However, she did not expect her brother to come today.

Fang Zhi licked his lips subtly and said slowly, "There was a problem with the sound system in the dance studio. The teacher had to go out to answer a phone call and asked me to watch the repair staff fix it, so I came out a little late."

Feeling the soft hair beneath his hand, Qi Shen hummed in agreement. He knew the girl didn't have any close friends at school, and his sudden lateness made him wonder.

At first, he thought that his treasure, which he desperately wanted to hide, had been intercepted by some overconfident boy.

I never expected that I would go to help the teacher.

Qi Shen didn't think much of it.

His long, slender fingers parted and ran through the girl's hair, gently stroking it as if soothing a kitten. Then he cupped the back of her head and pulled her into his arms, his thin lips lightly touching her cheek as he whispered, "Let's go eat?"

Notice that he said "go," not "go back."

Fang Zhi leaned against him, looking up at the man's deep, sculpted face. "Aren't we going back to eat?"

“I’m not going back.” Qi Shen lowered his eyelids slightly, staring at her intently, a playful smile on his thin lips. “I heard from the servants that there’s been a glutton in the house lately who only wants to eat Sichuan food.”

Fang Zhi was stunned for a moment, "Huh?"

She needs to maintain her figure for dance practice, so the chef at home cooks dishes with less oil and salt, and the flavors are rather bland. She does miss flavorful food after not eating it for a long time.

I casually mentioned to the maid who delivered my meals a couple of days ago that my brother was referring to her as a glutton.

“There just happened to be a new Sichuan restaurant in the city. Shao Si said the food there is pretty authentic.” Qi Shen pinched the girl’s dazed cheek, his handsome face serious, but his eyes were meaningful. “So I’m taking that gluttonous cat to try it today, so she won’t sneak out to eat it.”

The man deliberately emphasized the words "cheating".

I realized that I hadn't been without progress all these years.

She understood the other meaning behind "stealing food" besides its literal meaning, but she couldn't imagine that such a word could come out of Qi Shen's mouth.

But he actually said it, and Fang Zhi was stunned for a moment.

"What?" Qi Shen looked at her, his eyes narrowing dangerously, and slowly tightened his grip on her cheek. "Do you think that cat will go out to steal food?"

Fang Zhi looked helplessly into his dark eyes, and after a long pause, finally managed to stammer out, "No, she doesn't have any money on her."

The little girl's answer was unexpected by Qi Shen.

The man paused for a moment, then his chest, hidden beneath his expensive suit, began to tremble, and his laughter was deep and pleasant.

Fang Zhi's face gradually turned red as she was laughed at. She was telling the truth and didn't know what he was laughing at.

After that volunteering incident, she had no extra money; it was all kept by him. He would give her whatever she needed, and any leftovers were just small change.

Everyone in the class said she was very rich and wealthy.

Who could have guessed that she had less money in her pocket than the bowls beggars left on the ground?

After a while, the man regained his composure, his expression gentle, and he leaned closer to her face with a warm, gentle touch, his voice charming and tender, "Zhizhi, is this an excuse to ask your brother for money?"

Before Fang Zhi could answer, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his handsome, refined eyes held a deep meaning and excitement that others could not see through. "Wait a little longer. After we get married, everything your brother owns will belong to Zhizhi."