spring bite mark

Chapter 220 The Difficulty of Being a Stepfather
Over the next few days, after the Huo family paid a formal visit to Old Master Yan, they began to be taken around the capital by Jiang Manman.

After spending two days with Yan Changye, he began working from early morning to late at night. Jiang Manman took the group to several distinctive food streets and the most famous landmarks in the capital, and then showed them her Mu Chan Studio.

The Mu Chan Studio had been neglected for more than half a month, but fortunately, the assistant Jiang Rong was very reliable, and everything was in good order.

"Little sister, your studio is quite large for the capital." Huo Yungui looked around in surprise. "And you even have a dedicated showroom. The decor is absolutely stunning, and the dresses inside are gorgeous. Did you design them all?"

Jiang Manman paused for a moment. Beside her, Jiang Rong, who already knew the Huo family's identities, was making tea for them while respectfully speaking:
"Young Master Huo, most of the designs were done by Madam, but the clothes designed by other designers at Mu Chan are also very popular. In addition, we will be launching a men's formal wear collection next year. If you like, Young Master Huo, we can make a few sets for you then."

Huo Yungui patted Jiang Rong on the shoulder with a grin: "Sure, wearing my sister's brand will definitely feel great."

Jiang Manman had already taken out several picture books and opened them for Wang Ying to choose from: "Mom, pick a few styles you like, and I'll make you a few everyday Chinese-style cheongsams."

Wang Ying didn't stand on ceremony and sighed, "Just pick one set for now, we can talk about the rest when you're free. Look at all the things to do on your desk, you don't need to accompany us these next few days, we'll just look around on our own, and we'll call you if we need anything."

Jiang Manman hesitated: "You're unfamiliar with this place..."

“We have bodyguards with us, so we can just wander around. My grandson gets out of school at five o’clock this afternoon. These next few days, we'll take care of picking him up and dropping him off and helping him with his homework in the evenings. It’s far away, so we can spend more time together.”

Jiang Manman thought for a moment and said, "I can finish what I'm doing in two days. I'll have Jiang Rong show you around for the next couple of days, but I don't trust him to be a bodyguard."

Jiang Rong nodded: "Don't worry, Madam, I know every corner of the capital well."

After choosing their clothes and sitting for half an hour drinking tea, Jiang Rong led Huo Mingcai and the other two out of the Mu Chan Studio.

These past few days, Huo Mingcai and his two companions have been living a life of extravagance and debauchery, and they are completely out of their minds.

"Assistant Jiang, please don't arrange any of those fancy things for us these next few days." Huo Mingcai thought for a moment, "Arrange some places that don't cost much, somewhere quiet. These past few days, our daughter and son-in-law have taken us to all sorts of places of extravagance, and we're all exhausted. We need a break."

"A place that's both free and quiet?" Jiang Rong nodded. "There are so many."

He took Huo Mingcai and the other two on a day trip to a private island.

An even larger villa complex than No. 1 Mansion stands on a breathtaking island, surrounded by blooming flowers, with various buildings exuding a futuristic feel and bursting with technological sophistication.

"This island is huge! But it seems like I don't see many tourists," Huo Yungui exclaimed. "Such a beautiful place shouldn't be unable to attract visitors."

“This is Chairman Yan’s private island,” Jiang Rong quickly introduced. “There are many recreational facilities on the island, and that large villa complex is also owned by the BOSS. You can choose any villa to rest in if you are tired. They are all managed by staff, and the accommodations may be even more comfortable than the presidential suite at the Grand Hotel in Beijing.”

The Huo family: "..."

Seeing that the Huo family members were a little confused, Jiang Rong explained, "Don't worry, it's our own island, so it's definitely the most cost-effective way. This island is very big; you can't walk around it all in a day. We can drive around later and choose some interesting places to visit. At the end of the island, there's also a private sea area belonging to the BOSS, with excellent scenery. Sea fishing and surfing are both fine. If Mr. Huo and Young Master Huo are interested, I can arrange a boat right now."

Huo Mingcai and the other two remained silent, but their faces were visibly more numb.

After spending half a day indulging in eating, drinking, and having fun on the island, Huo Mingcai finally couldn't help but say, "My son-in-law, is he living such a decadent life every day?"

"Mr. Yan is very busy and hasn't been to this island for a long time. He spends most of his time with his wife in the villa at No. 1 Residence and is too lazy to go anywhere else."

"He's quite the homebody," Huo Mingcai and Wang Ying said, increasingly pleased with their son-in-law. Meanwhile, Huo Yungui pointed to a massive, misty object in the distance and asked, "What's that over there?"

Jiang Rong said, "Oh, it's the Night Chaser cruise ship, the third largest in the world. It's too far away to see clearly from here. I can take you on the cruise ship tomorrow, but we need to enter from the port. There's no time for that today. But it's not very interesting with so few people on the cruise ship. I heard that the Yanjing Group's annual meeting at the end of the year will be held on it, and that's when it will be really lively and fun."

"..."

"Mr. Huo, it's a rare treat to be in the capital. You really should stay longer. The capital has several of the most bustling commercial streets and luxury shopping malls, all owned by BOSS. They have tons of great stuff; you can go and see if there's anything you like..."

"..."

At night, when Jiang Manman got home from get off work, Wang Ying and Huo Mingcai were sitting next to Yan Yu and Xie Jian, helping them with their homework.

"Where's my brother?" Jiang Manman glanced around.

"I'm learning from the head chef in the kitchen." Wang Ying stood up and looked at Jiang Manman gently. "Are you tired from work?"

"No, how about you guys? Did you have a good time today?"

Wang Ying sighed, "We had a complicated time. Your assistant is a joker. We asked him to take us to places that didn't cost money, and he took us straight to Changye's properties. Our hearts are still pounding from seeing them."

"Grandma, is your heart hurting? I'll sleep with you tonight and rub it for you?" Xie Jian raised his little face, quite seriously. "Grandpa always says his chest hurts when he sees my homework, and my chubby hands rub it for him so comfortingly."

Wang Ying glanced at the messy homework and paused for a moment: "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

When Yan Changye returned, it was already night.

He looked at the empty space beside Jiang Manman and asked with slight surprise, "Where are A Yu and Xie Jian?"

“Xie Jian went to sleep at Mom and Dad’s, and A Yu was taken away by my brother.” Jiang Manman pointed to a pile of homework on the bedside table. “I don’t know if it was intentional or unintentional, but Xie Jian left his homework behind.”

Yan Changye said in a low voice, "Your child is skipping homework, and you, as the mother, aren't you going to do anything about it?"

After saying that, her tone lowered slightly: "Wait for me in bed after you take a shower. I'll go and take the homework to him first."

Huo Mingcai and Wang Ying stayed in a guest room upstairs.

They were still awake, and the door was half-closed. Xie Jian nestled in her grandparents' arms, her soft voice telling them all sorts of funny stories from school, which made Huo Mingcai and Wang Ying laugh out loud.

Finally, Wang Ying looked at Xie Jian tenderly: "It seems your father, Yan Changye, has raised you very well."

At least, there was none of that sensitivity between a stepson and a stepfather in Xie Jian.

Yan Changye strolled over with his homework in hand, and just as he was about to knock on the door, Wang Ying's hesitant voice came from inside the half-open door:

"Xie Jian, do you prefer your father Yan Changye, or your biological father in Gangdu?"

(End of this chapter)