The divorce comeback system arrived right after I was born.

Zhang Guifang chopped the scallions faster and faster.

Chen Zhi stood at the kitchen doorway, watching the chopped scallions on the cutting board crumble into powder, and then into dregs, feeling as if the knife might fall on him at any moment.

"Mom, calm down—"

"I am very calm."

Zhang Guifang put down the kitchen knife, wiped her hands with her apron, and turned to look at him.

"Tell me clearly, how many did you actually talk to?"

"……two."

Zhang Guifang closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"two."

"Um."

"Does Wanwan know?"

Chen Zhi hesitated for a moment.

Seeing that he hesitated, Zhang Guifang picked up the kitchen knife again.

"She knows, she knows."

"She knew and still stayed with you?"

"Um."

Zhang Guifang slammed the cleaver into the cutting board with a "bang," turned around, put her hands on her hips, and kept her voice as low as possible.

"Chen Zhi, listen to me carefully. I don't care what kind of person you are in Beijing, you're my son in this family. If you dare to bully Wanwan, Uncle Lin won't even need to lift a finger; I'll deal with you myself."

"I didn't bully Wanwan—"

"You're two-timing and you call that not being bullied?"

Chen Zhi opened his mouth, but realized that he really didn't have any grounds to refute it.

It was quiet outside the kitchen; Pei Ningxue should still be sitting on the sofa.

Separated by a wall, Chen Zhi wasn't sure how much Pei Ningxue could hear, but with her intelligence, she could probably guess what they were talking about in the kitchen.

"Mom, someone outside can hear us."

"I knew she could hear me," Zhang Guifang said through gritted teeth, her voice even lower. "That's why I didn't go out and tell anyone. You better explain to me, who is this girl?"

"He's from Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, his family is in business, and he's now the CFO of my company."

"What FO?"

"Chief Financial Officer".

Zhang Guifang looked him up and down.

"Your company? What kind of company do you own?"

Chen Zhi paused for a moment.

He forgot that his parents still don't know about Deep Space Technology.

"Uh... it's just a small company, something I started with a classmate."

"What's going on?"

"Someone who works in AI."

"Why?"

"Artificial intelligence, Mom."

Zhang Guifang didn't quite understand, but she vaguely felt that the matter seemed more complicated than she had imagined.

"You're a freshman in college, what kind of company are you starting?"

"Mom, can we talk about this later? That's not the point—"

"What's the point? The point is you brought a strange woman home. How am I supposed to explain this to Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin next door?"

This is what truly upsets Zhang Guifang.

The Lin and Chen families had been neighbors for almost twenty years. Their children had been in the same delivery room since they were a month old, grew up together, and went to school together. Lin Shuxian and Chen Jun would have a drink every now and then, and Zhang Guifang and Lin Jing were also very close.

Both families tacitly hoped that the two children would become a couple, but now, her son has started seeing someone else outside.

"Mom, I'll handle Uncle Lin's situation—"

"You're going to handle it? How are you going to handle it? Are you going to go and tell them, 'Uncle and Auntie, I still want your daughter, but I've found someone else'?"

Chen Zhi fell silent.

Seeing his silence, Zhang Guifang's anger subsided a little, turning into a helpless sigh.

"You've never given me a moment's peace since you were little."

She picked up the chopped scallions from the cutting board, poured them into a bowl, and set them aside. Then she took out the ribs from the refrigerator and started to defrost them.

"Alright, let's not talk about it anymore. Go outside and sit with her. Don't leave the girl alone. No matter what, she's already home. Mom won't give her a hard time."

"mom--"

"Get out."

Chen Zhi tactfully withdrew from the kitchen.

Back in the living room, Pei Ningxue sat upright on the sofa, her face solemn.

Chen Zhi sat down next to her.

"What did you talk about?" Pei Ningxue's voice was very soft.

"It's nothing, my mom just asked a couple of questions."

"Is she unhappy?"

"It's alright."

Chen Zhi picked up the remote and turned on the TV, randomly changing to a channel.

The sizzling sound of ribs being added to the oil in the kitchen filled the air, along with the smell of cooking oil.

Pei Ningxue was sitting there when she suddenly stood up.

What are you doing?

"Go help in the kitchen."

"Auntie, let me help you wash the vegetables."

Zhang Guifang was stir-frying the ribs when she heard the sound and turned around.

"No need, you can just sit down. The kitchen is small, there's not much room to move around."

"It's okay, I'm not in the way." Pei Ningxue had already walked to the edge of the sink. Seeing the vegetables soaking in the basin, she rolled up her sleeves and started washing them.

Zhang Guifang glanced at her but didn't say anything more.

The two women were busy with their own things in the kitchen, which was less than six square meters. Neither of them spoke first. After turning the ribs in the pot twice, Zhang Guifang broke the silence first.

"Can you cook?"

"Knowing a little isn't very good."

What do you usually eat in Beijing?

"I eat in the cafeteria most of the time, and occasionally I cook for myself."

Zhang Guifang hummed in agreement, then asked, "Where are you from?"

"From Jiangcheng."

Zhang Guifang paused for a moment.

"From Jiangcheng?"

"Yes, Chen Zhi and I were classmates in high school, and later we went to university in Beijing together."

"You and Chen Zhi were high school classmates? Which district do you live in?"

"Wuchang, over by East Lake."

Zhang Guifang nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

"Just put the washed vegetables in that colander," Zhang Guifang pointed to the area next to the stove.

"Okay, Auntie."

Pei Ningxue neatly arranged the vegetables and then wiped the countertop by the sink.

Zhang Guifang watched from the side, muttering, "What a tragedy."

Half an hour later, the dishes were served one after another.

Braised pork ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, garlic vermicelli shrimp, tomato and egg soup, plus a cold black fungus salad, four dishes and one soup.

Zhang Guifang set out the bowls and chopsticks, then called out towards the door, "Where's your dad? Why isn't he back yet?"

"I'll make a call." Chen Zhi took out his phone and dialed the number.

Chen Jun's phone rang for a while before he answered.

"what?"

The voice was hoarse, with faint sounds of water and frogs in the background.

"Dad, come home for dinner. I'm back."

"Oh, you're back." After a two-second pause, "What did your mom cook?"

"Pork ribs, shrimp—"

"Okay, I'm packing up now."

The phone hangs up.

Chen Zhi looked at his phone screen and thought to himself, "Why don't you ask your son? He starts by asking about the food."

Fifteen minutes later, footsteps could be heard in the hallway.

The door was pushed open, and Chen Jun came in carrying an empty fish bucket.

A middle-aged man in his early fifties, wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt and sweatpants, was tanned dark and had his hair shaved very short. He tossed the fish bucket onto the balcony and changed into slippers.

"Did you catch anything?" Zhang Guifang asked, peeking out from the kitchen.

"The fish aren't biting today."

"So you spent the whole afternoon squatting there and got nothing in return."

"That's called self-cultivation, what do you know?"

Chen Jun muttered something and walked into the living room.

Then he saw Pei Ningxue sitting on the sofa.

Chen Jun paused for about a second.

Then he calmly walked to the table, sat down, and picked up his chopsticks.

"Let's eat."

I didn't ask who the young and beautiful stranger was at all.

"Hello, Uncle." Pei Ningxue stood up.

Chen Jun looked up at her and nodded.

"Okay, sit down, let's eat first."

The four people sat down around the small dining table.

Zhang Guifang placed a piece of spare rib on Pei Ningxue's plate.

"Try it and see if it suits your taste. It's not as good as what you get at restaurants."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Pei Ningxue took a bite of the rib and chewed it very carefully.

"It's delicious."

Chen Zhi secretly glanced at his mother.

Zhang Guifang's face didn't show any particular expression, but she started serving soup to Pei Ningxue.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was much more peaceful than Chen Zhi had expected.

Although Zhang Guifang was angry, she was a mother of several decades and knew how to handle social situations. Regardless of her feelings, she couldn't neglect proper etiquette when guests were at home.

Chen Jun never asked Pei Ningxue who she was from beginning to end.

Halfway through the meal, Chen Jun put down his chopsticks, picked up his beer glass, and took a sip.

"Which school does Xiao Pei go to?"

Pei Ningxue put down her chopsticks.

"Uncle, Guanghua School of Management, Peking University."

"Guanghua?" Chen Jun raised an eyebrow. "They're very impressive."

"Good luck."

Chen Jun hummed in agreement, then asked, "Guanghua students, what are your plans after graduation?"

"Currently, I'm helping out at Chen Zhi's company."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guifang and Chen Jun both looked at Chen Zhi.

"What company?" Chen Jun asked.

Chen Zhigang took a bite of rice, stuffing his mouth full.

"...a small company."

"How small?"

"In the...startup stage."

Chen Jun didn't ask any further questions, picked up his beer and took another sip.

But his gaze swept back and forth between Pei Ningxue and Chen Zhi twice.

After finishing her meal, Pei Ningxue took the initiative to clear the table.

Zhang Guifang tried to stop her but failed; Pei Ningxue had already taken the bowl into the kitchen.

The sound of the faucet being turned on came out.

Zhang Guifang stood in the living room and nudged Chen Zhi with her elbow.

"Go, help them wash."

Chen Zhi quickly followed him inside.

Chen Zhi quickly followed him into the kitchen.

Pei Ningxue had already stacked the bowls and put them in the sink, her sleeves rolled up, her movements swift and efficient.

Chen Zhi walked over and took the dish soap from her hand.

"I'll do it."

"Let's shower together, hurry up."

Pei Ningxue didn't allow it, and the two of them squeezed into the kitchen, which was less than six square meters, with one washing the dishes and the other rinsing the water.

Zhang Guifang walked in after tidying up the table, and paused for a moment when she saw this scene.

She didn't say anything, but walked around behind the two of them and wiped the grease off the stove.

After washing the last bowl, Pei Ningxue wiped all the water stains around the sink, and cleaned the countertop, the edge of the stove, and even the base of the faucet.

Zhang Guifang saw it all.

This girl isn't just putting on a show; she's someone who's actually cleaned the kitchen before.

After wiping the countertop, Pei Ningxue bent down to pick up a fallen vegetable leaf from the floor. As she stood up, she noticed Zhang Guifang moving a bag of rice from the corner of the stove.

Zhang Guifang bent over and struggled to drag the 20-pound bag of rice.

Pei Ningxue took two steps forward and caught it in one swift motion.

"Auntie, where should we put it?"

"Just put it in that cabinet, don't move it, it's quite heavy."

Pei Ningxue had already picked it up and neatly stuffed it into the bottom of the cupboard.

Zhang Guifang was stunned for a moment.

She usually lets Chen Jun carry the rice, but the brat isn't home today, so she was planning to drag it herself.

"Is your back alright?" Pei Ningxue turned around.

Zhang Guifang subconsciously touched her lower back.

"It's nothing, just an old problem."

"Sitting at a bank counter for a long time can easily cause lumbar strain. Auntie can use a lumbar support, the kind that's a little firmer, which is more effective than a soft cushion."

Zhang Guifang was stunned for a moment.

She had only casually mentioned "working at a bank" at the dinner table, but this girl remembered it and even mentioned details like lumbar strain.

"You understand this?"

"My dad used to have back problems, but it got better after he switched to a chair with good support."

Zhang Guifang didn't say anything, but silently handed the apple she had just peeled to Pei Ningxue.

"Have an apple."

"Thank you, Auntie."

In the living room, Chen Jun was watching the news broadcast on the sofa, twirling the remote control in his hand.

Pei Ningxue brought out an apple and sat down on the single sofa next to her.

Chen Jun's gaze remained fixed on the television, but he blurted out, "Xiao Pei, you just said you were helping out at Chen Zhi's company. How many people work there?"

Pei Ningxue glanced at Chen Zhi.

Chen Zhi desperately tried to signal with his eyes.

"There are currently over two hundred people, and we are still expanding." Pei Ningxue either didn't understand his expression, or if she did, she chose to ignore it.

Chen Jun's remote control stopped.

"More than two hundred people?"

"Um."

Chen Jun turned his head and looked at Chen Zhi.

"You're a freshman, and you have over two hundred people under you?"

Chen Zhi swallowed hard.

"Dad, it's not entirely my responsibility. It's mainly the big picture—my partner manages the day-to-day operations—"

What's the name of your company?

"...Deep Space Technology".

Chen Jun picked up his phone and started searching.

Half a minute later, Chen Jun put down his phone, his expression complicated.

"A valuation of over 10 billion?"

Zhang Guifang was carrying a fruit platter out of the kitchen when she heard these words, and she almost dropped the platter.

"How many?"

"Over 10 billion," Chen Jun repeated.

"You...you started a company worth tens of billions?" Zhang Guifang was shocked.

"Mom, that's an estimated value, not an estimate of how much money I have—"

Chen Jun didn't rush to express his opinion; instead, he looked down at his phone and checked for a while longer.

Chen Jun looked up and glanced at Pei Ningxue.

"What does Xiao Pei manage at the company?"

"finance."

"CFO?"

Pei Ningxue was slightly surprised and nodded.

Chen Jun grunted in agreement and didn't ask any more questions. He then switched the TV channel from the news channel to the sports channel.

But Chen Zhi noticed that his father's gaze towards Pei Ningxue was different from before.

Zhang Guifang placed the fruit plate on the coffee table and beckoned to Chen Zhi with her finger.

"Come out for a moment."

Chen Zhi followed them out of the living room with a bitter face and was dragged to the balcony by Zhang Guifang.

Several pieces of clothing were drying on the balcony, and Zhang Guifang closed the sliding door.

"Tell me, what's really going on with your company?"

"Mom, it's a long story—"

"Then let's make it short."

"I did an AI project during my freshman year. The result was pretty good, and someone invested in it, so it grew big."

Zhang Guifang stared at him for a long time before finally asking, "How much money have you made?"

"We're still in the cash-burning phase, no—"

"Don't try to fool me. Where do you live in Beijing?"

"...Wanliu Academy".

Zhang Guifang didn't know what Wanliu Academy was, but judging from the name, it must be expensive.

"Bought or rented?"

"Under Pei Ningxue's name."

Zhang Guifang was stunned for two seconds.

She turned around and glanced at Pei Ningxue in the living room through the glass of the sliding door. The girl was pouring tea for Chen Jun and talking to him with a smile. Chen Jun was actually nodding.

"So you're a kept man?"

"mom!"

"You live in someone else's house and work as a boss in the company she helps out at. What else could you be but a gigolo?"

"???? This company is mine! Forget it, I can't explain it to you."

Zhang Guifang glanced at Pei Ningxue again through the glass.

"This girl is indeed a good girl."

Chen Zhigang wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.

"But how can you face Wanwan?"

"Mom, let me explain—"

"Don't explain anymore, the more you explain, the angrier I get," Zhang Guifang said in a low voice. "If your Uncle Lin finds out about this, he'll kill you with a knife."

"I'm telling you, Pei Ningxue is at home these two days, and I won't embarrass her. But after you return to Beijing, you must resolve this matter clearly for me."

"What should we do?"

"Think about it yourself."

The sliding door was opened.

Pei Ningxue stood at the door, holding two cups of tea in her hands.

"Auntie, have some tea."

Zhang Guifang took the teacup, her expression instantly changing from clenched teeth to amiable and kind.

"Oh dear, why did you ask me to pour tea? Just sit down—"

Chen Zhi looked at his mother's face, which changed so rapidly it was like a Sichuan opera performance, and silently took a sip of tea.

It was a little after nine o'clock at night.

Chen Jun went to the balcony to smoke, Pei Ningxue tidied up in the guest room, and Zhang Guifang made a phone call in the bedroom. Chen Zhi overheard a few words; she was probably chatting with Aunt Lin next door.

He was about to take a shower when his phone vibrated.

Lin Wanwan sent a voice message.

"Honey! I finished recording in Shanghai today! Sister Su Man said she doesn't have any schedules tomorrow, so I want to go home and see my parents. Hehe, are you in Jiangcheng? Maybe I'll go back too, and we can go home together!"

Chen Zhi stood in the hallway with his phone in his hand, and heard Zhang Guifang still talking to Aunt Lin on the phone from the bedroom.

The guest room door was ajar, and Pei Ningxue's shadow was reflected on the frosted glass.

The cigarette butts on the balcony glowed and dimmed, and Chen Jun seemed lost in thought.

Chen Zhi turned off his phone screen and stared at the ceiling for five seconds.

He then put his phone back in his pocket and turned to knock on the guest room door.

"Pei Ningxue, what time are we leaving tomorrow?"

The door opened a crack, and Pei Ningxue poked half her head out.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I was just asking."

Pei Ningxue looked at him for two seconds and then closed the door.

Chen Zhi stood in the corridor and heard Zhang Guifang's laughter coming from the next bedroom.

"Yes, yes, Wanwan said she'll be back tomorrow? That's great, perfect for the kids to get together..."