Because she was worried that being too serious would mean they couldn’t even be friends, Zheng Yunyun made a joke at the end. However, her ideal partner, Xu Chenghao, was unmoved. He calmly said, “I remember telling you that I like men.”
Zheng Yunyun: “When I talk about developing a relationship, I mean finding someone to maintain a family with. It doesn’t need to be too sweet or too cold, just steadily spending life together.”
Xu Chenghao frowned, “You’re so young, why is your view on love so pessimistic?”
Zheng Yunyun: “I call it living with clarity.”
Xu Chenghao expressionlessly said, “Oh, then you need to find someone who is as clear and pessimistic as you are. Sorry, that’s not me.”
That was a direct rejection. Zheng Yunyun could only continue peeling an orange. “Sigh, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to hook someone like you, forget it.”
Xu Chenghao added, “There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
Zheng Yunyun was puzzled, “What?”
“I haven’t broken up with Jing Yicheng,” Xu Chenghao smiled at her, “When he comes back, I will tell him about this.”
“Pfft—cough, cough, cough…” Zheng Yunyun nearly choked on an orange slice, coughing for a long time before finally spitting it into the trash can. She clasped her hands together and said, “Mr. Xu, spare me, I won’t dare next time!”
Xu Chenghao calmly replied, “What’s the rush? You’re not the only one to confess.”
“Our Mr. Xu is not only good-looking but also has family background and capability, of course many people like you, hahaha…” Zheng Yunyun first flattered him, then quietly negotiated, “So, can you delete my confession?”
The “old man” Xu Chenghao leaned back against the headboard, looking serene, “Peel an apple for me.”
Zheng Yunyun forced a smile, “Sure!”
Xu Chenghao: “Peel it without breaking the skin.”
Zheng Yunyun started grinding her teeth, “I can’t.”
Xu Chenghao deliberately said, “Zheng Xiaoxiao can do it, but you can’t? Do you know why she was suppressed? It was because she tried to peel an apple for me last time…”
Zheng Yunyun admitted defeat, “Fine, fine, if I can’t, I’ll learn. If you dare to eat it, I’ll dare to learn!”
Xu Chenghao held back a laugh, “Good luck.”
Zheng Yunyun considered herself unlucky and could only peel the apple while swearing to herself never to come again!
This ideal man, I give up!
Xu Chenghao laughed and picked up his phone, sending a text to Jing Yicheng: “Two.”
He wanted Jing Yicheng to know how popular he was, to make him feel a sense of crisis, and see if he dared to disappear for so long next time!
Thinking about it, Xu Chenghao would send numbers to Jing Yicheng whenever someone confessed to him or showed interest in a marriage alliance. Especially around the New Year when everyone was visiting relatives and friends. Knowing that Xu Chenghao was in the hospital, people came to see him regardless of their relationship with him. With so many visitors, the number of potential marriage proposals increased!
In previous years, Xu Chenghao was one of the top eligible young bachelors in their circle, but since he had a fiancée, those with ulterior motives had to be discreet.
But this year was different. Xu Chenghao had broken off his engagement, making him the ideal husband in the eyes of many girls and the perfect son-in-law in the eyes of many parents. He was like Tang Monk’s meat1“Tang Monk’s meat” is a metaphorical reference to a famous character from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West (西游记). The character, Tang Monk (also known as Xuanzang or Tang Sanzang), is a Buddhist monk on a pilgrimage to retrieve sacred texts from India. According to legend within the story, Tang Monk’s flesh grants immortality to anyone who eats it. As a result, many demons and spirits covet him, seeking to capture and eat him to gain eternal life. Describing Xu Chenghao as “Tang Monk’s meat” means he is highly desirable and sought after by many people, much like how demons in the story desire Tang Monk for his supposed immortal flesh. It implies that Xu Chenghao is seen as an ideal and highly coveted marriage prospect.; everyone wanted a piece!
This had become especially so since Ruan Chenxuan, who had always been a strong competitor, hadn’t made any moves for some reason, leaving Xu Chenghao in a favorable but confusing position. This only increased the number of people wanting a piece of him. People would bring their children aged seven or eight to visit, while others brought girls aged eighteen to twenty-five, introducing them as if they were at a matchmaking event in the hospital.
In the past, Xu Chenghao might have been too lazy to deal with it, but now he was enjoying it. Whenever someone expressed interest, he sent a text, playing along happily.
This continued until New Year’s Eve. Since Xu Chenghao couldn’t move his leg, the New Year’s dinner was held in the hospital. Together with the nurses on duty and the two caregivers, they had a lively meal.
The only regret was that the hospital had to remain quiet, so Xu Chenghao didn’t see fireworks or hear the sound of firecrackers.
This was probably the quietest New Year he had ever had.
Xu Chenghao couldn’t sleep. He propped his chin on his hand, staring at the moon, silently calculating how much time was left until six months had passed when suddenly, the long-lost mechanical voice of the system echoed in his mind.
[Ding – The punishment is over. The Little Chili Pepper task has been automatically updated to version 3.0. Task requirements: The host must grow 100 chili peppers within one month of starting the task, and they must not be harvested late. [A packet of low-grade chili seeds with a 20% yield rate is provided as a bonus.]
[Ding – Please start your task.]
The yield rate dropped to twenty percent, and the number of seeds didn’t change. Xu Chenghao looked at the chili seeds in his hand and hesitantly asked, “System, can you give me more chili seeds? I’m afraid I won’t have enough.”
System: Seeds will be provided, and it will exceed the budget by ten percent, please rest assured, Host.
Xu Chenghao: …
He really wasn’t reassured and had even less confidence in completing the task.
Xu Chenghao sighed. He first took the little yellow duck flowerpot that had been unused for a month and planted the seeds. The next day after waking up, he called the greenhouse to confirm that there were still people on duty, then asked them to plant the seeds on a large scale.
The only advantage of seeds with a 20% yield rate was that they grew quickly and died quickly. It takes only three days to yield results. However, the disparity between the yield rate and the number of seeds was really fatal. Judging by the drastic decrease in yield from the little yellow duck to just a few scattered results, it’s really far off from the 30% yield rate.
Fortunately, the greenhouse had enough space, and the previously unused land was fully utilized to plant as many seeds as possible. In the end, relying on quantity to win, Xu Chenghao managed to complete the task by the end of the month.
Looking at the fresh-keeping box full of chili peppers, Xu Chenghao’s first reaction wasn’t excitement over completing the task, but rather that another month had passed, and Jing Yicheng still hadn’t returned.
Although he didn’t know why the other party had left, if he wanted to return but couldn’t, and it had been two months without returning, it could only be blamed on the plot making the villain seem too formidable, raising his expectations too high…
[Ding – System 2333 reminds you that it’s not that the plot exaggerated the villain’s power, it’s that the protagonist’s halo is more powerful.]
Xu Chenghao’s expression changed instantly: “What do you mean?”
The system fell silent as if it had just appeared to justify the plot.
Xu Chenghao knocked on it but there was still no response. He gritted his teeth, “I’ve completed the task, come out and collect the chili peppers!”
[Ding – Little Pepper Harvest Expert is online!]
Xu Chenghao: What did you mean by that?
[Ding – Detection successful. The Pepper Harvester 3.0 task is complete. Current pepper count: 111/50,000,000. Host, please continue to work hard.]
[Ding – Little Pepper task reward is online. Congratulations on completing the task within the specified time. You have received the reward “Quick and Light Legs”. [Friendly reminder: The reward is generated based on your body’s needs. Host, please stop any dangerous thoughts.]
Xu Chenghao wasn’t in the mood to joke around and angrily said: Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me. What did you mean by your previous statement?
[Ding – System 2333 can only tell you that the male lead’s last triggered halo effect is “A New Chance for Revival”. The rest cannot be disclosed.]
Xu Chenghao frowned, pondering the meaning of “A New Chance for Revival”. What opportunity requires Jing Yicheng to leave? Was it to prevent him from teaming up with Han Haofeng? Probably not. Ruan Chenxuan didn’t regard Han Haofeng highly from the start, so that wasn’t necessary.
Then what was the reason? Why did Ruan Chenxuan have such strong emotions that triggered the aura?
Xu Chenghao thought deeply for a while before suddenly looking up, bewildered – Could it be because of him?
Although it felt narcissistic, the male lead suddenly coming over and offering himself did fit the scenario. Especially since Jing Yicheng was the biggest obstacle Ruan Chenxuan faced in meeting him. Only with Jing Yicheng’s departure could he come in.
Thinking this way, it seemed very likely that the male lead wanted to clarify things face-to-face, but lacked the strength to do so, unconsciously triggering his aura to remove Jing Yicheng. After all, he showed up right after Jing Yicheng left!!
Xu Chenghao was shocked by his own wild guess. Oh my, even a female protagonist’s scriptwriter wouldn’t dare to write this. He was indeed crazy.
Quickly suppressing this shameful thought, Xu Chenghao tried to continue figuring out the real reason to deduce Jing Yicheng’s situation. But the pain that had been faint earlier was now creeping up his leg, making him gasp. Finally unable to bear it, he pressed the call button.
What followed was half an hour of chaos. After rounds of examinations and treatment, Xu Chenghao felt cold sweat pouring off him like a shower. He didn’t even want to speak due to the pain.
Damn it, the system’s reward must have a problem!
He had been so distracted by the system’s first message that he didn’t think about it until now. What kind of “Quick and Light Legs” was this? It felt like it was going to hurt him to death!
However, despite the pain, the examination results were unexpectedly good. The doctor said: “The patient’s recovery is going well. Right now, you’re in the bone healing phase. Occasional pain is normal. With proper rest, you’ll be discharged soon.”
Xu Chenghao was swallowing a painkiller and drinking water when he heard this. He glanced at the doctor and complained: “You’ve told me that every time you’ve examined me.”
The doctor laughed: “This time it’s true. Mr. Xu is recovering very well.”
Xu Chenghao asked: “So when can I be discharged?”
Doctor: “We’ll remove the cast now, but apart from functional exercises, you should avoid strenuous activities and rest well. You don’t want to end up bedridden for another three months, do you?”
Xu Chenghao silently nodded, looking at his leg, which he hadn’t seen for two months. Before anything else, he wanted to wash his leg first!
The female caregiver was attentive and immediately brought a basin to help Xu Chenghao wash.
Xu Chenghao and the male caregiver both frowned and said: “Wait…”
“I’ll do it!” The male caregiver smiled, taking the towel to wash Xu Chenghao’s leg, squeezing out the female caregiver.
Having a man do it was indeed more comfortable than a girl. Xu Chenghao silently breathed a sigh of relief. After cleaning, he did functional exercises under the doctor’s guidance.
After another two weeks in the ward, Xu Chenghao was finally permitted to be discharged!!
Although he still couldn’t engage in strenuous activities and needed a wheelchair, Xu Chenghao was delighted just to leave the ward. As he exited the hospital, he took a deep breath, feeling the cool air seep into him, bringing him immense comfort: “Wow, this is happiness!”
“Wow, it’s snowing. It’s almost spring, and I’m just seeing snow!”
“Oh my, life outside is so good!!!”
The author has something to say: The caged bird finally flies out of its cage~~~~
On the second day without Jing Yicheng, someone finally misses him. Don’t worry, he’ll be out tomorrow~
T/N: I miss Chen-ge sooo much ah, it’s so boring without him!
