Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

On the other end of the phone, Yu Che's pitiful voice came through after being "scolded" by Yu Zhe.

"Waaah... Brother, you're scolding me again. It's just a phone ringtone, it's not that serious..."

"Don't try to change the subject, and don't pretend to be pitiful! You're secretly laughing, aren't you!"

"Pfft, hahaha, as expected, nothing can be hidden from your brother. Hehe, changing your ringtone is too easy, isn't it? Last time I came to your place, I changed it for you while you were taking a shower."

Yu Zhe covered his forehead with one hand and shook his head helplessly: "It's really impossible to guard against..."

I was trying to prevent her from tampering with my phone, but I still couldn't stop her!

You tell me, she's happy, and it's a good thing we're at home. If it were in a public place, and that phone rang, wouldn't Yu Zhe be completely socially dead?!

It's already outrageous enough that you've completely accepted Yu Che, are you trying to make sure your brother is finished soon enough?

Yu Zhe shouted into his phone in a commanding tone, "In short! You're not allowed to touch my phone without permission from now on, understand?"

"Hmph! I'll touch it!"

Hey, you've got a temper now, haven't you?

Yu Che was so assertive today for a reason: "Brother, you're still lecturing me! I called to reprimand you!"

"Condemn me? What did I do?"

"You still ask?!" Yu Che was furious at this. "Brother, how much work did you do this morning! I barely looked at any documents when I got to the company, but you reviewed them all. It was the same yesterday. We agreed that you would rest today! How could you go back on your word? I'm complaining! I'm deeply hurt!"

"Shh!"

Yu Zhe quickly silenced her.

But it was too late.

Zixiao is now surrounded by a frightening aura.

Well, you just said you weren't working all morning, but you've been exposed right now.

Hmph, brother, just wait till I make sure you eat until you're stuffed at lunchtime!

"Oh? Zixiao is here too. Whew, you keep an eye on your brother. He's always going to school and neglecting his duties. He's putting the cart before the horse."

"You don't need to tell me." Zixiao nodded in agreement. "I've also realized the seriousness of the matter, and I'll be more careful from now on."

"Very good~"

(I.e.

Zhe realized he was in deep trouble, so he could only shrug as if giving up and continue talking to his phone.

"Oh well, never mind, I'll just work less in the future. By the way, Yu Che, did you call just to complain about this? If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

It's not good to turn the speakerphone on and off again. If I don't hang up, I'm afraid you'll say something else that will upset Zixiao!

"No! I haven't even mentioned the minor points yet; I've only talked about the main ones!"

"?"

It seems we need to get down to business.

However, in Yu Che's eyes, anything related to Yu Zhe is considered important, while anything unrelated to him is considered secondary.

But Yu Zhe had a premonition that the real business was about to begin.

Sure enough, Yu Che thought for a moment before speaking, "Brother, I just wanted to let you know that the Ouyang family is having a banquet tomorrow night. They've sent us an invitation. Given your relationship with that idiot from the Ouyang family, I think we should definitely go."

"Don't just call him an idiot... poor little lychee."

"That's about it! Anyway, are you going or not, brother? If you don't want to go because you think it's too much trouble, that's fine too. I can go on your behalf."

Whether to go or not, the answer is obvious.

Of course Yu Zhe will go. This is a family matter for Xiao Lizhi. As one of the girls he has accepted, there is no reason for him not to go when his family sends him an invitation.

But... what is this banquet about?

Yu Zhe used his extraordinary memory to quickly recall that there were no holidays tomorrow.

On the other days...

Oh, I remember now!

"Is tomorrow Little Lychee's birthday?"

Zixiao looked up when she heard this, and was once again amazed by her brother's memory. It seemed that the only time he mentioned Xiaolizhi's birthday was when everyone was chatting on Yuzhe's birthday last time.

Zixiao had long forgotten the exact date, but her brother still remembered?

“That’s right,” Yu Che replied over the phone. “Moreover, this birthday party has a very special purpose. It’s not just about celebrating Ouyang Lizhi’s birthday, but also has a deeper meaning. No, to put it another way, she has never held a birthday party before.”

Yu Zhe nodded and guessed, "So...more than a birthday party, this is what Uncle Ouyang and Aunt Ouyang want to do to increase Xiao Lizhi's popularity in Fenghai City, right?"

"As expected of my brother! You guessed it right away! The two from the Ouyang family have already told me about this, that they want their daughter to broaden her horizons through this banquet, so she can't always be a dullard."

Goodness... Uncle Ouyang and Aunt Elisa, you really don't hold back at all when talking about your daughters.

Yu Zhe already understood the true nature of this banquet.

Didn't the Ouyang family previously think that Xiao Lizhi was not up to the task and have kept her hidden away, hardly ever appearing on any formal occasions?

There are also many rumors that the Ouyang family is hiding some kind of "secret weapon," and that the child who is being kept hidden is definitely a future business genius or elite.

It seems that the Ouyang family feels it's time for Little Lychee to represent them.

Oh, little lychee, I hope you do well.

Even if you're not a genius, at least don't let people think that the Ouyang family of Fenghai City is synonymous with idiots!

43. One step ahead in skill

"Okay, I got it. I'll be there. Yu Che, are you coming too?"

"What else?" Yu Che's tone was completely matter-of-fact. "I'm not really interested in that idiot Ouyang's birthday party, but it's a rare opportunity to see and be close to my brother, how could I miss it?"

"You've been trying to 'climb the roof and tear off the tiles' lately... Let's make this clear first, once we get there, at least don't keep clinging to me in front of everyone. Don't let people think that the dignified Su family's 'business princess' has suddenly turned into a clingy baby."

"Ugh! Brother, that's going too far! Breastfeeding is all out of love! Anyway, don't worry, I understand. Don't you trust my behavior when we're out?"

"really."

Yu Che is quite sensible in crowded places, always keeping a certain distance from Yu Zhe. She does this so as not to embarrass her brother by saying that the Su family's children don't know the rules.

"Okay, that's all for now. Just send me the specific time and location of the banquet on your phone. I'll hang up now."

"Wait, wait! Big brother, give me a kiss! Mua~"

You're getting all worked up over the phone, without even a video call!

Despite Zixiao's suddenly escalating aura beside him, Yu Zhe pouted and replied somewhat perfunctorily, "mua..."

Then I quickly pressed the hang-up button.

Zixiao had been staring intently at her phone screen without saying a word.

Now that the phone call was over, she stared at Yu Zhe's face with even sharper eyes.

"Uh...is our family's jealousy jar overflowing again?"

"Yes, that's right." Zixiao patted her apron and stood up. "The jealousy has indeed spilled again."

Zixiao got up, not to leave.

Instead, they express and convey their inner thoughts through actions.

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze darting away a few times before pressing her lips to Yu Zhe's.

Yu Zhe didn't try to avoid it at all, letting Zi Xiao express her feelings.

Before the kiss could last long, Zixiao quickly stood up straight, just before an even stronger "thought" arose.

Then her cheeks turned almost red, and she said in a hesitant tone, "You, you watch TV for a while, I'll go...cook."

Hmph... Yu Che, you're just giving me a "mua" over the screen, so I'll just give you the simplest and most direct "mua"!

Superior skill!

Seeing her like this, Yu Zhe grinned mischievously: "Oh! Less today?"

Add some vinegar!

"I...I know! Brother, you're so mean!"

Yu Zhe stared at the kitchen sliding door that had been hastily and forcefully pulled shut.

A knowing smile.

Zixiao must be frantically busy in the kitchen right now.

Oh, that's alright.

Zixiao has really changed a lot in a good way compared to a year ago.

She used to be afraid to express her thoughts and was always very passive, but now she has a lot more confidence.

However, while things have changed, many aspects have remained the same.

For example, this shyness, and this food that's ingrained in one's very being...

Hey! Just because I say others are strong doesn't mean Zixiao isn't bad!

Oh, that's not right either!

In short, Zixiao's "offensive methods" are quite subtle compared to many other girls, but they are also the most direct.

That's also the best way for Yu Zhe to feel the sentiment behind it.

No matter how many times... Yu Zhe touched his lips and smiled sincerely.

I'm really looking forward to seeing if Zixiao can still be "confident" when the one-year agreement expires.

Oh right...

Thinking of this, Yu Zhe recalled another difficult problem.

He frowned helplessly and looked around the room.

There is a vase next to the television.

There are two vases on the bookshelf.