Zhang Guihua's eyes welled up at the word "steal."
"We'll move! We'll move out tomorrow, and we won't stay another day! The key was given to us by Ah Qi, so even if we wanted to steal, there's nowhere to steal from."
She looked very wronged, but Cheng You remained unmoved.
Living in a place without explanation, and not paying for it.
If they truly weren't trying to get a bargain, they would have moved out long ago.
"I didn't say you stole. I was talking about Zhou Qi. Not everyone in the Qi family has the key to this house, do they?"
Qi Mu paused. Of course not.
The second and third branches didn't have it. Besides Xu Yan Shi, only she still had one.
But she had seen it; the key in Zhang Guihua's hand was a new one, not the original.
Qi Cheng Yan said, "Since you've decided to move out tomorrow, let's not waste any more words. Please, all of you, leave."
Zhang Guihua reluctantly pulled Yu Liang out.
Qi Mu's face turned ashen with anger. She didn't know whether to stay or go.
"Since you're back, shouldn't you come home for a meal and see your father? No matter how bad our relationship is, I'm still your mother. Do you intend to disown us?"
Qi Cheng Yan remained silent, but Cheng You smiled and said, "Sure, we'll come for dinner tomorrow noon."
Zhou Qi wished he could pin several more hats on Qi Cheng Yan. He found out Qi Cheng Yan had returned to Yan City but hadn't even seen his parents, and then he spoke ill of him for being unfilial in front of others.
Something that could be resolved with a meal, so why not?
Qi Mu snorted coldly and turned to leave.
With the bothersome people gone, Cheng You continued to take care of everyone, urging them to sit down and eat.
"There's still so much meat left. Eat it before you go. It won't be fresh tomorrow."
In the countryside, they had wells. Unfinished food could be stored in the well, and it would keep for one or two nights.
But there was no well here. They could buy a refrigerator, but they didn't have the coupons.
Song Jing Tang closed the door again and sat down.
"Cheng You, don't you dislike... Aunt Song? Why did you agree to go for dinner?"
He glanced at Qi Cheng Yan.
Cheng You smiled and focused on rinsing the vegetables.
"I don't like Cheng Tian Hua either, but I still have to call him Dad, right? We can't choose our parents. It's like this from birth. As long as they are alive, we can't break the bond of birth and upbringing. This is our society's reality. Parents aren't always right, and if you, as their children, don't act properly, people will point fingers at you."
Song Jing Tang nodded. That was true.
The military compound was fine, but in these alleys, with their strong sense of community, any gossip would spread like wildfire. It wasn't proper.
Cheng You added, "It's just going for a meal, and we won't lose anything. I don't want them to use it as an excuse to brand us as unfilial."
For people like Cheng Tian Hua, she still sent gifts and money during holidays. She wasn't lacking money.
The Qi family could also be dealt with in the same way.
Qi Cheng Yan squeezed her hand, feeling an indescribable warmth in his heart.
Duan Li Ping nodded thoughtfully. Her family situation was similar.
Among those present, only Sun Xiao Wan and Song Jing Tang had good original families.
As Cheng You said, even if she didn't have a good relationship with her father, the family ties couldn't be broken.
"Qi Ge's matter wasn't settled with a conviction at the time. Later, his reputation was tarnished. Someone must have fanned the flames. Now that he's just returned, it's best to be cautious," Duan Li Ping said in a low voice.
Song Jing Tang genuinely felt that Qi Cheng Yan was fortunate to have met Cheng You.
"It's best that you think this way. Actually, Aunt Song isn't that bad; she just cares about appearances."
In terms of importance, Song Jing Tang didn't believe she valued Zhou Qi more.
But Zhou Qi was willing to lower himself to coax her, so she was willing to accommodate him.
And Qi Cheng Yan was stubborn and clashed with her, which only worsened their relationship.
Cheng You offered no comment. Anyone who bullied Qi Cheng Yan was bad in her eyes.
After finishing their meal, they helped clean up.
Cheng You said, "Li Ping, I'll accompany you to the guesthouse to get your things."
Sun Xiao Wan waved her hand. "No need. We'll drive her there and bring her back. You've also had a long day. Go wash up and get some sleep."
Cheng You nodded. "Alright, I'll leave the door open for you. Don't be out too late, and come back early."
With that, she saw them to the door and watched the car drive away before going back inside.
Entering the house, Qi Cheng Yan asked, "Youyou, shall I draw you a bath?"
"I want to take a bath. I've already cleaned the bathtub."
Their master bedroom had a private bathroom, which was very spacious and contained a large bathtub.
Cheng You couldn't wait to try it.
Qi Cheng Yan nodded. "Okay, you get your clothes, and I'll go draw the water."
The kitchen used coal for heating, and that was the only place with hot water.
However, unlike before, water could be added next to the stove. As long as the coal was lit, the water could be heated.
This way, they would have a continuous supply of hot water, enough for both of them to bathe.
But if Cheng You wanted a bath, all the hot water had to be carried in to be enough.
Bucket after bucket, mixed with cold water, the wooden tub was soon full.
Cheng You walked in with her clothes on. Such a spacious and clean bathing room felt very comfortable.
She unbuttoned her clothes and stepped onto the wooden stool into the bathtub. Her fair skin, heated by the hot water, looked incredibly soft and smooth.
Cheng You sighed softly with comfort, and all her fatigue dissipated.
She closed her eyes and leaned on the bathtub, then saw Qi Cheng Yan's figure flash in.
She was startled. "What are you doing in here?"
Qi Cheng Yan efficiently shed his thin shirt, revealing his firm, tanned chest and powerfully defined eight-pack abs.
Cheng You looked at him a few more times. When she first fell for Qi Cheng Yan, it was partly due to his good looks.
She glanced at him, her small face slightly puffed out.
"I didn't say I wanted to bathe with you."
Qi Cheng Yan curved his lips and walked over slowly.
With a click, Cheng You opened her eyes.
It was the sound of a belt being unbuckled.
"Qi Cheng Yan!"
A pair of large hands gently pressed on her shoulders, and his voice was low, "Be good, I'll give you a massage."
His palms were rough, gently rubbing against the skin of her back. It didn't hurt, but felt quite comfortable.
The strength of his hands was also just right. He had learned a technique from Uncle Li, and she had once jokingly said he could start a business.
Cheng You let out a soft moan, finding it comfortable and letting him continue.
However, as she drifted into sleepiness, she felt the hands on her back moving lower and lower, drifting forward.
By the time she realized it, Qi Cheng Yan had smoothly nestled himself onto the edge of the bathtub, encircling her entire body in his chest, pressing close.
He whispered in her ear, "I'm giving you a massage, nothing else."
Cheng You scoffed inwardly. Take your hands off first and then say that!