Chapter 230: Alcohol and Cigarettes

"If that is the case, I do not see it being hard for her to receive your father's blessings."

Zhao Lifei could faintly hear the discussion. When she heard Madam Yang say such words, she felt guilty, for the blessing was not earned through her own means, but because of Yang Feng's help. She did not like leeching off of him like this. She was determined to get Yang Qianlu and Elder Yang's blessings on her own.

"Yang Feng, do not get angry when I ask this of you, but—"

"No." He easily shot her down, already knowing what she would say.

"Yang Feng, you should not interrupt your mother like this!" She huffed, turning to her younger son who was stuffing his face with her home cooked food. She silently shook her head at him. He resembled a piglet, and a very cute one at that... She fondly smiled, her expression becoming tender.

"Your father wants her there."

"It's your birthday." Yang Feng drawled out, "Why should you care about what he wants?"

Fan Jielan blinked. The thought never came to her. She had spent her entire life attempting to please people, she almost forgot about herself. "Because he is my husband." She did not believe in her own excuses.

Yang Feng frowned at her words. "If she shows up, I'm not coming." And without another word, he hung up.

Zhao Lifei sensed the tension in the air and said, "Don't be rude to your mother, she raised you." She continued to rest her face on his shoulder while he stroked the back of her hands.

"She gave me to my grandfather." He muttered, not believing she would choose to side with the very people after her head. What was wrong with her today? Why was she choosing to be compassionate today out of all days?!

"When do you have to go see your mother?"

"In five weeks time. Her birthday is approaching."

Zhao Lifei slowly nodded her head. She did not know it was coming up so soon. She would need to go shopping for a gift soon, but this time, discreetly, and hopefully with the help of Yang Ruqin. Speaking of Qinqin, Zhao Lifei realized she had yet to contact her.

"Do you want to come with me to visit my maternal grandmother next week? Her birthday is also coming up." There were honestly too many birthdays she had to remember now. First, it was Elder Yang, then her grandmother, and Madam Yang.

Yang Feng smiled at her words. Did she want to introduce him to more family members? He was ecstatic at the idea. "Of course. You didn't even have to ask."

Zhao Lifei grinned at his words, eager to bring him to the only elderly woman in her life that she cared for.

"I will be staying there for three days or so, until the celebration dies down. Because of work, would it be hard to take off three days?"

"Three days or three years, I can take as much time off of work as you want." He replied, turning around with the desire to properly hug her. She slipped away from him before he could grab her.

"You spoil me too much."

"There's nothing wrong with that." He watched as she stood up, his eyes following her every move.

Zhao Lifei shook her head, a silly smile on her face. "Stupid." She said before suddenly kissing him. He was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered by wrapping his arms around her waist and letting her take control.

Her kisses were soft, shy, and slow. It was agonizing to him as he wanted to do nothing more than drawing her onto the bed, but for her sake, he did not. She hesitantly brought her hand to his face while the other went to the back of his neck. She was nervous, he could tell. She shouldn't have to be, for one kiss from her, and he was already hard.

He let out a groan when she pulled back for air, "More." He demanded, his arms seeking her waist and wanting to talk with his hands.

She ran off to the bathroom in a small fit of laughter, leaving him to deal with his frustrated member.

He scowled when he heard the sound of water running. He swore he would get back at her for being a tease.

- - - - -

Bright and early the next day, Zhao Lifei made her way to Yang Ruqin's house. It amused Zhao Lifei that this place was far, far away from Yang Ruqin's parent's house. This place was also swarming with socialites, which was not a surprise. Most celebrities had apartments in the massive five-building complex and the security here was the best this city has seen.

Gliding Cloud Complex was completely fenced off, gated community where there were guards at every outpost. If a person was in danger, there was a system known as "blue-light," where residents can press a button and in less than a minute, a group of guards would show up.

Zhao Lifei could smell the money in the air and, if Lu Minhong was with her, all of this would make his radar go bonkers.

Zhao Lifei pulled up to the entrance gates in a ruby-red sports car and handed the people at the front desk with her entrance card, which they scanned through the system, asked her brief questions, and she was finally let in.

She parked her car in the enormous parking lot that was also littered with the latest edition luxury cars. This place was a car hijacker's dream.

Her eyes scanned the lush greenery in front of her. There was a large fountain surrounded by tall flower hedges, white benches in between with gold lamp posts. There were trees planted everywhere, giving a secluded, but scenic touch to the area. The air here also felt a lot nicer, mainly due to the wide array of plants in every corner of this place.

Zhao Lifei made her way to Yang Ruqin's apartment which so happened to be a three-floor penthouse. Just as Yang Ruqin had the passcode to Sky Arc, Zhao Lifei had the passcode to her apartment.

She was extremely amused to see the curtains were drawn shut, giving the room a chilly and eerily dark feel. It was bright and sunny outside, but with the heavy black curtains in this room, one would think it was still night time.

There was a weird smell in the air...oddly familiar, but very pungent.

"Wakey wakey, little birdy." Zhao Lifei sang as she placed down the keys and her purse. She walked to the living room curtains and in one fell swoop, drew it open. She was mortified by what she saw.

Bottles on bottles of green glass littered the floor, enough to fill up an entire bar. There were also beer cans, whiskey bottles, vodka skulls, and the list went on. It was enough for Yang Ruqin to open up a liquor store of her own!

"Oh. My. God." Zhao Lifei breathed out in shock, stepping over the glass, worried it might make too much noise. Her eyes zoomed in on the cigarette butts on the floor. Just what exactly happened here?!

Just then, the door to the bedroom was opened and out stepped a man. Zhao Lifei was immediately on high alert. She regretted wearing a dress today. It was hard for her to move in, and she could not conceal a weapon. Besides, she didn't think she needed a weapon since she would be spending the entire day with Yang Ruqin.

The man had a sturdy build, his hair was messy from sleep, his eyes barely open, but his face was very appealing. He had a bushy set of brows, thin lips, high nose, sharp chin, overall, he was everything that the country's rising actor should be.

Zhao Lifei remembered spotting this man, Mu Ting, standing by the statue with Yang Ruqin at the Ling Banquet, but did not think their relationship had progressed to the point where they would share a room together.