Madam, Please Behave

Chapter 273: The In-Laws

< p183" data-end="198"> A strange room.

< p200" data-end="384"> There was no way to tell where he was from the surroundings—just that the interior was pretty well-decorated. In front of him sat a man, facing away, only the back of his head visible. < p386" data-end="569"> The people who had kidnapped Liu Changqing left immediately after removing the hood over his head. As the door shut behind them, Liu Changqing rolled his shoulders a bit to loosen up. < p571" data-end="599"> He looked forward and asked, < p601" data-end="615"> “Who are you?” < p617" data-end="699"> The man finally moved. He slowly turned around to face Liu Changqing with a smile. < p701" data-end="744"> Seeing his face, Liu Changqing was puzzled. < p746" data-end="777"> He didn’t know this guy at all. < p779" data-end="953"> When he was first attacked, he was sure it had to be Ye Rong who’d sent people after him. But now that he was face-to-face with what seemed to be the mastermind, he realized… < p955" data-end="970"> That wasn’t it. < p972" data-end="1085"> Noticing the confusion on Liu Changqing’s face, the young man kept smiling as he stood up and walked over to him. < p1087" data-end="1115"> He extended a hand and said, < p1117" data-end="1156"> “Sorry for the dramatic first meeting.” < p1158" data-end="1180"> “Who exactly are you?” < p1182" data-end="1304"> Liu Changqing didn’t take the offered hand. His expression remained serious as he stared at the young man in front of him. < p1306" data-end="1425"> Maybe he had expected this response. The young man paused briefly, then withdrew his hand and let it hang by his sides. < p1427" data-end="1474"> “Alright then, let’s not beat around the bush.” < p1476" data-end="1524"> Looking directly at Liu Changqing, he continued, < p1526" data-end="1575"> “What would it take for you to leave An Yuanyao?” < p1577" data-end="1581"> “……” < p1583" data-end="1670"> Liu Changqing was completely stunned. His brain kicked into overdrive, thoughts racing. < p1672" data-end="1771"> He hadn’t expected this at all. That they’d go to such lengths just to get him to leave An Yuanyao? < p1773" data-end="1898"> He thought back—just the other day, An Yuanyao had called her family. Not long after that, she got another call from her mom. < p1900" data-end="2026"> All that played out in his mind in just a few seconds. His eyes scanned the room, then landed back on the man in front of him. < p2028" data-end="2059"> He seemed to realize something. < p2061" data-end="2199"> Liu Changqing stood up from his chair. He was about the same height as the guy in front of him, so they faced each other on equal footing. < p2201" data-end="2244"> After a brief silence, Liu Changqing spoke. < p2246" data-end="2295"> “Don’t even think about it. I’m not leaving her.” < p2297" data-end="2350"> “What if I promised you a smooth, successful career?” < p2352" data-end="2369"> “Not interested.” < p2371" data-end="2417"> Liu Changqing rejected him flat out and added, < p2419" data-end="2595"> “I’ve already made a promise to her. She’s the only one for me in this lifetime. No matter what you offer, I won’t budge. Because… love isn’t something you can put a price on.” < p2597" data-end="2601"> “……” < p2603" data-end="2694"> Even the young man, who had kept a smile this whole time, looked a bit taken aback by that. < p2696" data-end="2807"> He really couldn’t understand how someone like Liu Changqing could say something so corny with a straight face. < p2809" data-end="2904"> He pulled himself together and tilted his head slightly in thought, muttering under his breath, < p2906" data-end="2951"> “You’re really making this difficult for me…” < p2953" data-end="3070"> The words reached Liu Changqing’s ears, and before he could respond, the young man pulled a gun from behind his back. < p3072" data-end="3147"> He raised it and pressed it against Liu Changqing’s stomach, still smiling. < p3149" data-end="3219"> “I’ll ask one more time. Are you sure there’s no room to negotiate?” < p3221" data-end="3228"> “None.” < p3230" data-end="3234"> “……” < p3236" data-end="3351"> The man stared at Liu Changqing, trying to find even the slightest trace of fear in his eyes—but there was nothing. < p3353" data-end="3400"> Liu Changqing stared back, completely unafraid. < p3402" data-end="3453"> That only made the young man’s opinion of him rise. < p3455" data-end="3470"> Time ticked by. < p3472" data-end="3580"> Liu Changqing’s eyes started to feel dry—he hadn’t blinked for a while. He finally gave in and blinked once. < p3582" data-end="3680"> And right then, the young man pulled back the gun and smiled, his tone carrying a hint of apology. < p3682" data-end="3732"> “Don’t worry. It’s a gift for my colleague’s kid.” < p3734" data-end="3814"> He pulled the trigger—and a stream of water squirted out of the plastic toy gun. < p3816" data-end="3901"> “Really sorry. I got roped into this last minute. Hope you don’t take it personally.” < p3903" data-end="3908"> “Uh…” < p3910" data-end="3984"> “Brother-in-law… if you ever need help with anything, you can come to me.” < p3986" data-end="3994"> “…What?” < p3996" data-end="4108"> Liu Changqing’s tense heart finally dropped. He was stunned for a second, then looked at the guy with disbelief. < p4110" data-end="4131"> Did he just call him… < p4133" data-end="4142"> BANG! < p4144" data-end="4222"> The door was suddenly flung open with a loud crash, and in stepped An Qianxun. < p4224" data-end="4326"> Hearing the noise behind him, Liu Changqing turned to look and saw a very cheerful An Qianxun walk in. < p4328" data-end="4401"> Seeing Liu Changqing turn around, An Qianxun stepped up with big strides. < p4403" data-end="4479"> “Not arrogant, not timid—just what I’d expect from the man my sister chose!” < p4481" data-end="4543"> He said with excitement and gave Liu Changqing a big bear hug. < p4545" data-end="4667"> The hug left Liu Changqing even more confused. Before he could react and push the guy away, he heard a whisper in his ear. < p4669" data-end="4711"> “My parents are here too… watch yourself.” < p4713" data-end="4864"> After saying that, An Qianxun let go and stood in front of him. He grabbed the young man standing off to the side and slung an arm around his shoulder. < p4866" data-end="4930"> “This is An Yancheng—my cousin. He works at the police station.” < p4932" data-end="4955"> “Oh… nice to meet you.” < p4957" data-end="4995"> Liu Changqing blinked and greeted him. < p4997" data-end="5028"> The young man nodded in return. < p5030" data-end="5065"> “Nice to meet you, brother-in-law.” < p5067" data-end="5163"> For some reason… hearing him say “brother-in-law” gave Liu Changqing a strange sense of comfort. < p5165" data-end="5333"> Just as the greetings wrapped up and before Liu Changqing could say anything else, a loud cough came from the doorway. It instantly drew the attention of all three men. < p5335" data-end="5412"> Turning toward the sound, Liu Changqing saw a man and a woman standing there. < p5414" data-end="5598"> The woman, based on her features, was clearly older, but you could still tell she must’ve been very beautiful when she was younger—especially since her features resembled An Yuanyao’s. < p5600" data-end="5651"> Next to her stood a man with a stern, serious face. < p5653" data-end="5734"> And in that moment, the image of An Quancheng resurfaced in Liu Changqing’s mind. < p5736" data-end="5781"> He realized… these were An Yuanyao’s parents. < p5783" data-end="5944"> His body stiffened instinctively. These two were essentially his in-laws. Even though he had guessed earlier, it didn’t stop the nervousness from hitting hard. < p5946" data-end="5970"> He quickly greeted them. < p5972" data-end="5995"> “Hello, Uncle, Auntie.” < p5997" data-end="6004"> “Hmph!” < p6006" data-end="6082"> An Quancheng responded with a grunt, clearly unimpressed with Liu Changqing. < p6084" data-end="6278"> Su Yan, however, had a different reaction. She noticed her husband starting up again and gave him a discreet pinch. Once his expression shifted, she quickly let go of his arm and walked forward. < p6280" data-end="6324"> She came to stand in front of Liu Changqing. < p6326" data-end="6488"> She looked him over from head to toe. As the saying goes: the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more pleasing he seems—Su Yan felt exactly that. < p6490" data-end="6653"> With his defined facial features, thick brows, and big eyes, Liu Changqing looked just like the kind of man popular in her day. She instantly took a liking to him. < p6655" data-end="6694"> She nodded in approval and said warmly, < p6696" data-end="6746"> “Now that Yaoyao’s with you, I can finally relax.”