regretfully: "Those young painters nowadays are incredibly talented. They not only showcase their own style but also resonate with the times. There's an artist who's only in his early thirties, and one of his paintings sold for over five million in Hong Kong. I should have let Xiao Hui learn to paint back then..."

As Lu Lin continued her rambling, Chen's heart gradually calmed down.

"We need to go back and figure out a solution quickly; it's urgent..."

As Chen was silently calculating, he suddenly felt a gaze calmly watching him.

Sweetie.

Actually, she was just a little confused as to why Chen picked up his coffee but didn't drink it, and instead just stood there in a daze.
Chen reacted quickly: "It's a little hot. Is your cake delicious?"

Song Shiwei pushed the small plate of cake next to Chen Zhe, indicating that he should try it himself.

Chen absentmindedly picked up the spoon, and just as he was about to fork it down, the "cough" sounded again as a reminder.

Lu Man found it strange that after going out to discuss business, her daughter and Chen Zhe seemed to have gotten along even better, sharing utensils without any hesitation.

Hey?

Could it be that they've discovered something interesting about Chen again?

but!

In Professor Lu's eyes, let alone highlights, even if Chen were a diamond, the two of you couldn't... right?

I only have one daughter!
From now on, everything will belong to you!
But the two of you combined aren't even 40 years old!

Lu Man was a university professor, and she knew that many students of this age were prone to doing outrageous things under the influence of adolescent hormones.

Therefore, we must take precautions.

Chen had originally planned to take a walk downstairs with Song Shiwei after dinner, since he was flying to the United States tomorrow and might not see her for a month.

However, Lu Man thought that stories were most likely to happen at the time of parting, so she stopped her, saying, "We have to catch a flight tomorrow, so get some rest tonight."

"Haha~"

Seeing Chen Zhe suffer a setback was a rare sight, and Xiang Xiaohui laughed gleefully.

Well, having a mother-in-law like that can be quite stressful at times.

As her niece, I was often scolded.

Chen Zhe naturally understood Professor Lu's petty intentions and silently complained, "Even if I had that thought, I shouldn't be so hasty."

Sweetie isn't Huang Cancan, so she could be seen on the street, under a tree, or in the bushes...

However, while we're resting, our rooms haven't been arranged yet.

Lu Man originally planned to sleep with her sister Lu Lin. If Liu Hongjian and his wife shared a room, and Chen Zhe and Ma Haijun shared a room (with a double bed), then her daughter would be left with a room by herself.

What if Chen sneaks over there in the middle of the night?
So, Lu Man decided to share a room with her daughter, Liu Hongjian and his wife in one room, Chen Zhe and Ma Haijun in another (with a double bed), and Professor Lu Lin in a separate room. This arrangement seemed good, but Chen Zhe said he was a light sleeper and wanted to book an extra room for himself.

"That's a bit wasteful."

Lu Man felt it wasn't quite right. Although she wasn't short of money, opening an extra room in a five-star hotel would cost more than 1000 yuan.

Ma Haijun quickly offered to stay at a nearby chain hotel that cost a little over 100 yuan.

"Why go through all that trouble?"

Chen was good at math and immediately came up with a perfect sequence: "Let Professor Lu Lin and Sister Xiao Hui sleep together, Brother Liu and Ma Haijun sleep together, and I'll sleep alone, wouldn't that be perfect?"

"Depend on……"

Liu Hongjian was completely bewildered. He was about to say that he also suffered from neurasthenia when Lu Man waved her hand and said, "Let's settle on this!"

"My aunt still feels sorry for her son-in-law."

Liu Hongjian complained to his wife, feeling wronged.

Why did you break us up?

Xiang Xiaohui questioned Chen Zhuo with dissatisfaction.

"Who told you to laugh at me just now?"

Chen retorted confidently.

……

The next morning, because everyone had to catch their flight, they rushed to the buffet restaurant for breakfast.

Ma Haijun told Chen Zhe with some guilt that last night, perhaps because he was snoring, Brother Liu had gone to the balcony alone and smoked for half the night.

"fine."

Looking at the listless Liu Hongjian, Chen Zhe said nonchalantly, "He has to take a flight for more than ten hours, so he can catch up on his sleep as much as he wants."

On the way to the airport, even though we would only be apart for a little over a month, the sadness of parting still welled up inside me.

Song Shiwei is not the kind of girl who is good at expressing herself, but some of her unintentional actions always silently convey her restrained and profound emotions.

For example, while walking in the airport, she would suddenly turn around to make sure Chen Zhe was behind her.

Seeing Chen smile and nod, she continued to follow behind her mother.

"Alright, you can go back now. Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Ma."

They soon arrived at the ticket gate, and Professor Lu expressed his gratitude to Ma Haijun.

Although he didn't say anything to Chen, he went to the side to queue up.

Despite her stubbornness, the mother-in-law still gave the couple some space.

"You're not going to cry, are you?"

Chen raised his arm and finally scratched Sweetie's smooth little face.

Song Shiwei had actually experienced separation from her parents, grandmother, older brother and sister before.

But never before have I felt such a strong urge to leave, a tightness in my chest as if I couldn't breathe, a sore and swollen nose, and when I teased myself like this, tears welled up in my eyes.

"OK OK."

Chen laughed and said, "Why don't I buy a ticket and fly to America with you guys?"

Song Shiwei's eyes were red, and she didn't look funny at all.

Chen took her hand and kneaded her fingertips. Song Shiwei felt that this person was sometimes as mischievous as a child.

"slight!"

Professor Lu was calling out to those going to check tickets.

First-class boarding is really fast; maybe rich people don't have much time for romance.

Song Shiwei's lips twitched; she was a little frustrated and angry.

Because unlike other girls, I wouldn't be able to boldly say things like, "I miss you, I can't bear to part with you, you mustn't forget me..." when we part.

I just can't bring myself to say it.

But I really can't bear to part with him.

"slight!"

Professor Lu urged them again; even the security guards were waiting.

Perhaps because it was business class, the security officer wasn't in a hurry at all, and looked at the young couple with a smile.

It would be a lie to say Chen wasn't melancholy, but his heart was probably a bit hardened, so after letting out a long sigh, he joked again: "Let's just give him a hug and leave, or even better, a kiss, which would also make your mom angry."

Song Shiwei raised her head slightly.

The airport's air conditioning was very strong, and a single, unruly strand of hair broke free of its restraint, trembling slightly against her jade-like cheek, creating a subtle contradiction with her usual unwavering coolness and quietness.

Then, with a bewildered expression on her face, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and gently kissed the stinky man on the cheek.

"Hey!"

Professor Lu was shocked.

When it came to kissing each other face to face, it was the daughter who took the initiative.

I'm going to get angry!!!

"Never mind, Auntie."

Xiang Xiaohui comforted him, "You have no idea how amazing Chen Zhe was yesterday. Since it's a long journey, let me tell you the whole story."

······
(I felt this chapter was pretty good, I'd give it an 8.4 out of 10. Since there's still 1.6 left, please give me your monthly votes and praise, thank you~)

(End of this chapter)