Beautiful Woman, You Have Another Express Delivery! (GL) - Chapter 12

Cheng Qiuyi’s temper came and went quickly. The next day, as she was brushing her teeth, she was all smiles and snuggling with Liu Shuhan, showing no sign of being angry yesterday.

“What’s the plan for today?” Liu Shuhan was preparing breakfast, and Cheng Qiuyi leaned on her, asking casually. She still had a toothbrush in her mouth, full of white foam, and her words were unclear.

“What plan could there be? Delivering packages, of course. Where would I get money if I don’t work?” Liu Shuhan finished frying two eggs, turned off the heat, and pointed to the cupboard, instructing, “Get me a plate.”

Cheng Qiuyi handed her a plate, her tone slightly unhappy, “Why do you have to work again? Today is Saturday.”

“Sister, you must have gone silly staying abroad. Go ask on the street, how many people these days get a proper weekend off?”

Cheng Qiuyi still wanted to talk, but the foam in her mouth spilled onto her neck. She quickly rushed into the bathroom to rinse her mouth and wash her face. When she came out refreshed, she said, “Shuhan, why don’t you just quit this job? I’ll support you.”

“I’m already living in your place and using your things, so aren’t you already supporting me?” Liu Shuhan served Cheng Qiuyi a bowl of lean meat porridge. “Besides, I have hands and feet. Am I supposed to just stay home all day? I’d be bored to death.”

“Then what time will you get off work today?”

“There’s no telling. I’ll get off work when all the packages are delivered.”

Cheng Qiuyi rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything more.

After Liu Shuhan left, Cheng Qiuyi twisted the doorknob of Liu Shuhan’s bedroom.

Cheng Qiuyi had a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clothes in the closet had to be hung neatly according to color, shade, season, and style. Pens in the pen holder could only face one direction. Every wrinkle on the sheets and pillowcases had to be smoothed out. There were many such details. Since Liu Shuhan moved into her house, she had been meticulously adhering to all these lifestyle details of Cheng Qiuyi. Cheng Qiuyi almost thought Liu Shuhan had OCD too.

It was only in her own room that Liu Shuhan displayed the casualness of a normal person. Her room wasn’t exactly messy, but it was far from Cheng Qiuyi’s abnormal neatness. The pajamas she had taken off were casually placed by the bed, the nightstand held a water glass, a lamp, and some miscellaneous items, and a large plush toy sat at the foot of the bed—a very ordinary room.

Cheng Qiuyi frowned, meticulously tidying up Liu Shuhan’s bedroom. Then, she picked up Liu Shuhan’s pajamas with two fingers in disgust and tossed them into a trash bag. She then opened Liu Shuhan’s closet, packed up all her clothes and shoes, and threw them all into the community’s garbage collection point.

Heaven knows how many of Liu Shuhan’s clothes and accessories were gifts from other people. Liu Shuhan belonged only to Cheng Qiuyi. She was hers from head to toe. How could she wear clothes bought for her by others, and for so many years at that?

After disposing of Liu Shuhan’s clothes, Cheng Qiuyi went to her favorite store and selected a full year’s worth of clothing for Liu Shuhan, from innerwear to outerwear, not even forgetting scarves and gloves. After hanging the clothes she bought into Liu Shuhan’s closet, Cheng Qiuyi nodded, looking thoroughly satisfied. This was more like it.

As she was admiring her masterpiece, the doorbell rang. Cheng Qiuyi closed the closet door, left Liu Shuhan’s room, and opened the front door.

A thin, tall man stood outside, bowing respectfully to Cheng Qiuyi, “Miss.”

“A Zhi? What brings you here?” A Zhi’s father was a retainer from Cheng Qiuyi’s mother’s family, who followed her as part of her dowry to the Cheng family. Later, when A Zhi’s father grew old, A Zhi took over, introduced to work for Cheng Qiuyi. A Zhi was a taciturn man, very capable at work, and considered one of Cheng Qiuyi’s trusted confidantes.

“Mr. Cheng wants you to return to the Cheng residence.”

Cheng Qiuyi sneered, “Didn’t I just go back last time? What trick is Cheng Tianhong playing this time?”

“Miss, this time it’s not just Mr. Cheng. The Cheng Patriarch and the Ye Patriarch are here as well, along with the eldest daughter of the Ye family.”

“Grandpa and Grandpa Ye are here too?” Cheng Qiuyi pondered what exactly happened in the Cheng family that would mobilize both elderly men. “Then let’s go.”

Cheng Qiuyi thought for a moment and sent a text message to Liu Shuhan: [Shuhan, I have something to take care of tonight and won’t be back. Remember to eat on time and rest early.] Every time she went back to the Cheng family, it was a mess of problems. After the lesson from last time, Cheng Qiuyi decided to inform Liu Shuhan directly this time, so she wouldn’t wait up till midnight again.

The Cheng and Ye families were generational friends, their bond dating back several generations, especially close between the two patriarchs, like one family. Both Cheng and Ye were large families with hundreds of collateral relatives, but the main families had few descendants. Each had only one son. In the grandchild generation, the Ye family only had Ye Jing, a girl, while the Cheng family, after Cheng Tianhong’s scandal, gained the precious son, Cheng Boming.

Cheng Qiuyi and Ye Jing were childhood playmates who grew up together. Both their mothers were close friends and conceived at the same time, even arranging a baby engagement back then, but they had to give up on the idea when both gave birth to daughters.

Ye Jing’s parents died early in a car accident. Thus, the vast Ye family business was supported only by the Ye Patriarch and Ye Jing. Cheng Qiuyi inwardly praised her. Although she wasn’t particularly fond of Ye Jing now, this woman was definitely capable.

Lost in thought for a while, A Zhi had already driven the car back to the Cheng residence.

“Miss, would you like me to accompany you inside?” A Zhi asked hesitantly.

“No need. Speaking of which, your wife’s due date is approaching, isn’t it? Go back and spend more time with her.”

A Zhi, a grown man, blushed a rare shade when his wife was mentioned, and happily said, “Yes, next month.”

Cheng Qiuyi laughed and scolded, “Alright, alright, scram quickly. Don’t forget to send my regards to your wife.”

The Cheng main residence was built during the Republic of China era, quite old, and had become even more solemn and imposing after several renovations.

The butler was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Cheng Qiuyi, he immediately greeted her, “Miss, the Master and the guests are in the main hall.”

Cheng Qiuyi nodded to show she knew, waved the butler away, took a deep breath at the entrance, and stepped into the main hall.

Both the Cheng Patriarch and the Ye Patriarch were still hale and hearty, their voices loud as they chatted and laughed. Cheng Qiuyi heard them at the hall entrance. She composed her expression and interrupted the two elderly men with a smile, “Grandpa, Grandpa Ye, what are you chatting about that’s making you so happy?”

Cheng Tianhong and Ye Jing were also in the hall. They couldn’t interject into the conversation of the elders, so they sat far apart, drinking tea. Ye Jing’s eyes lit up when she saw Cheng Qiuyi. She put down her teacup and walked towards her. “Qiuyi, you’re finally back.”

Ye Jing had ear-length short hair, wore a simple T-shirt and cropped pants, and no jewelry, looking very capable.

“Cheng Qiuyi, you left for nine years without even a word. You are something else,” Ye Jing put her hand on Cheng Qiuyi’s shoulder and pressed her onto the sofa next to her, then comfortably sat close to her.

Cheng Qiuyi gently pushed her hand away, subtly putting some distance between them, and smiled politely, “I left in a hurry and didn’t have time. I apologize.”

Everyone present knew the reason for Cheng Qiuyi’s departure, and it wasn’t a topic for public discussion. The Cheng Patriarch cleared his throat and changed the subject, “Qiuyi, why didn’t you come to visit Grandpa when you returned? Did you stay away so long that you don’t want Grandpa anymore?”

“Grandpa, what are you saying? I was just planning to visit you today, but you came to find me first.”

Cheng Qiuyi casually glanced around. She felt a little relieved and her expression softened when she didn’t see the mother and son. “Why are both Grandpa and Grandpa Ye here today? Did something happen?”

The Cheng Patriarch’s expression subtly changed, and he laughed heartily, “It’s nothing major. You just returned to the country, and Grandpa Ye and I wanted to see you. Only when you and A Jing, the two youngsters, are doing well can we elderly people truly be at ease.”

Cheng Tianhong, who had been silent all this time, looked hesitant and had a strange expression.

Cheng Qiuyi felt a flicker of doubt inside but didn’t show it. She casually talked about her experiences abroad with them, and the atmosphere on the surface improved considerably.

The two elderly men of the Cheng and Ye families soon excused themselves, claiming they had business to attend to. Cheng Tianhong also said the Cheng Corporation had urgent matters to handle. The huge hall was left with only Cheng Qiuyi and Ye Jing.

Cheng Qiuyi and Ye Jing had nothing much to talk about. After finishing the tea in her cup, Cheng Qiuyi was about to stand up to leave, but Ye Jing grabbed her arm and pulled her back to her seat. “Qiuyi, are you so displeased with me that you find even one extra second with me annoying?” Ye Jing, who acted proper in front of the elders, was actually a playful person. She curved her lips into a teasing smile, looking like a rogue.

“Say what you need to say quickly,” Cheng Qiuyi said flatly.

“Qiuyi, it’s been over twenty years since we first met, hasn’t it? Time flies so fast.” Ye Jing rested her elbow on the sofa and leaned sideways, her eyes darting around Cheng Qiuyi’s body. “You’re still so beautiful after all these years.”

Cheng Qiuyi was tired of her nonsense and stood up to leave. Ye Jing called out to her again, “Qiuyi, don’t you want to know why I came today?”

“Ye Jing.” Cheng Qiuyi looked her straight in the eye and sneered, “You’re really not afraid I’ll kill you.”