Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Zhao Yanxi clung to her mother and acted coquettishly, then dragged her mother to visit the bedroom.

The bed was made neatly, and the wardrobe door was half open, revealing several pieces of clothing hanging inside, all of which were styles that Zhao Yanxi usually wore.

Zhao Xingguo also arrived in the second-floor corridor at some point, his gaze falling on another door at the end of the corridor, which was the room where Wen Shu used to live.

"That one?"

"Guest rooms are where guests stay on weekdays."

Zhao Yanxi answered very quickly, so quickly that she herself felt it was a bit deliberate.

Zhao Xingguo didn't ask any further questions and turned back to the living room.

Zhou Rongmei followed behind and sat down again on the sofa.

"Since you're here, let's have dinner together tonight."

She turned to Wenjing: "Jingjing, come along too. It's been so long. Auntie wants to talk to you."

"Good, good."

Wenjing obediently responded, already planning what to say during dinner.

Just as the atmosphere was starting to relax, the sound of a combination lock beeping suddenly came from the entryway.

Zhao Yanxi's expression changed, and Bai Ma and Wen Jing froze at the same time.

Who would suddenly appear at this time?

The door opened.

Ding Heng stood at the door, carrying a suitcase.

His gaze swept across the living room, meeting the eyes of Zhao Xingguo and Zhou Rongmei, and a perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Uncle? Aunt? What brings you here?"

His tone was natural, and his expression was sincere.

It's like you've just gotten off a plane and returned home, only to unexpectedly run into an elder visiting.

Chapter 287: Sisters and Best Friends, All Is Well

"Why is my brother back?"

Did any of you send a message to Ding Heng?

"I did send it, but didn't he go to Hong Kong? So fast..."

While the third sister was whispering to each other, Ding Heng strode over.

"Uncle, Auntie."

He said casually, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have arranged a car to pick you up."

Zhou Rongmei smiled and waved her hand: "We're not outsiders, why are you accepting this? You just came back from Hong Kong?"

"Yes, something came up at the company, but I came back as soon as I finished taking care of it."

Ding Heng glanced at Zhao Yanxi and the other two without making a sound, signaling them not to say anything out of line.

"Let's go, it's getting late."

Zhou Rongmei picked up her bag: "Let's go out for a meal and chat while we eat."

Ding Heng suggested, "How about we go to the Chinese restaurant at the Chujiang Hotel? I'll have them arrange a private room."

"Need not."

Zhao Xingguo said calmly, "Just find an ordinary restaurant nearby, your aunt and I will treat you."

The Chujiang Hotel was too expensive for him; even if Ding Heng didn't mind, he would still feel uncomfortable.

Ding Heng did not insist: "Okay, I'll listen to my uncle."

Four people in two cars drove out of the villa area, one after the other.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhao Yanxi asked, "When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"Just arrived."

Ding Heng steered the car with one hand: "I received a message from Wenjing after getting off the plane, so I rushed over immediately to prevent you from being exposed."

Zhao Yanxi said "Oh" and didn't ask any further questions.

Her mind was preoccupied with something else entirely... whether her parents had noticed anything amiss.

The group sat down at a nearby Hunan restaurant. Zhao Xingguo took the menu and ordered six dishes and a soup, all home-style dishes, without ordering any alcohol.

While waiting for the food, Zhou Rongmei pulled Wenjing aside to chat about school, while Zhao Xingguo chatted idly with Ding Heng.

"How's the company in Hong Kong doing?"

"good."

"I heard from Yan hope that you often fly there. It must be very tiring."

“Someone is helping to take care of it, I'm just going to check on it.”

As the dishes were served one after another, Zhao Xingguo ate very little, only occasionally glancing at his daughter.

Zhao Yanxi lowered her head and ate her rice, speaking much less than usual.

After finishing her meal, Zhou Rongmei got up to pay the bill, which came to 380 yuan.

"We're going back to the hotel first. You guys should go back and get some rest."

"Mom, I'll take you there."

"Need not."

Zhou Rongmei refused, saying, "Your dad drove here, so don't worry about it."

Zhao Xingguo suddenly spoke up: "Let Xiao Ding and Yan hope see them off."

Zhou Rongmei glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.

The four people walked out of the restaurant, and the night breeze blew by.

Zhao Xingguo slowed his pace, putting a few steps between himself and Zhou Rongmei, with Zhao Yanxi and Ding Heng following beside him.

After walking several dozen meters, Zhao Xingguo finally spoke.

"Xiao Ding."

"Uncle, please tell me."

"Are you hiding something from us?"

Zhao Yanxi's heart jumped into her throat.

Has Father already discovered something amiss?

She instinctively wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

Ding Heng remained calm and spoke in a steady tone: "Uncle, do you think we're hiding something from you?"

Zhao Xingguo didn't look at him; his gaze was fixed on the streetlights ahead.

"You haven't stayed in that villa, have you?"

"Uncle noticed?"

"The house was clean, but it didn't look like anyone lived there."

Zhao Xingguo began to analyze each point one by one.

For example, the flowers in the yard have withered, the kitchen hasn't been used for at least half a month, and there are no signs of anyone living in the rooms.

Zhao Yanxi was completely speechless... Her father wasn't visiting relatives; he was clearly conducting an on-site investigation.

Zhao Xingguo finally asked, "Where are you living now? Why did you deliberately move to that villa?"

Just as Zhao Yanxi was about to come up with a reason, Ding Heng spoke first.

"Uncle, I'm telling you the truth."

He said sincerely, "The villa is indeed not where we live. It's a property under my father's ex-girlfriend's name, and her daughter is Baima. Later, my father broke up with her, and the house was just sitting empty anyway. Yan hope and I are just using it to save face today."

Zhao Xingguo frowned slightly: "Where are you staying now?"

"It's just a regular apartment, and there's too much clutter inside. I'm sorry to invite you and Auntie to have a tour."

Ding Heng readily admitted it, showing no sign of guilt whatsoever.

Zhao Xingguo took it as a private matter between the young couple and didn't press further, letting out a long sigh.

"Xiao Ding, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

"Uncle, please tell me."

“I see that you’re young, capable, and good at making money. But you and Yanxi haven’t graduated yet, so there’s no rush. Houses and cars are just material possessions. It’s better for you to finish your studies peacefully right now than anything else.”

He softened his tone: "There's no need to put on a show, and there's no need to put on an act in front of us."

Ding Heng looked ashamed and lowered his head slightly: "Uncle is right, I didn't think it through."

Zhao Yanxi stood to the side, listening to her father and the man talking back and forth, her mind still blank.

Does her dad mean... that they were deliberately showing off?

Zhao Xingguo then turned to her: "Yan hope, you too. Why can't you just say what you want to say to your parents directly? Why do you have to do all this pretense?"

Zhao Yanxi opened her mouth, but finally mumbled, "I know, Dad."

After listening to her husband's analysis, Zhou Rongmei belatedly realized what was going on.

"You...you don't live in that villa yourselves?"

"mom……"

Zhao Yanxi drawled, her tone helpless and aggrieved: "I was just afraid you and Dad would worry."

What are you worried about?

"He's worried that I'll suffer if I follow Brother Ding Heng."