Ning Hui, don't push me too far!

Chen Zihao stood there, lost in thought.

"Young master, Second Young Master Ning and Fourth Young Master Ning have gone inside."

At his attendant's voice, Chen Zihao snapped out of his daze. Seeing that Ning Sang-sang and the others had gone inside, he hurried after them.

To prevent fights from breaking out, attendants were not allowed into the top-floor dining area, so the two attendants were left outside.

The interior glittered with gold and jade, exuding luxury and grandeur. Ning Hui could not help marveling at it. "The owner of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower must be loaded. I really want to meet this mysterious owner."

At that, something suddenly occurred to Ning Hui. He looked at Ning Sang-sang. "Sis, do you know what the owner of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower looks like?"

His sister seemed to be on very good terms with Steward Zhang of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower. Perhaps Steward Zhang had told her what the owner looked like.

Ning Sang-sang lied without blushing or missing a beat. "No idea. How would a country girl like me ever get to meet the owner of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower?"

[Little bro, stop asking these pointless questions. Our most urgent task right now is to dig in.]

[You bring up the owner of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower every other sentence. Anyone who didn't know better would think you had a crush on them.]

Ning Hui was speechless.

"Come on," Ning Chengxiao said. "Let's find somewhere to sit."

There was no one else on the top floor of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower yet, so they chose a table by the window.

A waiter came over carrying premium Longjing tea. After pouring each of them a cup, he asked warmly, "What would the three of you like to eat?"

Ning Chengxiao raised his eyes to Ning Sang-sang, who sat across from him. "You order."

Ning Sang-sang did not stand on ceremony. "Bring us a few of your signature dishes."

"Right away!" the waiter replied cheerfully, then turned and left with the tea.

Ning Sang-sang took a sip of Longjing tea and gazed outside. Their table was in an excellent spot, offering a sweeping view of the beautiful night scenery and a feeling of comfort and ease. She had to admit that the top floor of the Fragrant Drunkard Tower was a fine place to dine.

"Sis, do you like eating here?" Ning Hui asked Ning Sang-sang.

Ning Sang-sang drew her gaze back from outside. "The Fragrant Drunkard Tower is a nice place to eat."

Hearing that, Ning Hui silently resolved to work hard at earning money so he could bring his sister here often.

"If you like it, I'll bring you here more often," Ning Chengxiao said.

When spending money on his little sister, there was no need to worry about whether it was extravagant.

Ning Sang-sang smiled. "Sure."

[Second Brother is really wonderful.]

Hearing his sister finally praise him in her thoughts, Ning Chengxiao's lips curved slightly upward.

"Second Brother, you're so biased! When I asked you to bring me up here for a meal, you coldly refused. But the moment Sis said she liked it here, you offered to bring her yourself." Ning Hui put on a wounded look. "Second Brother, you've broken my heart."

Seeing him put on another performance, Ning Chengxiao's mouth twitched. He shot him a glare. "Behave yourself. Look how old you are, and you're still acting like a little child."

Ning Hui had always been mischievous and loved putting on an act. Ning Chengxiao had let it slide when he was little-children were naughty, after all. But now Ning Hui was eleven, and he was still like this... What a headache.

Ning Hui opened his mouth and was just about to say something when he spotted Chen Zihao striding toward them. It looked as though he had come to question his sister after hearing her thoughts earlier.

Ning Hui's eyes flickered. He hurriedly stood and went up to Chen Zihao. Without a word, he slung an arm around his shoulders and tried to steer him elsewhere.

"Ning Hui, what are you doing?" Chen Zihao demanded angrily. "Let go of me!"

"I have something to tell you, so come along quietly." Ning Hui threatened him in a low voice. "Or I'll beat you up."

"Ning Hui... don't push me too far!"

"Fine, I won't push you too far. Just come along." For once, Ning Hui coaxed him patiently.

Chen Zihao gritted his teeth. "Let go. What kind of grown men go around hugging each other?"

Ning Hui obediently let go.

The two went somewhere no one else was around.

"Ning Hui, what do you want to tell me?" Chen Zihao asked with a frown.

Ning Hui warned him, "Don't go spouting nonsense in front of my sister. Whatever you hear, keep it to yourself."

"Ning Hui, you can hear it too?" Chen Zihao asked in astonishment.

Ning Hui could not help rolling his eyes. "Obviously. If even you can hear it, of course I can."

"Then... is what your sister said true?"

"Send someone to investigate, and you'll find out."

Chen Zihao suddenly lost control of his emotions. "Your sister must be talking nonsense!" he snapped. "My father is a good man. He's devoted to my mother. He would never..."

He stopped there.

"My sister never talks nonsense. If you don't believe her, investigate it. Don't stand here slandering her," Ning Hui said angrily.

Chen Zihao lowered his head without speaking. If it was untrue, all would be well. But if it was true, then...

Chen Zihao was a little afraid to follow that thought any further.

"All right, stop letting your imagination run wild. If you want to know whether what my sister said is true, send someone to investigate."

With that, Ning Hui turned and left, paying him no further attention.

Chen Zihao followed him.

Ning Hui turned back with a frown and glared at him. "Chen Zihao, why are you following me? Didn't I tell you? If you want to know whether it's true, send someone to investigate."

"I want to listen some more..." Chen Zihao could not bring himself to finish with "to your sister's thoughts."

Ning Hui frowned and opened his mouth to refuse, only for Chen Zihao to say, "This meal's on me."

"Chen Zihao, what kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I can't afford a meal?"

Without waiting for Chen Zihao to answer, he put on a reluctant expression. "Since you're so desperate to treat me, I'll agree this once. But just this once!"

Chen Zihao could afford this meal. He couldn't!

At that, Chen Zihao's mouth twitched. He was utterly speechless.