Chapter Six: Liu Xiaoli Strikes It Rich

"Dad, will I be able to become an actress like Audrey Hepburn one day?"

Liu Yifei looked at Chen Siyuan with eyes full of anticipation.

Chen Siyuan nodded gently. "As long as you truly love it and are willing to put in the effort, you will definitely succeed!"

With me around, it would be hard for you not to succeed anyway! Chen Siyuan thought to himself. In his past life, he had always heard people say that Liu Yifei was well-protected. In this life, however, she would not have to rely on past laurels.

"Mmh, thank you, Dad!"

Liu Yifei beamed, her face lighting up as she happily began to eat. Liu Xiaoli, by contrast, seemed a bit distracted. The reason she had brought Liu Yifei to New York was partly to ensure she received a better education, and partly to groom her to inherit her own dance career. Yet, the path she had mapped out for her daughter seemed to be veering off course.

Bolstered by Chen Siyuan’s support, Liu Yifei returned to her joyful nature, finding immense delight even in the simple act of eating. Crucially, Chen Siyuan played along perfectly, the father and daughter in complete sync. After dinner and cleaning up, Liu Yifei pulled Chen Siyuan along to continue watching *Roman Holiday*. Chen Siyuan beckoned for a preoccupied Liu Xiaoli to join them in the home theater.

Liu Yifei was genuinely captivated; she watched with intense focus, even subconsciously mimicking some of the movements on screen. Liu Xiaoli observed it all. When the credits finally rolled, Liu Yifei still seemed to be lingering in the film’s atmosphere.

"Alright, go wash up and head to bed. We'll watch more next time," Chen Siyuan said, ruffling her hair.

"Okay, Mom and Dad, I'm off to get ready." Liu Yifei made a silly face and scampered off.

Once they were alone, Liu Xiaoli’s body temperature inexplicably began to rise. "I'm going up too," she said, hurrying away in a slight panic.

Chen Siyuan tidied up and followed her upstairs. The guest room remained shut, but the master bedroom door was left ajar. Chen Siyuan pushed it open gently. Liu Xiaoli had just entered the bathroom; her slender silhouette was cast upon the frosted glass.

When she emerged, she was met with a pair of smiling eyes and stood frozen.

"Si... Siyuan..." Just as she started to speak, Chen Siyuan stepped forward and embraced her.

"Wife, you look beautiful," he murmured, burying his face in the hair near her ear.

He was enveloped by the faint scent of her shampoo.

"Siyuan..." Liu Xiaoli’s heart felt as though it were about to leap from her chest. Her mind was a complete blank. When Chen Siyuan gently nibbled on her earlobe, she shuddered.

"Siyuan, go take a shower first..." she said, pushing him away weakly, her face flushed crimson.

Chen Siyuan smiled slightly—an encouraging signal. He tapped her playfully on the backside and said, "Wait for me!"

Liu Xiaoli’s knees felt weak, and she stumbled off to the bed. Under the dim, warm light, she hid herself beneath the covers. Chen Siyuan climbed in and held her from behind. Her hot skin was slightly rigid at first, but she quickly relaxed.

The Chen Siyuan of his past life had possessed terabytes of theoretical knowledge, and the Chen Siyuan of this life had mastered the art of putting that theory into practice. How could Liu Xiaoli possibly resist? Soon, the bedroom was filled with sounds that set the pulse racing.

At first, Liu Xiaoli had worried about how to face the situation, but her concerns were entirely misplaced. Under Chen Siyuan’s advances, her defenses crumbled with surprising speed, falling like a landslide. Chen Siyuan felt like he had discovered a treasure. Thanks to her years of disciplined dancing, Liu Xiaoli’s flexibility was beyond imagination, allowing Chen Siyuan to put much of his "theoretical knowledge" into practice. Liu Xiaoli was completely overwhelmed.

The next day, Liu Xiaoli naturally overslept.

"Dad, is Mom not up yet?" Eating the breakfast Chen Siyuan had prepared, Liu Yifei blinked, looking curiously toward the stairs.

"Mmh, Mom worked hard practicing her dance yesterday, so let her sleep a little longer." Chen Siyuan didn't blush or skip a beat, showing no sign of guilt.

"Oh! Dad, if I do well today, can we watch another movie tonight?" Liu Yifei quickly pushed thoughts of her mother aside, concerned only with whether she could continue watching Audrey Hepburn.

"Of course. Study and entertainment aren't mutually exclusive. As long as you do well, Dad will watch with you tonight."

"Thank you, Dad!" Liu Yifei rushed over and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Being kissed by his little girl was a joy, but Chen Siyuan frowned slightly.

"Xixi, are there any boys you're close with at school?" Chen Siyuan asked with feigned nonchalance, though he didn't realize he had clenched his left fist.

"Boys I'm close with? Yes!" Liu Yifei replied without hesitation.

The veins in Chen Siyuan’s left hand tightened. "Who? Today was only the first day, right?"

"Will! Didn't you tell him to look after me, Dad? They even formed a 'Justice League.' Isn't that a bit childish?" Liu Yifei burst into laughter.

Chen Siyuan immediately relaxed. "Will, huh? That kid’s sense of justice is a bit excessive!"

"Oh, Mom, you're awake! Come have some breakfast, Dad made it himself!" Liu Yifei waved toward Chen Siyuan’s back.

Chen Siyuan turned to see Liu Xiaoli. Compared to before, her complexion was much more radiant. *That’s all my doing,* he thought with pride.

Perhaps through their newfound intimacy, a psychic connection had formed; Liu Xiaoli gave him a sharp, annoyed look.

Chen Siyuan stood up and pulled out a chair for her. "Have some seafood porridge. It’s been simmering for a long time."

He served her a bowl, and any lingering irritation Liu Xiaoli might have had vanished. Besides, she wasn't truly angry; after all, it wasn't just Chen Siyuan who had enjoyed the night before. She was only embarrassed by the sheer variety of his tricks. If she hadn't been so lost in the moment, she certainly wouldn't have played along. Just thinking about it made her blush.

"Mom, hurry and try it, it's delicious!" Liu Yifei urged.

"You’re just sucking up to your father!" Liu Xiaoli scolded her daughter.

Liu Yifei only felt proud, hugging Chen Siyuan’s arm. "I want to support Dad because I love him!"

Chen Siyuan patted her head. "Good girl, Xixi, Dad loves you too!"

Watching the affectionate interaction between the two, Liu Xiaoli made a secret resolution: from this day forward, she would forget that their marriage was ever a sham.

After breakfast, Chen Siyuan drove Liu Yifei to school and then headed to the dance troupe with Liu Xiaoli. On the way, he turned and asked her a question that made her face turn as red as silk.