Girl, There's Something Wrong With You - Chapter 3

Chu Qingqing snapped her fingers, and the metal pot poured the hangover soup into a bowl.

Tofu, winter bamboo shoots, minced mushrooms… all floated indistinctly on the surface of the thick golden broth, looking extremely appetizing.

Oh, right, a final sprinkle of pepper.

Soul infused!

Carrying the hangover soup out of the kitchen, Miss Qingqing walked towards the bedroom.

Cooking was originally something that the maids could handle, but Miss Qingqing understood modern social customs well; “making a good soup” naturally had its special uses.

A man’s mouth might lie, but his stomach wouldn’t. If middle-aged men could really control their appetites, why are there so many cases of high cholesterol and beer bellies in society?

Not to mention, home-cooked dishes have their own magic. Some flavors simply can’t be replicated by others. Once the man gets addicted to the taste, his stomach will be tied to you, making him yours to command.

Entering the bedroom, Miss Qingqing saw Xing Yuanzhi angrily lecturing Cheng Jinyang:

“When someone offers you a drink, you just drink? Don’t be so naive, Jinyang! When someone toasts you, try not to clink glasses. If you do, you have to drink it all. If you pretend to toast, just take a small sip. Always eat more food to pad your stomach, don’t drink on an empty stomach, and if necessary, go to the restroom more often…”

She nagged on, making Miss Qingqing secretly laugh. Ah Zhi’s words were sincere but not thought through. Even if he knew she meant well, what man likes to be nagged?

“Alright, alright, let him rest a bit, he’s got a headache!” Miss Qingqing said with a blooming smile, carrying the soup over. “Drink the soup first.”

Xing Yuanzhi stepped back half a step, immediately understanding. She was lecturing, but Chu Qingqing made the soup. One advances, one retreats, the comparison was obvious.

“Yuanzhi is right, I get it,” Cheng Jinyang finally found an opportunity to speak, nodding with a smile. He then took the hangover soup Miss Qingqing made, pretending to be drooling, and exclaimed, “Wow, Qingqing, do you have to be so considerate?”

“Is this your first day knowing me?” Miss Qingqing playfully scolded, ignoring the hostile glances around.

Cui Jinqi stood nearby with her mouth half-open, thinking, there’s such a trick? When Miss Qingqing said she was going to make hangover soup earlier, she didn’t react, but now she realized it was a big move, scoring a critical hit in favor!

Damn it! I need to learn to cook too!

“What’s that smell?” Just as everyone was impressed by Miss Qingqing’s big move, Yang Wangshu, who was sitting on a chair, jumped up and ran over, following the scent. “Is it a midnight snack? I want some too!”

“This is hangover soup,” Chu Qingqing said with a smile, then used Xiao Wangshu to further showcase her womanly skills, “What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“I want Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!” Yang Wangshu typed.

Chu Qingqing: ………

Seriously? That dish requires at least six hours of simmering in a clay pot. Am I supposed to stay up all night cooking for you?

“Order yourself a grilled sausage from takeout,” she said, annoyed, causing everyone around to burst into laughter.

“Why?” Yang Wangshu immediately protested. “Aren’t you supposed to be able to make anything, Sister Qingqing?”

“Alright, Wangshu, don’t make it difficult for her,” Xing Yuanzhi said, holding back her laughter.

As soon as her dear sister Ah Zhi spoke, Yang Wangshu unwillingly fell silent and went to find some biscuits in the cabinet. Miss Qingqing smiled at Ah Zhi, who calmly met her gaze. Their eyes met in mid-air, seeming to spark.

Cheng Jinyang sat on the bed, drinking the soup, secretly reading the expressions of the two girls.

From Ah Zhi’s expression, he read, “You think making a soup is impressive?”

From Miss Qingqing’s expression, he read, “Isn’t it shameful to use a kid to cause trouble?”

Finishing the hangover soup in one go, Cheng Jinyang placed the empty bowl down and sighed softly in his heart.

The inner courtyard is troubled, and it’s my fault!

Outside the patriarch’s room was a small table where used bowls, chopsticks, and trash were placed. Early the next morning, maids would come to clean up.

Cheng Jinyang placed the empty bowl on the table, turned around, and saw the girls had returned to their places. Some were playing on their phones, others were watching dramas, as if nothing had happened.

So what exactly happened while I was out?

……………

The Zheng Clan Residence.

Due to the clan leader’s coma showing no signs of improvement, the clan’s authority was temporarily transferred to his grandson, Zheng Dehui, to stabilize the clan members.

Zheng Dehui, the second grandson of the clan leader Zheng Junming, had the best bloodline talent among the younger generation, with a 95% chance of achieving a minimum of the third grade, almost guaranteed. He had been groomed as the heir from an early age, so the transfer of power went smoothly without any issues.

After the succession ceremony concluded that morning, Zheng Dehui started calling the direct family members into his office one by one for casual conversations, from noon until the evening.

When it was Zheng Qiupei’s turn, it was already 10 PM.

Zheng Qiupei walked into the office and closed the door behind her.

“Little Aunt.” Zheng Dehui smiled and greeted her.

Zheng Dehui is 24 years old this year, and Zheng Qiupei is only 20 years old. Although the age difference isn’t big, the generation difference is a generation. As for why, those who understand will understand.

Although he knew that this aunt was gentle, as the newly appointed patriarch of the Zheng family, Zheng Dehui naturally would not overstep the boundaries in etiquette and leave any handles for the outside world. He respectfully served tea, saluted, and greeted her.

Zheng Qiupei was a little flattered. She usually didn’t pay much attention to the seniority, and had a good relationship with her uncle’s four nephews, and they could chat freely. But she didn’t expect that the second nephew became the head of the family, and suddenly stopped calling her Xiao Pei and started calling her Xiao Gu(Little Aunt). She was a little at a loss for a moment.

“Um, that, clan leader?” she asked tentatively, “Do you need something from me?”

“Just wanted to chat,” Zheng Dehui said with a smile. “Please, have a seat.”

Zheng Qiupei could only sit down on the chair, looking very uncomfortable, waiting for him to speak eagerly.

“It’s like this,” Zheng Dehui began, knowing her nature, he quickly got to the point. “The clan intended to send someone to stay long-term with the Shendu Cheng Clan to maintain relations. However, due to Grandfather’s coma, and uncertainty about his recovery, this matter was put on hold.”

“Now it’s confirmed he’ll be in a coma for at least another six months, so this matter needs to be addressed,” he said seriously, looking at Zheng Qiupei.

“Does the clan leader want me to live there for a long time?” Zheng Qiupei blinked.

“Yes,” Zheng Dehui nodded. “After much consideration, only you, Aunt, are suitable.”

Choosing someone to stay with the Cheng Clan had certain requirements.

First, it had to be a woman; sending a man would be inappropriate and likely declined to protect the hosts’ female members’ reputations.

Second, it had to be a trusted family member to effectively relay information.

Third, the person shouldn’t be too well-known; if rumors started, it could affect both her and the clan’s reputation.

From Zheng Dehui’s perspective, other prominent clans had made their choices. The Taiyuan Wang Clan sent Wang Wanrou, the clan leader’s youngest daughter, which seemed too significant. If rumors arose, would the clan leader Wang Maohong be forced to marry off his daughter or endure the gossip?

The Longxi Li Clan sent Li Qingwan, a common family member, which seemed too insignificant. She might struggle to integrate into Cheng Yuexian’s inner circle.

The Qinghe Cui Clan chose Cui Jinqi, which seemed the best choice. She was the daughter of the second elder, with enough status, and her notorious reputation for lying made any loss of honor trivial, not affecting her or the clan much.

As for the Zheng Clan, they carefully chose Zheng Qiupei after much deliberation.

First of all, Zheng Qiupei’s status is high enough. She is the aunt of the clan leader and a direct member. Secondly, her bloodline talent limit can only be said to be average.

She is guaranteed to be a fifth-grade and can sprint to the fourth-grade. If something really happens, they can marry her off and the loss will not be too big.

Of course, the most important thing is that Zheng Qiupei has a close personal relationship with Wang Wanrou and Cui Jinqi, and has a certain foundation of favors. If she is not sent to inquire about the news and keep in touch, who else can be sent?