Chapter Index

    “Why did it take so long to buy groceries? Did you go to the Mars vegetable market?”

    Seeing Xu Shaochen enter the house, Du Ruyan asked.

    It’s only about a ten-minute drive from here to the market.

    Buying groceries and then returning shouldn’t take more than half an hour.

    But Xu Shaochen took a full hour. Was he selecting some rare delicacies on Mars?

    “I ran into some unexpected circumstances. Stop lying there and come help in the kitchen. Do you really expect me to cook for everyone by myself?”

    Xu Shaochen carried the groceries into the kitchen, calling out to Du Ruyan on the sofa, who was lounging with snacks.

    Du Ruyan pouted unhappily, tossed aside her snacks, put on her small apron, and hopped into the kitchen.

    “Ta-da! How does my apron look?”

    In the kitchen, Du Ruyan spun around and looked at Xu Shaochen with an expectant expression.

    “Not bad. It would look better if you wore only the apron and nothing else underneath.”

    Xu Shaochen thought of some meaningful island films, the kind that have an educational value and can enlighten the youth.

    “Hmph, your mind is full of dirty thoughts, so unhealthy.”

    Du Ruyan blushed and spat at him. Then she suddenly noticed something, “Wait, don’t move.”

    “What is it?”

    Xu Shaochen felt puzzled but obediently stood still.

    Du Ruyan bent down and picked something off the button on the hem of Xu Shaochen’s suit, something resembling a small button battery.

    “What is this?”

    Xu Shaochen asked.

    “I was going to ask you. It’s on your clothes. How would I know what it is?”

    Du Ruyan rolled her eyes and handed the thing to Xu Shaochen.

    Xu Shaochen held it, examining it closely. There was a red light blinking.

    Based on some espionage films he had seen, an uneasy feeling grew in his heart.

    “Bring Long Yi in here.”

    Xu Shaochen instructed Du Ruyan.

    Quickly, Long Yi was called in.

    “Boss, you called for me.”

    Long Yi stood before Xu Shaochen, speaking respectfully.

    “Check out what this is.”

    Xu Shaochen handed the item to Long Yi.

    Long Yi’s face changed: “Boss, this is a tracker. The red light flashing means it’s still working.”

    He finished speaking, then said with a gloomy face: “The guys at home are too careless. I told them to conduct a comprehensive check at home every week, yet…”

    “I found it on my clothes,” Xu Shaochen interrupted him.

    Long Yi’s expression softened slightly, then he said: “That makes it untraceable. I just returned from the Northwest today. So many people came into contact with you; anyone could have stuck this on your clothes.”

    “Be more cautious about security in the future. You can leave now.”

    Xu Shaochen waved Long Yi away, his face looking very unpleasant.

    Someone placed a tracker on him with ill intentions.

    He recalled everyone he interacted with, trying to find the main suspect.

    But after thinking about it, he couldn’t determine a target.

    As Long Yi said, he’d been outside most of the day with many people around. Anyone could have attached it to his clothes.

    “Maybe you shouldn’t go out for a while. It’s too dangerous,”

    Du Ruyan looked at Xu Shaochen with a worried expression.

    Xu Shaochen patted her head and chuckled: “How could I stay indoors for days? Do you expect me to hide under the covers forever? They’re just cowards, nothing to fear.”

    Despite his light words, he was only trying to comfort Du Ruyan.

    Dealing with those who come at you openly isn’t scary.

    What’s truly scary are those who hide in the shadows.

    They’re like poisonous snakes lurking in the dark, waiting to strike.

    To avoid alarming Du Ruyan, Xu Shaochen hid these thoughts.

    He put them aside for now and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

    After nine in the evening.

    The women who’d been out all day returned.

    “Ah, it smells so good. Ruyan, are you eating something delicious again?”

    “Ruyan, where are you?”

    “Ah! Who did this!”

    The group dropped their bags on the sofa and, seeing the table full of dishes, were all taken aback.

    “Could there really be a Snail Girl?”

    Song Xinran said dryly, wondering what else could explain the sudden feast.

    They didn’t suspect Du Ruyan at all because she could only make instant noodles.

    “There isn’t a Snail Girl, but there’s a Snail Brother. Wash your hands and let’s eat.”

    Xu Shaochen came out of the kitchen holding a bowl of soup and laughed, addressing Xie Wei and the others.

    The women were stunned for a moment, then the room erupted.

    “Shaochen, when did you come back? Why didn’t you tell us to pick you up?”

    “Yes, why didn’t you call us?”

    The group of women surrounded Xu Shaochen, chattering like ducks.

    “Alright, calm down. Wash your hands and let’s eat.”

    Xu Shaochen was overwhelmed, feeling that even 300 ducks would be quieter.

    After dinner, Mei Liangxinying, Linda, and Jenny washed the dishes.

    Xu Shaochen chatted with Liu Ruxue and Liu Ruxu, along with the other women.

    The spacious living room was filled with warmth and a sense of life.

    Since returning, Liu Ruxue and Liu Ruxu’s bellies had grown larger, allowing Xu Shaochen to clearly feel his children growing day by day.

    He already knew the genders of Liu Ruxue and Liu Ruxu’s babies. Although traditionally forbidden, in reality, he could find out.

    But was Xu Shaochen the typical case? No, he was a wealthy man with his ways.

    Liu Ruxue was carrying a boy, while Liu Ruxu had a girl.

    Once these two children were born, he would have the perfect family with both a son and a daughter.

    “How’s the company been lately?”

    Xu Shaochen asked Jenny.

    “It’s running smoothly. Oh, by the way, Zhao Qing borrowed money from the company a few times.”

    Jenny replied.

    “Zhao Qing borrowing money?”

    Xu Shaochen furrowed his brow. Zhao Qing shouldn’t lack money.

    And why did he borrow multiple times without contacting me but rather approached my women?

    Xu Shaochen called Mei Liangxin: “Son, are you still up?”

    “No, dad’s watching TV with mom. What’s up?”

    “What’s up with Zhao Qing? Jenny said he came to the company for money several times but never called me.” Xu Shaochen asked.

    Mei Liangxin sighed complexly: “What else but a femme fatale? He didn’t dare to contact you.”

    Listening to Mei Liangxin’s explanation, Xu Shaochen finally understood the situation.

    Chapter Summary

    Xu Shaochen returns from the market, only to find a tracker on his clothes, leading to concerns about security risks. Long Yi cannot determine who planted it, and Xu comforts Du Ruyan while pondering the threat. Later, women return home to find Xu has cooked for them. The story reveals Liu Ruxue and Liu Ruxu's pregnancies and Zhao Qing's financial entanglements.

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