Why Are You Picking a Fight with a Dog!

Chu Tianqing soon realized that Shen Heng really was spoiling for a fight.

At dinner, Father Shen began by praising the meal, especially the pigeon soup Chu Tianqing had made. Then Jiang Youyi talked for a while about things at home, just idle family chatter with nothing in particular to say.

Throughout it all, Shen Heng ate in silence, his face expressionless. There was no telling whether the food was to his taste.

Jiang Youyi gave her husband a meaningful look. She was actually a little afraid of her eldest son and didn't dare offer words of concern out of the blue.

Father Shen understood what was going on. He cleared his throat and said kindly, "A-Heng, I heard you lost your temper at the meeting today? There's really no need. Hong Kong and Jincheng are worlds apart, one in the south and the other in the north. You didn't grow up here, and you don't have a network of your own, so of course it's hard to get things done. You've been here from Hong Kong for less than six months. There's no need to be so impatient. Take it slowly. Dad can still hold on."

Only after Jiang Youyi learned the reason did she dare join in, gently comforting her son. "Your father is right. There's really no need to rush. When your father first came here, he ran into his share of walls too. He spent four or five years dealing with them, pouring money and effort into treating them to meals and entertainment before he finally managed to break into Jincheng's circles."

The memories stirred feelings in Father Shen too. He spoke earnestly to Shen Heng. "A-Heng, in their eyes, you're a crown prince dropped in from above. They're afraid your heart is in Hong Kong and that you'll shift the group's center of operations there in the future. If you want to win them over, you can only take your time. Remember this: only time reveals a person's heart."

Shen Heng paused and looked up at his parents. "I understand. I'll be more careful from now on," he replied in a subdued voice.

That was what he said, but the frustration was still plain in his voice.

Chu Tianqing hadn't dared speak, but seeing how Jiang Youyi wanted to comfort her son without knowing how to begin, she couldn't help feeling sorry for her.

If anyone in the original story had it worst, who could be more miserable than Jiang Youyi?

She had married into a wealthy family only to be disliked by her in-laws. For various reasons, neither of her two biological children was close to her, and the daughter she had raised with all her heart turned out not to be related to her by blood. Heaven really knew how to play a joke on her.

At that thought, she took the initiative to ladle Shen Heng another bowl of soup and tried to liven things up. "Brother, you seem to like it, so have some more. This proves I wasn't reluctant to share it with you. Don't falsely accuse me."

Shen Heng's expression softened somewhat, and he began bickering with her. "If you don't want me to misunderstand, don't go making those looks. Judging by your expression, I thought you didn't welcome me here."

"What are you talking about?" Chu Tianqing felt deeply wronged. "You really do let your imagination run wild."

"I'm not letting my imagination run wild. It was a reasonable guess," Shen Heng retorted, then added in a quiet voice, "I thought you wanted our parents all to yourself. Wouldn't my coming here ruin that for you?"

Unable to win the argument, Chu Tianqing turned to Jiang Youyi with a plaintive look. "Auntie, look at him! All he does is bully me!"

Jiang Youyi hurriedly chimed in with a smile. "All right, all right. I'll dote on you both equally. Neither of you will get any less."

She took the opportunity to quietly express her love for her son.

Father Shen added, "That's how it is when there's more than one child in the family. My older sister and I bickered all the way from childhood to adulthood. We both thought our parents favored the other."

With Chu Tianqing interrupting like that, the atmosphere lightened considerably. Everyone chatted and laughed as they finished dinner.

After the meal, they moved to the living room to drink tea and chat. Before they knew it, it was nine o'clock.

Jiang Youyi was reluctant to see them go, but she still told the children to leave early and get some rest, not to stay up too late, and to take good care of their health.

Chu Tianqing didn't have a car, so Jiang Youyi asked Shen Heng to give her a ride. Naturally, Shen Heng had no objection, and Chu Tianqing was used to riding in his car by now.

As the car pulled away, Shen Heng casually asked, "What did you talk to Mom about?"

"Nothing much. She asked if I was living well, eating well, and what I'd been busy with lately." Chu Tianqing leaned back in her seat and casually rattled off a few things.

That reminded Shen Heng of something. He asked curiously, "So what have you been busy with lately? Still hanging around bars?"

"No. I've turned over a new leaf lately. I opened a restaurant with some friends, and we're having a soft opening next month," Chu Tianqing replied with a perfectly serious expression.

Shen Heng knew her remark about turning over a new leaf was a jab at him, so he jabbed back. "Opening a restaurant at a time like this? Your judgment is nothing special. Eight or nine times out of ten, you'll lose money."

Chu Tianqing couldn't be bothered to explain how reliable Sun Haoyu and Jiang Lean were. She merely shot him a disdainful glance and muttered, "Looks to me like you lost an argument and came to take it out on me."

Shen Heng didn't deny it. After a long while, he let out a drawn-out sigh. "Sorry."

His apology softened Chu Tianqing's heart, and she couldn't help offering a few words of comfort. "I know you work hard. Why not take this chance to relax? Sometimes being wound too tight can have the opposite effect."

"How do you know I work hard?" Shen Heng turned to look at her.

"Brother Chen told me. He often calls you a thoroughly evil capitalist." Chu Tianqing didn't hide it. They were good brothers, and she didn't think a word or two from her could drive a wedge between them.

Shen Heng was so exasperated he laughed, then actually began acting shamelessly. "No wonder nothing's been going right for me lately. It's all because you've been bad-mouthing me behind my back."

Chu Tianqing couldn't help rolling her eyes. "I can't be bothered with you."

The two of them bickered back and forth, and before long they arrived at Chu Tianqing's place.

Seeing that Shen Heng still looked listless, Chu Tianqing hesitantly asked, "Do you... have anything to do later? Want to walk the dog together?"

Shen Heng slowly shifted his gaze. He really didn't want to work overtime today; the sight of those things annoyed him.

"Sure, let's go together," he agreed.

They opened the doors, got out of the car, and headed upstairs together.

As soon as Chu Tianqing opened the door, she called out excitedly, "Baogang! Look who's here! Do you remember him?"

Shen Heng froze in the doorway. "What did you call him?"

"Baogang." Chu Tianqing realized something. "Oh, right, I don't think I ever told you his name. Bao as in treasure, gang as in steel. Doesn't it have a wonderful meaning?"

Shen Heng took a deep breath and said, his face darkening, "He can't have that name."

Chu Tianqing was busy getting the leash and poop-scooping supplies and didn't see his expression. "Huh? Why? He's been called that for so long that he already knows his name."

"No. Change it starting now." Feeling that wasn't enough of a threat, Shen Heng added, "If you don't change it, I refuse to pay support."

Chu Tianqing stood up and held the puppy in her arms. "Are you serious?" she asked hesitantly. "Look Baogang in the eye and say that again!"

Shen Heng fearlessly gazed into Baogang's eyes. "If you don't change your name, I refuse to pay support."

Chu Tianqing was going crazy. "Why are you picking a fight with a dog?!"

"I'm not picking a fight with the dog. I'm picking a fight with you." Shen Heng sneered and began maligning her again. "You chose that name just to spite me."

Chu Tianqing stared blankly for a moment, then carried Baogang out the door. "I don't care what you think. I'm the one raising the dog anyway."

Shen Heng swung the door shut behind him and silently followed her. "Then don't ask me for support anymore."