Two hours earlier.
The program team's groveling apology led both Song Xi and Jin Ying to assume that Lou Yuming had silently orchestrated it all.
Jin Ying even teased, "Happy now? Even though you didn't say anything, the efficiency of this action is beyond ordinary. No wonder you're the CEO of the Zhang Corporation."
"By the way, I've always been curious, why is his surname Lou and not Zhang?"
Song Xi paused, recalling hearing before that Lou Yuming was adopted and had no blood relation to the Zhang family. Were his birth parents still alive?
"Song Xi?"
Song Xi snapped back to attention and shook her head. "I don't know."
Jin Ying said, "You don't even know your own man's affairs? Hurry, call him and thank him properly."
Song Xi couldn't hide the smile at the corner of her lips but felt embarrassed to make the call.
"He's… probably busy now. Let's forget it, I shouldn't disturb him."
"You're quite thoughtful," Jin Ying said. "Then, should I be leaving now? I need to make space for someone."
Song Xi playfully hit her.
Just then, Ye Tian arrived, wanting to invite Song Xi and the others for a meal.
Jin Ying said, "Going out to eat at this hour is too risky."
Ye Tian: "Who said we're going out?"
Jin Ying frowned. "I can't cook."
"Someone will cook," Ye Tian looked at Song Xi. "Sister Song Xi, come to my place. We're having hot pot tonight."
"Is there sesame paste?" Hearing hot pot, Jin Ying's spirits instantly lifted.
Ye Tian nodded slowly. "Yes…"
Jin Ying immediately grabbed Song Xi and stood up. "Let's go!"
So, convincing Sister Song Xi wasn't the key; it was enough to convince the people around her.
Ye Tian pondered silently behind them.
Song Xi knew it wouldn't be that simple. As expected, when they reached the next door and opened it, the aroma of hot pot filled the air.
Ye Hai, wearing an apron, peeked out from the kitchen. "Song Xi, tonight…"
The word "good" hadn't left his mouth yet.
When Ye Hai saw Jin Ying next to Song Xi, his lips twitched.
Their eyes met, and Jin Ying quickly recognized him.
"What are you doing here!"
Song Xi was bewildered. "You know each other?"
Jin Ying sneered, "This is the uncultured bodyguard who chased me for several blocks that I told you about last time!"
Ye Hai: "…"
Ye Tian was also stunned and said speechlessly, "This is my second brother, Ye Hai."
"…" Jin Ying was full of question marks. "Your brother?"
She looked at Song Xi for confirmation, and Song Xi nodded, holding her forehead.
Jin Ying: "…………"
The clown was me all along.
The atmosphere was awkward.
Song Xi, caught in the middle, wanted to say something but didn't know how. Thus, the four of them sat around the dining table, staring at each other, quietly waiting for the hot pot water to boil.
Ye Tian, of course, wouldn't miss this opportunity, so he deliberately said, "Second brother, this hot pot base was made by you, wasn't it? It smells so good."
Jin Ying looked stubborn but instinctively sniffed.
It was indeed… quite fragrant.
Ye Hai was humble. "Just messed around with it."
Song Xi noticed that this hot pot base wasn't as oily as those eaten outside.
Ye Tian immediately said, "Second brother made it less oily specifically for you all."
Jin Ying, however, didn't buy it and huffed, "I'm already here for hot pot, what am I afraid of getting fat for!"
Ye Tian: "Then I'll get you some lard!"
"No need! Veggie… make it veggie then, I don't mind."
But Ye Tian ignored whether she minded or not and asked Song Xi, "What do you think?"
Song Xi: "... I'm fine with anything."
Ye Hai nodded. "Then let's not add it. Eating lighter is good."
Jin Ying's eyes were sharp, and she immediately sensed something suspicious between the two.
Song Xi's romantic luck was truly good, but wasn't she already with Lou Yuming?
"Alright, we can start adding ingredients now," Ye Hai reminded them.
Song Xi had always been very disciplined, especially in the evenings. She rarely consumed anything heavy in oil or salt. If Jin Ying hadn't insisted on dragging her here, she wouldn't have come. But since she was here, she had to eat a little.
To her surprise, when the ingredients entered her mouth, Song Xi was utterly amazed.
Ye Hai… was skilled!
Jin Ying was equally impressed.
Holy crap!
This was the best hot pot she had ever eaten!
But to maintain her image, she forcefully controlled her expression. When Ye Hai asked, "How does it taste?" she preemptively said, "Just so-so, barely edible."
As soon as she finished speaking, Jin Ying felt a sharp, almost murderous gaze coming from Ye Tian.