Once they entered the hall, Ye Cixin decided to treat Meng Chen and the others to a meal and ordered the servants to prepare it.
The dining area was in a pavilion beside the water, where it was pleasantly cool.
Ye Cixin kept hold of Meng Chen's and Ye Lingling's hands, reluctant to let go.
Ye Lingling kept stealing glances at Meng Chen, but she had no idea how to start a conversation. The courage that had sent her straight into his arms earlier seemed to have vanished.
"Come, Xiao Chen, sit here. Lingling, you sit beside him. You two haven't seen each other in so many years. Have a good chat over dinner."
Ye Lingling nodded, secretly delighted, a blush spreading across her face.
They sat side by side. Ye Cixin had also, seemingly by chance, placed their chairs so close that they brushed against each other when they sat down. The faint, begonia-like fragrance around Ye Lingling kept drifting into Meng Chen's nose.
After settling Meng Chen and Ye Lingling, Ye Cixin promptly took the seat on Meng Chen's other side.
At the sight, Zhu Zhuqing remained as cool and composed as ever. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, on the other hand, were gritting their teeth in annoyance.
Ning Rongrong in particular shot Meng Chen a fierce glare. Unfortunately, he didn't see it.
Xiao Wu clenched both fists.
That shameless pig! Someone could gobble him up right in front of him, and he wouldn't even notice.
With no other choice, Xiao Wu sat beside Ye Cixin to keep an eye on her. As soon as she sat down, she smiled sweetly and said, "Aunt Ye, may I sit here? I'd like to talk with you."
Ye Cixin paused in surprise, then smiled and nodded. She pulled out the