Chapter 598: Dining Disaster
As Sang Zhe stood at the entrance of the Sang residence, he couldn’t shake off a surreal feeling, as if he’d stepped through a time warp.
Maybe life in the Fallen Red Realm had been a tad too hellish, because just the thought of returning to that warm home brought tears to his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the grand door.
In the courtyard, three familiar little lolis were huddled together, just as usual.
Long Huan was tenderly cradling Little Lonely in her arms while teasing him with a rattle. Si Jingzhu had Little Ying You on her head, who was munching on her hair and making her howl in distress. Nearby, Hua Jianglian was engrossed in a drama on her Communication Device, occasionally letting out a silly giggle.
The moment they caught sight of Sang Zhe, their faces lit up with surprise as they rushed towards him.
“Husband! You’re finally back!”
“Sister Xiao Ying hasn’t told us where you’ve been, making us worry for ages!” Long Huan pouted with a hint of reproach.
Sang Zhe took Little Lonely from her, and sighed, “I wanted to come home sooner, but things just didn’t allow it.”
Hua Jianglian squinted at him with her lovely eyes, suddenly nuzzling against him like a puppy.
“…Hmm?”
She exchanged glances with Si Jingzhu and Long Huan, and the other two girls joined in, sniffing all around him.
Even Little Ying You was straining to sniff, wrinkling her face in disgust as she stuck out her tongue.
“…It smells really strong.”
“Indeed.”
“It’s quite exaggerated; it wasn’t even this bad last time.”
Sang Zhe: “?”
Watching the three little girls nod mysteriously, Sang Zhe couldn’t help but sniff himself, “What smell? Don’t I bathe every day?”
“Well, sometimes that kind of smell just doesn’t wash off.”
Si Jingzhu looked at him with disdain: “Did you forget the night after you played games with us? The whole house was filled with that smell!”
“The smell on Husband now is way stronger than that day,” Long Huan pouted, a hint of jealousy in her expression. “Looks like Husband has indeed been… busy~”
Hua Jianglian crossed her arms, silently looking up at him.
Sang Zhe instantly broke into a sweat.
“N-No, it’s just that I’ve been busy these days, and I might be a bit sweaty. You guys keep playing; I’ll go report to Xiao Ying!”
Fleeing from the weight of their stares, Sang Zhe made a hasty exit, leaving the three girls trading peculiar and suspicious looks.
“Do you think he’s telling the truth?” Hua Jianglian pondered.
“Of course not,” Si Jingzhu scoffed. “With such a strong smell, who knows how much he had to play to keep it that long. He’s practically marinated!”
“I think he must be out there having a harem party, or even sneaking around with some mystery women!” Long Huan hesitated.
“Really? Husband isn’t that kind of person, right? He wouldn’t betray us!”
“Oh come on, what kind of clueless girl are you? You need to see a video of your idol being messed with just to believe it? Wake up! Your pure, holy idol might just be a complete scoundrel out there!”
With Si Jingzhu stoking the flames, Long Huan found herself believing it just a touch, her insecurity creeping in. “How could Husband…?”
“He’s Sang Zhe, for crying out loud! If it came out someday that he secretly worked as a male model in a club, I wouldn’t even be surprised.”
Si Jingzhu said mysteriously: “Honestly, we’ve been too lenient with him. He should be prostrating in front of us every morning, doing all the housework and serving us. No dining without proper manners—”
Before she could finish, a flustered Sang Zhe returned and whacked her on the head, making her tear up.
“If you keep spreading lies, I’ll bury you deep in the mountains so you can sprout roots and live as a plant for ten years!”
“…Wuwu, I’m sorry!”
——
——
In Zhang Xiao Ying’s room, Bai Ming and Zhang Xiao Ying, the only two mothers in the Sang family, were busy knitting clothes for the kids while whispering to each other.
When she saw Sang Zhe, Bai Ming’s lovely eyes shimmered with delight, and she rushed over to hug him, “You actually came back alive?”
Sang Zhe: “…Are you hoping I’d be dead just so you can inherit the family fortune?”
“Not really. But could you at least write a will next time saying all your assets and women go to me upon your death?”
“Not a chance!”
“Good job, though.” Zhang Xiao Ying tenderly helped him out of his clothes, finding him a fresh outfit. “You’ve been through a lot this time, right?”
Sang Zhe sighed deeply, saying nothing.
Zhang Xiao Ying seemed to understand and didn’t pry further. She simply said, “Make sure to soak for a while; you smell pretty pungent.”
Sang Zhe sadly wrapped his arms around Zhang Xiao Ying’s waist, “Xiao Ying, you don’t think I’m dirty, right?”
“I know you’re not entirely to blame.”
Zhang Xiao Ying chuckled, shaking her head, “But honestly, I’m more curious about how Hong Yi is doing.”
“Huh?”
Sang Zhe sulked, “Why do you care about her? Wasn’t I the one who suffered?”
“If you really think that, then great.”
Zhang Xiao Ying smiled gently, not saying more, leaving Sang Zhe puzzled.
“By the way, I met Nian Nian.”
“…She actually came looking for you?”
“Unless I wanted to be kept in the dark for how long?” Zhang Xiao Ying shot him a reproachful glance.
Sang Zhe rubbed his nose awkwardly, “Sorry, it couldn’t be helped.”
“At first, I only considered her a system, a spirit lodged in my body. I only gradually learned her true identity. Where is she now?”
“With Li Guoshi, monitoring the demons and gods.”
After Zhang Xiao Ying finished dressing him, she softly said, “She and Li Guoshi have started to implement the next steps as you planned.”
Sang Zhe nodded thoughtfully.
“Do you want to check on the company?”
“…Forget it. They should handle it well enough.”
Sinking deeply into the bed, Sang Zhe spoke tiredly, “I don’t want to do anything today. I just want to sleep soundly and heal my mentally and physically exhausted self after these past few days.”
Bai Ming and Zhang Xiao Ying exchanged glances, both understanding the emotions in each other’s eyes.
“Well, shall we keep Husband company tonight?”
“…Just don’t squeeze me too hard; I’m going to get a psychological trauma at this rate.”
“Pfft. Don’t worry, we’ll just let you hold us while we sleep. We won’t do anything.”
“You better not!” Sang Zhe disregarded their shrieks and pulled both girls over, collapsing onto the bed.
Moments later, deep, resonant snores filled the room.
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