My Silly, Sweet Wife

Ye Guichen glanced up, unconsciously shaking his head: ”This piece of calligraphy and painting is clearly quite valuable. Although each character is different, anyone with keen eyes can tell that these ’longevity’ characters were written by the same person. If I’m not mistaken, this should be the work of the famous calligrapher Qian Dashan, right?”

Zhou Huairen was astonished upon hearing this, sincerely saying: ”Mr. Ye truly has sharp eyes, sharp eyes indeed! I am increasingly impressed by you, Mr. Ye. Yes, this is exactly what I shamelessly requested from Qian Dashan. However, the number of people who can discern that it’s written by one person is very few.”

The admiration and appreciation in his eyes grew thicker as he looked at Ye Guichen, as if he were looking at his own grandson, becoming more pleased the more he looked.

Standing beside them, Yu Jingxue, who initially didn’t think highly of Ye Guichen, couldn’t help but pout at seeing Zhou Huairen continually talking to Ye Guichen while ignoring her. She mocked, ”Glib of tongue, what use is being eloquent, who knows if he can even write.”

As soon as she spoke, Yu Jingxue immediately felt several warning glances directed at her.

She quickly lowered her head, not daring to make another sound.

Zhou Weijun glared at Yu Jingxue, then awkwardly said with a smile: ”Brother Ye, please don’t mind her. Jingxue is just straightforward. Let’s let bygones be bygones. Today, Jingxue and I will cook ourselves, letting you taste our culinary skills.”

He said, pulling Yu Jingxue towards the kitchen.

Zhou Huairen did not stop them. Watching them leave, he sighed and said to Ye Guichen: ”Mr. Ye, I apologize for making a fool of myself.”

”Mr. Zhou, what are you saying.” Ye Guichen smiled, not taking it to heart. ”It seems you don’t get along well with your daughter-in-law?”

”Haha, actually, Yu Jingxue is not Qing’er’s biological mother.” Zhou Huairen glanced towards the kitchen, lovingly stroking Zhou Qing’er’s head, and said softly: ”Qing’er is a poor child. Her mother passed away right after she was born, and her father is seldom at home. I couldn’t bear to see her suffer, so I raised her by my side since she was little.”

”When Qing’er was seven, Weijun brought Yu Jingxue here.”

Zhou Huairen opened his mouth as if he found it hard to speak, clearly showing his dissatisfaction with Yu Jingxue.

Ye Guichen didn’t speak, silently placing his hand on Zhou Qing’er’s pulse, beginning to examine her condition.

Zhou Huairen liked Ye Guichen from the bottom of his heart. He had long harbored his feelings unsaid and began to speak regardless of whether Ye Guichen wanted to listen: ”No one would have guessed that Yu Jingxue was actually a woman of the dust, who worked as an escort in a bar before she followed Weijun. This kind of person shouldn’t have entered the Zhou family, but Weijun was possessed and insisted on marrying her.”

”Thus, our relationship has always been strained. Yu Jingxue, however, has been rather good to Qing’er and me, frequently trying to please us but...”

Zhou Huairen smiled bitterly.

Ye Guichen understood that someone like Zhou Huairen would prefer his daughter-in-law to be a cultured lady, though not necessarily proficient in all arts, still not originating from the dust.

”Grandpa, actually Aunt Snow is also involuntarily compelled.” Zhou Qing’er blinked her big eyes, suddenly interjecting.

Zhou Huairen was stunned, bitterly smiling: ”Haha, Qing’er, it’s not that I don’t know she has no choice, but I just can’t get over this mental hurdle.”

Ye Guichen finished examining Zhou Qing’er’s condition, confirming she indeed had no issues, then raised his head, smiling: ”Mr. Zhou, one’s origin is important, but many things are not within one’s control. Pardon my boldness, Yu Jingxue is just too arrogant. If she could change that, she wouldn’t be too bad.”

Though Ye Guichen hadn’t looked directly at Yu Jingxue, he could sense that Yu Jingxue wasn’t just trying to please Zhou Huairen and Qing’er superficially but sincerely wanted their approval.

Zhou Huairen was taken aback, not expecting Ye Guichen to speak in favor of Yu Jingxue.

”Mr. Ye, you...”

”Haha, I’m just speaking objectively.” Ye Guichen smiled: ”No one is perfect. Though I don’t quite agree with Brother Zhou’s profession, once you’re in this field, some level of assertiveness is necessary for control. However, this assertiveness isn’t targeted at everyone; it needs a balance.”

Zhou Huairen’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this.

Urged by Zhou Weijun, who was holding tea, Yu Jingxue just reached the living room. Upon hearing this, she trembled, glancing at Ye Guichen’s back in disbelief, showing a hint of gratitude.

Unexpectedly, this guy didn’t blame me and even spoke well of me to the old man?

In an instant, her original hostility towards Ye Guichen vanished.

”Mr. Ye, please have some tea.” Hesitating for a moment, Yu Jingxue stepped forward, pouring tea for Ye Guichen and Zhou Huairen, glancing at Ye Guichen, wanting to speak, but Ye Guichen waved his hand: ”I stand by my words, arrogance should be selective. If you like, I could gift you a word.”

Ye Guichen was in excellent spirits, his hands itching to perform.

Zhou Huairen immediately shouted: ”Jingxue, why are you standing there? Quickly, bring the pen and ink.”

Although Yu Jingxue didn’t have high hopes for Ye Guichen’s calligraphy, she quickly brought the pen and ink.

Ye Guichen didn’t hesitate, picking up the brush and writing a character: Goodness!

The strokes were bold and sharp!

”What a great character!”

Seeing this character for goodness, even Zhou Huairen couldn’t help but applaud.

Yu Jingxue was dumbstruck, staring at the character ’Goodness’, feeling a sense of sudden realization: ”This guy can actually write such a fine character?”

Though she was once a woman of the dust, Yu Jingxue could appreciate calligraphy, and sighed: ”True goodness is like water; do not neglect small good deeds even if they seem trivial. Although the strokes are bold, they are not petty. Hate the wicked, compassionate towards the pitiful, loving towards the lovely, what a mighty ’Goodness’!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huairen looked at Yu Jingxue in surprise, a rare hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

”Refreshing! Haha, Mr. Ye, I will hang this painting up to admire every day!” Zhou Huairen laughed heartily, his mood reaching an extreme of joy.

Half an hour later, the food and drinks were ready.

At the dining table, the host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

Zhou Qing’er, her smile blooming: ”Brother Ye, you must come often in the future. Our family hasn’t been this happy for a long time.”

”Yes, yes, Brother Ye, if you don’t mind, from now on, I’ll be your big brother. In Yun City, if you need anything, just tell me, and I’ll comply without hesitation.” Zhou Weijun patted his chest, promising sincerely.

Zhou Huairen, his face flushed from drinking, snorted: ”Only when you stop your grave-digging and tomb-raiding business can you be worthy to be friends with Mr. Ye.”

”Haha.” Zhou Weijun laughed awkwardly, glancing at Zhou Qing’er, then suddenly lowered his voice to Ye Guichen: ”Mr. Ye, could we talk in the study?”

Ye Guichen was puzzled: ”Why can’t you speak here?”

”It’s about the people who hurt Qing’er.” Zhou Weijun said with a serious face.

Ye Guichen was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, then stood up: ”Alright.”

In the study.

Zhou Weijun put away his smile: ”Brother Ye, I know all about what happened. They came for the Seven-colored Lotus Jade. If I’m not mistaken, were those people from the Azure Dragon Commerce?”