Ye Jiuliang didn’t explain much and changed the subject, "I’ll check the kitchen, you study the game a bit more."

Mentioning the game made Jiang Yisheng slightly embarrassed.

Just as he entered the kitchen, an enticing aroma wafted out.

Ye Jiuliang tiptoed closer to the tall figure with light steps.

Just as she raised her hand, the man’s magnetic voice suddenly rang out, "Wolf cub, sneak attacks aren’t a good habit."

Ye Jiuliang pouted and placed her raised hands around his waist.

She peeked out from beside him, "Who said I’m sneaking an attack? Can’t I come and see how virtuous my Li Fifth Master is?"

Li Mochan’s gaze softened as he noticed her eyes occasionally drift towards the bubbling broth in the pot, the corners of his lips slightly curling up.

"Want a taste?"

That was exactly what she had been waiting for.

With a smile curling up her eyes, Ye Jiuliang said, "Sure."

Li Mochan took a soup spoon, scooped up a mouthful, and brought it to her lips.

"Careful, it’s hot."

Sipping little by little, Ye Jiuliang said unclearly, "Tasty."

"There’s grease smoke everywhere here, stay outside, it’ll be ready to eat soon," Li Mochan said, gazing at her eyes which curved into crescents, a smoky laugh escaping from his lips.

"How about I help you out?" Ye Jiuliang proactively suggested.

Li Mochan looked at her dubiously, "Do you know how?"

"You teach me," she said with a smile.

"Then you can start by cutting some potato strips," Li Mochan said, pointing to a peeled and cleaned potato nearby.

Ye Jiuliang showed a confident smile; this was child’s play to her.

She picked up the kitchen knife, and with her hands moving, a rhythmic "chop chop" sounded in the kitchen.

Li Mochan glanced at the potato strips on the cutting board as fine as hair and smiled.

"How’s that?" she put down the knife, her bright eyes looking at him, a face yearning for praise.

When it came to using a knife, she was most skilled.

Li Mochan’s lips parted slightly, "Not bad."

As soon as he spoke, he reached out to pull her, positioning her in front of him, his deep voice resonating by her ear.

"It’s time to add salt."

Ye Jiuliang looked towards the seasonings, unhesitatingly picking up one of the jars, "This one?"

A helpless look flickered through Li Mochan’s eyes, "Wolf cub, that’s sugar."

She coughed lightly, putting the sugar jar back and picked up another one, "Then this one?"

Li Mochan made an affirming sound, and Ye Jiuliang grabbed a small spoon, about to pour a heaping spoonful into the pot.

"Wait," Li Mochan reached out to stop her, taking the small spoon from her hand.

If this spoonful went in, the soup would probably have to be served to the trash can.

Way too salty.

"What’s wrong?" Ye Jiuliang turned her head, her gaze confusedly falling on him.

Li Mochan gazed at her intently, a reluctant smile flickering across his unreddened lips, "Nevermind, it’s better if I do the cooking from now on."

Ye Jiuliang, fully aware of her own culinary skills, chuckled awkwardly without arguing with him.

"Do you want grapes? I’ll wash them for you?" Li Mochan said, letting her go and taking some grapes out of the fridge.

Ye Jiuliang’s eyes crinkled with a smile, "Wash more, Yisheng will probably eat some too."

At those words, the smile on Li Mochan’s face stiffened, he put down the grapes, stretched out his hand to grab hers and gently pulled her into his embrace. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I wash the grapes for you to give to Jiang Yisheng, pretending I don’t exist, hmm?" he said, feeling jealous.

Ye Jiuliang pinched his chin, laughing, "Hey, hey, Li Fifth Master, that’s your cousin, alright?"

This jealousy is a bit too much, isn’t it?

"I don’t care." Li Mochan bowed his head and pecked her pale red lips lightly.

Ye Jiuliang pushed against his chest, her gaze drifting towards the living room, "Stop messing around, there are people outside."

"Jiuliang, your phone is ringing." Jiang Yisheng’s voice came from the outside.

"Be good, hurry up and cook, I’m really hungry." Ye Jiuliang leaned in to kiss the corner of his lips, then slipped out from under his arm.

Picking up the incessantly vibrating phone, Ye Jiuliang glanced at the caller ID—it was from Gu Xinuo.

Without avoiding Jiang Yisheng, she pressed answer, "Anuo."

Whatever Gu Xinuo said on the phone made her frown slightly, "Aqian is not with me, he just went back to S City. He should be on the plane, and his phone is probably switched off."

"Mm, I got it, I’ll speak to him later."

After hanging up, Jiang Yisheng gave her a curious look, his lips curving into a teasing smile, "Is Ji Mingqian your boyfriend?"

Ye Jiuliang’s narrow eyes lifted slightly, "Where did you hear that from?"

"Just asking." he said.

"No."

She put down the phone and started fiddling with the chessboard on the table.

"Do you play chess?"

Jiang Yisheng nodded, taking the white chess box she handed over.

...

The luxurious crystal lights cast a soft glow, making the entire restaurant look elegant and tranquil.

The glass door opened with the waiter’s voice.

"Welcome."

Chu Chen lifted his eyes and swept across the restaurant, his gaze settling on the woman by the window—his sharp eyes instantly softened.

He walked over, drawing frequent curious and admiring glances from the surrounding women.

The chair opposite was suddenly pulled back, making a slight noise. Gu Xinuo frowned and looked up to see the man’s stern face.

"When did you get back?"

Chu Chen sat down opposite her, taking the coffee in front of her and sipped a few mouthfuls, "Didn’t I tell you not to drink coffee all the time?"

"Chu Chen, that was mine." Gu Xinuo’s eyes widened. Did he really think she had no temper?

The cup was empty after a few sips. Chu Chen put down the cup and rubbed her head, "It’s been a few days, still angry, hmm?"

"Go away, don’t mess up my hair." Gu Xinuo glared at him, "We’re not close. Now that you’re back, you can handle the headquarters’ matters."

Chu Chen’s brows knit slightly, "Where are you going?"

"To find my Ajiu."

It was always Ye Jiuliang. Chu Chen was almost starting to wonder if he owed Ye Jiuliang something in his past life, having to compete with her for his wife in this life.

"Ajiu is taken care of," he sighed, "stop being mad at me. When we return, I’ll make you little cookies, okay?"

"Achen."

A gentle voice came from behind, tinged with happiness.

Gu Xinuo looked up and saw a figure in light pink approaching gracefully.

She frowned slightly, a trace of displeasure crossing the depths of her eyes.

"Achen." Mo Lingling walked up to Chu Chen and, acting familiar, pulled out the chair next to him and sat down, "What a coincidence, Xinuo you’re here too."

Gu Xinuo’s expression remained indifferent, showing no interest in exchanging pleasantries.

"Achen, where have you been? I haven’t seen you in ages." Mo Lingling’s doe eyes fixed on Chu Chen, her hand reaching to twine around his arm.

Chu Chen dodged her hand and suddenly stood up, "Anuo and I have some matters to deal with, we’ll be leaving first."

With that, he walked over to Gu Xinuo’s side, lifting her backpack.

"Achen, why are you so cold to me? You promised grandpa that you would take good care of me, have you forgotten?" Mo Lingling stood up, her eyes darting towards Gu Xinuo with a hint of hatred flickering through them.