After a bout of intense confrontation, Andy lay staring blankly at the yellowed ceiling for a long time, gradually regaining her strength.

She said softly, "Don't let Xiao Guan know."

Scum Cheng toyed with her hair and gave a soft hum of agreement.

He wasn't stupid; even if Andy hadn't said anything, he would definitely keep it quiet. Andy hadn't made a scene or demanded he break up with Guan Juer, which was already a huge concession. He knew better than to push his luck.

Andy blinked her hazy eyes and sighed. "I still failed to control myself and fell into the trap you wove."

"How am I supposed to face Xiao Guan from now on?"

Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow. Andy was currently in 'Sage Mode,' wallowing in self-reproach.

How should he comfort her?

Forget it, why bother with comforting?

They had already slept together; what was the point of saying sorry to Guan Juer now?

Rolling his eyes, he pulled her into his arms and began his PUA: "Andy, neither of us are people who follow the rules. If we love, let's love wildly."

"Although I feel a bit sorry for Guan Guan, I don't want to let you down, or myself, even more."

"Actually, ever since we successfully shook hands last time, I knew you loved me."

"It's just that you've always treated your feelings for me as mere admiration."

Andy closed her eyes slightly, reminiscing about her past with Chen Cheng.

It was true; she had always admired Chen Cheng.

But looking back, that admiration was tinged with a bit of adoration.

She was amazed by his incredible memory, his vast knowledge, and his superb real-world judgment.

No matter what he faced, he was always calm and composed, as if everything had been rehearsed in his mind. He never panicked.

Scum Cheng continued, "Actually, I've been feeling very guilty and anxious about scaring you back in New York."

"I didn't know how to face you."

"I was afraid that my touch would make you tremble all over again. I was afraid..."

"Since then, I've tried hard to tell myself that we could just be friends."

"I also tried hard to move on from my feelings for you."

Move on... Andy's heart skipped a beat. Was he like this because of me?

"Fate works in mysterious ways. Seeing the change in you after you returned to the country gave me hope again."

Scum Cheng sighed as he spoke. "Sigh~ In the end, it's all my fault."

"I don't know when it started, but I've become like this."

"It's like I've developed an Emotional Disorder."

"Falling for everyone I see."

"But if I were to leave anyone, I couldn't bear it."

"..."

Seeing Chen Cheng get more and more emotional, Andy felt a pang of guilt and heartache.

If she hadn't rejected him back then, would he have turned out this way?

Would they have already... Unfortunately, there were no 'what ifs' in life.

Andy raised her hand, pressing her index finger against Scum Cheng's lips. She leaned her head closer to his face and kissed him.

The next day, afternoon.

Old Yan called Chen Cheng to confirm the blood relation between Andy and Xiao Ming.

Chen Cheng instructed him not to breathe a word about it and then hung up.

He wouldn't tell Andy about this either. It was purely his suspicious nature at work.

After Xiao Ming's nap, they returned to Shanghai.

Chen Cheng drove, Andy sat in the passenger seat, and Xiao Ming and Yang Xiuyuan were in the back.

Yang Xiuyuan's agreement to go to Shanghai was within Chen Cheng's expectations; he wasn't surprised.

Chen Cheng offered her a monthly salary of fifteen thousand, a three-month year-end bonus, and twenty thousand a year for clothing and holiday expenses.

Andy would cover all her living expenses.

This meant her entire annual salary was pure profit—two hundred thousand a year.

Given her health, looking after Xiao Ming for another twenty years wouldn't be much of a problem.

As for Andy.

When she got up that morning, she hugged his waist and whispered, "Let's be a secret couple. Don't let Xiao Guan know, and don't let anyone else know."

Scum Cheng cupped her face, looking pained. "But that would be too unfair to you."

Andy shook her head. "I don't feel wronged. Like you said, since we love, let's love wildly."

Chen Cheng took them to settle into the newly purchased villa.

The community was called Xizi Garden, located in the western suburbs of Shanghai; it was an exclusive villa complex.

The house sat on three mu of land, with two floors above ground and one semi-basement, totaling over eight hundred square meters.

Compared to luxury homes in the city center, this one wasn't considered expensive, costing only eighty million.

Andy was very satisfied, her eyes full of tenderness as she looked at Chen Cheng.

Last night, she had completed the transformation from a girl to a woman, and her entire aura seemed different.

After finding clarity, she had become confident and free-spirited.

Yang Xiuyuan's jaw nearly hit the floor as she took in the surroundings and the exquisite, luxurious interior decoration.

Chen Cheng was also quite satisfied. He decided that the next time he bought a house, he would look for Xu Wenchang again.

Since the man hadn't said a word about Fang Sijin helping bypass the agency and was so efficient, it was hard for Chen Cheng not to use him.

As for Zhu Shanshan, Chen Cheng was too busy to even look for her.

Chen Cheng called Eleven and asked her to bring over the alphard he had swiped from Tan Zongming.

Chen Cheng had asked; Yang Xiuyuan knew how to drive. Since this area was a bit remote, having a car would be more convenient.

The car was for Yang Xiuyuan to use for grocery shopping, and she could also take Xiao Ming out for a drive occasionally.

After Eleven delivered the car, Chen Cheng left.

Andy wanted to stay and accompany Xiao Ming. Both her 'brothers' were now the apple of her eye, and she couldn't favor one over the other.

...

"Miss Qin, did you have any moods yesterday?"

As soon as the car started, Chen Cheng asked Eleven.

Eleven thought for a moment and answered honestly, "Her mood wasn't very high after she found out the boss had left first."

"After coming back yesterday, she was busy with work. There was nothing else unusual."

The corners of Chen Cheng's mouth curled up. Eleven had changed; she was starting to be obedient and knew what needed to be said.

Throwing money around really was effective.

Chen Cheng checked his watch; it was almost time to get off work. He ordered, "Go to her house."

"Yes, Boss."

Eleven's tone was flat, devoid of any emotion.

Was she already numb to this buddy?

Chen Cheng smiled and didn't disturb her driving, chatting with Ye Zhenzhen on WeChat instead.

[Next weekend, let's go to Chongming Island for two days? I'm too tired and want to rest.]

[Sure. Who else is going?]

[Lucy and one of her colleagues.]

Colleague?

Chen Cheng frowned. Asking to go out and play—was she planning to make a move on Li Qixing?

Chen Cheng narrowed his eyes. Going out to play was a good opportunity... Heh heh heh...

[What about the others?]

[Sister Zhu has to work. Hong Hong has been there and said she doesn't want to go. AChu said she's taking her mom shopping.]

[How about you invite Andy?]

Scum Cheng's mind raced. In the current situation, if either Ye Zhenzhen or Andy noticed anything, it would be a total disaster. It was better not to let them meet.

After thinking for a bit, he replied: [Andy found her brother. She'll probably be focused on him lately and won't be in the mood to go out.]

[Let's just go ourselves. It's exhausting with too many people.]

Ye Zhenzhen curled her lip. I think you're just afraid of being caught if there are too many people.

[Aren't you going to invite your little girlfriend?]

The corner of Chen Cheng's mouth twitched.

This was a test!

Definitely a test.

If he really invited Guan Guan, Ye Zhenzhen would definitely toy with him until he was dead.

Scum Cheng typed away: [What little girlfriend? Hasn't my girlfriend already asked me out?]

[RollEyes.JPG Ptooey, scumbag.]

Chen Cheng replied with four dots, speechless.

Ye Zhenzhen looked at her phone, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.

[Come to my place tonight. I have something I want you to advise me on.]

Scum Cheng's mouth curled up. She missed her 'big brother'—no, her 'little brother.'

Uh...

Scum Cheng had planned to deepen his relationship with Qin Shi tonight.

How the hell was he going to handle this?

Scum Cheng rubbed his chin. [I'm afraid tonight won't work. I'm still in Daishan.]

[Hmm? ... Hooking up with another woman again?]

Chen Cheng was completely stunned. Ye Zhenzhen really knew him best.

Scum Cheng typed sheepishly: [I can't even get enough of hooking up with you. How could I have time for any of those random women outside?]

After chatting for a while, Scum Cheng made an excuse about being busy and sheepishly exited the chat.

Scum Cheng let out a long breath. Luckily, he hadn't told her beforehand that he was coming back from Daishan today.