In my eyes, there is nothing but chicken wings.

"Who's here?" Mrs. Li asked, having heard the commotion.

"It's Ji Yun."

"Xiao Yun is here?"

"Auntie, sorry to intrude. Do you have guests?" Ji Yun had just stepped inside when she spotted three beautiful women on the sofa, all of whom she recognized: Miss Chu, Teacher Su, and the blonde Miss Chu.

She wondered, were the two Miss Chus relatives, or sisters perhaps? She walked forward slowly and greeted everyone.

Chu Qingchan beckoned her over and invited her to sit beside her. Ji Yun, a little embarrassed, settled between Chu Qingchan and Su Qingwan.

One was a celebrity, the other a teacher—sitting between them made her feel a bit overwhelmed.

She glanced at Xu Lin for help, but he only squinted and smiled, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

"This guy..." she muttered.

"What did you say?" Su Qingwan asked.

"Nothing. Teacher Su, what brings you to Xu Lin's house? A home visit?"

"I happened to be nearby. When I heard Xu Lin would be home, I asked him about it. He insisted I stay for dinner."

"I see. Teacher Su, as it happens, I have a question about a problem I'd like to ask you."

"Oh? Certainly."

"We can use Xu Lin's textbooks and workbooks. He doesn't do his homework anyway."

"What?" Ji Yun had spoken absentmindedly but drew Xu's father, who was helping in the kitchen, over.

"You haven't been doing your homework?"

"No, no, Uncle Xu, it's not that he hasn't done it—the school gave him a reward. We deliberately gave him time for self-study as recognition for his achievements."

Su Qingwan hurried to explain, leaving Xu's father a little baffled. Who knew that being a top student could exempt you from homework?

"Dad, just look at my exam rankings. I have my own study methods."

"If your teacher agrees, I have nothing more to say. But you must keep working hard. Don't slack off just because you did well once."

"Of course, of course."

With that, Xu's father went back to help in the kitchen. Ji Yun turned to Xu Lin, apologetic. "Sorry, I spoke without thinking just now."

"It's fine. I have official approval for this. What do I have to fear?"

"Xu Lin, do you think I can't give you more homework if I want?" Su Qingwan retorted, hearing his cheeky remark.

"Teacher Su, have a banana. Let me peel it for you."

Not far off, Chu Fengyi was reading the latest chapter Xu Lin had posted, all the while sneaking glances at Su Qingwan and Ji Yun.

This teacher and Xu Lin definitely had something going on. There was no evidence, and apart from being a little familiar with each other, there was nothing overtly intimate about their interactions.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling. It was a sixth sense. Xu Lin had been surrounded by women in his past life; now, in the modern world, let's see how he handles things!

With this thought, Chu Fengyi felt her mood lighten, and the oppressive plot of the latest novel chapters seemed less stifling.

"By the way, Ji, do you know Miss Chu?" she asked.

"I met her once before."

"And you didn't tell me? Last time you came to my office, I told you I liked Miss Chu."

"Sorry, Teacher Su, I forgot." Ji Yun racked her memory; it seemed that did happen. At the time, she'd thought Teacher Su was just making conversation to bond with her and the other class monitors.

"It's alright. Today's chance meeting is a pleasant surprise. Miss Chu, may I have your autograph?"

"Of course."

"I'll go get some paper." Ji Yun stood up and, evidently familiar with the place, headed toward Xu Lin's room. After two steps, though, she sensed the women's gazes. Was something wrong?

Chu Fengyi leaned closer to her sister and whispered, "See? There are plenty of rivals."

"You think you can't compete with a young girl?" Chu Qingchan replied, her tone lightly mocking.

"Chu Qingchan, you of all people in showbiz should know—these days everyone prefers older sisters. But as men get older, they like them younger. Eighteen-year-old boys like eighteen-year-old girls, twenty-eight-year-olds too, and even at forty-eight, fifty-eight, sixty-eight, it's the same, isn't it?"

"Well... you have a point, but aren't you a young girl yourself? Younger than her, even."

Chu Qingchan regarded her sister. She had looked like this since she was fourteen, as if she'd taken some elixir of immortality.

"Are you really that confident, Chu Qingchan?"

"Of course I am. That's the confidence of the main wife. Haven't you read enough novels to know?"

"Hmph. The main wife? Just wait until Xu the Scoundrel leaves you heartbroken."

"I'll be waiting. I'm confident."

Chu Qingchan leaned back on the sofa, while Chu Fengyi, seeing her like this, fell silent. Go ahead and be confident, she thought. When Xu Lin runs off with another butterfly, don't come crying to me.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Li Nuan chatted with her husband as they cooked.

"Hey, which girl do you think is best?"

"Which girl is best?" Xu Guangfeng was puzzled by his wife's question.

"I mean, which one would make the best daughter-in-law?"

"None of them are your daughter-in-law yet. One's a celebrity, one's a teacher, and one is a foreign heiress. Don't cause trouble for our son."

"But you like that Ji girl, don't you?"

Li Nuan stirred the food, casting her husband a glance. Surprisingly, Xu Guangfeng nodded.

"They're close in age, both good students, and have nice personalities. If they both get into university and end up together, I'd approve."

"That's true, but they're all so beautiful..."

"Let's not talk about the two Miss Chus—the teacher is off-limits. Don't play matchmaker." Xu Guangfeng chuckled at his wife's daydreams.

"Still, they're all beautiful... The children would be beautiful too."

"And yet, you chose me, so plain, all those years ago." Xu Guangfeng laughed.

"That's why I want our son to have as many as possible."

"Don't say that, or he'll become a playboy."

"He already is, more or less. Surrounded by beauties—he's got plenty of luck with women. But I don’t want him to be fickle; we live in a society ruled by law."

Hearing this, Xu Guangfeng thought his wife was just as capricious as their son. Did she want a whole harem of daughters-in-law? Ah, well.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Li called everyone for dinner. The girls' eyes lit up and they hurried to the kitchen to help.

Mrs. Li beamed, making sure everyone had something to carry. Xu Lin secretly gave her a thumbs-up. That’s my mom! She treats everyone fairly.

Watching four beautiful women helping to set the table, carry dishes, and bring bowls was a delight. He felt that his dreams were one step closer—though perhaps just a few centimeters.

"Xu Lin! Why are you just standing there? Come serve the rice!"

Seeing her son watching the show, Mrs. Li felt a surge of annoyance.

"Coming, coming. I was just thinking what I need to prepare for school tomorrow~"

"Old Xu, he's just like you—loves to eat, but so lazy."

"What do you mean, like me? I'm hardworking!" Xu Guangfeng scratched his head.

"Right, when you were younger, you were lazy. You never went into business with your classmates. Now we just have regular jobs and they’re all bosses."

"Yes, yes, but there are so many people here..." Xu Guangfeng tugged at his wife's hand, but whenever the past came up, Li Nuan couldn't help but get annoyed.

Just then, a gentle, warm hand rested on hers. "Auntie, don't be upset. Let's eat first—it's rare for everyone to gather together."

"My parents quarrel often too, but it doesn't help. It's better to sit down and talk things through."

Ji Yun looked at Mrs. Li sincerely. Meeting the girl's lovely gaze, Li Nuan's anger dissipated, and she patted her hand gently.

"Alright. We bicker from time to time, but it's nothing. Let's eat."

Observing Ji Yun, Chu Qingchan frowned. She'd thought Ji Yun was just a young girl, but her move was a killer—starting directly with winning over the mother-in-law.

Chu Fengyi glanced at her sister, chuckling inwardly. See? This girl isn't easy to handle either.

Su Qingwan, however, was oblivious to the crosscurrents around her. Sitting at the table, staring at the delicious dishes, she realized just how hungry she was. She'd covered two extra classes today—six in total—and was exhausted. All she wanted now was to taste the cola chicken wings.