Juicy drama at a romantic showdown

Ning Mother, safely removed from the battlefield, brought out the food. She arranged the dishes and smilingly called everyone over to eat.

The table was covered with dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted delicious, and everyone sat down around it.

Second Aunt looked at the spread and smiled at Ning Father. "Your wife really is so domestic. Perfect wife material. You're a lucky man."

It sounded like praise for Ning Mother, but something about it felt off, almost as though she were insulting her instead.

Ning Mother felt uncomfortable, though she couldn't pinpoint which part had bothered her. She stiffened her expression and glared at Ning Father, meaning: If you dare agree with her, you're dead.

Ning Father got the message and sheepishly shut his mouth without responding.

Yet Second Aunt kept going. She picked up her chopsticks and rummaged through the poached fish, picking up pieces without eating them, merely turning them over. "I heard Ying was the campus beauty back in college? You'd never know."

Ning Mother's real name was Luo Ying. She had attended an arts college, and even among all those beautiful art students, she had stood out the most.

Even now, without any makeup, anyone could tell she was a great beauty.

Ning Shile stared at Second Aunt's hand and finally couldn't take it anymore. "Everyone's sharing that dish."

Second Aunt looked at Ning Shile in surprise.

"Could you please stop rummaging through it with your own chopsticks?" Ning Shile suggested sincerely.

Looking embarrassed, Second Aunt pulled her hand back, let out a petulant little huff, and nudged Second Uncle with her shoulder. Second Uncle immediately spoke up. "Your business might be small, but you sure have plenty of rules."

Ning Shile blinked. "Isn't this something any normal person knows?"

What did that mean? Was he saying they weren't normal?

Second Uncle frowned, his expression darkening abruptly as he set his chopsticks down with a snap.

It wasn't loud, but it still turned the atmosphere at the table tense.

Zheng Ye looked up, his gaze settling evenly on Second Uncle.

His eyes were deep and dark, like a frigid pool, sending a chill down one's spine.

Second Uncle certainly felt it. He drew his neck in, pretended to clear his throat, and backed down.

Hmph. Ning Shile had been disrespectful and ill-mannered since childhood. Tonight, he would give Ning Grandfather a proper account of this boy's behavior!

Seeing Second Uncle look furious but too afraid to speak, Ning Shile couldn't have been happier.

Second Aunt felt awful watching her husband suffer that humiliation.

The more she thought about it, the less sense it made. Zheng Ye really had been bedridden for three years after a car accident. How had he gotten together with Ning Shile the moment he woke up? She had never heard of their household having any connection to the Zheng Family before.

She decided to probe into what was going on between the two.

"So, Zheng Ye, what do you think of our Lele?" Second Aunt asked with a smile.

Ning Shile went on alert. One look at Second Aunt's expression told him she was up to no good.

"Mm," Zheng Ye answered simply.

His response wasn't very enthusiastic. He probably wasn't interested in Ning Shile.

Second Aunt perked up. If he wasn't interested in Ning Shile, that made things easy. They wouldn't have to tread carefully around Zheng Ye.

"Our Lele is the face of the Ning Family," Second Aunt said with a smile. "I can't just entrust him to anyone. Let me test you."

The face of the family, huh.

You sure know all the buzzwords.

Ning Shile was speechless. Testing Zheng Ye? Who do you think you are? What standing do you have to appoint yourself examiner?

"Do you know what our Lele likes eating most?" Second Aunt asked.

Ning Shile almost rolled his eyes into the heavens.

You're asking Zheng Ye? Do you even know what I like eating most?

My favorite is Mom's braised eggplant. Have you ever tried it? I'll have her make a plate sometime. One bite and you'll be too busy eating to say a word.

Listening to Ning Shile's internal rant, Zheng Ye felt like laughing. He held back his smile. "Lele's favorite is his mother's braised eggplant."

Ning Shile was stunned. "Huh?"

How did he know?

Ning Mother was surprised too. That was correct. Her precious son's favorite really was her braised eggplant.

She hadn't expected Zheng Ye to remember even little things like that. It seemed they were getting along well.

If that was the case, she could stop worrying.

Ning Mother had worried that the Zheng Family would treat Ning Shile coldly once he moved in. Now it seemed Lele hadn't lied. The Zheng Family treated him well.

Seeing Ning Mother's and Ning Shile's surprised expressions, Second Aunt knew without asking that he had answered correctly. Unwilling to give up, she asked again, "Then what does our Lele hate eating most?"

I'm not a picky eater.

Ning Shile thought for a moment. If I had to pick something, it'd be bean sprouts.

"Bean sprouts," Zheng Ye said calmly.

Ning Shile was even more shocked. "Huh???"

He even knows that?

Seriously, how does he know?

Ning Mother nodded. Exactly. Lele disliked bean sprouts most. He thought they were bland and had an unpleasantly astringent texture.

Right again?

Second Aunt refused to believe it and asked another question. "Then do you know what hobbies our Lele has?"

Hobbies?

I've got plenty. Calling out fake sweethearts is my greatest passion in life!

Skiing comes second.

Having effortlessly copied the correct answer, Zheng Ye spoke again. "Skiing."

Ning Shile: "!!!"

He knows that too?!

A little pleased with himself, Zheng Ye pressed his lips together, the corners curling upward. Then he heard Ning Shile marvel inwardly.

As expected of the villain! Such incredible powers of observation!!

Zheng "the villain" Ye: "..."

Okay. Used to it.

After a few questions, Second Aunt stopped asking. Partly because any further questions seemed pointless, and partly because she feared annoying Zheng Ye.

Second Uncle thought a family dinner was dull, so he took it upon himself to open the red wine Zheng Ye had brought.

He took a sip, and his eyes brightened slightly.

Good wine.

Balanced acidity and astringency, a rich aroma, and a smooth mouthfeel. Every sip tasted like a pile of money.

"I'll take a bottle home later," Second Uncle muttered as he drank.

Now Second Uncle wasn't even bothering to ask Ning Father. He was simply helping himself!

Ning Shile couldn't stand it anymore and was about to call him out when Second Aunt said, "Oh, right. It's Grandfather's birthday tomorrow. Remember to arrive early."

"Yanyan is back too. My precious son, who studied in Britain, won the British Architecture Award, and was named the most outstanding designer," Second Aunt said proudly, clearly showing off. "I remember Yanyan is a year older than Shile? Oh, yes, I heard Lele used to follow Yanyan everywhere, saying his older cousin was his idol. Do you remember that, Shile?"

Why do I remember that brat of yours insisting on being my idol? Whenever I refused to admit it, he'd cry. So annoying.

But...

Ning Shile propped his chin on his hand and pondered. Why did this plot sound so familiar?

Seeing that Ning Shile had no intention of answering, Second Aunt turned her attention to Zheng Ye and invited him. "You should come too, Zheng Ye. It's Shile's grandfather's birthday banquet tomorrow. He'll be very happy if you come."

"I'll try," Zheng Ye replied.

He couldn't guarantee he would have the time. Work was busy, and managing to set aside this day to visit Ning Father and Ning Mother had already required weeks of extra work.

Second Aunt was still trying to persuade him.

Beside him, Ning Shile started yelling inwardly. Oooooooh!

That part of the plot!

This is some seriously juicy gossip!

What gossip?

Zheng Ye's attention was caught.

Ning Shiyan, your karma is coming! Hahahaha!!!

Ning Shile couldn't stop himself from laughing wildly inside.

Ning Shiyan studied overseas and is handsome, so naturally girls like him.

Unfortunately, he's a scumbag. He plays with women, then deletes and blocks them as soon as he gets them pregnant. If a girl pushes too hard, he starts spreading sexual rumors about her and hurling abuse at her.

What he never expected was that one of his ex-girlfriends was a lovesick psycho! Not a pretend psycho. An actual psycho!!

After Ning Shiyan dumped her, she couldn't get over him, so she started getting plastic surgery to approach him again. When she found out he preferred men and liked being a bottom, she transitioned for him!! Became a top for love!!!

Zheng Ye's pupils jolted in shock.

What was all this about transitioning, plastic surgery, and becoming a top for love? Ning Shile, what kind of ridiculous novels were you reading?!

And tomorrow, Ning Shiyan is going to propose to his official girlfriend at Grandfather's birthday banquet.

But here comes the drama. His lovesick psycho boyfriend, who transitioned for him, will also be at Grandfather's birthday banquet!

A romantic showdown! A love triangle! A cheating scumbag exposed for two-timing! The ultimate bisexual catastrophe!!

The battle of the century is about to erupt!! So good! I love it!

Ning Shile hurriedly sat up straight. "I'm going! I'll definitely be the first one there for Grandfather's birthday banquet tomorrow!"

Zheng Ye took a sip of water.

More like the first one there to watch the drama...