38. Do not speak to me like that.

"Whew."

Chen Ze let out a long sigh after hanging up the phone. He wondered if he had been too serious and stern, making the situation seem heavier than it needed to be. Su Meiqin’s voice had clearly carried a hint of tears at the end. However, her comment about him coming back to help his father carry the load was, in a roundabout way, proof that in his mother’s heart, he had truly grown up.

He couldn't tell his parents the secret of his past life, so a certain degree of distance now was only natural. In truth, it was easy to see: he held a bit of resentment toward his parents, especially Chen Tianhong. His upbringing had been one of "frustration-based education," while his younger sister was raised with indulgence—a dynamic that persisted even after the family bankruptcy. He didn't harbor prejudice against this, but feeling some resentment was only human.

When it came to parenting, Su Meiqin was clearly more level-headed and far-sighted than Chen Tianhong. Doting on the eldest child even after having a second was, in reality, a form of protection for the younger one. As long as the older child felt loved and secure, they would naturally treat their younger sibling better. Chen Ze didn't have a deep emotional bond with his sister because they rarely saw each other, but the affection he did feel was pure. This was entirely thanks to Su Meiqin, who had consistently showered him with encouragement, sparing him from feeling the sting of being a "second-child" household.

Chen Tianhong, however, was different. From the very second day after his rebirth, the look of displeasure on his father's face spoke volumes. Of course, frustration-based education wasn't entirely without merit; in some ways, he supposed he should be grateful for the hardship. For instance, extracurricular classes like Korean—he certainly wouldn't have mastered them if his parents hadn't forced him. Hardship has its virtues, just as comfort has its own.

The biggest generational gap between Chen Ze and his parents was the difference in their knowledge landscapes. Many post-90s children shared this sentiment; it was a byproduct of the times. The "original family" is a curse of sorts. When Chen Ze said, "I am a piece of flesh fallen from your own body," it was fundamentally a manifestation of that very influence. That phrase shared a similar DNA with "I’m your father, I’m doing this for your own good."

In reality, better ways of communicating existed. Chen Ze could communicate perfectly well with girls, friends, and strangers, yet he struggled with his parents. There were things that could have been said more gracefully, but the words just wouldn't come out. Recalling how his mother had said "come home" more than anything else in his previous life, Chen Ze felt a sudden, poignant ache.

Fortunately, everything could be changed.

Looking at his reflection in the glass, he set aside his emotions and his phone, heading back toward the main entrance. As he stepped into the lobby, he looked up and saw the aloof, elegant woman gazing at him from not far away.

Nan-jie was wearing jeans again today, though a darker wash, paired with a black professional shirt. She wore small heels, and her curly hair cascaded over her shoulders.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Chen Ze asked with a smile as he approached. A fragrance wafted into his nose—a charming grapefruit scent with a hint of green bitterness. The scent was just like her: light, clear, and not overly sweet, with a unique, warm woody base note that felt effortless and soft.

As they met, unlike Chen Ze’s sunny expression, Qin Yanan frowned delicately and asked, "How come... you changed your style?"

It was true; he had changed his style. Although he wasn't wearing fake watches, ear studs, bracelets, or rings anymore, the fact remained that he had changed his clothes and cut his hair. Furthermore, a turn of his arm revealed a tattoo. If they hadn't already slept together, Qin Yanan might have thought she had mistaken him for someone else. *Are you some kind of shapeshifter, buddy?*

Seeing her glance at his arm, Chen Ze couldn't help but lift it, smiling as he explained, "This won't wash off. A friend and I were messing around and he stuck it on me. It’ll fall off in a few days." Su Meiqin hadn't seemed to notice this morning, but he had already prepared Guo Jinglin as his scapegoat.

"You could try using vinegar," Qin Yanan said softly after a moment of realization. She gave him one more look before turning and gesturing for him to follow. "Come with me."

*Come with me, we'll leave at dawn~*

The echo of her high heels against the vast lobby floor sounded like a rhythmic tapping on a man's resolve. Chen Ze stared at her graceful back, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and then followed. *This woman, she's really bossy.* She didn't even say where they were going before just walking off. A couple of days ago, she had messaged him to meet up without explaining why. When he said he'd see her in a few days, she had just replied with an "okay" without asking for details.

Why meet Qin Yanan? Obviously because he was greedy for her... *pfft*, no, obviously because he wanted to take responsibility. Chen Ze was a rebellious person; he refused to be responsible for those women who constantly demanded it from men. Conversely, for someone like Qin Yanan—who had lost her virginity to him and didn't cry, make a scene, or demand he take responsibility—he felt compelled to do so.

"You look beautiful today..."

"Little brother, don't say that kind of thing to me."

In the elevator, Chen Ze attempted an opening line, only to have it shut down before he could finish. Watching Qin Yanan, who didn't look angry but certainly didn't look pleased either, Chen Ze turned to her, refusing to give up. "I didn't even say anything! You're a bit too overbearing—you won't even let me speak the truth that's in my heart?"

He clearly caught a flicker of satisfaction in the depths of her eyes, though she kept her expression composed. "The truth depends on when it's said."

The next second, the elevator doors opened. Qin Yanan walked out, her head held high, swaying her alluring figure. Chen Ze glanced around the well-appointed residential lobby and followed the beauty. "By the way, I’ve booked a restaurant."

"Mm, that works."

Seeing how cold Sister Qin was this time, Chen Ze suspected she might be settling scores later, so he quickly tested the waters. "Come on, can't you give me a smile? I traveled all the way from home to Beijing to see you."

Hearing this, Qin Yanan’s pace slowed slightly. She turned her head and softened her voice. "You went home?"

The chill in her dark eyes melted. Chen Ze knew she was a "sharp tongue, soft heart" type, so he answered honestly, "Yeah, that’s why I have this temporary tattoo on my arm. I don't really have any friends in Beijing."

Qin Yanan remembered him saying he had just returned during his summer break from studying abroad. She asked calmly, "Are you staying in Beijing in the future?"

"I'm not sure, but I'd like to." Chen Ze answered honestly. The opening he left allowed Qin Yanan to take the bait, but she didn't play by the rules. "If you want to, then stay in Beijing. Your family wants you to work, right? I can introduce you to something; it’s not tiring."

Something was off. It felt wrong. *Is this woman trying to keep me as a sugar baby?* First, let’s be clear: Qin Yanan wasn't angry or pursuing legal action after they slept together, so she definitely had a favorable impression of him. Otherwise, if she didn't like him, she would have called the police, or at the very least, there would never have been a second time. And that day, driven by the System's coercion, Chen Ze had indeed been with her again.

He had forgotten if she ever mentioned what she did for a living, so he smiled and probed, "Sister, can I join your company? Is it a startup you founded? Can I be your secretary?" *I'm your little secretary, I'm very capable.*

Qin Yanan seemed to catch the slight suggestiveness in his words, but Chen Ze’s eyes remained exceptionally sincere, like a devout job seeker.

"Our company doesn't hire anyone below an undergraduate degree, and you’re likely not even at the internship stage yet, nor do you have any skills."

*So I can't use the back door, huh.* Seeing her being so matter-of-fact, it seemed like she was just an employee. "So, what do you do at your company?"

"MD."

Chen Ze asked bluntly, and Nan-jie didn't hide it. It was just that she was teasing him for his lack of "culture" by using an acronym, which left Chen Ze speechless. But one thing was certain: an "MD" was no small fry. It could be Managing Director, Marketing Director... it had different meanings in different fields. So, what exactly was Qin Yanan?

Just as Chen Ze was about to ask again, he saw Qin Yanan open her Hermès bag and take out her car keys. They were in the underground garage, so taking out keys wasn't unusual, but the next second, Chen Ze froze.

"I bought this car. It's for you."