Chapter 186 Spending Time Alone

The opponent played the sentimental card, using the phrase "Brother Maidong loves to eat" as a psychological weapon to try and undermine my presence. My strategy: I proactively retreated, feigned weakness, and waited for the enemy to tire themselves out, successfully avoiding direct confrontation. Result: The enemy lost control of their emotions, and minor internal cracks appeared. Note: The dumplings smelled delicious, probably enhanced with dried shrimp; I could eat three more tonight.

After finishing writing, she gently closed the notebook, blew on the still-wet ink, then lay down on the bed, crossed her arms behind her head, closed her eyes, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

In the living room, the sounds of pots and pans clattering grew more frequent, the water gurgling as it boiled, and the aroma gradually wafted through the cracks in the door into the bedroom, tantalizing one's appetite.

After a moment, Fang Wanyu's voice rang out again, this time deliberately raised, with a touch of sweet, considerate affection:

"Auntie, would you like to try this? I added extra salt because my son likes it saltier, and I was worried that if it was too bland, it wouldn't suit his taste... Or, could you add some soy sauce?"

As she spoke, she deliberately stirred the soup in the pot with a spoon, as if afraid the person inside wouldn't hear her.

Qiao Wanyin lay on the headboard, her nose twitching slightly as she inhaled the increasingly strong fragrance in the air, silently calculating the time in her mind.

About half an hour later, the house was filled with the rich aroma of dumplings, a blend of scallion oil and meat filling that whetted the appetite.

She timed it perfectly, and only slowly opened her eyes after hearing the clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the sound of a chair being moved.

She sat up silently, her bare feet touching the cool floor, and tiptoed to the door. She pressed herself against the doorframe and peered out through the narrow crack.

Two sets of bowls and chopsticks were already set on the table, with steaming dumplings served in white porcelain bowls, wisps of heat rising from them.

And her seat—the seat that should have been hers—was empty.

Song Yazhi and Fang Wanyu were still busy in the kitchen, with the clattering of pots and pans echoing throughout.

Neither of them seemed inclined to sit down for a meal, nor did they even greet Qiao Wanyin, as if they were treating her as a complete outsider.

"Hmph, what a bunch of petty tricks."

Qiao Wanyin stood at the living room door, coldly curling her lip, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

She deliberately stomped her slippers loudly, making heavy footsteps, as if to deliberately announce her presence.

She swaggered into the living room, her back ramrod straight, a faint smile on her face, as if all of this was exactly what she had expected.

Wow, it smells so good!

She sniffed exaggeratedly, her nostrils flaring slightly, feigning an intoxicated expression.

Then, she walked straight to the empty seat at the table, pulled out a chair without any hesitation, and plopped down in it.

She picked up her chopsticks, her movements swift and decisive, and without hesitation, she grabbed a plump dumpling and popped it directly into her mouth.

"I've come to try Wanyu's cooking. I've heard that your dumplings are especially authentic."

She said with a smile as she chewed.

Hearing the commotion, Song Yazhi immediately came out of the kitchen, her brows furrowed, and reprimanded her sternly:

"Who told you to start eating first? The elders haven't even sat down yet, and you dare to eat first? Don't you have any manners?"

"Oh dear, Mom."

Qiao Wanyin blinked, feigning innocence, but a hint of sarcasm played on her lips.

"Didn't you just say you didn't need my help? I can't just stand here, can I? Can't I even try one?"

After she finished speaking, she simply stuffed the whole dumpling into her mouth in one bite, her cheeks bulging out, and didn't forget to nod in approval:

"Hmm... the taste is not bad, the skin is quite thin, and there's plenty of broth. It's just that the chives are a bit old and difficult to chew."

Fang Wanyu came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of food. Upon hearing this, her smile became somewhat forced.

She gently placed the dishes on the table and said in a gentle tone:

"If Sister Wanyin likes it, I can come and book it a few more times in the future. It's not a big deal."

That would be wonderful.

Qiao Wanyin smiled and picked up another dumpling, even dipping it in vinegar.

“Since you’re so enthusiastic, it’s fine to come tomorrow too. Mai Dong loves sauerkraut filling the most. If you can make it, he’ll be even happier.”

Upon hearing this, Song Yazhi's face darkened immediately, and the veins on her forehead throbbed faintly.

She practically gritted her teeth as she said, "Qiao Wanyin! Don't you have any manners? The family hasn't even started eating yet, and you're already taking the chopsticks?"

"Are you a guest or the host? How can you be so rude?"

"Oh, Mom, don't be angry."

Qiao Wanyin put down her chopsticks, gently placed her hands on the edge of the table, and her smile remained unchanged.

"I'll just try one, to check the saltiness and the cooking time. I didn't eat a whole bowl."

She turned her head and gently advised, "Please sit down and eat, the dumplings won't taste good if they get cold."

The scent is so enticing, it's keeping me awake! It really smells wonderful!

Upon hearing this, Song Yazhi's face turned even uglier, and her lips trembled slightly.

Fang Wanyu also stood to the side, head down, her fingers unconsciously clenching the corner of her apron.

Both of them showed obvious displeasure on their faces, their brows furrowed with suppressed anger.

I never expected Qiao Wanyin to be so unreasonable!

Not only did she not consider herself an outsider, but she also took the initiative to make decisions in everything she did, and her words and actions were aggressive and unrestrained.

The atmosphere remained tense even halfway through the dinner.

Suddenly, Fang Wanyu put down her chopsticks, a concerned expression on her face, and said softly:

"Sister Wanyin, I think I saw that boss from Gangcheng on the street yesterday."

He's the one who often talks business with Mai Dong; he's definitely got a sharp look and a good demeanor.

Qiao Wanyin, who was picking up a piece of radish with her chopsticks, looked up when she heard this, her eyes narrowed slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips:

"Oh? Is that so? Sister Wanyu knows so much about him, could it be that you're a little interested?"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Fang Wanyu's expression immediately changed, her brows furrowed, and she retorted stiffly.

"How could I possibly be interested in that kind of businessman? He's always scheming and smooth-talking. I dislike people like that the most."

Qiao Wanyin persisted, slowly finishing her food before finally speaking:

"Then why do you keep mentioning him? One minute you're saying he's energetic, the next you're saying he has a good temperament. People will think you secretly like him."

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yazhi slammed down her chopsticks, the sound of metal hitting the porcelain plate was particularly jarring.

She glared at Qiao Wanyin, her eyes burning with anger, her voice as cold as ice:

"Yesterday, Wanyu witnessed you spending time alone with that Hong Kong businessman in the private room on the second floor of the teahouse."

So, how do you plan to explain this?

Don't think you can do whatever you want just because nobody knows!

Upon hearing this, Qiao Wanyin finally put down her chopsticks.

She slowly raised her head, staring directly at Fang Wanyu, her gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce through one's heart.

Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable sense of pressure:

“Sister Wanyu, you just said…you 'saw' me?”

Fang Wanyu subconsciously avoided her gaze, her fingers gently tracing the rim of the bowl, her voice lowered: