Chapter 1277: Chapter 666: Seeking Cooperation Amidst Competition

Guo Mengyao’s explanation was obviously inaccurate, especially when she reversed her and Chen Feng’s roles, getting who was active and who was passive mixed up.

But can Chen Feng expose her? Clearly not.

Just like earlier, when Chen Feng didn’t expose Yu Xiaohui.

The opening verbal exchange between the two women was laced with hidden barbs, resulting in a draw.

"Alright, let’s order food first. I’ll have sea cucumber."

Chen Feng spoke up, interrupting the ongoing "exchange" between the two women.

Guo Mengyao also realized her earlier words were somewhat aggressive, clearly not in line with her character of being graceful, poised, and dignified, so she agreed with Chen Feng: "Alright, let’s order food first. The cod fish maw here is good, I’ll order the fish maw. Xiao Hui, what will you have?"

Yu Xiaohui glanced at the menu on the table and smiled: "Then I’ll have the cod fish maw."

Guo Mengyao raised her hand to call the waiter and ordered the stews the three of them wanted.

While waiting for the food, Guo Mengyao’s tone became much gentler, asking curiously: "What do you do now?"

Yu Xiaohui replied openly: "I mainly stay at home with the kids, not as accomplished as you, a businesswoman."

Guo Mengyao smiled modestly: "Staying home with the kids is quite good too. If it weren’t for running my factory and having no man to rely on, I’d also prefer staying at home with kids. But alas, I’m born to toil."

"You work hard but earn a lot. Actually, I admire strong women like you, you’re a role model for us. I can’t do it; I can only be a housewife."

"There’s nothing wrong with being a housewife. As long as you have a reliable man to depend on, providing enough financial support, I think most women would prefer staying home with kids."

Yu Xiaohui smiled slightly, then suddenly retorted: "That’s not necessarily true, some women like pursuing independence and don’t enjoy staying home with kids; it’s just in their nature. Nowadays, society strives for gender equality; women earning outside and men staying home with kids isn’t bad either."

Guo Mengyao paused briefly, then laughed: "We talk about gender equality, but is it truly possible? Especially here, having a man stay home with the kids instead of working would certainly attract gossip, whereas women doing so hardly do. It’s been this family model for thousands of years."

Yu Xiaohui smiled faintly, holding her stance: "That’s an old mindset. I believe as long as the couple discusses and agrees that the wife works and the husband stays home with the kids and household chores with clear division, it wouldn’t be bad."

Guo Mengyao squinted slightly, somewhat insincere in her smile, asking: "Do you hope for your husband to be like this? Staying home with the kids daily while you go out working."

Yu Xiaohui calmly said: "As long as we love each other and communicate well, there’s nothing we can’t do. If he’s the man I adore, even if he doesn’t work and lazes around all day, I wouldn’t dislike him, let alone having him stay home with the kids and chores." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Guo Mengyao sneered: "Then what will you eat? What will you spend? Don’t need money to raise kids?"

Yu Xiaohui smiled faintly: "I can work and take care of the family. As long as the money suffices."

Guo Mengyao couldn’t agree with the idea at all, and despised it, as her ex-husband was such a "homebody" man, indulging in idleness. Even if there was affection initially, over time, that feeling gets worn out by daily life.

Guo Mengyao even suspected if Yu Xiaohui already knew about her past marriage and was intentionally making remarks to provoke her.

Moreover, she viewed Yu Xiaohui as a manipulative type, talking sweetly about letting the husband relax while she works. If she truly had such a husband, would she really do what she said?

So hypocritical!

However, Guo Mengyao didn’t argue further on this topic, but instead asked: "By the way, how many kids do you have? Boys or girls? I only have a daughter."

Yu Xiaohui responded directly: "Two kids, the eldest is a daughter, the youngest is a son."

"That’s quite fortunate, having both. What’s the situation with their father now? Divorced?"

Guo Mengyao couldn’t resist prodding her.

Yu Xiaohui remained calm, saying: "Their father passed away."

Guo Mengyao paused in surprise, then quickly apologized: "Sorry, I didn’t know."

Yu Xiaohui smiled: "No worries. Actually, I lost feelings for him long ago. He was the typical man who turned bad with wealth, and liked married women. In the end, he died falling accidentally while being with another man’s wife. His kind of death doesn’t deserve pity or sympathy."

Listening to this, Guo Mengyao suddenly felt a bit of shared misfortune with her. Both their husbands weren’t any good.

They both found the wrong partners, and she felt a bit less hostile towards her.

After a brief silence, the stews they ordered were brought out.

They each started eating, and for a while, no one spoke.

After a few bites, Yu Xiaohui exclaimed, praising the authenticity of the cod fish maw and its cooking.

Guo Mengyao began chatting about other stews at the restaurant and introduced some history, mentioning it’s opened by a relative of hers, suggesting frequent visits.

And so, while eating and chatting mostly between the two women, they finished their stews.

Chen Feng was the first to finish, having waited for a while. Seeing they’re done, he got up to pay the bill and planned to return to the hotel to sleep.

He’s now developed a good routine, usually sleeping by eleven, which it already was now.

Neither woman said anything as he walked to the cash register, even Guo Mengyao who initially offered to pay didn’t try to stop him.

It wasn’t that she was reluctant to spend, but to emphasize that Chen Feng paying for her underscored her status as his woman.

Had it been just the two of them, she’d definitely pick up the check herself; Chen Feng paying would’ve upset her.

While Chen Feng went to pay, Guo Mengyao smirked at Yu Xiaohui and said: "Now it’s so late, don’t your kids miss their mom? Are you heading home afterwards?"

Yu Xiaohui glanced at her and said calmly: "They’ve been raised by their grandparents, not too close to me."

"Oh, so you’re not going home tonight?"

Guo Mengyao emphasized again.

Yu Xiaohui finally nodded openly: "Not going back."

Of course she wasn’t returning to the city at this hour, no need. Besides, the hotel room with Chen Feng wasn’t checked out yet, wouldn’t wanna waste the money, it’s where she’d continue staying tonight.