The young master hasn't smiled like this in ages

With that thought, Lu Xiaoxiao immediately folded her hands over her abdomen, put on a perfectly professional smile, and bowed to Cui Anhe. "Miss, you've misunderstood. I'm the hourly cook the young master hired. He had this whole table of dishes prepared especially to celebrate your birthday."

Ji Yunhuai: "?"

The man froze and looked up at Lu Xiaoxiao, who had slipped into character in a single second, unsure what she was playing at.

Lu Xiaoxiao hadn't put on makeup or dressed up today. She was wearing only a plain casual top and trousers. Standing there with her gaze lowered and a meek expression, she looked quite convincing as an hourly worker.

The anger in Cui Anhe's eyes eased a little. She looked Lu Xiaoxiao up and down, half believing her, and asked suspiciously, "Really?"

Lu Xiaoxiao's smile remained unchanged as she launched straight into fabrication. "Of course. The young master wanted to surprise you, so he was planning to tell you a little later. Who knew you'd find your way here yourself?"

"Look, all these dishes are still steaming. They've only just been served. Miss, please don't let your anger make you misunderstand the young master!"

"Lu Xiaoxiao." Seeing her get more and more carried away with her performance, Ji Yunhuai gave a short laugh, his eyelids lowering as a hint of warning entered his voice. "Who told you to say all that?"

He didn't mind watching Lu Xiaoxiao mess with Cui Anhe, but dragging him into her little script was taking things a bit too far.

Lu Xiaoxiao glanced at Ji Yunhuai and deliberately pretended not to understand his hint. Instead, she continued addressing Cui Anhe. "Oh, miss, look! The young master hasn't smiled like this in ages!"

Ji Yunhuai: "..."

The moment those words left her mouth, Lu Xiaoxiao nearly broke character herself. To keep her expression steady, she practically ran through every sad thing that had ever happened to her.

Hahahahahahaha! Reborn as the young master's housekeeper!

Truth be told, when Lu Xiaoxiao used to read novels about wealthy families, she hadn't envied the heroine most, but the household staff who existed as plot devices in their mansions.

They barely had any scenes each day. All they had to do was pop up when the plot needed them and say things like, "The young master hasn't smiled like this in ages," or, "This is the first time the young master has brought a woman home," and they could happily collect their astronomical salaries.

Does anyone understand?! This was literally her dream job!

While Lu Xiaoxiao was thoroughly enjoying her performance, Ji Yunhuai was so speechless that the corner of his mouth twitched.

What the hell was all this nonsense she was spouting?!

Had that even been a real smile just now? She really could spin anything.

Still, from another perspective, Lu Xiaoxiao's response had certainly been quick-witted. Without that excuse, Ji Yunhuai really would have had a headache figuring out how to handle Cui Anhe's meltdown.

Cui Anhe had been pestering Ji Yunhuai for a long time, and he knew all too well how difficult she was to deal with.

If he spoke coldly to her, she would burst into tears or start screaming hysterically in an instant. But if his tone softened even slightly, she would immediately take a mile when given an inch.

At her most extreme, Cui Anhe would even threaten to kill herself to force him to give in.

Had it been anyone else, it wouldn't have mattered. But because of his mother's instructions, Ji Yunhuai could neither hit nor scold her, leaving him with practically no way to deal with her.

Over time, Ji Yunhuai had grown increasingly accustomed to avoiding Cui Anhe altogether.

As for today... he had no idea how she had guessed he was here, so he could only chalk it up to bad luck.

Cui Anhe looked at Lu Xiaoxiao's flawless smile, then at the table full of food, and her suspicions gradually faded.

She wiped away her tears and looked hesitantly at Ji Yunhuai, seeking confirmation. "Brother Yun Huai, is it really like she said?"

Though Ji Yunhuai was speechless, exposing Lu Xiaoxiao's lie now would undoubtedly mean making trouble for himself.

He only liked finding amusement, not trouble.

The man raised his right hand and rubbed the back of his neck with his fingers. Without meeting Cui Anhe's eyes, he replied with nothing more than a nasal "Mm."

It was only a single sound, but it still counted as confirmation.

Cui Anhe immediately smiled through her tears. She stepped forward joyfully and grabbed Ji Yunhuai's sleeve. "Then let's eat together now, Brother Yun Huai!"

Ji Yunhuai discreetly pulled free of Cui Anhe's grip, casually slipped his hand into his trouser pocket, and gave a slight, expressionless nod.

Seeing Ji Yunhuai go along with her script, Lu Xiaoxiao immediately flashed a triumphant smile.

She bowed to them again, hiding her expression, and said with utmost respect, "Then please enjoy your meal, young master and miss. I won't disturb you any longer."

Now that Cui Anhe was in a good mood, even Lu Xiaoxiao looked more pleasing to her. Before Ji Yunhuai could speak, she nodded. "Mm, you can leave. Brother Yun Huai and I are all we need here."

It was so rare for Ji Yunhuai to show her such consideration that Cui Anhe couldn't wait to have him all to herself.

Besides, deep down, she always felt threatened by every pretty girl her age. Naturally, she didn't want Lu Xiaoxiao hanging around Ji Yunhuai any longer.

"Of course! Enjoy your meal, young master and miss!"

Smiling brightly, Lu Xiaoxiao backed toward the door. In mere seconds, she had changed her shoes, stepped outside, and shut the door, positively eager to get the hell out.

Since Cui Anhe had spoken first, Ji Yunhuai could hardly ask Lu Xiaoxiao to stay. He could only watch helplessly as she made her getaway.

...Whatever. There would be plenty of chances to settle the score with her later.

"Brother Yun Huai? Why aren't you eating?"

At Cui Anhe's question, Ji Yunhuai picked up his chopsticks and put a few shreds of potato into his mouth.

After chewing absentmindedly a couple of times, he realized something was wrong.

That sharp, spicy taste... was this raw ginger?

Though his mind had caught on, his body reacted even faster. As soon as he finished chewing, he reflexively swallowed the mouthful.

Ji Yunhuai's expression instantly turned downright ugly.

At the same time, Cui Anhe, who had tried a piece of tofu, spat it straight out.

"Ptooey, ptooey... what's that weird taste?! Why does this tofu taste like it's been soaked in ashtray water? It's awful!"

Ji Yunhuai took a deep breath and said, "Try something else."

He paused with his chopsticks in midair for a moment before finally lowering them toward the plate of scrambled eggs, which looked the most normal.

The instant the egg entered his mouth, a cool, faintly sweet flavor spread through it.

Ji Yunhuai narrowed his eyes, realizing what it was.

That woman had put toothpaste in the eggs!

After looking over the food for a while, Cui Anhe decided to have a couple of bites of dessert to wash away the strange taste. She scooped up a large spoonful of "matcha ice cream" and put it in her mouth, only for the sting of wasabi to immediately bring tears to her eyes.

She froze for two seconds, then burst into loud sobs. "Ji Yunhuai! You've gone too far! You deliberately made this disgusting food to mess with me! You might as well have just said you didn't want to celebrate my birthday with me! This time you've really gone too far! I hate you!"

After saying that, Cui Anhe slammed her spoon onto the table and ran straight out.

As the door slammed shut with a bang, Ji Yunhuai's expression slowly darkened, taking on a cold, vicious edge. Somehow, he had taken the blame for Lu Xiaoxiao and gotten an earful from Cui Anhe to boot.

The man ground his teeth and laughed in sheer anger. First, he spat out the piece of egg, then elegantly wiped his mouth before silently repeating the culprit's name.

Lu Xiaoxiao...

You really did... a damn fine job!