Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Apologizing for Last Time’s HarshnessUgh, Yun Shifei awkwardly rubbed her stomach.

    Just now, because Cheng Lie had come to find her and even invited her to watch a performance, she was so flattered that she didn’t finish her meal before following Cheng Lie out. Now her stomach was growling with hunger.

    She blinked her eyes and looked at Cheng Lie, pleadingly: "How about we grab some late-night snacks?"

    At the bustling barbecue stall, Yun Shifei squeezed her way to the front to place her order.

    Chives, corn, eggplant, chicken wings, squid, oysters...

    She hadn’t had this kind of food in ages; the aroma itself was enough to make her drool.

    She even went to the neighboring dessert stand and ordered a few sweets, along with a piece of fried chicken. Sёar?h the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Cheng Lie stared at the mountain of food piled up on the small table, his usual cold gaze wavering slightly.

    This much—can she really finish it all?

    At that moment, Yun Shifei tore off a chicken drumstick and held it out to Cheng Lie: "Here, eat."

    She had completely forgotten Cheng Lie’s previous coldness toward her.

    Her thoughts were simple: if people treat her well, she’ll treat them well in return.

    Even though Cheng Lie had been icy and harsh toward her before, the fact that he’d invited her to watch a performance this time proved he was a decent person.

    Cheng Lie’s gaze showed disdain; he didn’t like eating such things.

    Yun Shifei didn’t bother being polite. Tempted by the fragrant aroma, she couldn’t help but dig in heartily.

    What kind of satisfaction was this?

    Since her rebirth, Yun Shifei had never experienced it.

    At home, she always had to act demure and proper, and there were so many things she wasn’t allowed to eat.

    Her parents believed that at her age, eating too much junk food was bad for her health.

    At most, they’d allow her to have some candy or cookies.

    Though she was given weekly allowance, she hardly had anywhere to spend it.

    After school, she had to go straight home; even lingering on the road for a bit would prompt Xu Ya to question why she was late.

    Now, she finally had the chance to eat outside. Of course, she had to indulge in all the junk food she had been craving!

    Gnawing on fried chicken, devouring skewers, and sipping on icy cola—this kind of happiness felt like stepping into heaven.

    Cheng Lie sat across from her, watching her eat.

    Yun Shifei ate seriously, her eyes narrowing in delight whenever she tasted something good—like an idle, satisfied kitten.

    Was she really this easily content?

    Cheng Lie couldn’t help but let the corners of his mouth curve upward.

    Yun Shifei worked hard to tackle the mountain of food before her.

    But she had ultimately ordered far too much, and even after she was full, half of the food remained uneaten.

    Not wanting to waste food, Yun Shifei packed up the leftovers to sneakily enjoy at home later.

    Finally tasting the food she’d craved for so long, Yun Shifei felt the world had suddenly become so much brighter.

    Indeed, calories and sugar were the ultimate remedies for melancholy!

    By the time they returned, it was already close to eleven o’clock.

    Before getting out of the car, Yun Shifei asked Cheng Lie, "If my mom and dad ask how I ended up out, can I say I was with you?"

    Cheng Lie nodded.

    Yun Shifei let out a sigh of relief. Otherwise, she’d have had to come up with another excuse.

    She waved at Cheng Lie before turning to leave.

    Cheng Lie watched Yun Shifei’s departing figure.

    Her silhouette was slender, her legs under the streetlight thin and straight, almost enough to dazzle someone.

    Thinking back to her earlier words—was she afraid of causing him trouble again?

    She was overly cautious, wasn’t she?

    Yet her actions warmed something deep inside him.

    Because she cared, she was careful.

    Uncle Liu observed Cheng Lie’s expression through the rear-view mirror, noting that his face remained frozen in its usual indifference.

    "Young master, did you have a good time tonight?" Uncle Liu asked.

    Cheng Lie didn’t respond.

    Uncle Liu was used to his behavior.

    Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the young master was somehow different tonight.

    Typically, when driving him around, Cheng Lie wouldn’t ask for a destination, merely letting him roam wherever he pleased.

    But tonight, he’d gone out of his way to find Yun Shifei and watch a performance with her.

    How unusual was that?

    Uncle Liu even suspected Cheng Lie had planned ahead to meet Yun Shifei tonight.

    But could there really be such coincidences?

    Uncle Liu never doubted the young master he’d watched over growing up; he just figured he might be overthinking things.

    Perhaps the young master’s closeness to the Yun Family girl recently had simply led him to think of her.

    Autism didn’t mean complete withdrawal from the world—especially considering the young master only had mild autism; he occasionally talked with him, after all.

    And walking alongside that little girl, the young master was as silent as always, as still and quiet as a sculpture—nothing had really changed.

    Once home, Cheng Guomin was in the living room smoking a cigarette, the ashtray overflowing with butts—clearly, he was in a foul mood.

    He had just sent off his guests; evidently, their negotiations had fallen apart.

    Seeing Cheng Lie enter, he greeted, "Xiao Lie, you’re back."

    Unaware of Cheng Lie’s activities tonight, he assumed it had been the usual—Uncle Liu driving him around.

    Whenever business partners visited, Cheng Guomin would send Cheng Lie out for a while.

    Tonight was no exception.

    Though Cheng Lie had autism, he wasn’t deaf. If he overheard any business secrets, it could cause problems.

    Furthermore, Cheng Lie was his illegitimate son, an identity to be kept hidden.

    While he tolerated him in day-to-day life, putting on the image of a caring father for those around him, he never revealed Cheng Lie’s existence in business circles.

    Especially with tonight’s guest, who was both a business rival and ally—if Cheng Lie were spotted, how could he explain?

    The man would surely use it as leverage, spreading the news and damaging his reputation.

    It was always better to have Cheng Lie out of the house during such times.

    Cheng Guomin instructed Uncle Liu to protect Cheng Lie and take him for a drive outside.

    After all, it wasn’t dangerous.

    Cheng Lie glanced at Cheng Guomin but said nothing.

    Cheng Guomin didn’t have the patience tonight to speak kindly as he usually did, simply telling him to go upstairs and rest.

    Cheng Lie went up to his room and set down his bag.

    His phone buzzed in his pocket.

    With lowered eyes, he glanced at the text: "Today, I forced Cheng Guomin to part with a painful five percent of his shares. Happy now?"

    The black-and-white screen illuminated the boy’s face.

    His gaze was ominously gloomy, icy—like a phantom risen from the depths of hell.

    This tiny trickle of pain for Cheng Guomin? It meant nothing.

    Why should he feel happy?

    Cheng Lie tucked his phone away and walked into the bathroom to shower.

    Although he hadn’t eaten at the barbecue, the oily smoke had inevitably permeated his clothes—disgusting.

    The boy peeled off his clothes, turned on the showerhead, and let the water cascade over his body.

    Though lean, his physique was defined, the water tracing along his contours—under the warm yellow lamp, transformed into hues that could make hearts race.

    After a while, he finished showering and returned to the room, meticulously drying his damp hair.

    He then slowly replied to the earlier message with only two words: "Got it."

    Soon, his phone buzzed again with another text: "Hey, kid. I’ve helped you so much—getting you tickets, dealing with Cheng Guomin’s shares—and you’re still so cold to me?"

    This time, Cheng Lie ignored it.

    Towel in hand, he gazed out at the moon hanging above the window.

    Thinking back to his earlier conversation with Yun Shifei.

    She’d asked why he had sought her out.

    In truth, it wasn’t just an extra ticket—it was one he’d deliberately gotten.

    It was meant as a peace offering for having been harsh to her last time.