"Alright, it's basically all set, that's fine." Qin Xiaoyu walked in from outside and sat down next to Qi Si.

"Is this too spicy?" Qi Si asked worriedly.

"Brother, are you a man? Are you afraid of spicy food?" Qin Xiaoyu said coquettishly. This sentence worked. All the men at the table picked up their chopsticks. Who would agree to let such a charming and beautiful girl say that they were not men?

After taking that bite, everyone tasted the sweetness; it was so delicious, a bittersweet experience!

The kitchen was called for more dishes three more times, and they ate everything on Qin Xiaoyu's list before finally satisfying the guests.

"Hey, Fourth Brother, when is your hotel opening? I need to book a few tables first. There's someone I need to repay a favor to. You know, with that kind of status, what hasn't he seen? I'm tired of giving gifts and inviting people to meals. This is good, I need to treat him quickly while it's still hot, otherwise it'll be troublesome if someone else does it first!" Director Bai said.

"Yes, yes, I'll order too! Hurry up and open for business!" the others chimed in.

"If we're going to open, hurry up. My sister's got it all under her control. Can't you see? She's the one making all the decisions. I don't know anything about these things." Qi Si deliberately flattered Qin Xiaoyu.

"My brother can be modest now? Stop teasing me."

Qin Xiaoyu had just eaten something spicy, and her usually pale face had regained some color. Her lips were also red and plump, like a delicate little cherry. When she spoke, her eyes sparkled, and she had already stunned everyone at the table.

No wonder Qi Si was so infatuated with her; this young widow is no ordinary woman, she's quite beautiful.

Since Qi Si met Qin Xiaoyu, he had seen her arrogant, stubborn, warm, and weak, but he had never seen her shy side. She was simply charming and alluring. He suddenly regretted taking Qin Xiaoyu as his sister.

Because the restaurant wasn't ready, Zhu Bao went back to school to stay. After seeing the guests off, Qin Xiaoyu suggested taking Zhu Bao back home, since it was only two streets, but Qi Si refused and insisted on driving him.

The classrooms on the first floor were still lit. As the weather warmed up, more people came to get haircuts and perms in the evenings, so the school changed its closing time to 10 p.m. They all gathered on the first floor, and Mr. Wang followed them.

"Xiaoyu's back. Tian Tian took the two kids upstairs to sleep," Master Wang greeted Qin Xiaoyu.

"Okay, Master, I'm going upstairs too." Qin Xiaoyu only realized after she finished speaking that there was still a tall follower behind her. Qi Si didn't seem to have any intention of leaving immediately.

"Brother, what are your thoughts on the hotel?" Qin Xiaoyu naively thought that Qi Si wanted to talk about the hotel.

"Let's talk upstairs." Qi Si strode ahead.

Qin Xiaoyu had been busy all day and hadn't seen her children. She missed them and wished she could just go over and kiss their chubby cheeks a few times, but she couldn't ask Qi Si to leave because of what he said.

"Brother, go home and have some fruit. I ate too much spicy food today. You can't eat this all the time..." Qin Xiaoyu couldn't continue. Qi Si's gaze towards her was a little different from usual.

"Little Fish, I'm a straightforward person, so please don't be angry." Qi Si didn't like beating around the bush.

"Huh? Brother, please tell me quickly. The shop is yours, and you're in charge of its operation. I'm just offering suggestions," Qin Xiaoyu said hastily, thinking that today's events had upset him.

"That's not what I was talking about. It doesn't matter what store it is, it's all the same to you."

"What is that?" Qin Xiaoyu suddenly had a bad feeling, and her heart started pounding.

"Little Fish, I don't want you to be my sister anymore." Qi Si suddenly felt his mouth go dry. He had always dared to say anything in his life, but now he was suddenly afraid.

"Brother." Qin Xiaoyu's worst fears had come true, and she was struggling with how to say it without hurting Qi Si.

"I know I'm not good enough for you, and my reputation isn't good either, but... if you're with me, you'll be my only woman. I'll give you everything I have, I'll listen to you, and I'll raise your children..."

"Brother, please stop talking. I'm doing just fine on my own and don't want anything to disrupt my life. You're my brother, and that can't be changed." Qin Xiaoyu was already flustered, and she was afraid that if she didn't interrupt, Qi Si would be even more embarrassed.

Are you saying I'm rejecting you?

"elder brother……"

"Yes or no?"

"elder brother……"

"I understand." Qi Si said, then strode out expressionlessly.

Qin Xiaoyu felt her legs go weak and slumped onto the sofa. After a while, she ran to the table, poured down a glass of yesterday's herbal tea, and felt much more awake.

It seems she'll need to be more careful in her dealings with people in the future; she should keep a low profile if she doesn't want to cause trouble. But she's already being very discreet!

She glanced down at her clothes. She hadn't bought any new ones; they were all the host's old, outdated clothes, just washed clean, and not really fitting.

She had heard about how many women Qi Si had around him, and none of them were less beautiful than her, so why did he still take a liking to her?

It seems she has a beautiful soul.

Qin Xiaoyu was still uneasy, unsure how to face the future. Unexpectedly, Qi Si arrived early the next morning, taking Zhu Bao away without any apparent concern, as if nothing had happened the previous day. He addressed her as "sister" and refused to call her Xiaoyu anymore.

Good thing, his proud nature saved him.

Qin Xiaoyu was secretly delighted. Someone like Qi Si actually fits the fantasies of some young girls: he might not be handsome, but he's very manly, muscular, and tall, which adds a lot to his appeal. He's rich, somewhat powerful, and most importantly, he's devoted to one woman.

But now, even if a celestial being were placed in front of Qin Xiaoyu, as long as it was male, she wouldn't give it a second glance.

Men are just big pigs.

She's a Scorpio, and she holds grudges for more than just one lifetime—two, three lifetimes. As long as the Meng Po soup doesn't brainwash her, she'll keep remembering them forever.

She won't make the same mistake twice, and she won't give others the chance to hurt her.

"Xiaoyu, someone's looking for you!" Master Wang was running so fast his shoes were practically flying off when he saw Qin Xiaoyu dragging her back, as if if they were a step too late they'd miss out on the big prize.

A man in military uniform stood at the school gate; it was Staff Officer Zheng. But he looked different from when he was in civilian clothes the other day. He seemed to have gone somewhere; he was darker-skinned and thinner, the lines of his jaw muscles were very defined, and his eyes were resolute.

He tensed up whenever he saw Qin Xiaoyu, and swiftly gave her another military salute. This time, Hanhan didn't come to her rescue, and Qin Xiaoyu looked to Master Wang for help.

"You guys chat, I'm going inside to get busy," Master Wang said, but his feet felt like they were weighed down by a thousand pounds, and he couldn't move an inch for a long time.

"The commander won't be back for a few more days, so he asked me to bring some local specialties from different places for Hanhan and Xiaomei." Staff Officer Zheng held up the bag in his hand.

"Uncle Zheng!" Hanhan rushed out of the building and threw herself into Staff Officer Zheng's arms. Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for a while and missed each other, Hanhan hugged his neck and kissed him twice.