Chapter Sixty-Seven: Small Yet Significant

After preparing the food, Chen Liang carried the lunchbox to Xiaoyu’s office.

As the saying goes, though a sparrow is small, it has all its vital organs. Xiaoyu’s office was tiny, but it had everything one might need. Originally, it had been a neglected, disused room, but thanks to Chen Liang’s relentless efforts, it had been transformed into a secret garden for the young couple.

Worried that Xiaoyu might get cold in winter, Chen Liang had his father help him set up a small coal stove, so his precious Xiaoyu wouldn’t have to run to the kitchen every day just to boil water. On top of that, Chen Liang bought a chaise lounge from the trust store. Made entirely from golden huanghuali wood, it was a true treasure, and yet it had only cost him four yuan—a deal so good, Chen Liang felt he’d struck gold!

This very chair, in another fifty years, could easily be traded for four or five houses in the capital. If Chen Liang were ruthless enough to carve it into beads and sell them, the number of houses could easily double. Ah, there he went, letting his true thoughts slip out again!

Why carve up such a fine chair for beads? What kind of madness was that? (Truly, a mechanical hound at heart—everything can be turned into beads, right? Hey, how can you insult people like that? It was just a hypothetical, you understand?)

Chen Liang even draped a tiger skin over the lounge, so when his beloved Xiaoyu lay upon it, the visual effect was all the more striking—a true beauty and the beast scene!

After a lunch suffused with gentle intimacy, Chen Liang and his wife snuggled together and enjoyed a sweet nap on the genuine two-meter-long sofa.

When he woke, Chen Liang returned to the Security Department at the steel mill, only to spot Xiao Liu sneaking along the wall, acting like a thief.

Chen Liang called out from the window, but Xiao Liu was too far away to hear. Without a second thought, Chen Liang vaulted out of the window. For someone as agile as him, a two-story drop was nothing at all.

Keeping his distance, Chen Liang shadowed Xiao Liu—today, he was determined to find out what the boy was up to.

Following someone was child’s play for Chen Liang, who had worked undercover in his past life. Especially when the target was someone as oblivious to surveillance as Xiao Liu—this was almost too easy.

Eventually, he saw Xiao Liu unlock and slip into an abandoned warehouse in the logistics area. Chen Liang knew this warehouse well—it was filled with cast-off items from the factory, things no one wanted to throw away but had no use for, and nobody visited for weeks at a time.

Chen Liang was baffled, but since Xiao Liu had picked the lock to enter, he decided to wait quietly in the shadows for a few more minutes.

Then, to his utter astonishment, he saw Widow Qin sneak in as well—his cigarette nearly dropped from his lips in surprise.

Good grief, what a strange twist! How had those two ended up together? The world was truly full of surprises.

After a while, Chen Liang cautiously approached the warehouse.

What he saw confirmed it: Xiao Liu and Widow Qin were having an affair. He couldn’t help but marvel—today, his eyes had truly been opened.

When he saw that Widow Qin had already dressed, Chen Liang quietly hid again, lighting a cigarette as he watched.

Widow Qin glanced left and right as she left the warehouse, quickly straightening her clothes before walking off.

A short time later, Xiao Liu emerged, a cigarette dangling from his lips, tightening his belt and looking thoroughly satisfied.

Xiao Liu took a deep drag, scratched himself, and then absentmindedly sniffed his hand with a look of pure bliss.

The sight left Chen Liang utterly speechless. He thought to himself, This brother of mine is beyond saving—a complete pervert!

“Liu!” he called out suddenly, startling Xiao Liu, who frantically buckled his belt before turning around.

Seeing it was Chen Liang, Xiao Liu’s tension eased immediately. “Brother Liang! You scared me half to death.”

Chen Liang handed him a cigarette, and Xiao Liu quickly spat out his cheap one and accepted the Red Pagoda Hill with gratitude.

Chen Liang regarded him with a complicated look, waiting until Xiao Liu had lit up before sighing.

After all, they’d grown up together. Chen Liang really didn’t want to see his friend end up like Shaozhu.

“Liu, what’s going on with you and Widow Qin?” Xiao Liu hesitated, then gave a wry smile.

“Brother Liang, you know already? I…”

“Cut the nonsense. I’ve been standing guard at the door for you two this whole time—do you think I don’t know?” Chen Liang scolded.

“Ah? Brother Liang, it’s nothing, really. Hardly anyone ever comes here,” Xiao Liu replied, unconcerned.

“That’s not what I’m asking! I want to know how you ended up tangled up with Widow Qin?” Chen Liang’s tone was full of exasperation. “Do you even know what kind of woman she is? You’re a grown man—are you really looking to settle down with a widow who has a child?”

“Come on, Brother Liang, she just lives next door. You know her as well as I do. Besides, I’ve got nothing, and even if I wanted to marry her, she wouldn’t be willing!”

“You’re killing me. You know she’s a widow with a kid, and you still go to bed with her. Are you out of your mind?”

A widow with a child—especially a son—isn’t someone just anyone can handle. Don’t you see how even Dorgon, the mighty regent with the long queue, was ultimately undone by a widow? That’s a lesson written in blood—everyone here, remember it well!

Even I never dared sleep with Widow Qin, and yet Xiao Liu acts as if it’s nothing. Impressive! I hereby crown you the strongest in the courtyard!

“Relax, Brother Liang, she wouldn’t dare mess around,” Xiao Liu hurriedly explained, seeing Chen Liang genuinely angry.

“Enough. I can’t be bothered with your nonsense. Just make sure you clean up after yourself,” Chen Liang said, unwilling to listen to any more of Xiao Liu’s romantic escapades.

“Let’s go. Just keep your head about you,” he called as he walked away.

“Don’t worry, Brother Liang!”

Refusing to admit to any perversion, Chen Liang wiped the tears from the corner of his eye in disdain.

Really, Chen Liang—next time you brag, could you at least wipe your mouth? That way, your words might be a bit more convincing.