“Ah!” she screamed.
Ye Lingchen’s reaction was quick as lightning, immediately turning around. The next moment, Zhao Liangyin fell straight into his arms.
Her fair arms wrapped around his waist, and Ye Lingchen could almost feel Zhao Liangying’s breath on him.
They locked eyes.
Silence ensued.
‘What’s this? Presenting herself?’
Ye Lingchen’s mind went blank, staring awkwardly at Zhao Liangying.
Zhao Liangying’s reaction was just as quick. She forced herself to calm down and put on a calm expression. She slowly broke free from Ye Lingchen’s arms, then without a word, acted as if nothing had happened. She then slowly walked back from the gazebo.
She knew that there was nothing she could do in that situation. The more she tried to explain, the more it would make things worse. It was better for her to remain silent and act ignorant.
Ye Lingchen watched Zhao Liangying’s figure from behind, a frown came onto his face. ‘This brat just threw herself at me. Could it be that she was subdued by the porridge I made her last time?’
‘Or perhaps she has fallen for my good looks and talents? Sigh, I’m just too extraordinary.’
Zhao Liangying lowered her head. Her long hair covered her blushing face and both her fair hands clasped together, unconsciously playing with her fingernails.
Although she appeared calm, her heart was pumping wildly as though it would jump right out of her anytime. Her cheeks were burning hot.
She could feel Ye Lingchen’s gaze on her. At that moment, a foreign feeling bloomed within her heart. It was indescribable, but it made her feel conflicted. For a moment, she lost the ability to think rationally.
“God Ye, dinner will be ready soon. Come join us” Wei Daxun shouted at Ye Lingchen.
Ye Lingchen nodded, then joined them.
Zhao Liangying took a deep breath and felt her own cheeks. After making sure they were no longer burning, she joined them as well. Everyone was already seated, leaving only one empty spot beside Ye Lingchen, leaving her no other choice but to sit next to him.
Seeing Zhao Liangying taking the seat, Ye Lingchen scooted a little to the side.
He had just confirmed his relationship with Zhang Yunxi. Furthermore, apart from Zhang Yunxi, he had owed quite a lot of love debts; it was beyond his ability to handle. Therefore, he naturally tried to maintain some distance.
‘What’s the meaning of this? Trying to avoid me?’
Seeing Ye Lingchen’s actions, Zhao Liangying was stunned.
She was already feeling awkward to start with, not even daring to make eye contact with Ye Lingchen. In order to prove her innocence, she was deliberately maintaining distance with Ye Lingchen.
However, at that moment, she suddenly felt furious—extremely furious.
‘It was just an accident earlier. Furthermore, I’m such a beauty. Not only did you fail to appreciate it, you’re now avoiding me? Do you hate me that much?’
‘Am I covered in disease? I’m not even going near you. Why are you running away? Do you think I’ll swallow you whole?’
Beautiful women were naturally confident about their looks. No matter how they acted, even if they claim to not care about appearances, it was just a facade. Taking it seriously would be a big mistake.
Deep within their hearts, they felt proud of their beauty. That was their dignity.
When a day came where they found their beauty being questioned and challenged, they would be extremely sensitive about it.
Zhao Liangying was obviously facing such a situation. She pursed her little lips, then shot an extremely upset look at Ye Lingchen. She almost wanted to interrogate him right there and then.
She felt her dignity being humiliated.
Of course, apart from her own complicated inner thoughts, there was another person’s heart that was going through a rough storm.
That person was Hu Yue’er.
In order to avoid Zhao Liangying, Ye Lingchen had unwittingly shifted toward Hu Yue’er. The table was not that big. With that shift, both of them almost bumped into each other.
They were wearing loose clothing. Being that close, it was unavoidable to have some limb to limb, skin to skin contact.
Although Ye Lingchen made no extra movements, men and women were still different. Hu Yue’er felt that it was inappropriate.
‘This guy, is he trying to harass me?’
‘He had already taken advantage of me on the plane. Could it be that he’s addicted to it and feel that I’m a pushover? Or…does he like me?’
She stole a glance at Ye Lingchen just to see his expression remaining stoic, as though nothing had happened.
‘Hmph, your acting skills are quite good.’
Hu Yue’er’s internal thoughts were a mess. She wanted to avoid Ye Lingchen, but with everyone on the table, it would definitely attract their attention if she moved away. It would be bad if that hurt Ye Lingchen’s self-esteem.
They were currently live streaming. If she made it public, it would definitely be bad for Ye Lingchen. Furthermore, due to the nature of the incident, it would be bad for her too.
‘No, I’ll just tolerate it for now. If he crosses the line again, don’t blame me for not saving your face.’
“Eh, You three…” Huang Lei stared at the three of them intently. “Something must be going on!”
“Hehe, is that so?” all three of them answered in unison. That stunned everyone around the table. Huang Lei and He Jia immediately broke into fits of laughter.
As for Ye Lingchen, Zhao Liangying, and Hu Yue’er, they all had an awkward look on their face, each occupied with their own thoughts.
“Oh my, you guys are just amazing. I’ve seen two people speaking in unison, but three people answering in unison is definitely a rare thing. You guys are fated to be together!” He Jia stated.
“No such thing!”
Once again, they spoke together in unison.
For a moment, everyone quietened down. The next instant, Huang Lei, He Jia, and Wei Daxun once again broke into laughter.
“Now we’ll never believe you guys even if you tell us that nothing is going on.” Huang Lei grinned at them mockingly.
Zhao Liangying and Hu Yue’er’s faces turned beet red, not knowing how to explain the situation. Nevertheless, both of them shot an angry look at Ye Lingchen at the same time.
‘It’s all because of him!’
Ye Lingchen was speechless as well. That was just too coincidental. Looking at the pot on the table, he asked, “Huang Lei Sensei, is this the diet therapy that you prepared? It smells wonderful!”
It was a crude way to change the topic, but effective nonetheless.
“That’s right, God Ye. Since they mentioned that you’re a great chef, can you taste the ingredients I’ve put in?” Huang Lei asked.
“This should be hog maw soup with ginkgo and tofu skin!” Ye Lingchen answered. He then added, “Hog maw would nourish the body, strengthen the spleen and stomach. Ginkgo is rich in protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, while tofu skin is beneficial for the brain. This soup can improve stomach and spleen functions, nourish the kidneys, and also control inflammation. Huang Lei Sensei is truly a pro.”
“Hahaha, as expected of God Ye, being able to identify the secrets within with one glance. You’re an expert!”
“Be done with it. You both don’t have toot each other’s horns. I’m running out of patience. Let me give it a try,” He Jia interjected happily. With that, everyone started eating as they chatted…
