Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss-Chapter 642 - 616: I’m Not Joking This Time

Qian loves money, but money can’t buy the obedience of a former rival waiting for her, so rather than squeezing Ye Xiaoyu dry, Qian prefers another kind of reward that feels more satisfying.

After reaching an agreement at the hospital, Qian drove Mr. Liu home.

"An hour for 5000?" Mr. Liu asked in a dangerous tone as he buckled his seatbelt.

The air conditioning hadn’t even been turned on, yet the chill seemed to pass through. Qian answered with a jovial smile.

"I sometimes do charity work, keep the original intention in mind!"

Mr. Liu was amused, though he realized Qian truly did some charity work this time. Despite the suspicion of indirectly dealing with former rivals, her overall performance was decent.

"Little Rocket, why are you so concerned about this kid? Treating depression doesn’t need a doctor to be with them day and night, does it?"

Having the patient move opposite her home seemed overly concerned.

For a heartless doctor who dares to charge 5000 or more for an hour, Qian was surprisingly invested in the younger sister of this former rival waiting.

"That’s my original intention." Qian focused ahead, driving steadily.

Mr. Liu was comforted, understanding Qian’s original intention to be a kindness to the patient.

Yet Qian was actually thinking about her little angel, Xiaowei, who "asked" her to help, so she would help, with all her efforts.

Three days later, Qian slept in until noon, and the diligent Yu Liumei had placed her breakfast and lunch on the table, standing by the window with a towel tied around her head.

"Good afternoon, sister-in-law!"

"What’s up with this look?" Qian asked, puzzled.

"I have an interview this afternoon and don’t want my hair smelling of cooking oil. Sister-in-law, don’t you think I look quite like a teacher now?" Liumei struck a very serious pose, and Qian nodded.

"Very nice."

She remembered, Yu Liumei had an interview to be a physical education teacher at a private middle school this afternoon.

"Someone is moving in, seems like our neighbors across the hall. You eat; I’ll go check." Liumei, always eager to help, was stopped by Qian.

"No need to look, she’ll come to us later. We’ll have someone to help with the chores soon." Qian slowly sipped her soup, her tone matched her silk pajamas, giving off an air of a landlord lady.

"Oh! It’s her! Isn’t she a radio host?" Liumei recognized her. The woman, stepping out of the car with well-done makeup and sunglasses, was the host she had seen during a plaza event two days before, reportedly an outdoor interactive program by the radio.

"She’ll also have another identity soon – our family’s free labor. Don’t be polite with her. Later write down what we want for dinner, let her buy groceries, cook, and wash our clothes." Qian commanded.

"... Sister-in-law, is this appropriate?" Liumei didn’t know Ye Xiaoyu well, but making such a pretty girl do chores seemed wrong.

Living with Qian, chores were split fifty-fifty; Qian didn’t cook but washed clothes, while Liumei cooked and whoever had time cleaned the house.

"This person, once had a crush on your brother in high school, now she’s asking me for help, so I want to train her, get it?"

Yu Liumei understood instantly, standing up.

"Looking for what?" Qian asked curiously.

"I remember I have a pair of dirty running shoes, let her clean them then." How dare she disrupt her brother and sister-in-law’s perfect marriage?

Qian chuckled.

"My teacher said something classic: people think too much because they’re too idle, don’t worry, sister-in-law, I’ll keep her too busy to think about other people’s husbands!"

"Great~" the boss loved such sharp and insightful roommates.

After eating, the doorbell rang on time. Ye Xiaoyu came with her little bag and sunglasses, like a big celebrity, accompanied by Ye Xiaowei, who had just been discharged from the hospital, looking pale.

"Meiwei!" Ye Xiaowei greeted Qian with a bright smile.

"Little beauty is here~" Qian reached out to hug her.

"I heard living with sister is so exciting, couldn’t believe we’d be neighbors with Meiwei. Am I dreaming?" Weiwei’s dark circles were heavy, her face weary yet trying hard to smile.

It’s hard to imagine this child tried a drastic way to end her life days ago, her bright smile instantly earned her the favor of first-time meeting Yu Liumei.

Even Ye Xiaoyu thought her sister’s condition wasn’t that severe. Since leaving the hospital, she tirelessly smiled and chatted despite her raspy voice from the stomach pump.

Only Qian sensed this child’s helplessness; her current cheerfulness was all a façade. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Actually, the smile wasn’t genuine; nothing genuinely happy. But she thought making herself appear this way might ease the worry of those around her, and the child was forcing herself.

"It’s okay, don’t force yourself to smile if you can’t. Do whatever you want here." Qian hugged Ye Xiaowei, feeling the stiffness in her body, grew more compassionate.

She was only about two years younger than her brother, yet her brother Chen Zilong was a carefree klutz, always laughing heartily, never bothered by anything.

Being truly carefree versus pretending to be cheerful, those are two different feelings, like wearing a mask, the soul elevated and indifferent observing it all, while the body has to fake fitting into society, knowing behaving this way reassures those around them, and thus strive to disguise.

But this becomes more painful, Qian pulled her hand and let Ye Xiaowei sit on the couch, then called over Liumei.

"Meizi, tell her what we’re having for dinner. With Xiaoyu here, we’ll have a break from chores and shared duties."

Sister-in-law, since when did we have a hired helper? Yu Liumei winked at Qian.

Now we do, isn’t Ye Xiaoyu our helper! Qian winked back at her.

Oh, completely understood!

"Uh, Xiaoyu, my sister-in-law and I aren’t picky eaters, let’s have something light tonight like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall—"

"You really want Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?" Ye Xiaoyu thought, why don’t you choke on it!

"Have it another time, let’s keep it simple, how about a Northeast stew? Get that, then a large platter, sweet and sour pork, and for main dish, rainbow steamed buns. Nutritionally balanced, and grab a case of beer for the fridge. My sister-in-law and I occasionally drink alone, and midnight snacks too..."

With each dish Yu Liumei suggested, Ye Xiaoyu’s face turned greener.

"Can I order in?"

Qian glanced up, Ye Xiaoyu felt defeated under Qian’s insightful gaze, "Sure, no you can’t, I get it!"

She meant to keep a stern face, but seeing her sister’s clear eyes on the sofa quelled any anger.

So she smiled, "What does Weiwei want to eat? Sister will cook for you."

"I’m easy." Weiwei didn’t want anything; even eating turned painful.

"Prepare something nutritionally balanced for her, besides what we listed, make a shrimp dish for Weiwei. She’ll be dining with us from now on." Qian noticed Ye Xiaoyu was about to explode and earnestly added.

"This time I’m serious, food can also be therapeutic."

Ye Xiaoyu took a deep breath, alright, I’ll endure!