Who would willingly beg on the streets?

"A d-dating show? Do you mean the kind of romance reality show I'm thinking of?"

Qin Yunzhi was so surprised that she stammered a little when she spoke, even wondering whether she had misunderstood.

Lu Qingwan covered her face with both hands in shame.

Yes, this was indeed something her baby would do.

The two fathers exchanged a glance and awkward, friendly smiles, both forcing themselves to stay composed.

Only Ye Jing’an, besides being stunned, seemed somewhat confused. Frowning, he said seriously, "You can put up with that? I'm not trying to stir things up, but if it were me, there's absolutely no way I'd stand for it."

"I'll make do. What else can I do, get divorced?"

Yan Qingdu's eyes were deep and cool, his expression languid, and his tone helpless.

"Then it looks like you really do love my brother."

Ye Jing’an nodded in considerable satisfaction and even reached out to pat Yan Qingdu's shoulder. "Very good. You passed my test."

Yan Qingdu: ?

"May I ask what all that righteous indignation just now was supposed to be?" Yan Qingdu gave Ye Jing’an a chilly sidelong look.

Ye Jing’an spread his hands, utterly unashamed and thoroughly self-righteous.

"Sure, we're good friends, but some people are closer than others. When it comes to something like this, of course I'm taking my little brother's side. Is that even a question?"

Yan Qingdu: ...

"Right, right. Good friends."

Yan Qingdu closed his eyes briefly and nodded, looking distinctly as though he would rather keep the annoyance out of sight and out of mind.

"Qingdu, I'm not like that brat. I'm absolutely just, and I won't tolerate the slightest wrongdoing. I'm definitely on your side."

Ye Chongli also began taking sides, his expression very stern.

"Thank you, Dad," Yan Qingdu said sincerely.

Hearing that, Ye Chongli grew even more enthusiastic. "I'll video call him right now and give him a scolding."

With that, Ye Chongli immediately made a video call to Ye Yizhou.

The moment the call connected, Ye Chongli launched into an angry tirade. "Just what have you been learning out there all these years? How can you be such a scumbag? You cheating bastard."

Ye Chongli seemed genuinely furious. Sitting beside him, Yan Shanting nervously patted his arm and urged him quietly, "Don't be so harsh with the boy."

"Tsk. Are you deliberately using this opportunity to curse me out?"

Ye Yizhou was not intimidated by Ye Chongli's stern attitude at all. Instead, he sounded rather annoyed. "What a dirty trick."

"What kind of person do you take me for? I've always been fair and impartial. I never scold anyone without a reason." Ye Chongli built up his own image of upright integrity.

All he got from Ye Yizhou, however, was a "Heh."

"Don't act like you've been wronged. Qingdu is the cream of the crop. You've already got him, yet you don't cherish him and still want to go on a dating show. What are you if not a cheating bastard? Was I wrong to call you that?"

With a legitimate reason this time, Ye Chongli straightened his back, his words involuntarily gaining considerably more force.

Ye Yizhou fell silent for a moment.

"Who told you that?" Ye Yizhou asked uncertainly.

"If Qingdu hadn't explained for you why you couldn't attend your Aunt Qin's birthday banquet, we'd all still be in the dark. Seeing how considerate Qingdu is just breaks my heart."

Ye Chongli could not help sighing, seizing the opportunity to curse him again. "Cheating bastard."

Ye Yizhou: ...

"Who exactly do you mean by... 'we'?"

Ye Chongli switched the video to his rear camera, then showed each person in their circle in turn.

Switching the camera back to himself, Ye Chongli asked, "See?"

Ye Yizhou kept a smile on his face, but he could not hide the murderous look in his eyes.

"You'd better give them a proper explanation."

Ye Chongli handed the phone to his wife so they could talk.

Although his rebellious son did sometimes go rather too far, he would never do anything so morally reprehensible.

On that point, he still had great confidence in his rebellious son.

There had to be more to this.

Lu Qingwan took the phone, and a gentle smile spread across her face as she looked at Ye Yizhou on the screen.

"Baby, are you happy?"

Ye Yizhou nodded, the smile on his lips growing a little sweeter.

"Yizhou has gotten so much better-looking again."

Seeing Ye Yizhou's sweet smile, Qin Yunzhi's heart softened, and she leaned into the frame to talk to him.

"Happy birthday, Aunt Qin."

After offering his birthday wishes, Ye Yizhou also expressed his apologies. "Because of work, I couldn't be there in person to celebrate your birthday today. I hope you aren't angry with me."

"I'm not."

Qin Yunzhi was all smiles, not the least bit unhappy. She even reminded Ye Yizhou with a smile, "Still calling me Aunt Qin?"

"Happy birthday, Mom," Ye Yizhou obediently said.

"Oh, good, good." Qin Yunzhi was thoroughly satisfied. She had wanted such a sweet, well-behaved child before, and now her wish had come true.

Still, she had to ask about the dating show.

Since Ye Yizhou had brought up work himself, she would follow his lead and ask.

But she hesitated for ages over her wording. "Yizhou, well, about this... You and Qingdu have already registered your marriage, so going on a dating show now, isn't that, isn't that a little... inappropriate?"

"It's not that you can't go on a dating show. It's just, has Qingdu done something to upset you?" After turning it over in her mind, Qin Yunzhi thought this was very likely.

Hearing his mother's words, Yan Qingdu could not help frowning in confusion.

Rather than have Ye Yizhou reflect on himself, she would simply blame him?

"Ah."

Ye Yizhou let out a long sigh, looking utterly melancholy. His mouth drooped, and even his voice grew a little downcast. "We only registered our marriage three days ago, and Qingdu is already flying abroad for work tomorrow. He probably won't be back for a long time."

"We may be newlyweds, but I know I'm definitely not as important as his work. I understand all of that."

Looking generous and understanding, Ye Yizhou then introduced his perfectly reasonable explanation for joining the dating show.

"If there were food left at home, who would willingly go out begging?"

The moment Ye Yizhou finished speaking, everyone present looked at Yan Qingdu as though he were a cheating bastard.

Helplessly, Yan Qingdu raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, chuckling silently.

His partner truly had a way with words.

A single sentence had completely turned the situation around.

"I knew it had to be Yan Qingdu's fault. Don't be afraid. Mom is on your side."

Qin Yunzhi glared at her son, then firmly backed Ye Yizhou.

"Thank you, Mom." Ye Yizhou tilted his head and smiled.

"Once you're done with work, come home for dinner. Mom will make you something delicious," Qin Yunzhi said with a smile.

"Okay."

They exchanged a few more words before ending the video call.

Ye Yizhou played games at home until nearly midnight before turning out the lights and curling up under the covers.

Just as Ye Yizhou was about to fall asleep, there were some rustling sounds.

The silent darkness magnified every unusual sound, and Ye Yizhou's eyes snapped open.

In the darkness, a blurry figure slowly drew closer.