Cheng Su quietly pulled Ning Ge aside and instructed him to buy some nice gifts; it was improper to arrive empty-handed.
"Why?" Ning Ge was somewhat puzzled. Wasn’t it just a meal?
Cheng Su glared at him, "You’re appearing with Xiaoya, and you think it’s okay to show up at someone’s home without a gift? Where are your manners?"
The dumb kid either genuinely didn’t understand or was pretending not to. As for the Ying family inviting them for a meal, it was probably not just about Xiaoya mingling with her colleagues but also about Ning Ge.
"Then I’ll just go with you all!" Ning Ge genuinely didn’t understand.
Cheng Su rolled her eyes and said, "It’s all settled. Don’t be a third-wheeling electric light bulb to me and Old Qi."
Ning Ge didn’t understand the sayings Cheng Su occasionally threw out, but he got the implied message that he should stay out of it, prompting him to mutter, "Choosing romance over friendship."
Cheng Su didn’t bother with him and reiterated her instructions before hurrying off with her bag.
As for the hosts, the Ying family also took the dinner invitation seriously. Director Ying, Xiaoya’s mother, had taken a half-day off specifically to prepare ingredients for dinner at the farmer’s market, and she had repeatedly reminded County Chief Ying to come home early so the guests would have someone to accompany them.
As evening arrived, the daughter was the first to return, with the handsome young man Ning Ge by her side, just as Director Ying had hoped.
Director Ying’s eyes lit up with stars upon seeing Ning Ge, and they shone even brighter when she saw the gifts he had brought.
"Xiao Ning, you didn’t need to bring anything to your auntie’s house. Just come over and have fun. You’re being too polite!" Director Ying spoke with a smile then instructed her daughter, "Go on, brew a pot of tea. Use the new Longjing that your dad got this year."
Ying Xiaoya’s eyes widened, "Mom, that’s Dad’s prized possession; he’ll kill me.
"Go on, I’m telling you to, he wouldn’t dare hit you, right? Plus, Xiao Ning is... your leader, a friend. What’s wrong with using his good tea to entertain a guest?" Director Ying was as straightforward and talkative as Xiaoya.
Ning Ge then said, "Auntie, there’s no need. I’m fine with just drinking water, and I can’t appreciate tea, so let’s not waste County Chief Ying’s good tea."
"Look at that, such a sweet talker." Director Ying immediately laughed and said, "Xiao Ning, at the office, you’re Xiaoya’s supervisor, but outside, you are friends. So stop with the County Chief talk, it’s too formal. You’re already calling me ’auntie,’ just call him ’uncle,’ okay? We’re open-minded parents; it’s all right."
Ning Ge hesitated and then chuckled sheepishly, something not sitting quite right with him.
Ying Xiaoya had already prepared the tea and handed it to Ning Ge, "Here you go, be careful drinking it. My dad really treasures these tea leaves!"
Ning Ge replied, "Since Uncle likes Longjing tea, I’ll have my childhood buddy bring a few pounds over for him. He has the connections to get good tea."
Upon hearing this, Director Ying’s heart bloomed with joy and she asked, "Xiao Ning, who do you have in your family and what do they do? I’ve heard..."
"Mom!" Ying Xiaoya furrowed her brows and deliberately sniffed, "I think I smell something burning."
Director Ying exclaimed, "My braised pork!" and hurried off at once.