Madam, Please Behave
Chapter 426: QQ Message

Looking at Liu Changqing's calm expression beside him, Chen Dafu's facade instantly crumbled.

The melancholic aura he'd carefully maintained since entering the house dissipated in an instant, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxing.

His facial features scrunched together in an expression of utter grievance.

Seeing this familiar demeanor, Liu Changqing finally felt at ease - Chen Dafu had been acting too proper earlier, making their longtime friendship feel strangely unfamiliar.

This version was much more recognizable.

Hmm... the Chen Dafu he knew.

With his mask dropped, Chen Dafu deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping weakly against the sofa backrest while tilting his head at a 45-degree angle.

His voice dripped with resignation as he mumbled:

"This world... is truly cruel."

Every syllable reached Liu Changqing's ears, freezing him momentarily.

Taking in Chen Dafu's defeated appearance, Liu Changqing suddenly thought of one possibility.

His expression immediately shifted to shock.

"Did you and Gu Xiyu break up? Is it over between you two?"

"Nonsense! We're doing great!"

"Then why do you look like the world ended?"

"Well... it's complicated..."

"Stop beating around the bush."

"Sigh... to put it simply, we're getting married."

"......"

Liu Changqing remained silent for a good four-five seconds after this bombshell.

Finally recovering, he blurted out:

"So soon? Didn't you just start dating recently? You said you'd marry next year!"

"Plans changed. You know how it is - when love strikes, you can't stop it. Seriously... I'm not exaggerating, we're practically made for each other. Our compatibility is insane - she can even tell if my farts stink just by looking at me!"

"No shit, everyone's farts stink."

"It's a metaphor! Do I seem like someone who farts casually?"

"......"

"Hey, what's with that look? For the record, I've never farted in front of you!"

"Enough. What really happened?"

Chen Dafu sighed dramatically.

"Well... we discussed it and she took me to meet her parents. That would've been fine, but she also introduced me to her grandfather..."

"Uh huh. And then?"

"That's where things went south. Everything was going smoothly at first when I introduced my family background. Xiyu even talked up my family's circumstances... her relatives seemed quite pleased initially. Then her uncle looked up my dad online, and when her grandfather saw my father's photo... his expression completely flipped."

"Huh?"

"You think that's weird too, right? You should've seen it - one second he's all smiles calling me a fine young man, the next he's swinging a broom at me like a madman! Hurt like hell!"

"This..."

Chen Dafu closed his eyes, his face twisting in remembered pain.

"It was terrifying! The whole family was restraining the old man and he still kept breaking free... kept calling me a beast, saying I wasn't human... I still don't get why. Had no choice but to run away. Figured I'd stop by to see you on my way back, maybe get some advice."

"This situation... I don't quite follow."

"Tell me about it! I'm still completely baffled!"

Chen Dafu turned fully toward Liu Changqing, patting both cheeks dramatically with an utterly confused expression.

"I may not be drop-dead gorgeous, but I'm at least decent-looking right? What part of me screams 'beast'? That's just hurtful..."

"You overestimate yourself. 'Decent-looking' doesn't apply either."

"Bullshit! Xiyu says I've got charm."

"......"

Liu Changqing didn't bother arguing further, knowing full well the universal truth:

You can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep.

That said...

Liu Changqing carefully reviewed Chen Dafu's story. Even he couldn't immediately discern the cause.

From the description, Gu Xiyu's family had initially approved - Chen Dafu's wealthy background and good treatment of their daughter should've prevented such extreme reactions.

So why did the grandfather suddenly grab a broom after seeing... wait!

Liu Changqing froze mid-thought.

The pieces suddenly clicked together in rapid succession. The key variable became glaringly obvious:

Chen Dafu's father.

Chen Jianguo.

Eyes snapping toward Chen Dafu, Liu Changqing urgently declared:

"Your dad! It must be about your dad!"

"My dad? What about him?"

"Don't you see? They welcomed you until they saw your father's photo! That's when her grandfather went berserk!"

Liu Changqing's expression turned grave.

"Let me speculate - no offense, but your dad made his fortune in real estate during those... ethically flexible years. Could there be bad blood between your families? Maybe that's why the old man recognized him?"

"Gasp—"

Chen Dafu's eyes bulged as the realization hit.

"That makes sense! Remember at Lan Yixian's place? Your dad was dead against your relationship until he asked where Gu Xiyu was from - then suddenly laughed like a maniac?"

"Damn, Lao Liu... you're right, that was weird..."

"Case closed! Just go home and ask your dad what's really going on."

"Brilliant!"

Chen Dafu sprang from the sofa like an enlightened man seeing the light after wandering in darkness.

"Say no more! I'm heading home right now to—"

His excited declaration was abruptly cut off when Liu Xiazhi emerged from her room - having previously disappeared with a snack haul after Chen Dafu's arrival.

Gone was her casual loungewear, replaced by a white tee, pink shorts, ankle socks showcasing her legs, and a self-styled ponytail.

Both men instinctively turned toward the unexpected interruption.

The girl marched straight to Liu Changqing with smartphone in hand.

"Dad, take my picture!"

"Picture?"

Baffled, Liu Changqing automatically accepted the unlocked phone and opened the camera app.

As he focused the lens, Liu Xiazhi retreated to position herself beside the TV, raising her right hand in a stiff V-sign.

Click.

The shutter sound sealed the moment.

"Done."

As Liu Xiazhi approached to retrieve her phone—

"Di-di!"

A QQ message notification chimed.

Just as Liu Changqing was about to return the device, the alert instantly captured his attention.