Xiao Yunying didn't know how to comfort him, but Chen Yuancheng spoke first: "I heard from the gatekeeper that you came to invite me to your house for a housewarming party tomorrow at noon?"

Xiao Yunying followed his words and said, "Yes, but I forgot to prepare invitations. Is a verbal invitation acceptable?"

"Invitations are just for show; you don't need to prepare such useless trifles with me."

Xiao Yunying said happily, "I like your approachable nature. Being with you is never tedious or awkward, and you don't have the bad habits of other rich kids."

Chen Yuancheng looked at her with a smile: "Me too, I really enjoy being with you, it's so relaxing and casual."

You don't have to be on guard against others all the time, you don't need to scheme against each other, and you won't feel mentally exhausted.

Chen Yuancheng gestured invitingly: "Would you like to come in and rest for a bit?"

Xiao Yunying was a little tired: "Then I won't be polite. I just ran around several streets to buy things I need for tomorrow."

Xiao Yunying put down her basket and sat down at the stone table in the courtyard. Ling Qi brought up some hot tea, and Chen Yuancheng poured a cup and handed it to Xiao Yunying: "Have some tea."

When Xiao Yunying took the teacup, she accidentally touched his finger without realizing it. She blew on the tea to cool it down and took a sip.

Chen Yuancheng shook hands briefly, then quickly released them and poured himself a glass.

"This is freshly picked pre-rain Longjing tea from this year. What do you think?"

"The tea liquor is clear and bright, with a delicate aroma, and a sweet and refreshing taste. It is a fine tea."

Chen Yuancheng poured her another cup: "Yun Ying knows tea?"

Xiao Yunying said honestly, "I don't really understand. All green tea tastes the same to me. It's slightly bitter at first, then sweet. My dad said that as long as it's green tea, this kind of praise is always right."

Her father loved drinking tea in her past life, and that's how he taught her to do it.

It's said that if someone invites her for tea, she can use this compliment to instantly elevate her status.

The problem is, who among the young people drinks tea? They all drink iced Coke, Sprite, and milk tea.

I never expected to need it today.

Chen Yuancheng smiled and looked down: "You're as straightforward as ever."

Xiao Yunying took a small sip of tea: "That's how it is. If you know something, you know it; if you don't, you don't. Pretending to know something when you don't is easy to be seen through by those who really know, and it's even more embarrassing."

"How so?"

Xiao Yunying put down her teacup: "Take this tea for example. For people who like to drink tea, exchanging and discussing tea ceremony can increase their knowledge and make like-minded friends. But I don't like to drink tea. Tea is just to quench my thirst. I can't taste any other flavors. Why pretend to be something I'm not and force myself into a circle that doesn't suit me? Isn't that uncomfortable?"

Chen Yuancheng rubbed his thumb against the teacup: "You're right, it's a pity that most people don't understand such a simple truth."

Or rather, they don't want to understand.

"Why should we care about what others do? We just need to take care of ourselves."

Xiao Yunying drank several cups of tea, then stood up and said, "I've rested enough, I'll be going now, there are still quite a few things I haven't bought."

"What's the rush? It's almost noon, let's have a simple meal here."

"No need, I'll just go out and buy something to eat."

"I've already asked the kitchen to prepare it. If you don't eat it, I won't be able to finish it all by myself."

Don't you eat with your family?

"I prefer light flavors and I always eat alone in the yard."

Oh my, that's so pitiful. Eating alone must be so lonely.

Xiao Yunying sat down: "Then I'll shamelessly eat your food, but you should tell them not to make too much. I'm still trying to lose weight, and I don't like wasting food."

"Six dishes and a soup, not many."

The two chatted idly in the courtyard. After a while, a young woman came in with Chen Yuanxuan.

Chen Yuanxuan came over and looked Xiao Yunying up and down: "You've lost a lot of weight since I last saw you a month ago."

Xiao Yunying said happily, "I love hearing that. Say a few more words."

Chen Yuancheng snorted: "Don't show off in front of me, I can lose weight too."

"When did I show off? You were the one who said I lost weight, not me."

Chen Yuanyao looked at Xiao Yunying curiously: "Brother, who is this girl? Aren't you going to introduce her to me?"

Chen Yuancheng didn't want to pay attention to his eccentric younger sister: "You don't need to know."

If she finds out that Yunying is eating here, she'll go and tell her grandmother all sorts of nonsense again.

Xiao Yunying was a little surprised by Chen Yuancheng's attitude towards her sister, but she couldn't be impolite in someone else's home, so she stood up and said, "Hello, my name is Xiao Yunying."

"My name is Chen Yuanyao, and I am my older brother's younger sister."

After introducing herself, Chen Yuanyao walked over to her and pulled her to sit down: "Are you the girl who delivered snow fungus to my house? Did you teach me how to make the new dishes in the kitchen?"

"It's me."

Chen Yuanxuan climbed onto the stone bench himself: "The apples I gave you yesterday were delicious. Do you have any more? I'll buy some with my silver."

"There are still some at home. If you like them, I'll have your older brother bring some back for you tomorrow."

Chen Yuanyao accurately grasped the meaning behind her words: "My older brother is going to your house tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm here today to invite your older brother to my house for a housewarming party tomorrow."

"Oh~"

With a drawn-out "oh" at the end, Chen Yuanyao's big eyes darted around: "Can I go with my older brother? I've never been to a housewarming party before, and I'd love to see it."

Chen Yuanxuan immediately declared, "I want to go too."

"Of course, but the countryside is simple, so please don't find it offensive, Miss Chen."

"How could I mind? I often stay at the manor outside the city. Please don't call me Miss Chen anymore, just call me Yuan Yao. You should be a year or two older than me, so I'll call you Sister Yun Ying, okay?"

The question was asked, but the tone was certain.