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Knock knock knock
The sound of knocking echoed through the room. Zhao Feng got up to open the door, where a hotel staff member handed over two boxes of fast food. After paying and locking the door again, Zhao Feng placed the food on the table. He turned on the TV, tuning it to Phoenix TV's closed-circuit channel, and sat down at the table to open the food containers.
"Curry beef rice and braised pork ribs rice. Which one do you want?" Zhao Feng asked.
Huang Qiaoqiao took the braised pork ribs rice and said with a pout, "I love ribs the most. I hate fish. My dad's a fishmonger, so I grew up eating fish and seafood. I'm so sick of it—I can't stand the smell of fish anymore."
Zhao Feng sighed. "No wonder you're so smart and tall. Fish and seafood are rich in calcium, zinc, and vitamins. You've been over-nourished."
Qiaoqiao pouted, unimpressed. "Try eating the leftover rotten fish and shrimp every day. Let's see if you still like seafood. You'd be lucky not to throw up."
Zhao Feng teased, "That depends on who I'm eating with. If I were dining with Dan Dinghe or Bai Xiaohua, I could eat rotten fish and shrimp every day for the rest of my life and never feel sick."
Qiaoqiao scolded playfully, "Who wants to eat with you? You smooth-talker, always finding ways to flirt. Do you know what kind of family Bai Xiaohua comes from? She lives in a mansion, eats delicacies, and has a mountain of gold at home. Do you think she'd even look at you?"
Zhao Feng sighed dramatically. "Can't I even indulge in a little self-delusion? Even if I can't have the swan, I at least want to make a splash. Otherwise, I'd die of frustration."
Qiaoqiao giggled, her eyes sparkling. "So you admit you're an amphibian now, my toad desk mate?"
Zhao Feng pointed at the TV, where a background actor in The King of Comedy was delivering his lines with passion. "I'm just a lowly extra, but I have dreams too. Even if I can't have the swan, I want her to remember me for the rest of her life. Once, there was a frog at the bottom of a well who saw a swan flying overhead. He jumped as high as he could, splashing water all over the swan."
On the screen, the extra actor lifted Liu Piaopiao's chin and declared firmly, "I'll take care of you!"
Liu Piaopiao rejected him without hesitation and walked away without looking back.
Qiaoqiao frowned. "Why did she reject him? Xingxing is so handsome!"
Zhao Feng replied calmly, "Because extras don't make money. He couldn't afford to take care of her. Society is cruel and realistic. Being handsome doesn't put food on the table."
Qiaoqiao sighed. "That woman is too materialistic. Couldn't she share the hardships and work together to build a life?"
Zhao Feng scratched his head, striking a pose. "Dan Dinghe, I'll take care of you!"
Qiaoqiao didn't hesitate. "Get lost! You're too short, too poor, and too ugly. You don't meet the requirements."
"Damn it!" Zhao Feng wailed, clutching his chest and collapsing onto the bed. "My heart is shattered! So, in your eyes, I've always been a short, poor, and ugly loser?"
Qiaoqiao snapped her fingers proudly. "Bai Xiaohua gave you a chance, so I'll give you one too. If you get into Shanghai International Studies University, I'll agree to be your girlfriend and make up for your lack of height."
Zhao Feng said, "I'm planning to apply to Shanghai University. I heard both schools are in the same university town. Will that work?"
Qiaoqiao considered it. "I'll think about it. Catch me, and I'll be your girlfriend."
Zhao Feng raised his hand solemnly. "Let's seal it with a handshake. See you in Shanghai University Town. If either of us breaks the promise, we'll eat rotten fish and shrimp every day and never find true love."
Qiaoqiao slapped her hand against his, giggling. "Eat and watch TV. Stop daydreaming. We have exams tomorrow. If you fail, the deal's off."
Meanwhile, Mai Yuqiang returned home with a basket of rotten fish and shrimp, riding his three-wheeled motorcycle. He walked into the house, tossed the basket onto the floor, and strode into the living room.
The aroma of sweet and sour spare ribs filled the air. Mai Yuqiang picked up his chopsticks and started eating, his mouth soon glistening with grease. He opened a bottle of erguotou (a strong liquor) and took a big swig, feeling warmth spread through his body.
Mai Yuqiang devoured the ribs with lightning speed, polishing off the entire plate and half the bottle of liquor. He sighed contentedly. "Wife, any more dishes? Bring them out. I'm starving."
"Are you a starving ghost? You come home every day yelling about being hungry, as if you never get enough to eat," Yan Xiaohong snapped as she walked out with a plate of peanuts. She placed the peanuts on the table and noticed the empty plate. Suspiciously, she asked, "You ate the ribs I saved for Qiaoqiao?"
Mai Yuqiang grabbed a handful of peanuts and tossed them into his mouth. "I ate them for her. Did you reheat the ribs? They tasted a bit bitter."
Yan Xiaohong's face turned red with anger. "I made those ribs especially for Qiaoqiao to celebrate her success in the exams. You ate them all? Are you out of your mind?"
Mai Yuqiang took another swig of liquor and teased, "Qiaoqiao's staying at a classmate's house tonight. If I didn't eat them, they'd go bad by tomorrow."
Yan Xiaohong's veins bulged on her forehead. She slammed the table in frustration. "That little brat dares to stay out overnight? Just wait till I get my hands on her. Where is she staying? I'll drag her back home."
Mai Yuqiang lit a Lingyang cigarette, blowing smoke out of his nostrils. "She's at Bai Jiaxin's house in Wanhao Mansion. I heard the Bai family are wealthy merchants from Wenzhou, living in a luxury villa. If you think you can get into Wanhao Mansion, go ahead and try."
Yan Xiaohong deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping into a chair. She trembled with anger. The little brat was too cunning. Did she see through my plan? I just wanted to ruin her chances at the exams and marry her off for a dowry.
Mai Yuqiang drank more liquor and sneered, "I'm her real father, and even I'm not worried. You're not even her real mother. What are you so worked up about? Go cook the fish and shrimp. Make a sour fish stew and some shrimp paste. And wash a couple of green onions while you're at it."
Yan Xiaohong stormed out of the house, shouting, "I'm going out to play mahjong. Cook your own damn sour fish stew!" She slammed the door behind her and left in a huff.
Mai Yuqiang slammed the table in frustration. "That wasteful woman! If you really cared about Qiaoqiao, I'd eat my hat. A weasel paying respects to a chicken—you're up to no good.
The college entrance exam is too important. It's good that my daughter left. At least she won't get caught up in any trouble. Qiaoqiao is smart, clever, and beautiful, just like her mother. She's born to go to college.
As long as I'm alive, I'll make sure she finishes university."
Huang Xiaobao, rubbing his sleepy eyes, walked out of his room. "Dad, you're back. Mom hasn't cooked yet. I'm hungry."
Mai Yuqiang put down the liquor bottle and ruffled Xiaobao's hair. "Dad will cook you a big fish—sour fish stew."
In the cozy hotel room, two single beds stood side by side. Huang Qiaoqiao, exhausted, had already fallen asleep. Little did she know that Zhao Feng's repeated interventions had thwarted Yan Xiaohong's schemes, saving her from failing the exams. Her exceptional performance in the exams would set her on a new life path, far from the fate she had once known.
Zhao Feng leaned against the headboard, watching TV. He glanced at the sleeping Qiaoqiao and thought to himself, Stepmothers are not easy to deal with. There might be more trouble tomorrow. He turned off the TV, closed his eyes, and prepared for the next day's exams.