Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chen Xiaoqian spoke while watching Yu Minglang, observing him scratching his head trying to act nonchalant, holding her cordless phone, and swaying her hips as she went into the bathroom under his gaze.

Once the door was closed, no sound could be heard from inside.

Yu Minglang felt a small itch in his heart, but more so, he felt a gnawing annoyance towards this little woman’s action.

The moment she closed the door, with that almost provocative look, Yu Minglang was absolutely certain she was intentionally trying to provoke him!

Qian sat on the toilet with her legs crossed, continuing her chat with Zheng Xu.

"Do you know anyone at the Lishi newspaper?"

"The station manager sometimes drinks with me; we’re on good terms. What’s up?"

"Can you arrange for my person to study abroad for more than three months? I’ll cover the costs."

"Are you secretly supporting a young man outside behind your Erha’s back?" Zheng Xu perked up upon hearing this. He immediately offered, "You don’t need to pay; I’ll take care of it."

Anything that could annoy Erha was considered a good task!

"It’s a female friend."

"Oh, in that case, you cover the cost. You know my card number." The change in attitude was swift.

However, this was all nothing more than a puff of smoke in front of Qian.

"You have to keep your promises to others. You said you’d pay, so it’s on you." Qian wouldn’t miss any chance to squeeze the wealthy.

Zheng Xu had been alongside her for so many years, and she always remembered their past life connection. Whenever there was a chance to make money, she’d include him—it was only right for him to pitch in a bit.

"How did I end up with a skinflint like you..."

As the two were chatting, the door opened, and Yu Minglang made a loud, innocent, pretended-to-be-a-bystander entrance.

"Wife! Where is the shower gel?"

His loud voice was just enough for Zheng Xu on the other end of the phone to hear and feel disgusted for a while.

Qian rolled her eyes and pointed at the cabinet.

"Here, get it yourself."

Yu Minglang walked over, opened the cabinet to retrieve the shower gel, and then feigned unintentionally asking, "Wife, who are you talking to for so long? You promised you’d scrub my back."

Zheng Xu felt sick to his stomach, "Chen Xiaoqian, I’ll handle this for you tomorrow, bye for now. Don’t let your Erha bark in my ear."

The tension between Yu Minglang and Zheng Xu wasn’t new—their principle was to flaunt affection at every opportunity and stab Zheng Xu’s heart, treating all single dogs eyeing Xiaoqiang’s wife as unworthy of sympathy.

"Your heart is so fragile that even raindrops feel like soybeans hitting you. Zheng Xu, it’s time you find a partner; I hear things are going well with Fen Lan, are you getting engaged? Congratulations."

Qian couldn’t stand others teasing her Erha. Anyone who dared criticize Yu Minglang would receive a piece of her mind.

"Who told you I was getting engaged to her?"

Fen Lan was the woman who had argued with Zheng Xu on the street last time, and they were reconciled with an awkward moment instigated by smelly tofu.

Zheng Xu had been warned by Qian before that this woman was dangerous, and after interacting, he indeed found her suspicious.

That’s why he proposed a breakup last time, but he knew Qian well enough that she wouldn’t speak without evidence.

"The news here is that someone deliberately spread the word about your engagement. I’ve prepared the wedding gift money for you. Zheng Xu, congratulations on becoming the groom!"

Zheng Xu shivered.

He realized it was that woman spreading rumors, attempting to create public pressure, and Qian’s timely hint was spot on.

"I’ll handle this myself—this time I’ll cover the expense for you."

Qian nodded with satisfaction, hung up the phone, and raised her eyebrows at the man who hadn’t left after getting the shower gel.

"Heard enough?"

Yu Minglang cleared his throat.

"Am I the kind of man who doesn’t respect his wife’s privacy, doesn’t trust his wife, and eavesdrops on phone calls?"

Qian rolled her eyes, "Ha ha."

"Since you’re so honorable, I won’t tell you what happened. You’re a respectful husband."

Shooting himself in the foot! Xiaoqiang blinked, feeling an increasing curiosity inside.

"Wife, why do you look so beautiful today? Ah, your skin’s so smooth, your eyes so tender, you’re in bloom, stunningly attractive—ah, wife, I must praise you!"

Qian was prickled with goosebumps—not out of fear of gossip, but the ridiculous compliments that might come from his mouth.

"Here’s how it went: we went to the beach today, and then..."

Qian hadn’t intended to hide anything from him anyway; there wasn’t much between her and Yu Minglang to keep secret. If possible, she’d definitely tell him, and he would do the same.

After hearing everything, Yu Minglang pondered for a moment.

"So you’re sending Bai Jin abroad?"

"Yes. I don’t know what’s going on with Qiuqiu, but I know he’s not someone who does things unreliably. If he’s encountering something too difficult, unable to resolve it himself, then I’ll temporarily send Bai Jin away and also give Bai Jin a chance for advancement."

She definitely wanted to place her own person within the media—someone capable and full of justice—Bai Jin was the perfect candidate. Building her own career required cultivating her people from the start.

The best approach now is to use work to divert Bai Jin’s attention. Qian uses her connections to provide Bai Jin a chance to study abroad—not just to help Bai Jin overcome obstacles, but also to give both Qiuqiu and Bai Jin a chance to have a breather.

"The idea’s fine, but as for Qiuqiu, it’s necessary to figure out what really happened." Yu Minglang also had a high impression of Qiuqiu; they were like brothers, so naturally he’d reach out.

"I guess—"

Before Qian could finish, the phone rang.

She picked it up; it was the gatekeeper calling. Qian said she’d go right down before hanging up.

"No need to guess anymore; the truth’s coming right to us."

Qian stood up, grabbed her small satchel, and touched Yu Minglang’s face.

"I’m going out drinking. How will you manage dinner yourself?"

Yu Minglang knew that Qiuqiu was coming; he was understanding.

"I’ll solve it at the company, while also dealing with unfinished work. Call me when you’re done outside; I’ll pick you up. No need for bars, let’s go to Hai Zhao’s hotpot and book a private room—safe."

Qian stood on tiptoe to kiss him; though sometimes jealous, he wasn’t one to falter in principle.

"Sometimes I wish you had no friends and only revolved around me."

But he knew that was impossible; his wife’s position as the queen of her social circle wasn’t built on empty talk—their loyalty had reasons behind it, heart-to-heart connections.

Qian pinched his handsome face, "You silly, these thoughts should be kept to yourself—enjoy them privately."

That little rascal... wait until you’re back! Yu Minglang, having been teased by his wife, swore in his heart that he would restore the husband’s authority, at least... in his imagination he’d regain some strength.