"Huh?" Xu Nianhua looked at Pei Yicheng blankly and puzzled, not understanding what he meant at all.
"If it weren’t for your hand inspiring me, how would grandfather have thought of that recipe?" Pei Yicheng’s gaze fell on her hands, her slender fingers long and beautiful, with neatly trimmed nails, gleaming with a pearlescent luster.
Xu Nianhua raised her hand, remembering the recipe Pei Yicheng had sent earlier, and her smile deepened as she said, "But it took your cleverness; otherwise, why would so many people freeze their hands, yet you had that idea?"
Pei Yicheng’s lips curved slightly, and he said nothing, just quietly accompanied Xu Nianhua as they walked.
Cheng Hao, who was purposely creating opportunities for them by pulling Xu Nian’an along, wished he could push them from behind as he watched Pei Yicheng’s behavior.
"Little sis, hurry up," Xu Nian’an called out when he noticed Cheng Hao looking back frequently.
"Hey, I’ll be right there. Turn right ahead, and there’ll be lots of tasty things," Xu Nianhua called back loudly.
On a street next to Beining University, there were all sorts of delicious foods. Xu Nianhua had been there several times and insisted on taking Xu Nian’an to have a taste this time.
The evening party hadn’t started yet, and it wasn’t mealtime, so the place wasn’t crowded. Xu Nianhua picked a hot pot restaurant with spicy and flavorful dishes.
"Second brother, the hot pot dishes here are particularly tasty," Xu Nianhua recommended enthusiastically. She ordered some tasty dishes skillfully, and the four of them sat down together—all eyes were on them, as handsome men and beautiful women always attracted attention.
"Isn’t that Pei Yicheng?"
A stranger’s male voice chimed in.
Xu Nianhua looked toward the voice and saw a smiling face that seemed extremely friendly, but she felt the smile was insincere.
Even though his smile was affable, those evaluating eyes made her feel uncomfortable.
Especially that voice—why did it sound like he was provoking something?
Pei Yicheng just glanced at him.
Wa Lei took a seat nearby, ordered a serving of beef balls from the owner, and then said, "Congratulations, your leg’s healed."
"I remember your sister doesn’t look ." Wa Lei’s gaze fell on Xu Nianhua, who was dressed simply and wore no makeup, but her delicately featured face and those lively, striking eyes were undeniably captivating.
"A friend," Pei Yicheng stated, without any intention of making introductions.
Cheng Hao, not wanting to disrupt the pleasant atmosphere, said irritably, "Does Young Master Wa also fancy this kind of food?"
"Oh, I get it, Su Xi likes it, right?" Cheng Hao said with a teasing smile, "What’s the matter, haven’t caught up with Miss Su yet? From what I see, you might as well stop chasing—" he said mockingly.
This was the second time today Xu Nianhua heard this name. Was this the cousin Jiayi mentioned, or someone with the same name?
"My affairs with her, how would you, an outsider, understand?" Wa Lei maintained a smiling expression and said indifferently, "I heard that a while ago, you asked your family for money over a woman, but in the end, she didn’t even want you?"
This news, even if the Cheng Family tried to hide it, still reached the ears of those interested.
Wa Lei had grown up with them; he knew about Cheng Hao’s previous trip to South City to find Pei Yicheng and his absence from Beining. So naturally, when Cheng Hao suddenly returned, seemingly a changed man, Wa Lei had purposely inquired about it.
Cheng Hao slapped the table and stood up, his face ashen.
"What, have I hit a nerve? I didn’t name names. Are you taking this personally?" Wa Lei asked with feigned interest, "Cheng Hao, I’m truly curious, what kind of woman could make a playboy like you take things so seriously?"