"As you see," she countered slyly. She marched forward and took the seat beside Qing Yuan. She turned to him curiously. "Did you run away from home?" she asked.

  Qing Yuan snorted. "Not a chance. Dad would find the washer's bat at home and beat me to a pulp if I did."

  Qian Meng highly doubted it. "If you want, I can toss him out of the room. Just say the word!" Her voice was firm. She didn't glance at Mo Qingchen to ask. She was assured of her abilities to protect her little brother, but also, she didn't think he wouldn't help her if she asked for it.

  "As much as I love seeing you tell off, dad… I don't want you to get in trouble." He looked down at his hand. "I know you dislike mom and dad for the things they say. It's chauvinistic and they want to use you and… I don't want that. But… they are still mom and dad to me," he said in a low, pained voice.

  Qian Meng stiffened. "Don't you dare feel guilty because some adults are making a choice to be assholes. You had no hand in it."

  She wanted to shelter this kid.

  "You know what? Let's eat some lunch. Xiong Hua cooks the best food," Qian Meng said. She was about to comment how it was better than Jiang Xin but she remembered that she was Qing Yuan's mother.

  At the end of the day, he would feel bad if someone badmouthed his parents.

  "What's for lunch?" he perked up.

  Mo Qingchen looked calmly between the siblings and told them the dishes prepared. Qing Yuan cheered and clung to Yun Qian Meng's arm as they made their way to the dining area.

  "Did the meeting go well?" Mo Qingchen asked vaguely before the food arrived.

  Qing Yuan just casually looked on, not a shred of curiosity in his eyes.

  "It went well. Don't worry," she responded, just to soothe his worries. Mo Qingchen knew she couldn't say more, so he didn't pry further.

  "Ah!" Qing Yuan exclaimed while they ate. "I completely forgot why I came," he said.

  "I thought you came to see me and my house. Was there another reason?" Qian Meng asked. She was joking of course but Qing Yuan looked serious.

  "I brought you the family registry," he whispered.

  Qian Meng went silent. "Did you ask someone before you took it?" she asked, slowly growing frantic.

  Qing Yuan shook his head. "I saw Mom make sure it was in its place. She even kept it inside the safe, so I knew they wouldn't let you take it." He shrugged. "It takes weeks for the family registry to be issued again, so I just opened the safe and brought it to you," he shrugged.

  Mo Qingchen stilled a chuckle when she saw Qian Meng's horror.

  "You stole it?" she asked. "Why did you… we could have just applied for another one. If they file a missing report with the police, you will get in trouble!" she groaned.

  Qing Yuan laughed. "They ever open the safe. Once mom kept it inside, she would never think I could take it out."

  "Still… if they notice…"

  "Don't worry. The maximum that can happen is you'll get asked a bunch of questions. You can tell them I gave the book to you. What are Mom and Dad going to do? Scold me? Kick me out of the house?" Qing Yuan smiled.

  "When did you grow so courageous?" she asked, dumbfounded.

  "I now have a powerful sister and brother-in-law. I just need to hug your thigh. Even if you drag me along, I won't be in too much trouble." The mischievous boy snickered.

  Qian Meng shook her head in disbelief. "Well, it's okay. It's only a few days. Once the wedding is done, I will give it back to you. Make sure you keep it in the right place. Otherwise, we will be in trouble, understood?" she asked.

  Qing Yuan nodded enthusiastically.

  Mo Qingchen finally let out a chuckle. The siblings turned to him. "You two… stealing a family registry to get married. We are eloping, huh?"

  Mo Qingchen looked deeply into Qian Meng's eyes and she leaned back against the chair. "Well, there is a thrill in eloping, isn't there?" she admitted. "I'll get to feel it in a way." She winked.

  Qing Yuan coughed. "I love the public display of affection but I don't like the look in your eye, sister. This is new," he said.

  Qian Meng threw him a glare. "Shut up, kid. What do you know?"

  "Enough!" Qing Yuan hummed.

  Qian Meng lounged around with Qing Yuan for a few hours before he finally got up to leave.

  "I'll go freshen up. Do you mind escorting him out?" she whispered to Mo Qingchen.

  He nodded without a word and watched as she skipped away towards the room. He turned to Qing Yuan and found the young man inspecting him.

  "Come," he ordered. Just as he was about to leave the house, Mo Qingchen stopped him. He pulled out his wallet and took out a few bigger notes. He handed it unabashedly to Qing Yuan.

  "This is…" Qing Yuan trailed off.

  "Pocket money. Buy some good food with it," Mo Qingchen responded lightly. Qing Yuan took it without reserve.

  "Brother-in-law, I took your bribe. But if sister is unhappy I won't let you off," he claimed. He puffed up his chest in a show of power. "I know you are very powerful, but if it comes to my sister, I am not above using dirty methods to make your life miserable."

  Mo Qingchen wasn't offended. "Good," he said immediately. "Duly noted." This was giving the brother assurance that Mo Qingchen intended on keeping Qian Meng happy and on top of the world.

  He felt a body rush up to him and looked down, surprised as Qing Yuan circled his waist with his arm. "Thank you, brother-in-law."

  He let go immediately and sprinted away, seemingly embarrassed by the show of affection. Mo Qingchen stood, confused, but rather pleased with how the encounter had turned out.