25 – Mаstеr Liu’s Littlе Friеnd
Rоng Zhi еаgerly mоvеd tо орen the cаr dоor.
At thаt moment, Shеng Сhuуаng sроke uр, “Тhаt bоttle of winе is mine.”
Rong Zhi remainеd frоzen in his mоtiоn tо орen thе dооr, looking аt Shеng Chuуang with a bewildеred еxpressiоn.
Sheng Сhuyаng сontinued in а soft, lingering tonе, “I’m tаking it bасk to makе rеd winе stеak.”
Rong Zhi sаid incrеdulously, “Stеak?? Using this long-disсontinued, рriceless rеd winе tо makе stеak??”
Wasn’t this a bit tоo wаstеful of such а treasurе?
Sheng Сhuуаng noddеd, “Yes.”
So this rеd wine was thаt gооd, huh.
No wonder Bo Chenjing had tоld hеr to bring it along.
Thinking оf this, shе asked Bо Сhenjing, “Does steak made with such fine red wine taste especially delicious?”
“Not at all!” Rong Zhi cut in before Bo Chenjing could answer. “The more expensive the red wine, the better the steak tastes—that’s not how it works.”
Sheng Chuyang tilted her head slightly, her face clearly expressing, “If you don’t know how to cook, why are you even talking?”
Rong Zhi was completely silenced.
From the side came Bo Chenjing’s voice, “Get out of the car.”
…
After entering Huayang Bay, Sheng Chuyang was taken to Bo Chenjing’s private room.
Rong Zhi, still preoccupied with that bottle of wine, was especially attentive to Sheng Chuyang.
He served tea and water like a lackey, to the point where even Bo Chenjing found it embarrassing to watch.
Whenever Rong Zhi saw Sheng Chuyang pick up a dish, he would eagerly bring it closer to her, saying, “This dish paired with a bit of that red wine would be pure bliss.”
Sheng Chuyang replied, “I’m already enjoying myself plenty.”
Undeterred, Rong Zhi pressed on, “That big bottle of red wine for steak—there’s bound to be some left over…”
Sheng Chuyang responded, “The leftover wine can be used for steak next time.”
Rong Zhi: “…”
Rong Zhi felt utterly defeated.
Unwilling to give up, he went to find Bo Chenjing, “Cousin, I have no other wish in this life—just to taste that red wine before I die. Could you talk to your wife for me?”
Bo Chenjing set his chopsticks down on the table and looked at him expressionlessly, “Then wait for your next life.”
Other things might be negotiable, but when it came to anything related to food, Sheng Chuyang would never back down.
Rong Zhi protested, “Am I not your dearest cousin anymore?”
“Also,” Bo Chenjing’s expression grew more serious, “Does she not have a name?”
Rong Zhi was taken aback, “Huh? Isn’t she your wife? Haven’t you two already…” done this and that?
Under Bo Chenjing’s icy gaze, Rong Zhi quietly corrected himself, “Miss Sheng.”
If his cousin was putting it like that, there was clearly no hope.
Huayang Bay employed world-class chefs, and the food was far more delicious than what was served at the Jiang family’s hotel.
After eating and drinking her fill, Sheng Chuyang turned her head and saw Rong Zhi sitting there with a look of utter despair.
Perhaps because the original host’s affection for Rong Zhi had been so intense, even though she was no longer weak, she still felt a lingering influence.
She couldn’t bear to see Rong Zhi looking so pitiful.
“Do you want to go to Bo Chenjing’s place for red wine steak?”
Hearing this, Rong Zhi turned to look at her, “Yes! Absolutely! Even if it’s raining knives, I’ll be there!”
His cousin’s cooking was top-notch.
With the two of them in agreement, Bo Chenjing, the host, was completely overlooked.
Rong Zhi perked up again and asked Bo Chenjing with a grin, “It’s rare that I’m on leave and you’re free too. After dinner, how about we head downstairs for another round?”
Bo Chenjing replied, “No.”
Sheng Chuyang said, “Sure.”
They spoke almost simultaneously.Sheng Chuyang wasn’t used to human sleep schedules, so even after returning home she couldn’t sleep. That’s why she agreed to continue hanging out.
Rong Zhi once again ignored Bo Chenjing, winking at Sheng Chuyang instead. “Let me show you something fun.”
…
Half an hour later.
Sheng Chuyang found herself seated at the card table.
“Is playing cards really that fun?” she asked, completely unfamiliar with human entertainment.
“Give it a try. If you win, the money’s yours. If you lose, it’s on my cousin.” Rong Zhi’s smile carried a hint of mischievous triumph.
Sheng Chuyang turned to look at Bo Chenjing sitting beside her.
Bo Chenjing was reaching for a glass of water, his eyes lowered. Sensing her gaze, he glanced at her briefly. “If you lose, it’s on me.”
Sheng Chuyang refuted seriously, “I won’t lose.”
The corner of Bo Chenjing’s lips lifted slightly. “Mm.”
He was gradually figuring out Sheng Chuyang’s personality.
Her most prominent trait was her overflowing confidence and competitive spirit, present at all times.
Everyone playing cards were familiar faces from their social circle.
While dealing the cards, Sheng Chuyang noticed Rong Zhi didn’t deal any to Bo Chenjing.
Noticing her puzzled look, Rong Zhi explained, “If my cousin joins the game, none of us stand a chance. We’d lose everything down to our hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys.”
Was Bo Chenjing really that skilled?
Soon, the dealing was done.
Sheng Chuyang didn’t know how to play and had no idea which cards to play.
Instinctively, she looked toward Bo Chenjing.
Bo Chenjing was sitting right beside her. He leaned closer, his well-proportioned fingers sorting through the cards in her hand one by one. “These two go together, don’t play this one for now…”
“Hey, that’s not fair! You’re cheating!” Rong Zhi protested loudly from the other side.
The other players joined in teasingly, “Sixth Master, give us a chance to win.”
They usually wouldn’t dare act like this, but today Bo Chenjing seemed to be in a good mood, even helping the young girl sort her cards. That gave them the courage to join Rong Zhi’s teasing.
Hearing this, Bo Chenjing actually withdrew his hand.
He asked Sheng Chuyang quietly, “Do you get it now?”
He was tall, and even while sitting he was slightly taller than her. When she looked up at him, her eyes landed on his Adam’s apple, which moved slightly as he spoke.
The elegant line of his neck disappeared into his shirt collar. Beneath his thin skin flowed warm blood, its fragrance faintly discernible.
Sheng Chuyang felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart.
Her mind seemed to short-circuit, losing its ability to think. She could only speak blankly, “I don’t know.”
She appeared somewhat flustered overall.
Like a lost little lamb.
Bo Chenjing felt an itch in his hands.
The hand resting on his leg clenched, then relaxed.
Finally, unable to control himself, he reached out and gently patted her head. His voice held a gentleness he himself hadn’t noticed. “It’s fine.”
“Oh.”
Actually, when his hand reached over, Sheng Chuyang could have dodged.
But not only did she not avoid it, she didn’t even dislike his touch.
As Sheng Chuyang delayed playing her card, someone urged her.
“Sixth Master’s little friend, it’s your turn to play.”
Sheng Chuyang turned and realized everyone was looking at her.
“Oh.” It seemed they were calling her.
Although she didn’t know how to play, she maintained a confident expression and casually played a card.
Clearly clueless, yet brimming with confidence.
The entire table was amused by her.
After playing her card, Sheng Chuyang earnestly explained, “I’m not part of Bo Chenjing’s household.”
Naturally, no one believed her.Sheng Chuyang came along with Bo Chenjing and Rong Zhi. Bo Chenjing took such good care of her, making it obvious at a glance that their relationship was anything but ordinary.
Someone mustered the courage to ask, “Where did Sixth Master find such an interesting young lady?”