"..."
A sudden silence fell over the scene. The two rich heirs who had followed Huo Yunxing over widened their eyes, suspecting they had misheard. This girl had just been brought to Jianghuai and had yet to officially return to the Xu Family. Where did she get the audacity to say such things?
Huo Yunxing laughed out of pure anger. "The right to buy you a meal? Say that again?"
Shaoyuan was clearly piqued by her words as well. He simply leaned against the nearby railing, crossing his arms. His calm gaze swept over them, as if waiting for something even more interesting to unfold.
However, his casual glance gave Huo Yunxing an overwhelmingly aggressive feeling. It was like being targeted by a wild beast, causing his scalp to tingle with a faint tremor.
Huo Yunxing abruptly raised his head, meeting Shaoyuan’s eyes, and his heart immediately skipped a beat. This young man seemed accustomed to looking down on everyone. He exuded an intimidating, quiet yet profound pressure, forcing Huo Yunxing to tilt his head up just to look at him. His appearance was strikingly young, definitely no older than twenty. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he made people feel as though an absolute ruler stood before them, someone who commanded the subservience and worship of thousands.
When did such a figure appear in Jianghuai?
"Let me treat you instead. How could we let Mr. Huo spend his money?" one of the heirs stepped in to smooth things over. "Ms. Shi, right? What would you like to eat?"
The other heir chimed in, "I’ll treat you! A friend of mine just opened a new restaurant. Just put it on my tab."
Shi Changying raised her eyebrows and said unhurriedly, "You all want to buy me a meal, too? Sure, then let’s have a brawl."
"..." A deadly silence returned to the air. The two heirs were about to go crazy. They wondered if this girl had mental issues and why they couldn’t understand her thought process at all.
Huo Yunxing’s gaze turned cold. "Shut up. Does this concern you? Do you have to fight me for everything?"
The two heirs swallowed their bitterness, unable to speak.
His competitive spirit fully ignited, Huo Yunxing rolled his shirt sleeves up to his mid-forearms. If it was a fight they wanted, so be it. He would make this country bumpkin, who had just arrived in Jianghuai, watch with her own eyes as he beat this fragile, random nobody into submission.
Seeing Huo Yunxing’s actions, the two heirs were even more shocked. "Mr. Huo, you’re not actually going to..."
From beginning to end, Shaoyuan didn’t even acknowledge Huo Yunxing’s existence. He stood too high; it was always difficult for anyone to catch his eye. But at this moment, a subtle smile finally appeared in his placid pupils—an expression a hunter would reveal when encountering something interesting.
He reached out his hand again, extending an invitation to her. "There is a private kitchen by the Jiang River. Their braised pork belly, sweet and sour spare ribs, and salted egg yolk chicken wings are pretty good. Miss, let’s go."
Shi Changying was a pure carnivore, so she waved her hand. "He can treat me for this meal. You guys take your time fighting, and the winner can buy me my next meal."
She left with Shaoyuan without looking back, showing zero hesitation.
The heirs were dumbfounded. "Mr. Huo, this..."
Huo Yunxing tossed his cigarette into a trash can and sneered. "Order a banquet from Man Tingfang later and have it delivered to her under my name. Let her know exactly who is treating her to a meal, understand?"
The two heirs looked at each other in dismay. Oh, what a terrible world. Mr. Huo had lost his mind as well.
The bamboo forest was quiet and secluded, with curling wisps of tea fragrance. This was a private kitchen, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The owner was somewhat surprised, as this was the first time Shaoyuan had brought an outsider here to eat. The girl walked simply and casually, yet she used perfectly standard square steps. She surveyed her surroundings with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, yet her aura was incredibly imposing.
The owner personally came over to serve a cup of tea, asking respectfully, "Young Master, the usual?"
Shaoyuan was used to being respected like this. He sat down, resting one arm over the back of his chair. "Go ahead. However, don’t leave out the desserts that little girls like to eat."
The owner cast a surprised glance at Shi Changying and immediately understood. Soon, plate after plate of food was served, perfect in color, aroma, and taste.
"I’m very curious," Shaoyuan said slowly, resting his head on one hand. "Who taught you to rob Sui Jin Cave?"
He had noticed her the moment she walked in. This wasn’t a place a young girl should visit, especially one as beautiful and frail-looking as her. He had casually bought a cup of milk tea, thinking that taking her away from the scene would only take a few words. He never expected her true motive to be so surprising. Even greater was her courage. She actually dared to eat a meal offered by a stranger like him. What if he wanted to harm her?
Shi Changying picked up her chopsticks. "I’m self-taught. Aside from fighting and eating, I don’t know anything else."
"Is that so?" Shaoyuan’s gaze paused on her stunningly beautiful face. As if hearing something incredibly amusing, he suddenly chuckled. "But Miss, a casual remark from you employs imperial tactics. Why demean yourself like this?"
Shi Changying’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
"Killing three warriors with two peaches. You fabricated a game out of thin air, trapping others in a conflict without paying any price yourself, killing without leaving a trace." Shaoyuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, speaking carelessly. "I learned that story in elementary school."
His eyes were like water steeped in the long night—cold and black, carrying a bewitching allure.
"Don’t remember. No impression of it." Shi Changying’s attention had already been completely captured by the food. She forked a strange piece of pastry and asked, "What’s this?"
"Matcha cake." Shaoyuan raised his eyes slightly. "You can eat slowly. It’s my treat. There’s absolutely no reason for you to go hungry."
Shi Changying took a bite and tasted a familiar flavor. "So it’s powdered tea."
Shaoyuan narrowed his eyes. "Yes, its ancient name is indeed powdered tea."
Shi Changying polished off the entire matcha cake, and then she wiped clean over a dozen plates of food. The waiters were stunned, unable to resist rubbing their eyes. They wondered just who this girl was. She looked so incredibly frail that a gust of wind could blow her away. Was she the reincarnation of a Taotie?
Only Shaoyuan remained completely unfazed. His gaze didn’t waver in the slightest, as if no earth-shattering event could ever shake him.
After Shi Changying finished eating, he clasped his hands and rested them against his chin, asking, "Are you still hungry, Miss?"
When she ate, she looked even more like a cat with her puffed-out cheeks. Yet, the moment she looked up, she transformed back into a majestic lion.
Shi Changying said, "I’m not hungry anymore."
Shaoyuan started, "Then—"
Shi Changying cut in, "Bring out another serving of everything I just ate. I want to pack it up to go."
The owner’s eyes instantly widened. He looked over as if crying for help. "Young Master, this..."
Shaoyuan suddenly chuckled again and ordered, "Didn’t you hear her? Hurry up and go."
His tone was very light, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
The owner could only head down to prepare the food. He wondered where this human-shaped Taotie came from; one person could eat the portions of a hundred. With an appetite like this, probably only this Young Master could afford to treat her.
At nine-thirty in the evening, Ming Chengli arrived at the hospital under the cover of night. He tucked the soup dumplings into his coat to keep them warm, thinking that Shi Changying must be getting anxious from waiting.
However, at the door of the hospital room, an uninvited guest was already waiting.
Seeing Housekeeper Xu with one arm in a sling, Ming Chengli instantly went on high alert. "I already told Second Brother that once Changying recovers from her illness, I’ll bring her home to apologize to... my little sister."
"Mr. Chengli, don’t be afraid." Housekeeper Xu smiled with a hint of disdain. "I’m here for another matter."
Ming Chengli still didn’t lower his guard. "What matter?"
"This is the Old Master’s intention. Since you are a Xu Family member, you must naturally take the surname Xu," Housekeeper Xu said. "Therefore, please return to the Xu Family tomorrow to change your surname and be added to the genealogy book. As for your daughter, she doesn’t need to change hers."
"Change my surname?" Ming Chengli knitted his brows. "It’s been over forty years. There’s no need..."
"Mr. Chengli!" Housekeeper Xu’s tone instantly sank, speaking ominously. "Don’t be ungrateful. Whether you change your surname or not isn’t up to you. Otherwise, don’t blame the Xu Family for showing no mercy!"
Before Ming Chengli could speak, a low chuckle rang out, steeped in an icy chill. "How exactly do you plan to show no mercy?"