Chapter 2213: Chapter 17: He Came Just for the Free Meal, Hoping for a Chance Encounter

That evening at the gathering, Qin Qingqing stayed at the Mo family for only a few minutes and left without seeing Jing Xiaocha and Wen Jin.

After hearing from Zhang Minghui that Jing Xiaocha had asked about her, she agreed to help him pick a gift.

Two hours later, Qin Qingqing and Zhang Minghui arrived at the Wen Family.

Jing Xiaocha was first delighted to see her, then she gave a gentle smile, holding her hand as she looked her over. "Qingqing, I haven’t seen you for four years, you are getting more and more beautiful. I heard from your Aunt Wen the other night that you were back, and I’ve been wanting to invite you to the house..."

"Aunt Xiaocha, you are the one who’s getting prettier and prettier. Quickly tell me your secret for staying forever young?"

"Still as sweet as ever."

Jing Xiaocha teased with a smile, guiding her to sit on the sofa and warmly offering her some fruits.

"Aunt, as soon as Qingqing comes, you treat me like an invisible person."

Zhang Minghui, who had been neglected, said with a smile.

He walked over and sat down on the sofa.

Jing Xiaocha raised her brows and smiled, "You won’t help entertain Qingqing, and you expect me to treat you like a guest? Qingqing, have dinner at my house tonight. I’ll call your second... Uncle Wen later, to have him come home early for dinner."

Jing Xiaocha originally intended to say "your second uncle," but remembering that Qingqing had changed her terms of address for her earlier, she also changed her wording.

When they were young, Qingqing followed Ziye, who insisted that she call Wen Jin and her by the titles "Uncle" and "Aunt" just like he did, and they also called Gu Kai and Bai Yiyi "Uncle" and "Aunt."

But upon returning this time, Qin Qingqing naturally altered the form of address.

"Sure, I’m eating alone at home anyway."

Apart from the tie with Mo Ziye, her parents and Jing Xiaocha, Wen Jin had always had a great relationship.

If Qin Qingqing politely declined, it would instead seem pretentious and distant.

But what she didn’t expect was that when Wen Jin returned that evening, he wasn’t alone.

Behind him was Mo Ziye.

At that moment, Qin Qingqing was carrying out some dishes, and upon meeting Mo Ziye’s deep gaze, her heart skipped a beat, nearly dropping the plate in her hand.

"Qingqing, why did your Aunt have you carrying dishes?"

Wen Jin, seeing Qin Qingqing carrying dishes and her expression changing, showed a hint of surprise, warmly asking with a smile.

Before Qingqing could respond, he continued, addressing Mo Ziye, who was following, "Ziye, quickly take the plate from Qingqing; what if she gets scalded?"

"Second Uncle, I haven’t washed my hands yet."

Mo Ziye replied humorously, his narrow eyes glancing at the plate in Qin Qingqing’s hand. "Take it to the dining room first. I’ll wash my hands, and then I’ll take care of the rest."

Qin Qingqing placed the dish on the dining table, turned around, and saw Mo Ziye, having washed his hands, appear at the dining room entrance.

His tall and slender figure blocked most of the door.

Qin Qingqing felt a sense of pressure coming over her, instinctively pursing her lips, slowing her steps as she walked over.

"Have you been at my second uncle’s house all afternoon?"

When she reached Mo Ziye, his deep magnetic voice sounded in her ear.

His masculine presence made Qin Qingqing’s heart tremble slightly.

She had to raise her eyes to meet his gaze, smiling faintly, "Brother Little Hui and I came to Uncle Wen’s house when it was almost four o’clock."

"Did you go to the hospital?"

Mo Ziye’s eyes changed slightly as he asked casually.

That afternoon Zhang Minghui didn’t go to the company.

"My cold is already better..."

"Ziye, Qingqing, what are you two talking about standing here? Go sit on the living room sofa and chat, let me through."

Zhang Minghui came over with two plates of food, addressing Mo Ziye and Qin Qingqing who were blocking the dining room door.

Mo Ziye glanced at him, "You didn’t take Qingqing to the hospital?"

"It’s not Brother Little Hui’s fault, it was I who didn’t want to go." Qin Qingqing quickly answered, fearing that Mo Ziye would blame Zhang Minghui.

A trace of guilt flashed across Zhang Minghui’s face, "Ziye, Qingqing is fine now."

"You’re still just as unreliable as before."

Mo Ziye sighed softly, taking another look at Qin Qingqing, then made way for Zhang Minghui and headed to the kitchen to help bring out the dishes.

About ten minutes later.

At the dinner table, Wen Jin asked Qin Qingqing, "Qingqing, when is your dad coming back?"

"I don’t know."

Qin Qingqing answered truthfully.

Beside her, Mo Ziye placed deboned fish into her bowl and forcibly took away the spicy sliced meat she had just served herself.

"..."

Qin Qingqing opened her mouth.

In the end, she didn’t say anything to stop him.

Wen Jin and Jing Xiaocha watched their interaction with a knowing smile. "Qingqing, don’t be polite, eat more."

"Uncle Wen, I won’t be polite."

"I’m so used to you calling me second uncle that it takes me a few seconds to react now. Qingqing, why don’t you continue calling me that, after all, we and your parents are like family."

Wen Jin’s words were not exaggerated.

Next to him, Mo Ziye also chimed in, "Second Uncle is right, your change of address feels strange for everyone."

"Alright then, second uncle, second aunt, until my dad returns, I might come over for meals often."

"That’s fine, I’d be thrilled if you came every day," Jing Xiaocha said cheerfully, "Ziye and Little Hui should come often too."

"Aunt, don’t I come every week?"

"Second Aunt, your cooking is so delicious, I must come often."

The whole meal was filled with warmth and joy.

After dinner, Wen Jin and Jing Xiaocha kept the three of them for some fruits and chatted for a while.

By nine o’clock, Mo Ziye stood up and said, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Qingqing’s cold hasn’t fully recovered yet. I’ll take her home to rest, and we’ll come again another day."

"Alright, Qingqing, get some rest when you get home. If you’re ever unwell, call Ziye, he’s nearby and can help if anything comes up."

Wen Jin and Jing Xiaocha used to live in a villa in the suburbs, but they moved back to the Wen family home two years ago.

It’s a drive from the suburbs.

With Mo Ziye there, Zhang Minghui didn’t need to send Qin Qingqing home, so he smiled and reminded Mo Ziye to drive carefully.

Seeing them off, as they got into the car and drove into the night.

Jing Xiaocha finally turned to Wen Jin and asked, "Why did you call Ziye as well?"

She had noticed earlier that Ziye’s lips were chapped.

Wen Jin smiled, "I didn’t call him. That boy showed up at my office half an hour before getting off work, saying he wanted to eat your cooking..."

Jing Xiaocha chuckled lightly, "Did he know Qingqing was at our house and came to have dinner and a chance encounter on purpose? Could there still be a chance for them?"

"That I don’t know; after all, so much happened back then, and An Lin left at that time. Whether Qingqing and Ziye still have a chance depends on them."

Speaking of An Lin, a hint of sadness appeared on the faces of both Wen Jin and Jing Xiaocha. An Lin passed away so young, and in the past four years, Qin Mu seemed to have aged ten years, which saddened them all.