Yang Ming and the other two tidied up a bit and returned to the front courtyard, where they washed off the dust. Xiaoxiao then called them to have dinner.
In these past few days, Wang Xiangxiang had been eating separately in a smaller kitchen, always cared for individually. Today, seeing that Chu Lian had arrived, Xiaoxiao decided that the four of them should eat together at a table in Xiaoxiao’s room.
The four sat facing each other, Xiaoxiao and Yang Ming together, Wang Xiangxiang and Chu Lian together. Just as they were about to eat, Han Yongsheng arrived. "I have something to discuss with Young Master Yang, so I came uninvited. Hope you don’t mind."
At such a moment, they couldn’t just send someone out, so Yang Ming asked Xiaoxiao to fetch another set of utensils, "Mr. Han, please sit down and join us."
Thus Han Yongsheng sat down next to Wang Xiangxiang, which made her quite uncomfortable. Although they had been in the same courtyard for days, the two had barely interacted. Wang Xiangxiang felt it was better not to have any contact, as it would be awkward after what had happened.
Now, they not only had to share a table but also sat together, which made her face turn red.
This change in Wang Xiangxiang was immediately noticed by Chu Lian sitting beside her. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Wang Xiangxiang blushing at the sight of Han Yongsheng. Could it be that she had taken a liking to Han Yongsheng? Han Yongsheng was her lifesaver and came from a good family background; Chu Lian suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
Xiaoxiao returned with the utensils, and the five of them sat together for the meal. Chu Lian noticed Wang Xiangxiang eating slowly and deliberately, which inexplicably made him angry. How could she act all prim and proper with Han Yongsheng around when she never used to eat like that?
He picked up some food with his chopsticks and placed it in Wang Xiangxiang’s bowl, intending to show care by encouraging her to eat more, but his words were harsh, "It seems you’ve suddenly become elegant at meals, who are you trying to impress? Eat up."
Wang Xiangxiang glared at Chu Lian in response, countering, "I will eat however I like. It’s none of your business."
Though she said this, she was actually thrilled inside because Chu Lian had never served her food before. She enjoyed the food he had served, feeling overjoyed.
"You think I want to interfere? You look skinny and utterly unsightly." Chu Lian said, continuing to serve her food.
Wang Xiangxiang fumed, "If I’m so ugly, then don’t look."
Their verbal sparring continued, yet they hadn’t expected Han Yongsheng to interject unexpectedly, "Miss Wang looks very pretty this way."
Hearing Han Yongsheng’s remark, Wang Xiangxiang felt embarrassed and her cheeks reddened. She lowered her head and began to eat in silence.
This reaction only angered Chu Lian further; Han Yongsheng was making such comments right in front of him, well aware of their relationship. It seemed necessary to remind him where they stood.
He looked at Han Yongsheng with displeasure and said, "That’s because you have poor taste."
Hearing Chu Lian say this, Wang Xiangxiang immediately raised her head to retort, "As if you have good taste."
"..." Seeing Wang Xiangxiang siding with Han Yongsheng, Chu Lian ground his teeth in frustration.
Xiaoxiao, observing Wang Xiangxiang’s behavior, was happy for her. She had been really worried these past days as Wang Xiangxiang had been gloomy and melancholic. Now, facing Chu Lian, the expression on her face had finally changed. She was seeing the old Wang Xiangxiang again.
Seeing this situation, Yang Ming felt that he had to speak up, or the three would again end up in a verbal battle. So, he asked, "May I know why Mr. Han sought me out today?"