Chapter 26: Break Your Legs

He Hao Xuan shot the chef a look of disdain. “If you entered the Golden Pot Culinary Competition, first prize is ten million US dollars.”

“Ah, sir, you know about the Golden Pot Competition?” The chef glanced at He Hao Xuan in astonishment.

The waiter hurriedly explained to the chef, “He’s the one who shared that method.”

“So you’re the master everyone’s talking about.” The chef stared at He Hao Xuan in disbelief, unable to trust his own eyes. This culinary master was far too young—even younger than his own son, and handsome to boot.

Li Qing Ying voiced her concern, “Chef, are you sure you can waive our bill? Will the owner agree?”

The waiter beside them spoke proudly, “He’s our owner. Because Mr. He ordered dishes that aren't easily made by ordinary chefs, the boss personally cooked for you tonight. That’s also why your meal was so expensive.”

Li Qing Ying finally understood. No wonder the French cuisine tonight tasted so much better than before—it turned out the chef was different.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, you can leave now. Don’t disturb our time together,” He Hao Xuan said, his face showing irritation.

“Of course, we’ll leave now.” The chef, who was also the restaurant’s owner, pulled out a golden card. “Master, this is our exclusive fifty percent discount card. We look forward to welcoming you again.”

Li Qing Ying was secretly amazed. A fifty percent discount was no small matter; the sky restaurant would barely break even, only covering the cost.

The owner and his staff left, and He Hao Xuan tossed the gold card to Li Qing Ying. “Keep this. Use it when you bring clients here for dinner. But remember, don’t come with any other men, or I’ll be very upset.”

“Hmph.” Li Qing Ying glared at He Hao Xuan, feigning anger. “I’ll bring a man for dinner just to annoy you.”

He Hao Xuan continued to eat, and Li Qing Ying, reassured, joined him.

“This French meal is delicious. You’re going to make me gain weight!” Li Qing Ying gave He Hao Xuan another glare, but her tone was playful, more like a wife teasing her husband than the scolding she used to give him.

“If you like French cuisine, I’ll cook it for you at home. It'll be even better than this,” He Hao Xuan replied with a smile.

“Really? You’re not lying, are you?” Li Qing Ying exclaimed with delight.

“When have I ever lied to you?” He Hao Xuan laughed.

The dishes were so good, and both had hearty appetites. They ate everything they ordered before leaving.

“Oh, He Hao Xuan, this is your fault! I ate so much because of you. If I get fat, you’ll have to take responsibility,” Li Qing Ying said, rubbing her stomach in annoyance.

“Don’t worry. No matter how fat or ugly you become, I’ll never abandon you. You’ll always be my wife,” He Hao Xuan silently promised.

“You’re the one who’s fat and ugly! I was born beautiful. Are you going home now? I want to go to the office,” Li Qing Ying retorted.

The restaurant was halfway between their home and the company. If Li Qing Ying drove He Hao Xuan home first and then went to the office, it would waste a lot of time. She’d only had a little wine and had sat in the restaurant for a long time—there was no smell of alcohol on her.

“I’ll go to the company with you,” He Hao Xuan said, remembering that since marrying into the Li family, he had yet to visit Fortune Group.

Caring about someone meant caring about everything related to them.

Li Qing Ying hesitated, but nodded. She wanted to give He Hao Xuan a chance—if he could prove himself, she’d let him get involved with the company. “But you can’t tell anyone you’re my husband,” she reminded.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say a word,” He Hao Xuan replied, disappointed. Clearly, Li Qing Ying still cared deeply about what others thought.

Li Qing Ying drove toward the company.

As they passed a street, Li Qing Ying saw a stall ahead and parked a short distance away.

“What’s the matter?” He Hao Xuan asked curiously.

He had already destroyed the bug planted in Li Qing Ying’s car last time, and no new ones had been found.

“Your father is setting up a stall here,” Li Qing Ying said, stepping out.

He Hao Xuan felt a headache coming on. He’d told his father several times not to set up stalls—he had money—but his father simply wouldn’t listen.

Li Qing Ying walked toward the stall, and He Hao Xuan followed.

He Wei sat idly at his stall. Business had been bad lately, and he hadn’t sold much.

“You—you’re here,” He Wei stammered, standing up hastily when he saw Li Qing Ying. He rubbed his hands against his pants several times, unsure where to place them.

“Dad, I’ve told you, our family isn’t short of money. I gave you a bank card last time with a million in it. Have you spent it?” He Hao Xuan asked.

“The card is still with me. I haven’t used it,” He Wei shook his head.

His son liked to boast. If they really had that much money, their family wouldn’t be so poor.

But with his daughter-in-law present, He Wei was too embarrassed to expose his son’s lies.

“Dad, have you had lunch?” Li Qing Ying asked.

“I was planning to go home and eat,” He Wei replied. Hearing Li Qing Ying call him “Dad,” he was so moved he nearly stumbled.

He Hao Xuan had married into the Li family for half a year, but none of the Li family members had ever visited him; only sometimes did his son bring some dishes home.

His son had asked him to move out, but he refused.

He had lived in the old neighborhood for so many years, he was accustomed to the neighbors and didn’t want to move to a strange place. Besides, his son claimed to have bought a new house, but he was sure it was Li family money. He didn’t want his son to lose face in front of them.

Seeing this, He Hao Xuan turned to Li Qing Ying, “You go to work. I’ll stay here.”

He Hao Xuan packed up the stall’s goods, placed them in the tricycle, and pushed it toward home.

Their house was nearby, just a short walk away.

Li Qing Ying hesitated but didn’t follow.

He Wei, delighted, said to He Hao Xuan, “Hao Xuan, did you hear Qing Ying call me Dad just now?”

“I heard, Dad. No need to get so excited,” He Hao Xuan laughed. “If you like hearing it, I’ll bring more girls to call you Dad.”

“You dare?” He Wei snapped, angry. “I only recognize Qing Ying as my daughter-in-law. If you mess around outside, I’ll break your legs.”

He Hao Xuan hurriedly explained, “I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously. And don’t be too proud—Li family looks down on us. If one day I get divorced, don’t blame me.”

He Hao Xuan wanted to prepare his father, so if Li Qing Ying wanted a divorce in the future, his father wouldn’t be too shocked.

“Sigh, if the Li family wants to break off the marriage, there’s nothing we can do. But you must never let them down. Be a person with a conscience—if the Li family hadn’t saved my life, you wouldn’t even have me,” He Wei said as he walked behind He Hao Xuan.

Suddenly, He Wei’s eyes lit up, “Hao Xuan, is Qing Ying pregnant?”