Shanxiang Restaurant, second-floor office

"Knock knock!" A light knock sounded on the door.

Ning Lang looked up from the ledger and said, "Go in."

The door opened, and Xiao Chen walked in carrying a bouquet of pink roses.

"Sister Ning, Mr. Jiang has sent flowers again."

Ning Lang glanced at it and said calmly, "Put it in. Have someone send him a chrysanthemum cake as a snack."

Xiao Chen suppressed a laugh and asked, "Sister Ning, Mr. Jiang doesn't expect you to always be so polite and courteous. When are you finally free to have dinner with him?"

Ning Lang continued looking at the ledger, a calm smile on her face.

"Aren't I busy?"

Xiao Chen stuck out his tongue, not daring to ask any more questions.

Mr. Jiang is gentle and refined, handsome and wealthy. Since Sister Ning's "Yipinxiang" opened, he has been a regular customer of several stores.

It is said that he was Ning Jie's senior in college. Ning Jie graduated early after completing her credits, and he traveled a long distance to follow her. He even settled his career in Rongcheng, just so he could be close to her and win her heart as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, Sister Ning always seemed to be avoiding him, whether intentionally or unintentionally...

Just then, a familiar voice came from the doorway: "You're busy? When are you ever not busy? What an excuse!"

A devilishly handsome face sauntered in, playfully teasing the chubby parrot perched on his arm.

"Ah-Lu, don't you think so?"

The fat parrot quickly chimed in obsequiously, "Excuse! Excuse! Excuse!"

Xiao Chen's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed with delight, "A-Lu! A-Lu is here!"

"Beautiful lady! Hello! Hello!" Ah Lü greeted her ingratiatingly.

Xiao Chen's heart was instantly won over; he was almost ready to lean in and kiss her a few times.

"A-Lu, you're so cute!"

Yuan Heng stroked the green fur on its back and teased, "Little rascal! At such a young age, you're already trying to pick up girls—not bad!"

Ah-Lu wiggled her bottom and called out excitedly, "Heng is handsome! Super handsome! The most handsome guy in the universe!"

Yuan Heng was immediately overjoyed and kissed its little head a few times.

"You're a quick learner. Don't worry, I'll take you out again next time!"

"Yay! Yay!" Green flapped its wings excitedly.

Ning Lang was both amused and exasperated, and picked up the pen on the table again.

The little guy hasn't been out much in the last two years, so when he finally does come out, he easily gets too carried away.

Xiao Chen clicked his tongue several times and praised, "A-Lu is really smart! My grandfather's myna bird has been raised for several years and can only repeat a few words."

Yuan Heng sighed and shrugged.

"Even if it's not the smartest bird, it's still smarter than other birds from the Ning family! Besides, it's already fifteen years old, a seasoned pro!"

A-Lu didn't like being called "old," so she turned around and cursed, "Stinky A-Heng!!"

Yuan Heng: "..."

Xiao Chen, standing to the side, blushed with embarrassment and chuckled to himself.

Yuan Hengjun's androgynous face flushed slightly as he glared at Ning Lang and complained, "Quickly shut up your Ah Lü's stinky mouth! A dog's mouth can't utter—no, a parrot's mouth can't utter any good words!"

Ning Lang wrote quickly without looking up.

"Who taught it to say these things? It reaps what it sowed, choose one of these options."

Yuan Heng was speechless for a moment.

Xiao Chen covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, crouched down, and retreated through the door.

Just then, Ning Lang's phone rang.

She answered the phone, responded softly, and finally instructed, "Come to 'Shanxiangguan' around six o'clock in the evening to pick it up, and then deliver it there."

Seeing her put down her phone, Yuan Heng rolled her eyes and snorted, "Is it your bankrupt ex-husband again?"

Ning Lang smiled slightly, which was considered his answer.

According to Ning Rui, he has been staying obediently in the VIP ward of the hospital these past few days, reading books and scrolling through his phone every day. He is extremely bored, but very fulfilled.

Yuan Heng chuckled mockingly.

"A scoundrel's legacy endures for a thousand years. Even Yama, the King of Hell, wouldn't give a damn about a scumbag like him!"

Ah-Lu instinctively chimed in: "Scumbag! Scumbag!"