Chapter 64 Somethings Going On... (1/2)

Compared to the adjacent Huarun Nine Mile Bund, Green City Huangpu Bay was more elegant and luxurious. Qin Sheng could imagine this apartment on the Bund and facing Pudong must cost a bomb. He wondered when he could afford a place for himself. In fact, he was not the first time this thought came to mind.

After buying some fruits from a nearby store, Qin Sheng stood by the gate as he waited as the security there was rather strict. After a while, Xue Hao came running up to Qin Sheng, saying, ”I thought you backed out of this out of fear!”

”I'm not going to the infernal regions, what's there to be fearful of? Unless your aunt is the female version of the Hannibal?” Qin Sheng said, as he tossed the bag of fruits to Xue Hao.

Xue Hao followed closely behind Qin Sheng as they walked to the apartment. To Xue Hao, Qin Sheng was like a sage who was hiding in this buzzling city. He was especially in awe of how Qin Sheng overcame the gang in the KTV and helped him settle the school bullies. Not only did Qin Sheng take away all his troubles at school, his goddess seemed to look at him in a different light nowadays after the incident at the KTV.

This was the new home of Ms Cheongsum. Apart from Green City Huangpu Bay where she currently stayed, she also owned a number of other properties in Shanghai. When Xue Hao finally opened the door with his keys and entered the apartment, Ms Cheong Sum was in the midst of preparing the dishes in the kitchen. Qin Sheng changed into slippers and started looking around the house. He began to wonder how many man had ever had the privilege to be treated this way.

”Auntie, we're here,” Xue Hao shouted into the kitchen as he put the bag of fruits onto the table.

Ms Cheongsum came out of the kitchen with a spatula in her hand, cladding in a grey t-shirt and yoga pants. She was also wearing an apron. With a her hair twirled into swirl and secured on top of her head, Qin Sheng felt differently about her today.

”Ms Xue,” Qin Sheng greeted Ms Cheongsum despite sometimes he did not see eye to eye with her. This was so that Ms Cheongsum would not make things difficult for him in Shangshan Ruoshui. After all, Ms Cheongsum was not any mediocrity like Wang Haizhao or Yu Fengzhi.

”Here you are, Qin Sheng. You and Hao can take a seat in the living room for the time being. I'll be ready in no time,” Xue Qingyan said, wiping off the perspiration on her forehead.

Qin Sheng smiled and politely said, ”Is there anything I can help you with?”

”You cook?” Xue Qingyan sounded dubious. However to be fair, many men in today's society knew how to cook and Xue Qingyan knew quite a number of them.

”We who come from the less well off background had to mature quicker than our peers, we need to take care to ourselves,” Qing Sheng said modestly.

”Alright, let's not argue about that. Go and watch some television while you wait for me to get the food ready,” Xue Qingyan gave Qin Sheng a look and turned to enter the kitchen.

Qin Sheng and Xue Hao sat themselves down in the living and Xue Qingyan brought a plate of fruits out after a while and said, ”You must be hungry, have some fruits first.”

”Thank you, Ms Xue,” Qin Sheng half stood up and took over the plate of fruits.

Xue Qingyan said in a disapproving tone, ”This is not Shangshan Ruoshui so you can stop calling me Ms Xue. Since I'm older than you, just call me Big Sister Xue.”

”Err..,” Qin Sheng stammered, ”Alright, Big Sister Xue.”

”That's more like it. Continue watching the TV.”

Xue Hao flicked through the channels and settled on a movie. On the other hand, Qin Sheng scanned the house to realize that Ms Cheongsum's apartment consisted of three rooms and two living areas and was furnished in an American minimalist fashion. Qin Sheng thought the design really suited her personality.

”Doesn't my aunt meet your standards? Not only is she a capable woman, she's also good at cooking. You will be one lucky guy if you marry her,” Xue Hao said proudly. He was aware of the many suitors pursuing his aunt, it was just too bad that those rich second generation men did not catch his aunt's eyes. This had begun to worry his grandfather.

Qin Sheng picked up an apple and started biting and chewing. He stole a glance at Ms Cheongsum, who was still in the kitchen. Overcome with curiosity, he asked Xue Hao, ”What is your aunt working as?”

”Make a guess?” Xue Hao purposely asked.

Cursing under his breath, Qin Sheng scolded, ”Just tell me!”

”Ha ha ha,” Xue Hao seemed to enjoyed being scolded by Qin Sheng. ”My aunt is the general manager of an investment company. There are two listed companies under them... So does she match up to your requirements?”

”Match up to my requirements? Are you an idiot? You shouldn't be asking me these question! You know I don't even have a car or a house! Are you trying to humiliate me?” said Qin Sheng, being a little frustrated.

Xue Hao tried to act like a seasoned old man as he said, ”What a tasteless guy you are! Does my aunt look like the type who would mind the family background of the person she fancies? She would have gotten married long time ago if she cares about family background that much. There are many men who are much more wealthy and capable than you. What my aunt really value is character. Even if your were a beggar on the streets, she would not despise you.”

”You can say anything you like, it doesn't cost you a cent,” Qin Sheng did not want to waste time arguing with a kid who thought he was talking sense, thinking that Qin Sheng would believe in every word he say about his aunt. Qin Sheng knew better to trust his own judgment.

After bickering with Xue Hao, Xue Qingyan finally removed her apron and exited the kitchen, informing them that dinner was ready. Qin Sheng rushed into the kitchen to help only to realize that Ms Cheongsum had prepared a western-style meal instead of Chinese dishes. There were steak, pasta, salad etc. and Qin Sheng wondered if the food was filling enough.

”I like dinner to be a simpler affair. Chinese food is too oily, so I prepared western food instead. Are you ok?” Xue Qingyan asked casually.

”Sure,” Qin Sheng said, ”I'm not picky, anything goes.”

”Looks like you don't have much confidence in my cooking,” Xue Qingyan half-joked.

It was then Qin Sheng realized that he had said the wrong words. Embarrased, he said, ”No, not at all.”

”Did you drive here?” Xue Qingyan asked.