Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight

Li Huan finished his meal and got up to leave.

His mother grabbed him, with a somewhat troubled look, and said, "Why are you leaving so soon after just coming home?"

"I live near the hospital, so I can return promptly if anything comes up."

Li Huan continued getting dressed.

"Li Huan, I know there are things you don't want to hear, but your fourth uncle isn't wrong. The Third Young Master has tremendous power, and you're friends with him. The family is relying on you now."

"Mom, what exactly do you want to say?"

His mother wasn't usually nagging, but her current rambling indicated something else was on her mind.

"Your fourth uncle wants you to go on a blind date. You're not young anymore; it's time to get married."

Li Huan paused: "Looks like he's already chosen someone."

His mother pursed her lips and tightened her grip on her hand.

"It's my idea. Unless you're not planning to get married? When will I be able to set my mind at ease?"

"Do you really trust him? Years ago, he egged my dad on to take risks, resulting in a complete loss, and now he wants to use my marriage as a favor. Is he trying to back another losing project?"

"Li Huan, don't be like this. After your dad passed away, your fourth uncle realized his mistakes and has been taking care of us all these years. He just wants to find a well-matched woman who can help you, and the other party does have a good impression of you. You should find time to meet."

"I have no time and don't need it either."

Li Huan firmly refused and turned to leave the house.

Back at the apartment, as he was about to close the door, a hand holding a red wine bottle stopped it.

Li Huan looked at the person outside the door, slightly surprised.

"Big Miss? What brings you here?"

Ren Xiya entered, placed the wine on the hallway cabinet, and approached Li Huan, lips slightly apart.

"To sleep with you."

"... "

Bang, the door was shut.

...

Early in the morning, Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen picked up Xingxing and left the Gong Family.

The three of them spent the day at home watching movies, playing games, painting, and enjoying their freedom.

The next day, carrying gifts, they headed to the Jiang Family.

Upon hearing they were coming, Zhong Min woke up early to personally prepare the dishes.

When Lin Zhiyi entered, she heard from the maid that Zhong Min was still in the kitchen. She promptly had someone lead her there.

Old Master Jiang saw this and frowned at Gong Chen.

"Aren't you going to check? Don't make things harder while trying to help."

He neither disliked nor liked Lin Zhiyi.

In short, he didn't think much of her.

Especially since her mother was known for climbing social ladders.

Gong Chen knew right away the old man was being narrow-minded again.

"There's no need; Zhiyi will handle it well."

"Don't come crying if there's no food left."

"Let's just wait and see."

Gong Chen wasn't in a hurry to explain.

In the kitchen.

Seeing Zhong Min busy, Lin Zhiyi took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and stepped forward.

"Mrs. Jiang, let me help."

"You know how?"

"I do. I'll show you a trick," Lin Zhiyi said with a smile.

Zhong Min covered her mouth: "Don't get me wrong, I just thought young folks are usually so busy, they don't have time to explore dishes."

Lin Zhiyi nodded: "Indeed, working is exhausting, and shopping for groceries and cooking after work is another ordeal. The worst is doing the dishes; it's easier to just order takeout."

Zhong Min laughed from the side.

"I love takeout too, but when I'm craving, I have to sneak it. The old fellow nags about it."

"I'll recommend a few places next time; their food is great," Lin Zhiyi said while lowering her head to cut vegetables, chatting all the while.

Zhong Min heated the pan on the side, murmuring affirmatively.

"This time back home, I must eat well."

"Sure, if Mrs. Jiang wants to eat anything, just let me know."

"Alright, alright..."

The more Zhong Min looked at Lin Zhiyi, the more she liked her.

The two of them laughed and chatted, and pretty soon finished preparing the home-cooked dishes.

After everyone was seated at the dining table, Old Master Jiang glanced at Zhong Min.

"Take a seat and rest; you always insist on doing everything even though we have a chef."

"This year is our first New Year back home; how can we just muddle through? Besides, I hardly did anything; Zhiyi practically did it all."

Zhong Min complimented Lin Zhiyi with her eyes.

Jiang Siyi and Jian Xi's eyes lit up.

Jiang Siyi: "Aunt, did you make this?"

Lin Zhiyi: "I made it together with your grandma."

Jian Xi: "Then we must eat it all."

Lin Zhiyi laughed: "Hurry up and try it."

Everyone started eating, except for Old Master Jiang, who hesitated.

Zhong Min made a face and nudged him: "What are you doing? Afraid I'll poison you?"

Old Master Jiang pursed his lips.

"Listen to what you're saying; I ate plenty of your bland meals when we were young."

"Get out of here," Zhong Min picked some food for Old Master Jiang, "Relax, it won't kill you."

Only then did Old Master Jiang try a bite.

He wasn't expecting much from Lin Zhiyi's cooking, but after one taste, he froze.

Lin Zhiyi cautiously looked at him: "Is it bad? I heard from Mrs. Jiang that you prefer light flavors, so I went easy on the seasoning."

Old Master Jiang glanced at her and awkwardly cleared his throat.

"It's alright, everyone eat; the adults aren't hungry, but the kids are."

"Okay."

Lin Zhiyi felt relieved.

She didn't expect one meal to win Old Master Jiang's approval, as long as everyone could enjoy a happy New Year.

After the meal, Lin Zhiyi brought out a newly purchased board game.

She and Zhong Min sat with the children around the fireplace to play games.

Gong Chen was invited by Old Master Jiang to drink tea.

In the tea room.

The maid brewed the tea and then left.

Old Master Jiang took a sip of tea, cutting to the chase.

"Gong Chen, was it you who spread the news about Jiang Family snatching business?"

"Yes."

Gong Chen nodded, rotating the tea cup in his hand.

Old Master Jiang raised his eyes: "What's your relationship with this newly emerging company?"

"That's Mrs. Bai's company," Gong Chen reminded coldly.

"Yang Jingwei? But I heard it's a foreign company; could it be that... Yang Jingwei has long had second thoughts about Bai Family?"

"Yes."

"She does have guts, secretly planning under the eyes of Bai Family father and son, and even dared to move the company right under your nose."

"That only means she found backing," Gong Chen sipped the tea.

"Your dad," Old Master Jiang predicted without surprise.

"I probed a bit; Yang Jingwei probably betrayed Second Master Bai to gain his trust, and these two won't simply sit and wait."

"So you put Jiang Family in the open."

"Rather than return quietly, better to be assertive."

Gong Chen lightly placed down the tea cup.

Old Master Jiang paused: "Are you planning something against your dad..."

"Have tea," Gong Chen interrupted.

"Okay."

After finishing the tea, Gong Chen noticed the time was getting late, so he got up to leave.

Old Master Jiang stopped him and pulled out two red envelopes from the drawer.

"Take these."

"Why two? Is one for Zhiyi?" Gong Chen asked.

"You knew and still asked? I didn't prepare anything last time she came, made us seem rude."

The old man lowered his head, drinking tea, as if casually explaining.

"Thank you on her behalf, uncle. Why didn't I get one?"

"You have the nerve to ask? You're already a father."

"Fair enough; I'll consider it that you acknowledged both of them. I'm off."

Gong Chen left.

The more Old Master Jiang thought, the more it seemed off. He looked up: "Where did you learn all this nonsense? Gong Chen, you weren't like this before."