Chapter 287
When Feng Qingci turned 25, he was forced to take over Feng Zhixing's Zhiyuan Group.
Seeing that the company heir he had painstakingly groomed had run away, Lou Yangze ordered Lou Xi to bring him back.
This caused an unprecedented conflict between the two families, and even the wedding date that had already been set was postponed.
Feng Zhixing and Lou Yangze engaged in an intense confrontation over this matter.
One claimed that it was only natural for a son to inherit his father's business, while the other insisted that he had personally nurtured the young man.
In the end, neither could convince the other. It took Xu Yunxin and Nan Yin's intervention to persuade Lou Yangze to take a step back.
At 25, Feng Qingci had shed his former naivety and gradually matured into a man capable of standing on his own. Of course, this was only outside the home; his status within the family remained low.
"Oh! Brother, why are you coming back alone again for the New Year?" Feng Qingyi asked mischievously.
Feng Qingci didn't want to respond to her. "Qin Yuchuan, can't you control her? She's always looking for trouble."
Qin Yuchuan held Feng Qingyi's hand, "I can't control her. In our house, she's the one who controls me."
"What do you mean I'm looking for trouble? I'm just casually asking, showing concern about your relationship status," Feng Qingyi retorted.
Feng Qingci sat down on the sofa, "If you have this much free time, you should worry about yourself. Hurry up and have a child; in a few years, you'll be considered an older mother."
"...Feng Qingci, you're still a leftover man yourself! How dare you talk about me?" Feng Qingyi shot back.
Feng Qingci looked at Feng Zhixing sitting opposite him with some resentment, "Dad, I heard you got into an argument with Uncle again a few days ago?"
"He started it this time. I was just defending myself reasonably," Feng Zhixing explained.
Nan Yin sighed, "Qingci is going to marry their daughter, and you're arguing on the phone with him every other day. How are the two kids supposed to handle this? You need to restrain yourself a bit."
"I know my limits. I've been very accommodating lately. We'll talk about it after Qingci brings the girl home," Feng Zhixing chose to compromise temporarily.
Nan Yin was quite exasperated, "How old are you? Still arguing like elementary school kids every day. How childish."
At the Lou family home, Lou Xi sat on the sofa playing with her phone.
"Cousin, why aren't you with your husband? Did you two have a fight?" Lou Xi's Little Cousin asked.
Lou Xi put down her phone, "Little kids shouldn't talk nonsense."
"Cousin, you've barely eaten anything since your husband isn't here. Should I help send him a message and ask him to come see you?"
Lou Xi patted her little cousin's head, "You little carrot top, don't worry about adult matters."
The relatives and friends nearby also started discussing Lou Xi's marriage.
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"Lou Xi and Qingci have been dating for several years now. They should consider getting married. If they drag it out any longer, they might never tie the knot."
"That's right. The kids aren't that young anymore, and their careers are stable. It's time to think about starting a family."
"Qingci is a good kid. He even sends us greetings and gifts during festivals. He's quite thoughtful. You should hold on to him tight."
Xu Yunxin looked at Lou Yangze and started complaining.
"The wedding plans were going well, and even the wedding dress was ordered. But then this one suddenly started arguing with them, insisting that Qingci should marry into our family and take over the company."
"Of course, they didn't agree, so they started fighting. The argument ended up postponing the wedding."
"A few days ago, Qingci came to pick up Lou Xi to spend the New Year together, but this one, because he lost an argument on the phone with his in-law, didn't allow her to go. Qingci was quite embarrassed and had to go back alone."
Hearing this, everyone started criticizing Lou Yangze.
"Old Lou, have you gone senile in your old age? Aren't you afraid Lou Xi won't be able to get married because of you?"
"You're clearly in the wrong here. Young people nowadays have their own ideas. You shouldn't interfere so much, or you'll end up ruining the children's future."
"..."
Faced with everyone's accusations, Lou Yangze explained, "Qingci is where he is today because of me. I groomed him. How can they just snatch him away like this? Is that reasonable?"
"Alright, stop talking. It's all in the past now," Xu Yunxin stopped him from continuing to avoid his incessant chatter.
Lou Xi put down her phone, "The wedding is set for March. You're all welcome to attend!"
Compared to Feng Qingyi and Qin Yuchuan's wedding, Feng Qingci and Lou Xi's wedding was even grander.
The Lou family had many relatives, friends, and business partners. Additionally, now that Feng Qingci had taken over Zhiyuan Group, he had made many business contacts, most of whom attended.
"Brother Ci, you've finally persevered and married the love of your life."
"You look really dashing today!"
"Can you help me check if there's anything that needs adjusting?" Feng Qingci asked nervously.
"You look absolutely perfect today. There's nothing to fix."
Hearing their words, Feng Qingci looked in the mirror again, finally relaxing a bit.
Their wedding was held in a private estate. It was March, and spring was in full bloom.
One wore a black suit, the other a snow-white wedding dress. They exchanged rings and shared a blissful kiss amidst the blessings of all present.
After marriage, both of their work schedules were demanding, but they would always make time to go on dates and enjoy their time together.
At Zhiyuan Group, since Feng Qingci took charge, the company culture had changed.
Previously, overtime was common. Now, the CEO led by example, arriving and leaving on time.
As long as everyone completed their tasks, they could leave work on time without worrying about being assigned extra work by their superiors.
"What do you think the CEO does every day, leaving so early?"
"For a married man, do you even need to ask? Of course, he's going to pick up the CEO's wife from work."
"I saw the CEO shopping with his wife the other day. His wife was shopping in front, and he obediently followed behind carrying the bags. He was even acting coquettishly! Completely different from how he is at the company!"
"Are you sure? The CEO, a grown man, acting coquettishly?"
"Pictures don't lie. I'll post them in the group chat. View at your own discretion."
"I never imagined the CEO would be like this in private. It's completely unexpected!"
"It's mainly because his wife has such a strong presence. The CEO is willing to show a different side of himself in front of her. Only they know the warmth of their relationship."
...
In their villa, Feng Qingci stood at the kitchen door, worriedly watching Lou Xi busy herself inside.
"Honey, why don't I do it instead?" He had a feeling he might suffer tonight.
Lou Xi glanced at him, "You go sit in the living room right now. Don't come over here."
"...Alright, if you need any help, just call me."
He didn't know what had gotten into her today, suddenly volunteering to cook.
Before this, she had never lifted a finger in the kitchen, so he didn't have high hopes for her culinary skills.
After sitting in the living room for half an hour, the food in the kitchen was finally ready.
Lou Xi took off her apron and walked to the living room to call Feng Qingci for dinner.
Seeing the oddly colored dishes on the table, Feng Qingci hesitated.
Lou Xi looked at him, "Sit down and eat. What are you standing there for?"
"I'm eating, I'm eating right away." Feng Qingci picked up a piece of vegetable and tasted it.
Lou Xi watched him closely, "How is it?"
"...It's quite good." Feng Qingci said, somewhat against his conscience. The dish was so salty he could barely swallow it.
Lou Xi said, "Then eat more. I'm going upstairs to change clothes."
"Aren't you eating together?" Feng Qingci asked weakly.
"I forgot to tell you, I already ate outside earlier." Lou Xi was about to return to the bedroom when Feng Qingci grabbed her.
Lou Xi asked with a half-smile, "What? Doesn't it taste good?"
"Xi Xi, I was wrong!" Feng Qingci admitted his mistake promptly.
Lou Xi asked calmly, "Then tell me, what did you do wrong?"
"...Last night when I said I had work at the company, I actually went to play basketball with friends," Feng Qingci confessed.
Lou Xi looked at him, "What else?"
Feng Qingci: "What else? That was really the only time I went. I swear!"
"Then tell me why you lied to me?" Lou Xi asked.
Feng Qingci: "Because I lost the game last night and they swindled me out of some money."
Hearing Feng Qingci's explanation, Lou Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"So, you're saying you would tell me if you won?"
"Of course! If I won, I'd have to show off and seek praise. Losing and losing money on top of that would be utterly embarrassing."
Lou Xi removed his hand, "Don't lie to me in the future. Even if you lose, you must be honest about it, understand?"
"Alright, I'll report truthfully. By the way, Xi Xi, about the food..." Feng Qingci pointed at the dining table.
Lou Xi walked towards the bedroom while saying, "I ordered takeout for you. It should arrive soon. Wait by the door."
"Thank you, darling." Feng Qingci quickly put away the food on the table into the kitchen.
After the takeout arrived, Feng Qingci set the table and then went to the bedroom to call Lou Xi.
Lou Xi had changed into loungewear. "Why are you here if you're not eating?"
"Darling, won't you join me for dinner?" Feng Qingci held onto Lou Xi.
Seeing his expression, Lou Xi nodded slightly, "Alright, let's go out before the food gets cold."
Outside the window, the lights were bright. Inside, the two ate their meal slowly.
Feng Qingci occasionally put some food on Lou Xi's plate, "Xi Xi, this is delicious. Have some more!"
Lou Xi looked intently at the person sitting across from her. They had known each other for six years and been together for five. In these five years, he seemed to have hardly changed at all.
Though he appeared more mature, in private he was still that passionate and sincere young man from before.
He still loved playing games, still liked to buy those strange figurines, and always wanted to share everything with her.
Initially, she had agreed to be with him simply because of family pressure, and he happened to be there. She never imagined they would walk such a long path together and become a family.
There was still a long time ahead, and if he was the one by her side, it seemed worth looking forward to.