Madam, Please Behave

< p116" data-end="186"> The red light was about to turn off, the green light about to come on.

< p188" data-end="369"> As Liu Changqing listened to the voice on the other end of the call, his expression gradually darkened. The moment the green light lit up, he moved with the crowd across the street. < p371" data-end="521"> After reaching the other side, he made his way toward the roasted pig trotter shop. He hadn’t walked far when the voice in his ear finished reporting. < p523" data-end="682"> Liu Changqing paused for a moment in thought. Once he was sure there was nothing more, he responded—his tone calm, but with an unmistakable edge of irritation. < p684" data-end="707"> “That’s all you found?”

< p711" data-end="861"> “I’m sorry... Give me a bit more time. I might have been chasing the wrong lead. I originally thought there was a loophole in the finance department.”

< p863" data-end="1013"> “I gave you a full week, and you wasted it investigating some woman having an affair with Li Chongming. I’m not interested in gossip! What I need is—” < p1015" data-end="1039"> He stopped mid-sentence. < p1041" data-end="1076"> And with it, his steps also halted. < p1078" data-end="1125"> A woman's figure suddenly popped into his mind. < p1127" data-end="1295"> That day at the hotel, when he went to talk business with Q Ball Company, he saw her in the lobby—wearing an evening dress, supporting a completely wasted Li Chongming. < p1297" data-end="1310"> That woman... < p1312" data-end="1337"> So her name was Chu Fang?

< p1341" data-end="1440"> “I might have been going in the wrong direction from the start, but don’t worry, I’ll go back and—”

< p1442" data-end="1491"> “No need. Keep looking into that Chu Fang woman.”

< p1495" data-end="1500"> “...”

< p1502" data-end="1580"> There was a moment of silence on the other end before a response finally came. < p1582" data-end="1735"> After giving a few more instructions, Liu Changqing hung up, shoved the phone back into his pocket, and mentally replayed the key details just mentioned. < p1737" data-end="1802"> Twenty-four years old… Finance department… Terminally ill sister… < p1804" data-end="1816"> Interesting. < p1818" data-end="1962"> Liu Changqing realized he might’ve overlooked something. His initial thoughts had been influenced by what An Quancheng said in the car that day. < p1964" data-end="2055"> Their goal wasn’t just to bring down Li Chongming—it was also about those two other people. < p2057" data-end="2245"> And the An family didn’t hold much personal animosity toward the Li family; they just wanted to see Li Chongming crash and burn. So even if their goals were aligned, their reasons weren’t. < p2247" data-end="2330"> No matter what, he—Liu Changqing—was the one truly steering where this was going. < p2332" data-end="2385"> He replayed the memory of seeing that woman that day. < p2387" data-end="2497"> Li Chongming, drunk out of his mind—how could he have been supported and taken away by just some random woman? < p2499" data-end="2633"> At the time, Liu Changqing had assumed she was just another naive girl being sweet-talked by Li Chongming. But now, he wasn’t so sure. < p2635" data-end="2773"> Thinking it through, Li Chongming’s appeal to both Li Wanran and An Yuanyao back in high school was mostly thanks to their shared history. < p2775" data-end="2942"> Sure, Li Chongming was decent-looking, but he didn’t exactly fit today’s beauty standards. Not to mention—maybe, just maybe—Chu Fang was only interested in his body... < p2944" data-end="3052"> But being honest with himself—ten years age difference? Could someone like Chu Fang really be that into him? < p3054" data-end="3140"> No… Liu Changqing was more inclined to believe Chu Fang had another motive altogether. < p3142" data-end="3193"> A plan began to take shape in Liu Changqing’s mind. < p3195" data-end="3297"> Thinking of Li Wanran’s perpetually emotionless face, he started feeling an odd sense of anticipation. < p3299" data-end="3343"> That face… if it were to twist into madness… < p3345" data-end="3375"> Now that would be something. < p3377" data-end="3533"> Liu Changqing stood frozen in place for a while, lost in thought, until the buzzing of the phone in his pocket and its ringtone snapped him back to reality. < p3535" data-end="3602"> He answered the call—and heard An Yuanyao’s voice on the other end. < p3604" data-end="3655"> She sounded a little anxious and immediately asked, < p3657" data-end="3741"> “Honey… what are you doing? I’ve been watching you stand there for several minutes!” < p3743" data-end="3900"> Liu Changqing snapped out of his daze and looked across the street. Sure enough, An Yuanyao had left her seat and was now standing by the curb, watching him. < p3902" data-end="3925"> He quickly scolded her, < p3927" data-end="4001"> “Go back and sit down! I got a pebble in my shoe and just now got it out!” < p4003" data-end="4072"> “…Okay… Oh! And don’t get it too spicy—I forgot to tell you earlier.” < p4074" data-end="4087"> “Mm, got it.” < p4089" data-end="4239"> After hanging up, Liu Changqing quickly made his way toward the pig trotter stand. After walking several dozen meters, he finally arrived at the shop. < p4241" data-end="4355"> Glancing at the posted menu, Liu Changqing—unlike his usual indecisive self—immediately ordered four pig trotters. < p4357" data-end="4552"> Technically, that was just two full trotters, since the shop chopped them in half before cooking. Only when he reached the front of the stall did Liu Changqing realize just how good they smelled. < p4554" data-end="4633"> Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t had one of these in a long time either. < p4635" data-end="4769"> The reason he ordered four? Because he knew An Yuanyao’s appetite. Even just half of one whole trotter would be enough to fill her up. < p4771" data-end="4798"> As for the remaining three… < p4800" data-end="4902"> Well, Liu Changqing—though reluctant—couldn’t stand wasting food, so he’d have to finish them himself! < p4904" data-end="5086"> With that little plan in mind, Liu Changqing didn’t have to wait long before the food was ready. After paying, he slipped the change into his pocket and hurried back the way he came. < p5088" data-end="5201"> As he neared their meeting point, he saw that An Yuanyao was already standing outside, clearly too eager to wait. < p5203" data-end="5332"> But when he reached her, he didn’t immediately hand over the pig trotters. First things first—they needed to get back to the car. < p5334" data-end="5357"> They could eat at home. < p5359" data-end="5510"> An Yuanyao wasn’t exactly thrilled by his decision. Though she obediently let him hold her hand and guide her, her pouty little expression said it all. < p5512" data-end="5658"> Finally, once they were back in the car and she was settled, she grabbed the pig trotters, opened the bag, and pulled out the neatly wrapped food. < p5660" data-end="5781"> She held one up to her nose and took a deep whiff. Her whole face lit up with joy and anticipation—completely unfiltered. < p5783" data-end="5856"> Back in the driver’s seat, Liu Changqing stared at her, a little stunned. < p5858" data-end="5908"> Wait… is that “pregnancy brain” thing really true? < p5910" data-end="5973"> But her belly isn’t even showing yet… So why does it feel like… < p5975" data-end="6022"> He didn’t know what Liu Changqing was thinking. < p6024" data-end="6128"> Spreading out one of the extra plastic bags he brought to use for bones, An Yuanyao took her first bite. < p6130" data-end="6251"> The moment she started chewing, her expression shifted to pure bliss, like she’d just tasted the most amazing thing ever. < p6253" data-end="6433"> What surprised Liu Changqing the most was how different she was from their usual meals together. Normally, she barely had an appetite. But this time, she was genuinely enjoying it. < p6435" data-end="6565"> She was eating with such enthusiasm that just watching—and smelling the food in the car—made Liu Changqing subconsciously swallow. < p6567" data-end="6697"> Snapping back to focus, Liu Changqing reminded himself that the priority now was to get home, so he started the car and drove off. < p6699" data-end="6876"> The entire way, he stayed laser-focused on the road, careful not to make any mistakes. But every time he glanced at the rearview mirror, he saw An Yuanyao happily munching away. < p6878" data-end="7019"> The once-elegant diner An Yuanyao had now clearly been influenced by Liu Changqing. Her way of eating now bore a striking resemblance to his. < p7021" data-end="7087"> No wonder they say couples start to resemble each other over time… < p7089" data-end="7125"> Thinking that, Liu Changqing smiled. < p7127" data-end="7193"> Then his mind drifted to the little life growing inside her belly. < p7195" data-end="7233"> And in his heart, he silently thought: < p7235" data-end="7311"> It was you, wasn’t it, little one? You’re the one who wanted pig trotters!