Winning Zheng Ye Over

Zheng Ye, who hadn't been home for two months straight, returned within four hours of receiving Zheng Mother's call.

He hadn't finished his work, though, and had brought a folder and laptop with him.

Ning Shile greeted Zheng Ye politely, then stood to one side, puzzled. Huh? Why is Zheng Ye back already?

Then how is he going to meet Su Jinyu?

What Su Jinyu?

Zheng Ye thought the name sounded familiar. Ning Shile seemed to have mentioned it before.

But he had no time to worry about that. The project still needed approval, and he couldn't afford any delays. He took his things straight upstairs.

Now that Zheng Ye's back, calling off the engagement tomorrow is definitely happening.

Zheng Ye paused midstep.

Calling off the engagement?

I'd better call Dad and give him a heads-up.

With that, Ning Shile turned and went back to his room, took out his phone, and called Ning Father.

Ning Father was at home trying to soothe Ning Mother. Seeing Ning Shile's call was like seeing a savior, and he hurried to answer. "What's up, son?"

"Dad, are you free tomorrow?" Ning Shile asked.

"Sure. Why? Something going on?" With efforts to attract investors going poorly and the project unable to get off the ground, Ning Father had plenty of time on his hands.

"Good. I'll come home tomorrow," Ning Shile said, then added, "With Zheng Ye."

Zheng Ye?

At that, Ning Mother quickly snatched the phone. "Son, how are things going between you and Zheng Ye?"

"Things are... okay, I guess. He's pretty busy." Ning Shile had spent the past couple of weeks keeping Zheng Ye's mother company, and they'd gotten along quite well. As for the two men of the Zheng family, both were workaholics who rarely even came home. He never got to see them.

"That's good!" His mother smiled in relief, then told him, "Your second uncle and his family are coming over tomorrow. You remember him, right? The one who always said you had no manners when you were little, said we spoiled you, and complained about you to your grandfather."

Second Uncle?

Just thinking about him made Ning Shile grind his teeth.

Oh, I remember him all right!

Wasn't he the one who pushed Dad out to a branch office, bad-mouthed our family in front of Grandpa, and stole credit for Dad's work?

"What's he done now?" Ning Shile asked.

"He heard our family was marrying into the Zheng family, and he doesn't believe it!" his mother said. "Perfect timing. His whole family will be here tomorrow, so bring Zheng Ye home! Help me put them in their place!"

Hearing her indignant tone, his father couldn't help trying to persuade her. "Come on, what do you mean, put them in their place? We're all family, after all."

“What do you mean, we're all family?” Ning Mother, who had only just calmed down, exploded again. “If we're all family, why did they slander me like that in front of your father? If we're all family, why did they send you to a branch office just because you were doing well at headquarters? If we're all family, why did they tear Lele down the moment they heard he was marrying into the Zheng Family?”

"I see how it is now. They're your family! Go live with your relatives, then!"

The barrage gave Ning Father a headache. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he said, sounding aggrieved, “But I didn't even say anything...”

“Ha! You didn't say anything? Haven't you said enough?” Ning Mother sneered. “When you're old and lying in a hospital bed hooked up to tubes, let them take care of you!”

Ning Mother grew more and more worked up as she talked, dredging up every grievance she'd suffered over the years. From logic to emotion, her onslaught left no opening.

Ning Father could only retreat, both hands raised in surrender, repeating dejectedly, “I really didn't say anything...”

With the battle raging, Ning Shile figured his mother wouldn't calm down anytime soon. He said goodbye and hung up.

Now came the problem.

Ning Shile took a deep breath.

Zheng Ye was going there tomorrow to call off the engagement. If his second uncle's family found out, forget putting them in their place—they'd probably become a laughingstock.

How was he supposed to bring this up with Zheng Ye?

Argh, this is such a headache!

Like a little old man, Ning Shile paced around his room with his hands behind his back, his brows drawn tight, occasionally stopping to sigh.

His family's dignity was at stake here. He couldn't just sit back and do nothing! Maybe he should discuss it with Zheng Ye first?

If that didn't work, he'd beg Zheng Ye's mother to help! Have the Zheng family call off the engagement another day!

Right!

That's the plan!

Clenching his little fists, Ning Shile left his room and looked around. “Auntie, did Brother Ye go straight to work without eating?”

The housekeeper nodded. "Yes, he got busy as soon as he came home."

Ning Shile murmured an acknowledgment.

Okay, then I'll get something tasty and win him over!

Ning Shile took out the pudding he'd been saving. Sweet caramel covered the top, with rich, silky, pale yellow pudding beneath. Just looking at it made his mouth water!

He'd ordered it specially from the bakery that morning, intending to eat it while watching a movie that night. But plans couldn't keep up with changes, and he wouldn't be eating it today.

After getting the pudding ready, Ning Shile also warmed a glass of milk, then carried the tray upstairs.

Knock, knock, knock.

There was no response, so Ning Shile raised his hand and knocked on Zheng Ye's door again.

Knock, knock, knock.

The housekeeper downstairs looked up at the sound. Seeing Ning Shile knocking on Zheng Ye's door, she stiffened in alarm and dropped the cup in her hand.

Zheng Ye didn't like being disturbed while working. That was precisely why she hadn't called him down to eat!

She was just about to tell Ning Shile to come downstairs when a voice inside said, "Come in." Ning Shile pushed the door open, tray in hand.

Huh???

Her eyes went wide. She hurriedly swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue, lowered her outstretched hand, and touched her face awkwardly.

Could the young master have changed his ways?

Zheng Ye really didn't like people interrupting his work. His expression dark, he turned slightly toward the door, ready to reprimand whoever had come.

He hadn't expected it to be Ning Shile. Poking his head through the doorway, Ning Shile met Zheng Ye's eyes and smiled, then lifted the pudding in his hand as if trying to curry favor.

The moment Zheng Ye saw Ning Shile, somehow the reprimand wouldn't come out.

He could only clear his throat and ask stiffly, "Need something?"

Before Ning Shile could speak, he lowered his voice and told the person on the other end of his headset, "Continue your report."

Zheng Ye was wearing a headset, his laptop glowing in front of him and several documents in his hand.

Is he in a meeting?

Ning Shile tiptoed over, afraid of appearing in the video call.

Zheng Ye's gaze followed him until it came to rest on him in front of Zheng Ye.

Ning Shile set the pudding and milk before Zheng Ye, then obediently crouched down in front of him.

The way he crept around made him look like a cat.

Just as Zheng Ye was thinking that, Ning Shile reached out and nudged the pudding a little closer to him.

Yep. Even more like one.

Zheng Ye felt like laughing. He lowered his eyes and watched Ning Shile.

How had Mother described Ning Shile again? Chatty, but very well-behaved and likable.

Ning Shile was wearing childish pajamas, pale blue with a Stitch on the chest.

He had fair skin and wasn't particularly tall. His soft hair fell over his forehead as he crouched by the desk, visible only from the shoulders up, his face tilted slightly toward Zheng Ye.

He really is well-behaved.

"Need something?" Zheng Ye asked again.

Ning Shile opened his mouth, but didn't know how to begin. His expression turned troubled.

For God's sake, how am I supposed to tell Zheng Ye that my awful relatives are coming over tomorrow, and ask him to act all lovey-dovey with me first, then talk about calling off the engagement after they leave?!

Aaaaaah! If only Zheng Ye could read minds! Aaaaaah!!

Zheng Ye pressed his lips together. I actually can.