Chapter 18: The Unique Ancestral Teachings of the Chen Family

"My goodness, this song is just too incredible! I feel like my whole being is about to catch fire!"

Yunshui Town, Chen Fan’s hometown, is a small county tucked between mountains and rivers.

Yunshui No. 1 High School, the only high school in the county, sees its students head home at 8:30 PM after evening study hall.

A chubby, baby-faced girl listened to the song on the broadcast, humming along instinctively. The lyrics to "The Chasing Dreamer's Passionate Heart" were easy to memorize; after hearing them once or twice, one could pick up quite a bit, let alone these high school students at the peak of their cognitive powers.

Beside the baby-faced girl stood a tall, elegant girl with a high ponytail and exquisite features. Even though she wore the same blue-and-white school uniform as the students around her, she was the most striking person in the crowd. No one whose gaze swept over her could help but linger. She was the quintessential "white moonlight" of their youth.

"ZJ is truly amazing; he can handle any style! Mengting, since tomorrow is a holiday, should we go to KTV and sing a few songs?"

"Sure."

Chen Mengting nodded. She also loved ZJ’s music. In an era saturated with vapid pop songs, his music was like a clear stream, purifying the ears of billions of netizens.

The two parted ways after leaving the school gate. Chen Mengting’s home was not far from Yunshui No. 1 High School; it took about ten minutes to walk to "Cloud’s Edge Shop," a small store where the first floor served as a shop and the second was the living space for her family of four.

"I’m home."

As Chen Mengting went upstairs, she was surprised to see the living room lights still on. It was quite late; why were her parents still awake?

"Mom, Dad, what are you talking about? You seem so happy."

"Mengting, you're back. Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"

"No thanks, I already ate."

Chen Mengting dropped her backpack and sat next to her mother, peering curiously at Wang Juan’s phone.

"It’s nothing major, just that your brother got married."

Chen Mengting’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Married?! To *that* woman?"

The whole family knew about Chen Fan’s years of playing the "simping" dog, so Chen Mengting despised Guo Yue'er and felt disdain for her brother’s blind devotion.

"No, it’s a girl he met on a blind date. She’s three years older than your brother."

"Oh..." As long as it wasn't Guo Yue'er.

"Mengting, we’re going to Suzhou the day after tomorrow to visit your brother and discuss the wedding arrangements. Do you want to come along?"

"Dad, I have school."

"That’s no problem. If you want to go, I’ll ask for leave for you. You’ve been studying so hard for so long, it’s time to relax."

Chen’s father waved his hand. The Chen family’s ancestral motto was simple: do whatever makes you happy. Otherwise, how could a small store situated between an elementary school and a middle school be anything but unsuccessful? The couple only kept the shop open for half the day before closing up to do as they pleased. As for academics, doing one’s best was enough. Besides, neither of their two children had ever given them cause for worry.

"Your father has a point. Come to think of it, we haven't taken you out for a trip this year. Let’s treat it as a vacation."

Chen Mengting was tempted. She actually missed her brother; because of Guo Yue'er, Chen Fan hadn't been home in a long time.

"In that case... I suppose I’ll accept your kind offer?"

"Great. I’ll call the teacher to ask for leave. Old Chen, buy our daughter's ticket."

"You got it."

"I’m heading to my room."

"Alright, get some rest early."

"Okay!"

Chen Mengting skipped back to her room and picked up the phone from her bedside table. As soon as she turned it on, the screen was flooded with messages from a group chat titled "Loving Family (8)." She opened it and scrolled through; it was full of chat logs between her parents and another set of aunts and uncles, occasionally interspersed with voice messages.

"Brother, what’s going on with that group chat?"

"Your brother got married!"

"Yeah, I already knew that."

*Tch*, she thought he would have a bigger reaction.

"Who are you chatting with?" Peng Jiaxin leaned over to look at Chen Fan’s screen.

"My sister. She must have just gotten out of school and realized our parents flooded the chat with messages, so she’s asking me what’s going on."

"Oh."

Suddenly, Chen Mengting called. Chen Fan pointed toward the door, and Peng Jiaxin nodded. The private room was filled with Zhou Xuejing, who had been moved by "The Chasing Dreamer's Passionate Heart" and was now howling into the microphone, making it unsuitable for a phone call.

Stepping out of the room, the noise was instantly blocked by the door, not a sound leaking out. One had to admit, there was a reason some places were expensive.

Answering the phone, Chen Fan took the initiative.

"Your brother finally managed to get off the singles market and get married, yet you don't seem happy at all."

"I am happy, but Brother, now that you're married to your sister-in-law, don't you dare be half-hearted and keep pining for that green tea."

"Don't worry, I won't."

Even though Chen Fan said that, Chen Mengting was still uneasy.

"Mom and Dad said they’re bringing me to see you in a couple of days. Don't let me find any slip-ups."

Chen Fan was between laughter and tears.

"You really don't trust your brother at all, do you?"

"Hmph, if sister-in-law finds out about your dark history, I don't know what you'll do. I'm trying to help you!"

"You don't need to worry about that. We’ve already had a 'full disclosure' session."

"What?" Chen Mengting sat up straight. "You mean sister-in-law knows you spent six or seven years acting like a dog for another woman and still agreed to marry you?"

"...Chen Mengting, don't make your brother sound worthless. I have plenty of good qualities."

Is there really such a woman in this world? And my brother actually met her?! Chen Mengting became increasingly curious about what kind of person her sister-in-law was.

"Brother, tell me about her."

"Aren't you coming in two days? You can see for yourself then."

"Brother~ tell me~"

"...Fine."

Chen Fan couldn't stand it when Chen Mengting acted spoiled, so he helplessly began to explain. Initially, Chen Mengting imagined a beautiful love story where her sister-in-law appeared to save her brother from his god-awful taste. However, the more she heard, the more she felt something was off.

"Wait a minute, isn't this just being... you know, kept?"

"You can't say it like that! Your brother is absolutely pure."

"..."

Just as Chen Fan and his little sister were teasing each other, the door to the opposite room was suddenly pushed open, and a face Chen Fan knew all too well appeared before him.

His mouth twitched. He could run into her even here?

Guo Yue'er had come to celebrate with Wan Yongwang. Having successfully signed the adaptation rights for "Flame Emperor," Wan Yongwang was ecstatic. With a grand gesture, he brought his subordinates—whom he had forced to work overtime at the company—to Suzhou’s top-tier entertainment venue: "Golden Brilliance KTV."

"Everyone who has a partner, bring them along! I’m in a good mood today, and I’m covering all the expenses!"

"Oh! Department Head Wan is the best!"

The resentment from being called in for overtime on a weekend vanished the moment they stepped into the gilded building. The art department staff praised Wan Yongwang to the heavens.

Wan Yongwang, also feeling emboldened, slapped his wallet onto the reception desk. "Give me your best private room."

The receptionist maintained a standard, professional smile. "I’m sorry, sir, the Imperial Suite is already occupied."

"Then give me the second best, hurry up, hurry up."

"Very well, sir, please follow me."

Every guest at Golden Brilliance KTV had dedicated service staff. Since it was clear that Wan Yongwang was the leader of his group, they were guided by a hot, uniformed beauty. After leading them to the room, she smiled and asked, "Sir, is there anything else you need?"

"Bring me some liquor, the most expensive stuff you have!"

"Yes, sir."

The group erupted in cheers again. As the drinks arrived and everyone began to sing, drink, and play games, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.