Finally, as everyone waited with bated breath, the kitchen door opened.

"Alright, you can go in and serve the dishes now."

"Coming right away~"

Chi Xinyao and the others went inside and were instantly dazzled by the array of delicious dishes.

Before long, the two large round tables in the courtyard, which were put together, were filled with a dazzling array of dishes, with more than a dozen dishes at a glance!

The scene was even more extravagant than the highest standard of New Year's Eve dinner at a state-run restaurant!

Everyone was stunned!

This... this was really made by one person in just one afternoon?!

This isn't cooking; it's clearly a magic trick!

"Dinner's ready!"

At Ye Nian'an's command, everyone snapped out of their daze, picked up their chopsticks, and eagerly launched an "attack" on their favorite dishes!

"Mmm! This braised pork! It melts in your mouth, rich but not greasy! It's so delicious!"

"This fish! My God! It's so fresh it's making my eyebrows fall off!"

"And this soup! I feel like I'm drinking nectar, not soup!"

For a moment, the courtyard was filled only with gasps of amazement and the crisp sound of chopsticks clattering against bowls and plates.

Everyone was captivated by the exquisite taste, eating with their heads down and mouths greasy.

The welcoming banquet was a truly delightful experience.

After a satisfying meal, everyone slumped back in their chairs, patting their round bellies, their faces beaming with happiness.

Ye Nian'an then brewed flower tea with spiritual spring water to help everyone get rid of the greasy taste and indigestion.

The night was gentle, and the stars were dazzling.

Everyone sat around in the courtyard, enjoying fragrant flower tea and chatting about everything under the sun. The atmosphere was indescribably pleasant and comfortable.

"Nian An".

As they were chatting animatedly, Shen Shuling glanced at her Plum Blossom watch and stood up somewhat reluctantly: "It's getting late, and I have some things to take care of at home, so I'll head back now."

"This meal was so delicious! I'll treat everyone to a good meal at a state-run restaurant another day!"

"Look at what this child is saying, why be so polite with family!"

Jin Xiangyu couldn't stop smiling; the more she looked at her future "daughter-in-law," the more satisfied she became.

Seeing that Shen Shuling was really about to leave, Ye Nian'an's eyes lit up and she immediately gave her third brother, who was still pretending to be a blockhead, a wink.

"Third Brother, what are you standing there for?"

Ye Sheng, who was engrossed in pretending to study the patterns on the teacup, was startled by the sudden shout.

He looked up and met his sister's bright eyes, which seemed to say, "Don't play dead, you little brat!" Alarm bells immediately went off in his mind.

His intuition told him that nothing good was coming!

As expected, Ye Nian'an's next words put him in a very difficult position.

"Shuling is a young woman, it's so dark outside, it's not safe for her on the road. You're a grown man, shouldn't you offer to see her off?"

"Yes, yes!"

Chu Xin'er, the number one wingman who "fears the world not being peaceful enough," immediately chimed in: "Brother Ye Sheng, Shuling almost got into trouble last time, why didn't you go and see her off? Are you even a man?"

"that is!"

Chi Xinyao chimed in with a smile, "We men should be more gentlemanly! Go on!"

When everyone teased her like that, Shen Shuling's bright cheeks flushed red instantly, and she instinctively wanted to wave her hand and say that it wasn't necessary.

But those expectant eyes betrayed her at that moment.

Her eyes flickered with a hint of barely perceptible anticipation and a touch of girlish shyness as she secretly glanced in Ye Sheng's direction.

Ye Sheng's handsome face instantly contorted into a bitter expression.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Shen Shuling's glance.

Those eyes, which were always so bright and almost defiant, now looked... well, they were filled with a watery, deer-like anticipation under the moonlight.

Ye Sheng's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

Looking at Shen Shuling's slightly flushed cheeks and somewhat awkward appearance, he felt a strange unease creep into his heart, and his heart softened inexplicably.

"Why……"

Finally, under the "kind" gaze of the whole family, Ye Sheng sighed, resignedly stood up from the chair, and looked like he was going to his death.

"Fine, fine! I'll go! I'll go, okay?! I'm really scared of you guys!"

"That's more like it."

Ye Nian'an smiled with satisfaction.

Ye Sheng pushed his gleaming old bicycle out of the yard.

Shen Shuling followed behind him, her head down, her cheeks still burning.

My heart was pounding like a rabbit's.

"Um... I can get back by myself, so how about we just forget about it?"

Shen Shuling said in a low voice.

I don't know if I'm saying this to Ye Sheng or to myself.

"You're saying you're done now? Too late!"

Ye Sheng patted the bicycle: "Hurry up and get on! You're dawdling, I want to get back to sleep as soon as possible!"

Shen Shuling was taken aback by his attitude, and the shyness that had just begun to emerge in her heart was instantly replaced by displeasure.

"cut!"

She pouted, and without any hesitation, nimbly jumped to the side and sat steadily in the back seat.

"Let's go, Master Ye!"

"..."

Ye Sheng's face darkened further. He gritted his teeth, pushed off hard with his foot, and the bicycle shot off with a "whoosh".

The night breeze was cool, carrying the faint scent of grass and trees unique to spring.

At first, Shen Shuling maintained a composed demeanor, gripping the sides of the back seat tightly with both hands, sitting upright, and trying to keep a safe distance from the broad back in front of her.

However, when riding the bicycle on the slightly bumpy dirt road, her body would involuntarily sway in order to maintain her balance.

Ye Sheng seemed to be doing it on purpose, riding his bike at varying speeds and deliberately choosing uneven surfaces.

Shen Shuling was so dizzy from being shaken that she almost fell off several times.

"Hey! Are you doing this on purpose?!"

She finally couldn't hold back and reached out to punch him on the back.

"Hold on tight, I'm not responsible if you fall."

"you!"

Just then, the wheel ran over a protruding stone, and the car lurched violently!

"ah!"

Shen Shuling gasped in surprise, her body instinctively leaning forward, and she crashed solidly into Ye Sheng's broad and sturdy back!

In that instant, even through several layers of thin clothing, she could almost clearly feel the lines of his back muscles tensing instantly, and the faint scent of soap emanating from him.

Shen Shuling's mind went blank with a "buzz"!

Her cheeks suddenly burst into flames with incredible speed.

My heart was pounding wildly, as if it were about to leap out of my throat.

She should have stepped back immediately.

But for some inexplicable reason, instead of backing away, she gently and tentatively pressed her cheek against it.

So warm...

So sturdy...

I feel so safe...

However, this warm and ambiguous atmosphere lasted less than three seconds before Ye Sheng broke it!

"Hey? What are you doing!"