Shao Kunye’s mind moved too fast; everyone present didn’t react in time.
Even Han Tao glanced at him in surprise.
What was Young Master Shao up to now?
Behind him, Jiang Tinglu was visibly delighted. “Then I’ll have someone prepare dinner.”
She looked at the pale-faced Wen Xi with an imperious tone. “Go buy more dishes. Young Master Shao is having dinner at home today.”
Seeing Wen Xi frozen in place, Jiang Tinglu pushed her roughly. “Are you deaf? Go!”
Wen Xi slowly snapped out of her daze, palms soaked with sweat. She lowered her head, nodded, and led Wen Liyang past Shao Kunye.
At the dining table, Jiang Tinglu flattered Shao Kunye while serving him.
“Young Master Shao, try this dish. It’s delicious.”
Jiang Songde cleared his throat. “Lulu, sit properly and eat.”
He subtly gestured to Jiang Tinglu to be more composed.
Reluctantly, Jiang Tinglu sat back down.
Shao Kunye didn’t touch his chopsticks, instead glancing at Wen Xi in the kitchen.
Wen Xi and Wen Liyang sat at a small square table, occupying a corner. The dishes on their table were pitifully few—less than what even a dog would eat.
It seemed this little liar hadn’t been living well at home.
“Mr. Shao, is today’s meal not to your taste?” Jiang Songde asked cautiously, noticing Shao Kunye hadn’t eaten a bite.
Shao Kunye’s smile was half teasing, half indifferent. “President Jiang, you treat your adopted daughter quite well.”
Following his gaze to Wen Xi, Jiang Songde froze, puzzled why Shao Kunye was suddenly interested in her.
Realizing Shao Kunye was mocking him, Jiang Songde forced a smile and said to Wen Xi, “Xiao Xi, don’t crowd over there. Bring Liyang over to eat.”
Wen Xi had been serving Wen Liyang, and the sudden call startled her.
Moreover, Jiang Songde had never called her “Xiao Xi” before.
She raised her head and met his teasing eyes, shivering slightly. “N-no, it’s fine. Liyang and I are fine here.”
Jiang Tinglu frowned. “Yes, Young Master Shao. That child doesn’t even eat properly. Better not let them be in your way.”
Shao Kunye tapped his chopsticks lightly on the table, making his thoughts unreadable.
Jiang Songde, unsure, said kindly, “Since Young Master Shao invited you over, just come. People might think we abuse you otherwise.”
Seeing everyone’s eyes on them, Wen Xi had no choice but to drag Wen Liyang to the dining table.
Shao Kunye sat at the head. To his left was Jiang Tinglu, to his right Jiang Songde and Fan Xuezhen.
The only empty seat was directly opposite him.
But sitting there meant inevitably facing Shao Kunye.
Noticing Wen Xi’s hesitant expression, Shao Kunye leaned back, legs crossed, watching her with keen interest.
Wen Xi dawdled for what felt like forever, finally sliding into her seat. She immediately buried her head in her food, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the man opposite.
Shao Kunye finally picked up his chopsticks.
Jiang Songde quietly exhaled and resumed discussing business matters with him.
He didn’t notice Jiang Tinglu glaring viciously at Wen Xi when no one was looking.
Why did Young Master Shao care so much about this orphan girl?
Wen Xi ate nervously for a while, realizing Shao Kunye wasn’t paying her any attention. She relaxed slightly, serving food to Wen Liyang.
Normally, they never had such good meals. Usually, Jiang Family finished first, leaving them only scraps.
Her small actions didn’t escape Shao Kunye’s eyes. She looked like a hamster secretly stuffing its cheeks with food, clearly unused to such meals.
Unaware of the probing gaze, Wen Xi quietly asked, “Liyang, is it good?”
Wen Liyang puffed his cheeks and nodded.
Wen Xi smiled faintly. “If it’s good, eat more.”
As she indulged in the rare joy of a full meal, she suddenly felt something brush her under the table.
At first, she thought it was a trick of the mind.
But the next moment, her knee was nudged again.
Wen Xi looked down in confusion and saw a pristine leather shoe tracing up her knee.
Seeing who it belonged to, panic surged. Her gaze shot up at Shao Kunye across from her.
How could he do such a shameless thing?
Shao Kunye chatted idly with Jiang Songde, but noticing her gaze, he slowly turned, raising an eyebrow.
Wen Xi quickly lowered her head. Surrounded by people, she froze, feeling the shoe creep higher, soon reaching between her legs.
She trembled and instinctively pressed her knees together.
She thought this would stop him, but her feeble resistance was like children playing house. Her knees were forcibly pried apart.
Wen Xi’s face burned crimson; tears glimmered at the corners of her eyes, nearly making her drop her chopsticks.
No one knew what Shao Kunye was doing under the table to torment her.
“Ah…”
With a sudden force, Wen Xi cried out softly in pain.
Jiang Songde frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Shao Kunye rested his chin on his hand, smirking playfully. “Miss Wen, are you alright?”
Han Tao stood aside, having seen every movement under the table, but said nothing. Shao Kunye was clearly intentionally tormenting Wen Xi.
Wen Xi bit her lip, tears welling. “I-I’m fine. I’m full. I’ll go clean up the kitchen…”
She gathered the dishes and fled to the kitchen, finally escaping the unbearable torment.
Shao Kunye withdrew his leg slowly, recalling the brief flush of her tearful eyes. She looked pitiful—pitiful enough to make him want to bully her even more.
In the kitchen, Wen Xi noticed the water stains on her pants, frustratedly dabbing them with a paper towel. The more she wiped, the larger the wet patches became.
Pervert.
The first word that came to her mind.
Distracted, she washed the dishes, hoping he would leave after the meal.
She deliberately lingered, slowly clearing the table and washing the dishes.
But her little scheme was obvious; even Han Tao noticed, not to mention Shao Kunye.
He lounged in the living room, giving no sign of leaving.
Wen Xi grew anxious, scrubbing the dishes repeatedly until the bowls gleamed. She worried she might scrub off the patterns entirely.
When would he finally leave?
She glanced back. Shao Kunye was still lazily chatting with Jiang Songde, unaware of her.
Wen Xi hesitated, dried her hands, and quietly left the kitchen, trying to sneak past the living room.
She didn’t realize that every tiptoe was captured by Shao Kunye’s eyes.
She was like a sneaky little animal escaping a predator’s territory.
Shao Kunye suddenly spoke out of nowhere, “Does what President Jiang said just now still count?”
Jiang Songde froze, quickly realizing Shao Kunye meant the promise to deliver Liaoyuan.
“Right, I’ll have someone fetch it for Young Master Shao immediately.”
Jiang Songde pulled out his phone, but Shao Kunye stopped him.
Jiang Songde looked confused.
Shao Kunye smirked. “No rush. I haven’t tried its effects yet.”
Jiang Songde, clever as he was, understood the meaning behind Shao Kunye’s words and smiled knowingly. “Shall I find a woman for you to try it?”
Jiang Tinglu’s eyes flashed in disapproval.
Her father was letting another woman go to Shao Kunye’s bed!
“Dad!”
“Shut up. What’s it to you?”
Jiang Songde surely knew his daughter’s feelings, but Shao Kunye clearly had no interest in her, or he would have looked at her by now.
Shao Kunye fiddled with his cigarette lazily. “No need to complicate things. Isn’t there already a ready-made test subject?”
At the doorway, Wen Xi froze. Cold sweat poured down her back, and her feet refused to move.
Jiang Songde looked puzzled. “You mean…?”
Shao Kunye tilted his chin toward her. “Let her come.”