Madam, Please Behave

Chapter 79: No Contact

Liu Changqing’s proposal left Feng Qian frozen in place. He raised the hand holding his cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled the smoke.

“How much can you invest?” Feng Qian asked seriously, his gaze fixed on Liu Changqing.

“If we really want to develop the game you described, it won’t be finished anytime soon. Sure, I have people and skills, but we’ll need at least a basic amount of operational funding.”

“How much do you have left right now?” Liu Changqing asked.

Feng Qian’s expression faltered. After hesitating for a moment, he finally admitted, “Less than 100,000 yuan.”

“Give me an exact figure.”

“Just over 50,000…”

“You’re way off,” Liu Changqing said with a sidelong glance before taking another puff of his cigarette.

“I thought you were loaded.”

“That was before… The industry’s gotten incredibly competitive. I made some money in the first couple of years, but after that, it’s been a slow decline…”

Liu Changqing studied Feng Qian’s face, sensing the exhaustion radiating from him.

Against the tides of change, what could a small figure do? It was like an egg trying to smash a rock—futile.

“Will 200,000 be enough?”

The number caught Feng Qian off guard.

“What?”

“Can you make do with 200,000 for a while?”

“That would work…”

“Alright, I’ll get you 200,000.”

“Why?”

Feng Qian’s eyes widened. His confusion was evident as he stared at Liu Changqing, unable to understand the reason behind this offer.

Liu Changqing didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he fell silent, pondering.

For now, Ye Rong was unaware that Liu Changqing had earned money from writing novels. In her mind, he should be struggling to support two kids. Of course, there was always a chance she’d find out later.

As for Feng Qian, while he wasn’t a bad person, Liu Changqing couldn’t trust him entirely.

“We’ll talk over lunch. Let’s find a restaurant and chat properly.”

After putting the sketches back in the van and locking the door, Liu Changqing started walking toward where An Yuanyao and the kids were waiting.

Feng Qian watched Liu Changqing’s retreating figure.

He felt like he couldn’t quite predict Liu Changqing’s next move.

Lowering his head, Feng Qian thought about the fantastical world of creatures Liu Changqing had described earlier.

A smile tugged at his lips.

“Interesting...”

“Hey, quit standing there. Let’s go have a drink!”

Liu Changqing’s voice broke his reverie. Turning back, Feng Qian saw him calling out.

“Coming!”

Jogging to catch up, Feng Qian walked alongside Liu Changqing and suggested, “If we’re driving, maybe we shouldn’t drink?”

“We’ll leave the car here. It’s not like it’ll get towed. Just join me for a drink.”

“Alright… By the way, last time I saw you, you were working at a bookstore. When did you buy commercial spaces?”

“I’ll explain later.”

Their figures grew smaller as they walked further away.

---

Lying in the front passenger seat, Liu Changqing leaned his head against the car seat.

He didn’t feel well after drinking, his stomach churning with an urge to vomit.

After leaving the restaurant, he had called a car for Feng Qian and his daughter, watching them depart before hailing a taxi for himself, An Yuanyao, and Xiazhi.

In the cab, Liu Changqing slumped in the passenger seat, reeking of alcohol.

The driver, without saying much, rolled down the windows to ventilate the car and drove quietly.

From the back seat, An Yuanyao watched Liu Changqing with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Neither she nor Xiazhi spoke much. Liu Changqing had been acting strangely all day, discussing confusing topics with Feng Qian during lunch—something about companies and funding.

Though she didn’t understand what they had agreed upon, Liu Changqing’s demeanor toward Feng Qian had noticeably shifted, becoming more amicable.

Once in the taxi, Liu Changqing gave the driver his address, then leaned his head against the window, closing his eyes in silence.

The ride passed without a word.

When they arrived, Liu Changqing stirred slightly, fumbling in his pocket before pulling out a red bill and handing it to the driver.

“Mister… Please take her home after this. Give her the change.”

“I can pay!” An Yuanyao quickly interjected, noticing Liu Changqing slurring his words.

“It’s fine. It’s a small amount… no big deal…”

Pushing the door open, Liu Changqing got out, staggering slightly.

Through the car window, An Yuanyao saw his unsteady movements and quickly got out to support him.

“Why did you drink so much today? It wasn’t even a business deal…” she asked, her tone laced with worry.

“Felt like drinking…” Liu Changqing muttered, bracing himself against the car door.

Xiazhi climbed out of the car as well, hovering nearby with a worried expression.

After a brief pause, Liu Changqing fished out his keys and handed them to his daughter.

“Xiazhi… Go on upstairs. Your brother’s probably home from his exam.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll come up in a bit. I need to talk to Aunt An.”

“Okay…”

Though still worried about her father, Xiazhi took the keys and headed toward the building.

Watching her walk away, Liu Changqing seemed to sober up a bit, the evening light casting long shadows.

Pushing gently against An Yuanyao’s arm, he said, “I’m fine. I can stand.”

“Let me help you back to your apartment,” she offered.

“No need. I’m clear-headed.”

“You’re slurring your words and still claim to be clear-headed…”

Rolling her eyes, An Yuanyao turned to the waiting driver.

“Mister, you can go. I’ll call another cab later.”

“This area isn’t great for catching cabs,” Liu Changqing interrupted, then turned his now-sharp gaze to An Yuanyao.

“Let me go,” he said firmly.

“But you—”

“I said let go.”

His raised tone startled her into letting go.

Without another word, Liu Changqing opened the taxi door, gently pushed her inside, and shut it.

Leaning against the car, he bent slightly to speak through the open window.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Let’s not contact each other anymore unless absolutely necessary.”

“What are you saying?”

Hearing this, An Yuanyao’s hand shot out to open the door, but she found it held shut from the outside.

Failing several times, she gave up and looked up at Liu Changqing, biting her lip.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me recently. And, well, I’ve helped you too. Let’s just call it even.”

“What are you really trying to say?”

“...”

Liu Changqing remained silent.

An Yuanyao was a good person. If he didn’t know her, he might have fallen for her.

But their relationship was too complicated. Every interaction left him feeling uneasy.

He hated that feeling.

Watching the desperation in her eyes, Liu Changqing gave her a wry smile.

“Mrs. Li, please mind your boundaries.”