First spoiled, then love

Chapter 608 Do you have any place in my family?
The dinner party finally ended, and Director Li, with a satisfied smile and a touch of drunkenness, slowly left with the help of his secretary, Xiao Li.

Chen Qingrong smiled, took out her phone, and quickly typed a WeChat message to Zhou Tianyi: "Tianyi, we're over. How are things going on your end?"

Almost instantly, Zhou Tianyi's message popped up: "Brother Chen, I've been ready for a while now. I've even bought the yogurt. I'm waiting for you guys!"

Chen Qingrong smiled and said to Gao Qiang, "Tianyi is such a thoughtful child. Let's go and go find him."

The two walked out of the restaurant arm in arm. The night breeze was cool, but it also made them feel more awake.

Zhou Tianyi was already waiting at the door, carrying several bottles of yogurt. Upon seeing them, he immediately came to greet them.

"Brother Chen, Brother Qiang, you've had too much to drink, haven't you?" Zhou Tianyi looked at them with concern and handed them yogurt. "Have some yogurt to sober up first."

Chen Qingrong waved his hand: "No need, no need, this thing is useless. Let's take us home first." As he spoke, he turned to Gao Qiang, "By the way, let's take Gao Qiang home first. His family is not easy to deal with, and they'll nag us if we go too late."

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiang immediately retorted, "Let's take you home first, Brother Chen."

Chen Qingrong rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter how late I get home. Do you have the same status in the family as me? If your wife knew I was drunk like this, she'd nag me all night. Besides, you're not exactly drunk either. Tianyi, help your brother Qiang get into the car."

Gao Qiang rolled his eyes: "Come on, you're even more drunk than me, you can barely walk in a straight line."

Zhou Tianyi chuckled and interjected, "Alright, brothers, stop arguing. I'll take Brother Qiang home first, then Brother Chen. Is that alright?"

Chen Qingrong and Gao Qiang exchanged a smile and nodded.

Zhou Tianyi helped Gao Qiang into the car, while Chen Qingrong sat in the passenger seat. The three chatted occasionally along the way, and the atmosphere in the car was relaxed and pleasant.

Soon, the car stopped downstairs at Gao Qiang's apartment building. Zhou Tianyi and Chen Qingrong helped Gao Qiang upstairs.

The door to Gao Qiang's house was open, and warm light shone from inside. Miao Su and her mother-in-law were sitting in the living room. When they saw Gao Qiang's appearance, Miao Su immediately stood up, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

"Oh dear, what happened? Why did you drink so much?" Miao Su quickly walked to Gao Qiang's side and helped him up.

Chen Qingrong looked at them apologetically: "I'm so sorry, I had an important dinner party tonight, and I didn't expect to drink so much. I've caused Gao Qiang trouble."

Gao Qiang's mother also came over and patted Gao Qiang on the back: "You child, how could you drink like this? No matter how busy you are with work, you can't neglect your health."

Miao Su, however, was very understanding. She smiled and said to Chen Qingrong, "It's alright, Brother Chen. You're just doing this for work. Gao Qiang often does this, I'm used to it." Then, she looked at Zhou Tianyi, "Tianyi, you've worked hard too, bringing Gao Qiang back so late."

Zhou Tianyi smiled and shook his head: "It's not hard work, it's what I should do."

Miao Su turned to Chen Qingrong: "Brother Chen, do you want to rest here for a while? You've drunk so much, it's not safe to go back now."

Chen Qingrong smiled gratefully: "Thank you, sister-in-law, but no need. It's getting late. Tianyi, let's go. Let's not keep your sister-in-law from resting."

Zhou Tianyi nodded, bid farewell to Miao Su and Gao Qiang's mother-in-law, and went downstairs with Chen Qingrong. Back in the car, the two smiled at each other, their hearts filled with anticipation and confidence for the future.

"Thank you for tonight, Tianyi," Chen Qingrong said sincerely.

"Brother Chen, you're too kind. We're brothers, it's only right." Zhou Tianyi started the car and slowly drove into the night.

The car fell silent again, with only the slight hum of the engine and the occasional sound of the night wind from outside the window.

Chen Qingrong leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, but his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He knew that tonight's drinking session was just the beginning, but many more challenges and opportunities awaited them in the future. And he was ready to embrace them all.

After leaving Gao Qiang's house, Zhou Tianyi drove his car steadily through the streets shrouded in night.

Inside the car, Chen Qingrong leaned against the passenger seat, her face slightly flushed and her eyes showing signs of fatigue.

Zhou Tianyi glanced at him with concern through the rearview mirror: "Brother Chen, are you really alright? Should I take you upstairs?"

Chen Qingrong gently shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips: "No need, it's fate. After such a long drive, I do feel a bit nauseous. I want to walk around, get some fresh air, and clear my head. You should go back and rest early; you'll be busy tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tianyi stopped insisting. He slowly parked the car at the entrance of Chen Qingrong's residential area and instructed, "Brother Chen, please be careful and send me a message when you get home."

"Don't worry." Chen Qingrong pushed open the door, and a fresh night breeze rushed in. He took a deep breath and felt his mind become much clearer.

Then, he waved to Zhou Tianyi to indicate that he was alright, and stepped into the residential area.

Night had fallen, and the neighborhood was quiet. Only a few streetlights cast a soft glow, illuminating the path ahead.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow, rustling the leaves as if they were whispering. Chen Qingrong strolled along, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

When he arrived at his building, he happened to meet his mother, Wang Xiue, carrying a trash can downstairs.

Upon seeing her son's appearance, Wang Xiue immediately frowned and asked with concern, "Why are you so late? You smell strongly of alcohol. Did you drink quite a bit tonight?"

Chen Qingrong smiled helplessly and explained, "It's like having dinner with a high-ranking leader; you can't avoid drinking in these kinds of situations. Mom, don't worry, I'm fine." Then, he changed the subject, "By the way, Mom, did Xiaoru sleep with my son and daughter?"

Wang Xiue helped her son along, saying as they walked, "Ningning and Xixi are asleep. They were very well-behaved today and didn't make much noise. Xiaoru is still awake; she's been waiting for you. When you get home, take a hot shower to sober up, and then get a good night's sleep."

Chen Qingrong nodded, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He then asked, "Mom, are my mother-in-law and the others there? Did I trouble you again tonight?"

Wang Xiue waved her hand: "Yueyue and her husband went home tonight, and your dad went back to do laundry. I'll stay here to help Xiaoru take care of the baby. I'll be leaving soon too. It's okay, Mom, it's not hard work. As a mother-in-law and the child's grandmother, this is what I should do."

As they spoke, the two reached the entrance of the building. Wang Xiu'e stopped and looked at her son, her eyes full of love: "Chen Rong, I know you're busy with work. But you must take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Chen Qingrong felt a warmth in his heart. He held his mother's hand tightly and said with emotion, "Mom, thank you for everything. You and Dad have been working so hard for this family. I will work hard so that you and Dad can have a better life."

Wang Xiue smiled, her smile appearing especially gentle in the night: "Silly child, Mom doesn't crave a better life. As long as your family is safe and harmonious, Mom will be content. Alright, stop talking nonsense and hurry upstairs. I'll help you. Watch your step so you don't fall."

Chen Qingrong nodded.

Wang Xiue sighed silently, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.

She knew that her son had been working hard for the family and for his career. As a mother, she felt both heartache and pride.

But she also understood that all she could do for her son was to silently support him and protect their family. The night remained deep, and the neighborhood was quiet. Only the occasional chirping of insects and the distant sound of traffic broke the tranquility.

After Wang Xiue helped Chen Qingrong into the house, Tang Xiaoru came out of the bedroom upon hearing the noise.

She immediately noticed that Chen Qingrong's face was flushed and he reeked of alcohol, and she frowned with heartache.

"How did you get so drunk?" Tang Xiaoru said as she quickly walked to Chen Qingrong's side, reaching out to touch his face, which was burning hot to the touch.

Wang Xiue explained from the side, "Qingrong is having dinner with his boss tonight, so there's nothing he can do. Xiaoru, quickly turn on the water heater so he can take a shower and sober up."

Tang Xiaoru nodded, turned around and walked quickly to the bathroom, deftly turned on the water heater and adjusted the water temperature.

Afterwards, she returned to the living room and said to Wang Xiue, "Mom, you should go back and rest first. I'll take care of things here."

Wang Xiue checked the time and realized it was getting late, so she instructed, "Okay, Xiaoru, take good care of him. He drank quite a bit and might feel unwell for a while. Call me if anything happens."

"Don't worry, Mom." Tang Xiaoru saw Wang Xiue to the door, watched her go downstairs before closing the door and returning to Chen Qingrong's side.

Chen Qingrong was already sitting on the sofa, rubbing his temples, trying to relieve the discomfort caused by the alcohol.

Seeing this, Tang Xiaoru couldn't help but complain a few more times: "You know, if you can't drink, then don't drink so much. It's not like it's the first time you've drunk too much. It's really worrying."

Chen Qingrong gave a wry smile and reached out to take Tang Xiaoru's hand: "Oh, honey, I'm doing this for work. Besides, the result this time was good, and the boss is very satisfied."

"No matter how important work is, your health is important too." Tang Xiaoru rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "Do you think you're still a 26 or 27-year-old young man? You're 30 already. As you get older, getting drunk will be much more unpleasant than when you were younger."

Chen Qingrong helplessly shrugged: "Yes, yes, my wife is right. I will definitely pay attention in the future."

At this point, he suddenly changed the subject: "But honey, I'm hungry. Can you make me two packets of instant noodles and two eggs?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaoru frowned slightly: "There are still vegetables at home, including beef and other things. Let me heat up some food for you. Instant noodles aren't nutritious."

"No, no, no, I just want to eat instant noodles," Chen Qingrong said stubbornly. "That hot, steaming feeling is the best way to sober up."

Tang Xiaoru couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had to compromise: "Okay, okay, I'll make you instant noodles. But are you sure you only want two packs? Don't you want anything else?"

"No need, instant noodles will do." Chen Qingrong waved his hand and stood up. "I'm going to take a shower, can you help me?"

Tang Xiaoru blushed and glared at him: "You really know how to boss people around. But I'm warning you, you're so drunk, don't fall or hurt yourself in the bathroom later."

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Chen Qingrong smiled as she walked into the bathroom and began to take off her clothes.

Tang Xiaoru turned and quickly walked to the kitchen to prepare instant noodles for Chen Qingrong.

She first took out two packets of instant noodles from the cupboard, then opened the refrigerator and took out two eggs and some green vegetables.

Next, she added water to the pot, lit the gas stove, and waited for the water to boil.

The water quickly boiled, and Tang Xiaoru skillfully put the instant noodles into the pot and gently stirred them with chopsticks.

Then, she cracked in two eggs, sprinkled on some greens and seasoning packets.

Soon, an enticing aroma filled the kitchen.

At the same time, Chen Qingrong's singing came from the bathroom. Although he was a little off-key, it was full of cheerful energy.

Tang Xiaoru couldn't help but laugh, thinking that this man was really cute when he was drunk.

The instant noodles were cooked. Tang Xiaoru brought the pot to the dining table, then went into the bathroom and called to Chen Qingrong, "The noodles are ready, come out and eat."

Chen Qingrong responded and quickly came out wrapped in a bath towel. He sat down at the dining table, looked at the steaming instant noodles, and couldn't help but swallow.

"Wow, honey, this instant noodles look so delicious!" Chen Qingrong picked up her chopsticks and eagerly took a bite of noodles.

Tang Xiaoru sat opposite him, watching him wolf down his food, and couldn't help but laugh: "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

"You went to a dinner party tonight, didn't you eat enough?"

"Although it was a dinner party, Gao Qiang and I's main goal was to serve Director Li well. We were just toasting him, so we didn't have time to eat."

"Even if you ate a lot at the beginning, it's normal to feel hungry now after drinking too much alcohol."

At this point, Chen Qingrong nodded while eating, "Delicious, delicious. Wife, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Tang Xiaoru blushed and said, "Are you hungry? Everything looks delicious. Next time you go to a dinner party, at least eat your fill first, don't just focus on drinking."

Even though Tang Xiaoru enjoyed hearing Chen Qingrong flatter her, she couldn't quite handle it when he said her instant noodle-making skills were getting better and better.

After all, anyone can make instant noodles, no matter what skill it takes. Surely there isn't someone in this world who can't make instant noodles?
The two chatted and ate in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. After finishing his instant noodles, Chen Qingrong patted his stomach contentedly: "Ah, finally full. Thank you, wife."

Tang Xiaoru was clearing away the dishes: "No need to thank me, we're like family. But you should drink less alcohol in the future, it's not good for your health."

"I understand, I understand." Chen Qingrong nodded repeatedly. "I will definitely pay attention in the future."

After saying that, he stood up, stretched, and said, "I'm going to sleep now. You should go to sleep too."

Tang Xiaoru followed him into the bedroom and watched him fall asleep quickly on the bed. She couldn't help but smile.

She gently turned off the light, then lay down beside him, nestled in his arms.

Feeling her husband's body temperature and breathing, she was filled with happiness and contentment.

She knew that no matter how many difficulties and challenges life presented, they would be able to overcome everything as long as they worked together.

(End of this chapter)