Starting Check-in Reward: Tomson Riviera

Ye Ling drove back to Tomson Riviera. It was already almost one o’clock. After parking the car, he went straight upstairs.

"Uncle, this is Yueyue, my cousin."

Ning Ruoxi introduced Luo Yue to Ye Feng.

"Hello, Uncle."

Luo Yue chimed in, the very picture of good manners.

Just then, Luo Yue looked like a perfect little angel. There wasn’t the slightest hint of her usual "Little Witch" persona.

"Hello."

Ye Feng nodded. His gaze then fell upon the table laden with food. Though they were all simple, home-cooked dishes, they were perfect in color, aroma, and flavor. The surprise in his eyes deepened.

"You made all these dishes?"

Ye Feng looked at Ning Ruoxi and couldn’t help but ask.

"Sort of... To be honest, Ye Ling and Yueyue helped me."

Ning Ruoxi felt a bit embarrassed; after all, all she’d really done was wash some vegetables and slice a tomato.

"Since there’s a man in the house, chores like this should be left to him. You brat, how could you let your wife cook?"

Ye Feng, however, shot Ye Ling a very serious glare.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Let’s just eat."

At this point, Ye Ling was utterly exasperated with his old man.

’Damn it, I’m the one who cooked all this, okay?’

Throughout the meal, Ye Feng mostly just nagged at him, while the two girls snickered on the side from time to time.

Luo Yue, in particular, was laughing so hard her eyes had practically vanished.

’I never knew Master had this side to him!’

Luo Yue was completely surprised. ’After all, she’d never seen anyone make Ye Ling back down before!’

’You just can’t beat experience!’

After the meal, Ning Ruoxi took the initiative to clear the table, once again making a good impression.

"What are you waiting for, kid? Go help your girl!"

Ye Feng’s gaze instantly snapped to Ye Ling.

"Fine, I’m on it. I’ll make sure your precious daughter-in-law doesn’t have to touch a single drop of water."

Ye Ling sighed in resignation and went into the kitchen.

Inside, Ning Ruoxi was looking at Ye Ling with a broad smile on her face. "Why don’t I do it instead?"

"Hmph!"

Ye Ling snorted, ignoring her. He picked up a bowl and started washing it himself.

’After today, I’m definitely getting her back for this!’

"Mwah~"

Ning Ruoxi glanced back at Ye Feng in the living room, then stood on her tiptoes and gave Ye Ling a kiss on the cheek.

"That’s a reward for you~"

Ning Ruoxi said with a beaming smile.

"Don’t think this will make me forgive you."

Ye Ling snorted, not buying it in the slightest.

"Darling~"

Ning Ruoxi cooed, and planted another kiss on his cheek.

Instantly, Ye Ling’s hands stilled. He turned his head to look at Ning Ruoxi.

Ning Ruoxi stood there with her head tilted, her eyes curved into smiling crescents. They seemed to sparkle with a faint light, as if they held tiny stars, making her look utterly adorable.

For a moment, Ye Ling completely forgot how she had just set him up, and a smile broke out on his face.

"You little rascal... alright, alright, I’ll let it slide. Go keep my dad company. He seems to have taken a real liking to you."

Ye Ling sighed and shook his head helplessly.

’Come to think of it, his dad had never been this agreeable, not even with him.’

’Even though Ye Feng was very good to him—he’d always tried his best to grant any reasonable request—he was also very strict with him.’

’He’d never seen his father smile at him the way he smiled at Ning Ruoxi today.’

’Honestly... he was actually a little jealous of Ning Ruoxi.’

"Okay, I’ll make it up to you later."

Ning Ruoxi immediately planted another kiss on Ye Ling’s cheek, then skipped happily into the living room.

Clearly, she was very happy that Ye Feng was pleased with her.

After Ye Ling finished washing the dishes, Ye Feng called him over.

"Brat, tell me now, how exactly did you manage to land a girl like her? Do Ruoxi’s parents know about you two?"

"Her dad knows. I met him once before. Alright, old man, you can stop worrying your head about it."

Ye Ling replied with utter exasperation, though by now he was used to his father’s attitude.

’He was just the kid they’d picked up off the street, after all~’

When it came to his status in the family, Ye Ling’s self-assessment was spot on.

"Uncle, there aren’t any major issues with my father, and our relationship is very stable now. Ye Ling is wonderful, so you don’t have to worry."

Ning Ruoxi said with a smile, holding onto Ye Ling’s arm.

"That’s good, that’s good."

At her words, Ye Feng nodded, breathing an inward sigh of relief.

’From the first moment he saw Ning Ruoxi, he had a feeling she didn’t come from a simple background. He’d been worried her family might object to the relationship.’

’But judging by her attitude now, it seemed that wouldn’t be a major issue.’

"So, Dad, are you reassured now?"

Ye Ling said with a hint of exasperation.

"You’d better treat her right, kid. If I ever find out you’ve wronged Ruoxi, I’ll break your legs."

Ye Feng glared at Ye Ling, then stood up. "Seeing that you’re both doing well is enough. I should probably get going."

"So soon?"

Ning Ruoxi was taken aback for a moment. "Uncle, why don’t you stay a little longer?"

"I can’t. There’ll be other chances."

Ye Feng waved his hand, then glanced at Ye Ling and said, "Brat, come with me for a second."

Of course, Ye Ling had no idea what his father wanted to say, but he followed him anyway.

"Hey, Dad, didn’t you say you weren’t leaving until tonight? What’s the rush..."

Ye Ling asked, a little confused.

"Besides coming to Modu to see you two, I also have to meet a client..."

Ye Feng said, then added, "Speaking of which, you’ve been making quite a name for yourself lately, kid!"

"It’s been alright."

Ye Ling let out a small, knowing laugh.

"Alright, I know you. You’re not the humble type, so don’t put on an act for me. You’ve done well, and I won’t ask for details. But I hope that whatever you do, you stay safe. And don’t you dare stray onto the wrong path."

Ye Feng’s expression grew serious, and his gaze was filled with deep concern for his son. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I know, Dad."

Ye Ling nodded, a warmth spreading through his chest.

’His old man might be harsh with his words, but deep down, he cared for him more than any other parent, not less.’

"Remember, no matter what, you’ll always be my pride."

Ye Feng patted Ye Ling’s shoulder, a look of undeniable satisfaction in his eyes.

"Heh, hey, Dad... speaking of which, when are you gonna find me a stepmom?"

Ye Ling thought of something and said with a mischievous grin, "After all, I’m about to get married and settle down, and you’re still a lonely old bachelor. Must be pretty lonely."

"Get outta here, get outta here! I’m leaving. Go back and keep your girl company. Remember to treat her right. Don’t bother seeing me out."

Ye Feng instantly reverted to his usual self, landing a light kick on Ye Ling before turning to leave.

Feeling the sting on his rear, Ye Ling winced, but then a smile spread across his face. "Now *that’s* the old man I know."