"No, no, no." Qian Xiao said hurriedly, "I wanted to talk to you about the performance Yiyi and I are doing."

It seemed he thought Xu Lai was so agitated that he might kick him at any moment. Worried about getting hit, Qian Xiao blurted out everything in a rush, "Yiyi and I are representing Galaxy Kindergarten in a talent show against other kindergartens. We plan to perform a skit, a funny one about asking our childhood sweethearts' parents for their hand in marriage.

"So, we were hoping Uncle Xu and Auntie Ruan could practice with us. It'll take half a day at most!"

Xu Lai breathed a sigh of relief. So that was it. This kid, Qian Xiao, was so long-winded, taking forever to get to the point, but at least he had made himself clear.

Xu Lai casually asked, "Who wrote the script?"

"I did." Qian Xiao scratched his head sheepishly and added with a tinge of regret, "I even boldly included a kissing scene, but Teacher Miao Momo said it was inappropriate."

"..."

Xu Lai's face darkened as he pinched Qian Xiao by the neck and lifted him up, saying with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "You little rascal, you're finding all sorts of ways to take advantage of my daughter, aren't you?"

"Absolutely not!" Qian Xiao said emphatically. "If I had such thoughts, I wouldn't be human!"

"Don't you know how to play the piano? Just perform a piano piece!"

"Art is not defined by status." Qian Xiao said indignantly, "Uncle Xu, are you looking down on skits? You can't view art with prejudice. For that, you should apologize to the entire nation!"

"..."

Xu Lai's temper flared.

His palm moved like the wind, striking Qian Xiao and making him scream again and again. His bottom swelled up so much that he would probably have to sleep on his stomach for the next few days.

Ruan Tang couldn't bear to watch and intervened, "That's enough."

"Uncle Xu, you have to apologize..." Qian Xiao whimpered. "Skits are art. You can't look down on them. What you're doing is wrong."

Xu Lai tossed Qian Xiao aside.

Then he crouched down and spoke in an exceptionally gentle voice, "My dear daughter, you mustn't let this little stinker Qian Xiao trick you, alright? No performing this nonsense about childhood sweethearts and skits!"

Xu Yiyi nodded repeatedly, replying obediently, "Don't worry, Daddy. I already said no."

CRACK!

Qian Xiao's heart shattered into two halves.

He lay on the grass, sobbing and choking. He reached out, trying to grab Xu Yiyi's hand from five meters away as he recited the lines he had spent countless nights agonizing over.

"The green plums have withered, the bamboo horse has grown old, and from now on, everyone I love is a reflection of you. Boss Lady, I have a crush on you!"

"..."

Veins bulged on Xu Lai's forehead from sheer anger.

Ruan Tang, on the other hand, was doubled over with laughter. Wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, she said, "Xu Lai, why don't we just arrange a childhood engagement for them? I quite like Qian Xiao."

"Impossible!"

With a grim expression, Xu Lai sent a mental message, "Beibei, keep a close watch on Qian Xiao for me."

"Yes, sir!" the seashell girl hanging from Yiyi's backpack like a charm responded with excitement. She couldn't have asked for a better task.

Beibei chuckled gleefully. Finally, a legitimate reason to teach Little Qian a lesson. Not bad, not bad at all.

「…」

Raising a daughter is wonderful, but it's troublesome when you run into a shameless little punk like Qian Xiao.

On the way to the company after leaving the kindergarten, Ruan Tang could see Xu Lai was still fuming.

She couldn't help but say with a sigh, "Still angry? You're a grown man. Don't be so childish."

Xu Lai pursed his lips and didn't reply.

Anything concerning his daughter was a huge deal. How could getting angry over something so important be considered childish? She's my only Xiao Mian'ao. It's inevitable that she'll be swept away by some detestable son-in-law someday, but to be tricked at age five is just too much!

"Alright, alright." Ruan Tang pursed her lips into a smile. "Don't be upset. I have a gift for you. When we park in the underground garage, come up to my office."

"A gift?" As he drove, Xu Lai's eyes roamed up and down Ruan Tang's figure with anticipation. "Don't tell me your company came out with a new product you want to model for me?"

At his words, Ruan Tang's pretty face instantly flushed red. She was obviously thinking about the incident at the Sakura Country hot spring hotel, where she'd drunkenly changed into a Magical Girl costume.

She shot Xu Lai a glare. "Impossible!"

"Then I'm not going," Xu Lai replied indifferently.

Ruan Tang was so irritated her teeth clenched. "Suit yourself!"

Although he said he wouldn't go, his body was quite honest as he took Ruan Tang's hand and stepped into the elevator.

"Let go!" Ruan Tang quickly tried to pull away. She was the big boss of the company. If my subordinates see me in such a demure state, I'll lose all my authority. How will I be able to lead the team then?

"Kiss me, and I'll let go."

"...Xu Lai, you're going too far!" Ruan Tang said, annoyed.

"Every word you say costs one more kiss."

"..."

Seeing the elevator was approaching her company's floor, Ruan Tang could only stomp her foot. "In the office! There are security cameras here."

"Fine." Just before the elevator doors opened, Xu Lai finally released her hand.

"Good morning, President Ruan."

"President Ruan, good morning."

The employees greeted Ruan Tang, and when they saw Xu Lai, they added, "Madam Boss is here too!"

"Good morning, everyone," Xu Lai replied with a smile, greeting them one by one.

"Stop dawdling and come to my office," Ruan Tang whispered.

Xu Lai followed his dear wife to her office. As soon as they entered, she locked the door behind them.

"We're just talking about two kisses, but you're locking the door... planning something more thrilling?" Xu Lai said, proactively pulling the curtains shut. "There, now the building across the street can't see us..."

What on earth?

Ruan Tang opened several shopping bags on her desk, all of which contained suits tailored to Xu Lai's measurements.

Lines of exasperation seemed to cross Ruan Tang's forehead as she said, "I asked you to come up so you could try on these new clothes to see if they fit. Get your mind out of the gutter!"

Xu Lai said nothing, just watching her silently.

Ruan Tang understood. After a moment of bashful hesitation, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Ever since they had made their relationship official, Ruan Tang had become much more proactive than before.

Of course, simple displays of affection were fine, but a real home run would have to wait until after they were married.

"Alright, go on and try on the clothes," Ruan Tang said after the light peck, taking two steps back.

"Mhm."

Xu Lai stopped messing around and obediently began to change. Ruan Tang, however, made no move to turn away.

He chuckled softly.

Ruan Tang was still wondering what he was laughing about. Five seconds later, the reason dawned on her, and she flushed, muttering, "Pfft, it's not like I want to watch. I'm just checking to see if they fit properly!"

"Mhm, mhm, I get it."

Xu Lai stretched. "So? How does the suit look?"

Ruan Tang's beautiful eyes shone with appreciation, but she spoke casually. "It's fine, I guess. You won't embarrass me wearing it out."

Xu Lai was taken aback. Then he asked curiously, "Is there a class reunion? Or a friend's party?"

"I'm going abroad to negotiate a contract." Ruan Tang's expression gradually turned serious. "It's a major contract, one that will determine whether Above the White Clouds can truly break into the international market!"

She paused, her eyes softening as she whispered, "Do you have time to come with me? If not, I'll just go with my secretary."

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