Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 1159: Chapter 1131: Give It Back to Me When It’s Over

When Qian first heard that Chen Zilong had somehow managed to get a chance to participate in the training at Yu Headquarters, her immediate reaction was to ask Yu Minglang if he had played favorites and given her brother-in-law special treatment?

Just how did Chen Zilong, who’s not exactly a paragon of virtue, obtain the qualification to train?

Every year, the Yu Family has one or two opportunities to select talent, picking the cream of the crop from its branches to participate in training. Though only the crème de la crème can qualify for the training, only a few will actually remain, and the rest have to return to their original units. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Chen Zilong isn’t considered part of Headquarters yet; he only has training qualifications. Nevertheless, even Qian found this surprising.

That spoiled guy usually gets winded just going up a few flights of stairs, laden with fat and incapable of doing anything, endlessly eating without getting full. How did he manage to acquire training qualifications in just a few months? So, knowing her brother was here, Qian started to probe for more information.

”Chen Zilong, how can I say... he’s stable enough.”

Yu Minglang tried to use some tactful phrasing.

”Be honest!”

”Ordinary. When those people were discussing, he just stood off to the side, didn’t remind them, nor did he speak himself.”

Yu Minglang sensed the change in his brother-in-law. After a couple of months of groundwork, the kid’s personality had shifted quite a bit, much steadier than before—though still not quite meeting Qian and Yu Minglang’s expectations.

”Now, be honest, how likely do you think he can stay after this training?”

Qian didn’t believe Chen Zilong could have transformed completely.

”Do you want him to stay or not?” Yu Minglang asked in return.

”Who knows? It’s all up to his own ability. Just be fair and treat him like a stranger, don’t be too good or too bad to him.”

Qian spoke ambiguously, sounding like she wanted Yu Minglang to remain impartial, but the nuances hinted at something more.

Yu Minglang chuckled silently; he could tell his wife wasn’t keen on Chen Zilong staying, probably worrying he might cause trouble.

”Honey, just admit it, I really gave the kid a bit of special treatment.”

”What?!” Qian glared at him, grabbing a crab claw that had fallen to poke him.

Yu Minglang quickly raised his hands in surrender.

”Only today! It’s not exactly special treatment, anyway. There’s half a day of free activities for newcomers, isn’t there? I let him come over for dinner. Rest assured, after today, he’ll be in closed training for a month, and I won’t give him any special treatment!”

It was only after hearing this that Qian beamed a smile; though she grumbled, her expression was clearly pleased.

”That kid’s coming for dinner? Freeze the crab, make some cabbage for him.”

”Honey, if you don’t leave the kitchen to me now, you guys might only have cabbage to eat later!”

Yu Minglang promptly escorted the unwilling-to-admit-she-cares Qian out of the kitchen; his wife was a kitchen disaster waiting to happen. It’s too risky letting her help out.

Once out of the kitchen, Qian tidied up the house a bit more, thinking that she hadn’t seen her brother for several months now; she missed him somewhat, curious about how he’d changed.

She had imagined her reckless brother’s appearance in her mind, yet when Chen Zilong knocked on her door carrying a large bag of food, she was still shocked.

”Sis!” Chen Zilong put down his gifts and immediately hugged Qian.

The kid had been tall and chubby, but he’d slimmed down significantly during these months of training. His sturdier physique made his features look delicate and handsome, somewhat resembling their mom.

”You scamp, let me go!” Qian teased him, laughing.

Chen Zilong didn’t let go, boasting, ”Sis, look how strong I am now—I can lift you!”

After wielding a shovel daily during training, he didn’t gain much else, but he surely developed strength, and he made sure Qian noticed.

”Chen Zilong is here!” Yu Minglang emerged, sporting an apron and holding a spatula.

”Hello, brother-in-law!” Chen Zilong immediately stood at attention, fully aware of his brother-in-law’s impressive stature.

Whether because he’d slimmed down nicely or because they hadn’t seen each other in a while, Qian felt her brother looked handsome indeed, and she was duly pleased.

This kid was far more pleasing to watch than the sloppy, nonconformist fatty from months ago; how could a sister not be delighted to see such a change?

”Alright, take it easy at home; no need to tense up,” Yu Minglang gestured, signaling Chen Zilong to relax.

Chen Zilong chuckled, ”Brother-in-law, this feels a bit unusual to me.”

He had witnessed his brother-in-law’s prowess today, feeling a tad uneasy seeing him so homely at home.

From everyone along his journey, he heard tales of his brother-in-law’s legendary feats, described dramatically, giving Chen Zilong secret pleasure.

”What’s unusual? At home, let’s have a home atmosphere. Go wash your hands and chat with your sister; dinner’s not ready yet.” Yu Minglang, ever cordial, beckoned Chen Zilong.

”Why did you buy these things?” Qian pointed at the bags on the floor.

The rascal didn’t waste his training after all. In the past, he wouldn’t know about these things at all; coming to dinner with nothing would’ve been considered mild, but buying things now?

It’s not about the price but the sentiment.

”Hehe, didn’t buy anything fancy. I brought some Mountain Delights, purchased from local villagers, which you can’t buy elsewhere. Sis, look, these are mushrooms, cured meat, dried beans, and the rest, I bought from the fruit store downstairs.”

Chen Zilong took them out one by one, and Qian’s eyes crinkled with delight, though she intentionally remarked.

”Finally, the day has come; truly not easy, having waited and given for so many years to see this return.”

They both laughed after her words. Chen Zilong shyly scratched his head, recalling times when he pestered his sister for pocket money during his youth.

He didn’t know back then that Chen Lin favored sons over daughters, differing the pocket money given to girls and boys. Qian’s allowance wasn’t even half of Chen Zilong’s; it was sometimes secretly augmented by their mother who felt unjustness and secretly stuffed a little for her. Qian was always frugal, reluctant to buy snacks, preferring instead to gift them to her indulgent brother.

Now grown, with his allowance, he bought something for his sister—not worth much but full of sentiment.

”What’s this?”

Qian pulled a box from the bag, and Chen Zilong instantly became serious upon seeing her expression.

”Sis, can you keep this for me until I finish training and have my own dorm? Then please return it to me.”