Chapter Thirty-Three: This Man Is Rather Handsome

Qin Muxue turned to Chen Yang and said, “So you’re at home after all. I thought you weren’t in.”

“Of course I’m at home. Hey, look at you, your face is glowing with happiness. Something good must’ve happened, right?” Chen Yang chuckled.

Normally, Qin Muxue wouldn’t bother sharing her good news with Chen Yang. But then she remembered that the ten million from President Shen of Huading Corporation was thanks to Chen Yang’s efforts. As a reward, she softened her tone and said, “It’s from Huading Group. The first quarter’s payment has come in—three million in total. I thought it was worth celebrating, so I’m treating everyone to dinner tonight.”

“Oh really? Congratulations!” Chen Yang laughed.

After his laughter faded, he thought privately, Muxue, do you know that Huading Group is actually mine?

But that was fine. This way, he could enjoy his peace, and Qin Muxue wouldn’t feel pressured around him. He was happy with the way things were between them.

“You’re free tonight, aren’t you?” Suddenly, his mother-in-law, Han Qin, spoke up. She simply wanted to make things difficult for Chen Yang, not wanting him to join the dinner.

In her eyes, her daughter’s achievements had nothing to do with Chen Yang. Why should he be part of the celebration?

But Chen Yang didn’t care what his mother-in-law thought. He smiled and said, “Mom, I’m free tonight.”

“No, you’re not.” Han Qin made it clear—she didn’t want him at dinner.

“What do you mean, Mom?” Chen Yang heard the sarcasm in her voice and didn’t bother being polite.

Of course, Qin Muxue didn’t want to see Chen Yang quarrel with her mother over a meal. Frowning, she stopped them, “Mom, I’m treating tonight, so everyone listens to me. We’re all going.”

Chen Yang glanced at Han Qin with a hint of triumph, which only made her mood worse.

Soon, the family piled into Qin Muxue’s Corolla and set off for a restaurant downtown.

On the way, Chen Yang mused that now Qin Muxue’s business was improving, and with his secret help, things would only get better. Even Qin Hao and Qin Yan, those two undeserving siblings, were driving Mercedes. How could kind, upright Qin Muxue still be driving a Corolla?

Sitting in the passenger seat, Chen Yang joked, “Muxue, now that you’ve got money, why not upgrade your car?”

Qin Muxue replied bitterly, “What money? Even if we earn something, it all belongs to the company.”

“I’ll buy you one,” Chen Yang grinned.

With his current wealth, buying a car was as easy as picking up a cabbage.

Qin Muxue shot him an annoyed look. “Do you even have money?”

“I’m just asking if you want it or not,” Chen Yang replied with a slight smile.

Qin Muxue gave him another glance and fell silent, too tired to continue the conversation.

Chen Yang smiled quietly and said nothing more. Deep down, he thought, Wasn’t my question pointless? If he actually bought her a new car, would she refuse?

What woman doesn’t love a luxury car?

At that moment, Chen Yang made up his mind: he’d buy a car for Qin Muxue. After all, if people like Qin Hao and Qin Yan could drive Mercedes, he wanted Qin Muxue to have one too.

After that, the car fell silent.

Soon, Qin Muxue parked in front of an upscale hotel. Chen Yang, Qin Muxue, Han Qin, and Qin Guoshan all got out and headed into the hotel lobby. To their surprise, Qin Muxue spotted the hotel’s general manager, Gu Tong, chatting with two friends.

Last time, when she booked at Lijing Hotel, Gu Tong had helped her a lot. She couldn’t just pretend not to see him.

She said to Han Qin, “Mom, I just ran into a friend. I’ll go greet him.”

At the mention of an important figure, Han Qin craned her neck, eager to curry favor. “Where?”

Qin Muxue explained helplessly, “That’s General Manager Gu from Lijing Hotel. Last time, when I booked a private room, he helped me a lot. I just want to thank him.”

Han Qin nodded, saying nothing more.

Qin Muxue quickly walked over to Gu Tong.

From a distance, Chen Yang watched her, thinking, Muxue, do you know that the one who helped you that day was me?

He intended to keep a low profile and not approach Gu Tong. But Han Qin, upon spotting a wealthy man, acted as if she’d found a long-lost relative and headed over as well.

Knowing Han Qin’s troublemaking tendencies, Chen Yang followed, worried she might cause a scene.

Seeing Chen Yang coming, Han Qin was instantly annoyed. “Stay put. Why are you coming along?”

Chen Yang smiled, “Mom, why are you going to see General Manager Gu?”

Han Qin’s face turned cold. “Do I have to report to you now?”

“Of course not. I’m going because I know him too. Can’t I say hello?” Chen Yang replied.

Han Qin sneered, “Would it kill you not to brag?”

Chen Yang didn’t say anything more.

At that moment, Qin Guoshan followed as well. Since the others had gone over, he didn’t see the point in waiting alone.

Han Qin approached Gu Tong with a beaming smile. “This must be the famous General Manager Gu, right?”

Gu Tong smiled at Han Qin, then looked at Chen Yang and lit up with a broad grin. “Mr. Chen, you’re here too?”

Chen Yang smiled gently, “Just came for a bite to eat. Don’t let me interrupt—go on chatting with President Qin.”

“Oh, certainly!” Gu Tong nodded quickly and continued talking with Qin Muxue.

Han Qin and Qin Guoshan both stared at Chen Yang in disbelief.

So Chen Yang really did know Gu Tong!

Chen Yang thought to himself, Mom, with the way you are, I truly dare not tell you I’m a billionaire.

After chatting for a while, Qin Muxue waved goodbye to Gu Tong, her face radiant with smiles. She turned to Chen Yang and Han Qin, “Mom, let’s go eat.”

Han Qin, still eager to curry favor, said to Gu Tong, “General Manager Gu, you’re busy. If you have time, I’d love to treat you to dinner.”

Qin Muxue shot her mother a fierce look and whispered, “Mom, don’t embarrass yourself. Do you think someone like him would eat with you?”

Han Qin grumbled, “It’s just being polite. If I please such a big boss, maybe he’ll take better care of you in the future.”

“Mom, you don’t have to worry about my career,” Qin Muxue replied.

“Fine, fine,” Han Qin answered, not hiding her impatience.

Chen Yang followed Qin Muxue upstairs to a private room on the second floor. Qin Muxue was generous and ordered a lavish meal.

Chen Yang ate heartily, as did Qin Muxue. Han Qin and Qin Guoshan, being older, had smaller appetites and didn’t eat much.

Afterward, Chen Yang left the room with the others, satisfied.

The meal had gone well enough—though Han Qin was a little displeased at Chen Yang’s presence, the family atmosphere was still warm despite some awkwardness.

Chen Yang and Qin Muxue went downstairs together, but as they reached the staircase, they unexpectedly ran into two drunken men fighting, both faces flushed with drink.

One, with a crew cut, and the other, with a stylish side part, were both tall, burly middle-aged men.

The man with the side part grabbed the crew-cut man’s wrist and shouted, “You’re untrustworthy! I lent you a hundred thousand, you said you’d return it in two months. It’s been much longer! You might be in trouble, but I’m not. No more talk—pay up!”

The crew-cut man, reeking of alcohol, sneered, “With you? I’m not paying you back.”

“Scoundrel!”

The side-parted man swung his fist at the crew-cut man, who dodged nimbly. But in his drunken state, the man’s punch veered toward Qin Muxue, mistaking her for his opponent, and he didn’t hold back at all.

Qin Muxue froze in fright, unable to move.

Qin Guoshan, panicked, tried to pull her out of the way, but at the critical moment, Chen Yang leapt forward, grabbing the side-parted man’s wrist with one hand and the crew-cut man’s with the other. Standing between them, he smiled coldly, “You’re both businessmen, aren’t you? Harmony brings wealth.”

“Who are you?” demanded the side-parted man.

“Yeah, who are you?” echoed the crew-cut man.

Amazingly, Chen Yang’s arrival caused both enemies to unite against him.

But Chen Yang remained calm, his smile casual. “Me? I’m just a busybody who stepped in to protect his wife. If you two don’t cooperate, I really might have to meddle a bit more.”