"Eating won't shut your mouth."
It was likely that today there was something important requiring He Xiaomingjin's presence, as Old Chen's attitude was firm.
The others stopped talking and ate in silence.
After breakfast, Meng Jingwei tidied herself up briefly and set off with Qing Muye.
Qing Muye had been working as a chef at Yishanyuan for almost a month and had become familiar with Old Chen, who arranged an off-road vehicle for him.
This would be convenient for grocery shopping and for taking Meng Jingwei out.
Due to the terrain, the Hidden Tribe had many mountain roads, making off-road vehicles more popular and sought after.
The two sat in the car and drove to Yipinju after setting off.
Upstairs at Yipinju, Shi Ran and Tang Si were having breakfast together in a room.
The events of the previous night had left Shi Ran feeling extremely embarrassed, so she had quietly returned to her room after dawn.
Being timid and afraid of the dark was inherent to her, especially in the Hidden Tribe. The architectural design here gave off a mysterious aura, which sent chills down her spine once darkness fell.
She cradled the bowl of soy pudding in her hands, burying her head as she ate. Then, as if remembering something, she put down her spoon, looked up at Tang Si, and said, "Can you... can you not tell Wei Jie?"
Tang Si, who was eating a breakfast roll, paused and asked, "What?"
"I mean, about yesterday, when I was in your... room, don't tell Wei Jie."
If Meng Jingwei knew she had rushed into Tang Si's room in the middle of the night, she would surely scold her for being useless!
Tang Si, who had been puzzled moments before, instantly understood, a hint of slyness flashing in his brown eyes. "What happened yesterday? You mean when you suddenly hugged me at my door?"
The innocent Shi Ran couldn't handle Tang Si's teasing. Her cheeks flushed a bright red with embarrassment, and she quickly lowered her head, scooping soy pudding with her spoon and eating it silently.
"No, no. I mean, sleeping in your room, that."
She stammered, wishing she could dig a hole and disappear into it as she spoke.
If only she had known then what she knew now, she would never have come to the Hidden Tribe with Tang Si.
"Alright, I'll try not to say anything."
Seeing her blush with shyness, Tang Si's lips curved into a smile, and he stopped teasing her.
The little girl was endearingly foolish.
He found it hard to imagine what would happen if she fell into the hands of that old fox, Huo Xiaohua; she would be utterly consumed.
Thinking of this, Tang Si's mind conjured up inappropriate images, and his expression inexplicably darkened. "So clumsy, I truly don't know how you've managed to grow up."
"I..."
*Knock, knock!*
Shi Ran was about to retort when a knock sounded from outside the living room.
She immediately got up and opened the door, her face lighting up as she saw the two people standing there. "Wei Jie, Qing... Brother Zhuzi, good morning."
She had instinctively wanted to call him 'President Qing', but to protect Qing Muye's identity, she quickly changed her address.
Meng Jingwei smiled with satisfaction, her eyes conveying a sense of 'a promising student.'
"Good morning."
She stepped inside, asking with concern, "How did you sleep last night? Are you adapting alright?"
"Ad... adapting, very well."
Shi Ran nodded, forcing a smile, while nervously rubbing her hands.
Tang Si also stood up and looked at them. "Good morning. Have you eaten? Would you like some more? Second Brother, I must say, the chefs at your Yipinju are truly skilled; the taste is no less than that in Lancheng."
As he spoke, Qing Muye also walked in from outside.
When Tang Si saw Qing Muye wearing a loose black and white striped t-shirt and baggy pants, paired with his dark complexion, especially the mole on his face, the ugliness made Tang Si spit out his food.