Madam, Please Behave-Chapter 275: Getting Along Well

<p157" data-end="265">Liu Changqing gave An Quancheng a slightly strange look. He had more or less sensed that something felt off.

<p267" data-end="470">Thinking back carefully, when he and Su Yan had first come in, An Quancheng had clearly seemed dissatisfied with him. But after Su Yan whispered something in his ear, his whole attitude suddenly shifted. <p472" data-end="601">With that thought, Liu Changqing felt like the stern and dignified image of An Quancheng in his memory was starting to crumble... <p603" data-end="721">And An Quancheng, noticing the look on Liu Changqing’s face, also realized something. His expression shifted slightly. <p723" data-end="780">After a moment of inner struggle, he let out a long sigh. <p782" data-end="787">“Ah…” <p789" data-end="953">Most men care about saving face, especially in front of others. An Quancheng had always kept up the act of being the head of the household in front of his children. <p955" data-end="1081">But the truth was, ever since he was young, his wife had had him completely under her thumb—and not much had changed with age. <p1083" data-end="1227">Just like he thought at the beginning, An Quancheng didn’t actually dislike Liu Changqing. In fact, he could see traces of an old friend in him. <p1229" data-end="1268">It’s just that… fate has its own plans… <p1270" data-end="1319">“From now on… I’m entrusting my daughter to you.” <p1321" data-end="1448">When Liu Changqing heard that, he was momentarily stunned, but quickly snapped out of it. A surge of joy bubbled up inside him. <p1450" data-end="1488">He understood what An Quancheng meant. <p1490" data-end="1557">But before he could say anything in return, An Quancheng continued. <p1559" data-end="1712">“Actually… I already knew about the two of you when Yaoyao snuck back home last time. And the reason I didn’t send anyone to bring her back was because…” <p1714" data-end="1851">He paused for a moment, as if something had just come to mind. Glancing at Liu Changqing, he thought for a few seconds before continuing. <p1853" data-end="1876">“You remind me of him.” <p1878" data-end="1919">“Remind you of who?” Liu Changqing asked. <p1921" data-end="1935">“Li Zhengmao.” <p1937" data-end="2045">Hearing that name, Liu Changqing felt a jolt of surprise. That face popped into his mind almost immediately. <p2047" data-end="2078">Li Zhengmao—Li Wanran’s father. <p2080" data-end="2117">Liu Changqing’s former father-in-law. <p2119" data-end="2271">When An Quancheng brought up his old friend, a trace of nostalgia flickered in his eyes. Hands clasped behind his back, he looked toward the windowsill. <p2273" data-end="2313">He spoke like an old man lost in memory. <p2315" data-end="2607">“He was just like you back in the day—dirt poor. We were from the same village, though my family was much better off. You could say… we were childhood friends. When we first started learning painting, my teacher didn’t want to take him because he didn’t have the talent. But he had a temper…” <p2609" data-end="2689">As he spoke, An Quancheng subconsciously lowered his eyes, sighing with emotion. <p2691" data-end="2969">“He told me he was going to make something of himself—that he refused to stay poor his whole life. Since he wasn’t cut out for art, he was going to venture out into the world… and in the end, it turned out to be the right call. But then… he fell for someone he never should’ve.” <p2971" data-end="3024">Liu Changqing instantly realized who that person was. <p3026" data-end="3111">Like a silent listener, he didn’t interrupt—just quietly watched An Quancheng’s back. <p3113" data-end="3161">After a moment of silence, An Quancheng went on. <p3163" data-end="3337">“The Ye woman… she was from the city. Her family was loaded back then, way out of his league. I don’t know the details, but they ended up getting married and had a daughter…” <p3339" data-end="3422">At this point, An Quancheng turned back around and looked Liu Changqing in the eye. <p3424" data-end="3558">“As for your past, I won’t dig into it anymore. But from now on, when it comes to my daughter, you better not let her suffer. Got it?” <p3560" data-end="3613">“Don’t worry. I won’t let her be wronged in any way.” <p3615" data-end="3750">Hearing Liu Changqing’s response, An Quancheng’s stern expression finally softened. A faint, nearly invisible smile tugged at his lips. <p3752" data-end="3772">He gave a small nod. <p3774" data-end="3781">“Good…” <p3783" data-end="3919">Then, as if something occurred to him, he glanced back at the door to make sure no one was around, then stepped closer to Liu Changqing. <p3921" data-end="3942">He lowered his voice. <p3944" data-end="4108">“Just so we’re clear, the whole thing about tying you up and dragging you here wasn’t my idea. It was… your mother-in-law’s. Don’t go home and tell Yaoyao, got it?” <p4110" data-end="4132">“Aunt Su… why though?” <p4134" data-end="4171">Liu Changqing looked just as baffled. <p4173" data-end="4289">They could’ve just had a proper conversation—there was no need to pull off something that only happens in TV dramas. <p4291" data-end="4327">He’d thought it was Ye Rong’s doing. <p4329" data-end="4389">But based on what An Quancheng said… it didn’t seem like it. <p4391" data-end="4494">When it came to this topic, An Quancheng looked a bit awkward. After hesitating a moment, he explained. <p4496" data-end="4752">“She’s been obsessed with TV dramas lately… keeps saying we have to keep up with the times. She’s always liked trying new things. I told her not to, but she said it was a way to test you—see if you really loved our daughter. I couldn’t talk her out of it…” <p4754" data-end="4757">“…” <p4759" data-end="4879">Watching An Quancheng say all this with such powerlessness, Liu Changqing couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him. <p4881" data-end="4996">He was now absolutely certain that the real head of the An family wasn’t An Quancheng… but the ever-smiling Su Yan. <p4998" data-end="5040">Fate really does love messing with people. <p5042" data-end="5206">Two men over twenty years apart in age looked at each other. After a long pause, Liu Changqing finally managed to squeeze out a line that could pass for comforting. <p5208" data-end="5302">“Aunt Su… has a youthful mindset. That’s actually great. Experts on TV say that all the time.” <p5304" data-end="5311">“Sigh…” <p5313" data-end="5368">An Quancheng just shook his head and said nothing more. <p5370" data-end="5516">Seeing him like that, Liu Changqing realized—this man was just an ordinary person after all. Not as intimidating as the rumors made him out to be. <p5518" data-end="5553">In fact… kind of a lovable old guy. <p5555" data-end="5584">A bit of a henpecked husband. <p5586" data-end="5760">“I asked An Yancheng to come over today so you two could meet. You young people should at least exchange contact info. If any issues come up later, you can ask him for help.” <p5762" data-end="5775">“Okay, sure.” <p5777" data-end="5817">“Oh, right—about Yaoyao being pregnant…” <p5819" data-end="5922">Suddenly remembering something, An Quancheng’s face turned serious again as he looked at Liu Changqing. <p5924" data-end="6147">“You… don’t have any preference for boys over girls, do you? Let me tell you, that’s outdated thinking. Even at my age, I don’t believe in that. And you already have a son. If Yaoyao ends up having a daughter and you dare…” <p6149" data-end="6185">“No way! I love daughters the most!” <p6187" data-end="6195">“…What?” <p6197" data-end="6290">An Quancheng blinked in surprise. His stern look vanished the moment Liu Changqing said that. <p6292" data-end="6356">After a while, he finally responded, sounding a bit incredulous. <p6358" data-end="6396">“You mean… you also like daughters?” <p6398" data-end="6553">“Of course! Daughters are the best! There’s this saying I really love—‘a daughter is her father’s little cotton-padded jacket.’ I think it’s just perfect!” <p6555" data-end="6593">“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” <p6595" data-end="6721">An Quancheng immediately lit up. One hand behind his back, the other on his belly, he beamed like he’d found a kindred spirit. <p6723" data-end="6880">“When Yaoyao was born, I thought one kid was enough for this life. If your mother-in-law hadn’t insisted on having a boy, we wouldn’t even have had Qianxun!” <p6882" data-end="6950">“Dad, you’re totally right. I really hope Yaoyao’s carrying a girl!” <p6952" data-end="7083">“Hahaha! You’re thinking exactly like I did! That wife of mine keeps saying I’m old-fashioned—she’s the one who’s old-fashioned!” <p7085" data-end="7131">An Quancheng was getting a little too excited. <p7133" data-end="7253">Maybe after bottling it up for so many years, finally finding someone who agreed with him made it all come spilling out. <p7255" data-end="7327">With his back to the door and facing Liu Changqing, he got carried away. <p7329" data-end="7530">“I was the most sought-after scholar in our area back then. Girls from all over sent me letters every day just to… If your mom hadn’t intercepted them all, things could’ve turned out very differently…” <p7532" data-end="7643">Liu Changqing listened with a polite smile, but his eyes drifted to the slightly ajar door behind An Quancheng. <p7645" data-end="7661">His smile froze. <p7663" data-end="7746">Outside, Su Yan stood in the doorway, half her face visible, clearly eavesdropping. <p7748" data-end="7817">Liu Changqing quickly shot An Quancheng a look, trying to signal him. <p7819" data-end="7891">But the man was still deep in his storytelling mode, completely unaware. <p7893" data-end="8186">“If it weren’t for her looks back then, do you think I would’ve married her? She couldn’t even read! I had to read all our teacher’s painting books out loud to her. I got so sick of it. She was always clinging to me! If she hadn’t been trained in martial arts since she was a kid, I would've…” <p8188" data-end="8194">“Dad…” <p8196" data-end="8217">“Don’t interrupt me!” <p8219" data-end="8335">An Quancheng glared at Liu Changqing, who quickly shut his mouth. After a pause of nearly three seconds, he went on. <p8337" data-end="8505">“Even when we got married—if she hadn’t secretly beaten up every girl who liked me until they cried and avoided me, she wouldn’t have made it to the front of the line!” <p8507" data-end="8520">“Is that so…” <p8522" data-end="8562">That familiar voice rang out behind him. <p8564" data-end="8644">In an instant, An Quancheng stiffened like a statue, completely frozen in place. <p8646" data-end="8751">Su Yan slowly pushed the door open, stepping inside with a sweet smile. She gently said to Liu Changqing: <p8753" data-end="8862">“Changqing, you can head down now. I’ve arranged everything. Take the things we bought for Yaoyao back home.” <p8864" data-end="8873">“O-okay.” <p8875" data-end="9023">Looking at his mother-in-law, whose smile resembled An Yuanyao’s, Liu Changqing felt a chill run down his spine. He practically bolted for the door. <p9025" data-end="9092">Just before it closed, he thought he saw her cracking her knuckles… <p9094" data-end="9101">“Whew…” <p9103" data-end="9167">Letting out a long breath, Liu Changqing was genuinely relieved. <p9169" data-end="9229">Thank goodness Yaoyao studied dance instead of martial arts. <p9231" data-end="9247">Once downstairs. <p9249" data-end="9328">He reached the door and stared at the cars parked outside, momentarily stunned. <p9330" data-end="9387">An Qianxun and An Yancheng rushed over when they saw him. <p9389" data-end="9439">An Qianxun glanced behind Liu Changqing curiously. <p9441" data-end="9471">“My parents didn’t come down?” <p9473" data-end="9550">“They… seemed to have something to take care of. Told me to come down first.” <p9552" data-end="9562">“Alright…” <p9564" data-end="9606">She pointed at the cars and said casually: <p9608" data-end="9757">“Take both of these back with you later. Everything inside is stuff they bought for my sister. There’ll be people downstairs to help you move it up.” <p9759" data-end="9762">“…” <p9764" data-end="9909">Liu Changqing didn’t say anything. Seeing his blank look, An Qianxun looked confused and was about to ask something—when An Yancheng stopped her. <p9911" data-end="9934">Still smiling, he said, <p9936" data-end="9973">“I’ll go with him. Saves the hassle.” <p9975" data-end="9993">“Hmm… that works.” <p9995" data-end="10037">After thinking it over, An Qianxun nodded. <p10039" data-end="10131">“I’ll head back up then. Not visiting my sister today. I’ll see you guys when you get back.” <p10133" data-end="10194">She went upstairs, leaving Liu Changqing staring at the cars. <p10196" data-end="10277">He seriously doubted his mother-in-law’s claim that they’d bought “a few things”… <p10279" data-end="10324">This was more like replacing his entire home! <p10326" data-end="10395">An Yancheng patted Liu Changqing on the arm, signaling him to follow. <p10397" data-end="10460">The two of them got into a sedan, with a truck trailing behind. <p10462" data-end="10589">Now that he’d calmed down, Liu Changqing noticed An Yancheng pulling out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and asked: <p10591" data-end="10642">“Brother-in-law, what’s your number? I’ll save it.” <p10644" data-end="10658">“13XXXXXXXXX.” <p10660" data-end="10678">“Alright… got it.” <p10680" data-end="10761">Putting his phone away with a grin, An Yancheng looked at Liu Changqing and said, <p10763" data-end="10898">“Uncle already gave me a heads-up. But because of the relationship between the two families, he couldn’t take action himself. However…” <p10900" data-end="10929">He leaned in a little closer. <p10931" data-end="11015">“That company of Li Chongming’s has issues. You dig a little, and you’ll find them.” <p11017" data-end="11043">“That’s from your uncle…?” <p11045" data-end="11134">“Nope. Qianxun asked me to tell you. He’s been dying to see Li Chongming crash and burn.” <p11136" data-end="11149">“Is that so.” <p11151" data-end="11189">“Of course… I kinda wanna see it too.” <p11191" data-end="11290">With that subtle remark, An Yancheng looked at Liu Changqing, still wearing his ever-present smile. <p11292" data-end="11341">And Liu Changqing… slowly began to smile as well.

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