The Domineering CEO's Indifferent Lover

Chapter One: The Stepmother's Criticism As the night descended once again, the sky darkened with heavy clouds, foretelling an impending storm. Qin Xueche, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen. The girl had long, lustrous black hair and a slender, delicate figure. Her face, devoid of makeup, glistened with beads of sweat from her efforts. Her bright eyes shone like stars, her high nose and slightly upturned thin lips exuding an air of elegance and aloofness, akin to a solitary orchid blooming in a secluded valley, radiating calm and grace. Before long, dinner for the Bai family was ready. Qin Xueche set the table and called out, “Dad, Auntie, Qingyu, come eat!” Her voice was as melodious as an oriole's song. A woman in her forties lazily walked out, her face lined with wrinkles yet still retaining a trace of charm. She cast a casual glance at the table and sneered, “Hmph, the same dishes again. Can’t you be more creative?” “Auntie, I got off work late today, and there were no fresh vegetables left in the market. I had to make do with what we had,” Qin Xueche explained, accustomed to her stepmother Lin Peipei’s nitpicking. “Don’t you know that Qingyu is going back to school tomorrow? Why didn’t you get off work earlier to make him something nice?” “Enough, let’s eat. Stop arguing,” interjected Qin Yuanhao, Xueche’s father. “Must we have this every day? Aren’t you tired?” “Mom, don’t scold my sister. I like her cooking. Once I leave tomorrow, I’ll miss it. Let’s eat, everyone. Sister, you too,” said Qin Qingyu, aware that his mother would always find faults with his half-sister. Why did she never tire of it? Lin Peipei sat down, displeased, thinking about how her son always defended this girl, never acting like her own child. A sudden clap of thunder rumbled outside; indeed, it was going to rain. Qin Xueche tactfully put down her chopsticks and closed the windows in each room. She always remained composed, suppressing her feelings regardless of her stepmother’s harshness or her father’s occasional support. Perhaps she had grown used to Lin Peipei’s harsh words over the years. “Xueche, didn’t you say you’d move out once you found a job?” Qin Yuanhao asked with downcast eyes, devoid of any expression. “Uh, yes, once my job is stable, I’ll find a place. For now, I still need to stay at home for a while longer.” “What?! Move out? Who will wash the clothes, cook the meals, and clean the house? Me? After raising you all these years, you think you can just leave? How convenient for you! Old Bai, you sure dote on your daughter!” Lin Peipei retorted sharply. “We agreed that once Xueche found a job, she would live independently. You can't stop her from leaving. She’ll marry one day and leave anyway.” “That’s not acceptable. She needs my permission to marry. If she hadn’t willingly looked after us, I wouldn’t even care to have her in this house.” “Enough, Dad. If Auntie feels that way, I’ll continue to take care of you. But, three years, no more than three years, as we agreed. Auntie, don’t forget,” Xueche said, her expression suddenly resolute. “Three years? Hmph. That’s your father’s promise! I’m telling you, you’ll need my approval to leave. If it weren’t for your father, you wouldn’t have gone to college or had this job. You think you can just leave? Is there any profit in that?” “I’m full. You all continue eating,” Qin Xueche said, knowing this argument wouldn’t end soon. Better to withdraw herself first.