Chapter 200 Stealing Food
Zhou Pingchuan finally accepted the largest and most intact potato chip. It tasted different from the ones he remembered from his childhood; it seemed thinner and crispier. But the aroma, so different from that of normal food, remained unforgettable.
"Another one?" Xia Mian asked.
"Let's eat first."
"Are you done with your work?" Xia Mian held up a potato chip. "What about this?"
"Put them in the study." Zhou Pingchuan took the potato chips. There were no sealing clips in the study, so he used a book clip to close the opening and went downstairs to the dining room with Xia Mian.
After this ordeal, Xia Mian's soup had cooled down a bit. The kitchen staff served him a fresh, steaming bowl, which was placed on the table alongside Zhou Pingchuan's. The first dinner of the new year was thus simply enjoyed. It was eaten in his own little home, and with Zhou Pingchuan.
After finishing his meal, Zhou Pingchuan returned to his study. Before, it was because he needed to sort out some things; now, he genuinely had work to do.
Xia Mian was a little tired and didn't want to sit, so she went back to her bedroom, lay on the bed, and played on her phone while waiting for Zhou Pingchuan. As she played, drowsiness came over her, and she decided to take a nap.
He closed his eyes and never opened them again.
She didn't know how long she had slept, but she heard the rustling sound of fabric rubbing against each other beside her. Half-asleep, Xia Mian asked, "You just finished work?"
"Yes, there are a few urgent documents."
"Go to sleep."
"I'm going to wash up now."
"Wait a minute," Xia Mian suddenly grabbed Zhou Pingchuan's collar, "This smell..."
He finally opened his eyes, his face beaming with excitement as if he had discovered some major secret: "You stole potato chips!"
The chairman of a top conglomerate was secretly eating potato chips in his study in the middle of the night!
Let alone buying a few bags of potato chips, even buying a potato chip processing plant would be a drop in the ocean for Zhou Pingchuan. It's simply unbelievable!
Zhou Pingchuan: "I didn't..."
“Shh,” Xia Mian interrupted him, “keep your voice down, is it something to be proud of?”
“…Xia Mian,” Zhou Pingchuan said helplessly, “the potato chips were a gift from you. I didn’t steal or rob them, so what’s wrong with that?”
So you ate it?
No, you smelled it wrong.
Damn, still pretending!
Not to brag, but his nose is absolutely amazing. Before the food was even cooked, he could smell what the kitchen was making. If he didn't like it, he simply wouldn't eat it and would go out to have hot pot and drinks with his friends. Mom always jokingly scolded him for his "dog nose"—how could he possibly be wrong?
Xia Mian refused to accept it, and scrambled to her feet, wanting to pinch Zhou Pingchuan's cheeks and smell his breath.
Since he could remember, apart from dentists, no one had ever dared to treat him like this. Zhou Pingchuan was momentarily stunned; Xia Mian had actually succeeded. She pinched his cheek and quickly moved closer.
At that moment, when they were almost touching, Xia Mian realized that something seemed a little off.
His posture made it seem as if he was about to forcefully kiss Zhou Pingchuan.
Moreover, he clearly bought the potato chips for Zhou Pingchuan so that Zhou Pingchuan could taste them for him. What's wrong with eating potato chips?
Help.
That's so stupid!!!
At this moment, Zhou Pingchuan also noticed his struggle, but did not move and sat calmly opposite him.
Having just finished work, Zhou Pingchuan hadn't even had a chance to take off his glasses. Dressed in loose loungewear, he looked like a college student or a young professor fresh out of school. The woman looking at him with a smile in her eyes was incredibly handsome.
The atmosphere had gotten so heated that it wouldn't end without a kiss.
Xia Mian closed her eyes, changed from pinching her cheeks to cupping them, and slowly, slowly kissed her.
Before their lips even touched, the other person suddenly asked, "Why are you kissing me?"
Why? Xia Mian was confused. She couldn't very well say, "You're so handsome, I'm bewitched by you," could she? That would be too embarrassing. In a moment of panic, Xia Mian made up a random excuse: "To express my gratitude. Thank you for helping me out of that situation during the day."
"That's what I should do."
He was saying what he wanted to say.
Xia Mian is his person.
—It can only be his people.
***
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Mian slept in late without any worries, a rare treat for her. After getting up, she put on a hat and mask, fully covering herself up, and headed straight to the mall.
Tomorrow is the day we set off for Nangang. It's the Lunar New Year, so we can't go empty-handed. We need to buy some gifts for the two elders.
Under Uncle Li's coordination, the two elderly people should have everything they need. He didn't choose any health products or anything like that. In the end, he went into the store and picked out a few sets of clothes. He even asked the sales assistant to cut off the price tags and labels. Otherwise, given the two mothers' frugal habits, they would definitely have made him take them back and return them.
In addition, he also selected two sets of skincare products and two sets of jewelry. Being married is different from being single; when visiting elders, he represents not only himself but also his partner. If Zhou Pingchuan didn't bring gifts, the two elders, though they might not say anything, would definitely feel disappointed.
Regardless of the price, even if they only bring some fruits and vegetables, it proves that the younger generation cares about them.
So those items later were bought by him on behalf of Zhou Pingchuan.
Let's hurry up and finish shopping. Zhou Pingchuan didn't go to the company today, and Xia Mian doesn't want to wander around outside any longer. If we go home early, we might be able to have afternoon tea.
Carrying half a cartload of spoils, Xia Mian headed straight for Longxi. Upon entering the courtyard, she unexpectedly encountered two people.
“You guys…” Xia Mian frowned subconsciously.
Xia Mingzhao said expressionlessly, "We've come to wish Third Master a Happy New Year."
"Didn't you say you weren't coming yesterday?" Xia Mian remembered it clearly at the mahjong table.
“Ah Ting drank too much yesterday and was talking nonsense. As his nephew, how could he not wish his uncle a Happy New Year?” Xia Mingzhao paused, “Mianmian, you wouldn’t be unwelcoming to us, would you?”
Of course, it's not welcome.
But he couldn't say.
“We’re all family, of course you’re welcome. Uncle Li,” Xia Mian called to the housekeeper, “has the fruit I picked out yesterday arrived? Have the kitchen prepare a fruit platter, make some desserts, and brew a pot of black tea. Mingzhao, Zhou Ting, would you like some milk?”
This host's attitude really stung Xia Mingzhao. This was his first time visiting Longxi, and it was more than twice the size of his marital home! Zhou Pingchuan had even bought two more!
The size of the house was one thing, but it was enough for him and Zhou Ting. What was even more infuriating was that Long Xi had so many servants, several chefs specializing in different cuisines, and even a pastry chef in the kitchen specifically to make afternoon tea for Xia Mian! Was Xia Mian only home a few days a month?
Let's look at our own side...
The only two servants have taken leave to go back to their hometowns for the Chinese New Year, so I have to take care of the flowers and plants in the house myself.
On what grounds?
"Thank you for the invitation, but no need to trouble yourself. We have some things to attend to, so we'll be leaving now." At this moment, seeing that Xia Mingzhao remained silent with a sullen face, Zhou Ting answered for him.
"Fine." Xia Mian didn't even bother with any pretense of trying to persuade her to stay, and quickly left.
Before leaving, Zhou Ting opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't. He and Xia Mingzhao walked towards the garage under the guidance of the servants.
After they had walked a distance, Xia Mingzhao asked, "What did you want to say just now? Why didn't you say it?"
"No."
"You think you can fool me?"
“…Mingzhao,” Zhou Ting took a deep breath, “You asked me to come today, and I’ve obeyed. Please don’t cause me any more trouble.”
"Oh, so it's my fault? Didn't you see the family banquet yesterday? Everyone was trying to curry favor with Third Master, and you, who had the most opportunities, didn't seize them," Xia Mingzhao smiled. "Besides, you know very well why I didn't come to pay my respects for the New Year, and I know very well too."
He had a pure and beautiful appearance, but his laughter was completely different, reminiscent of a cold, venomous snake, making people feel uncomfortable.
Zhou Ting frowned deeply, finally losing his temper: "Then you can do it yourself next time."
Do it yourself?
Xia Mingzhao snorted, "That's perfect."
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