Han Xiao chuckled, "Who told you to fry them so fragrantly? My mouth started watering from the aroma."
He reached out to grab a blooming hot dog from the plate, but it was too hot. He hissed and put it back.
"You were just craving it."
Old Mrs. Ou shot him a glance, a mix of amusement and exasperation. Still, she was happy that her children enjoyed her cooking.
"Here, there are chopsticks over there."
Han Xiao grabbed the chopsticks and took a small bite. It was hot, but he still closed his eyes in enjoyment.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, the cooking time was just right. Dipped in the special spicy sauce, it was incredibly flavorful.
"Pfft."
As he was savoring his bite, a girlish laugh echoed from the kitchen doorway.
He turned his head and saw her. Han Xiao instantly forgot about the scalding hot dog in his mouth, gulped it down, and felt the heat travel straight to his stomach.
Despite the discomfort, he feigned nonchalance and smiled, "Sister Qiao, when did you get back?"
Standing in the kitchen doorway was a pretty young woman, around twenty years old, with a rosy complexion and youthful charm.
She was wearing a knee-length pajama set. The top was white with strawberry patterns, and the sleeves were pale pink.
"Who's your sister?" Qiao Xinyue shot him a glare, her eyes full of disdain.
"Mom, why are you making all this so late? The smell is keeping me awake."
Walking over to Old Mrs. Ou, Qiao Xinyue stared at the delicious food bubbling in the hot oil, unable to suppress a swallow.
Old Mrs. Ou used long chopsticks to turn the items in the pan.
"The young master is back, and he brought his girlfriend. I'm making them a late-night snack!"
"Girlfriend? The young master has a girlfriend? Mom, you must be mistaken!" Qiao Xinyue's expression was one of utter disbelief.
"What nonsense are you talking about, child? Why can't the young master have a girlfriend?" Old Mrs. Ou glanced at her, then turned back to busy herself plating the food.
But Qiao Xinyue still couldn't believe it.
It was more unbelievable than the sun rising in the west.
She had grown up in the Ling family and had never seen any woman get close to the young master.
He was almost thirty and avoided women like the plague; it was ridiculous to think he'd have a girlfriend.
Han Xiao sidled over, smiling, "Old Mrs. Ou is telling the truth. The president really does have a girlfriend."
"Who asked you? Humph."
Qiao Xinyue rolled her eyes and picked up the two plates of fried food from the stove, about to leave.
Old Mrs. Ou glared at her and said sheepishly to Han Xiao, "Little Han, don't mind her. This child is spoiled rotten."
"Nyah nyah..." Qiao Xinyue stuck out her tongue at Old Mrs. Ou and turned to leave.
Old Mrs. Ou sighed helplessly and said, "She's already in her twenties, yet so immature. She'll never get married."
There were no girls among the younger generation of the Ling family, so everyone treated Qiao Xinyue very well, which had led to her somewhat spoiled nature.
Old Mrs. Ou found this most exasperating.
So she often reminded Qiao Xinyue not to forget the Ling family's great kindness.
Don't get carried away, don't fantasize about what you shouldn't, and always remember your place.
Fortunately, despite her spoiled nature, she knew her boundaries.
Han Xiao took a bite of his hot dog and gazed at Qiao Xinyue's retreating back, smiling foolishly, "How could Sister Qiao, who is so adorable, not get married!"
Old Mrs. Ou continued her work without looking up, "Adorable? She's just a brat."
"Old Mrs. Ou, I'll take the crayfish over there," Han Xiao finished his hot dog in a few bites and carried the large basin of crayfish away.
Old Mrs. Ou paid him no mind, continuing to fry skewers.
In the dining room, Qiao Xinyue arranged the fried skewers on the table and took out chilled beer and other drinks from the refrigerator.
Han Xiao placed the crayfish on the table, then leaned in with a smile, "Sister Qiao, let me help you."
"No need." Qiao Xinyue shot him a glance and walked away with the drinks.
Han Xiao still followed behind her, persistently trying to make conversation.
Qiao Xinyue, on the other hand, held her phone and continuously scrolled through videos, occasionally responding to him.
From the kitchen, Old Mrs. Ou called out, "Xinyue, hurry and bring the rest over."
"Okay." Qiao Xinyue slowly stood up while staring at her phone.
Han Xiao immediately offered to help, "Sister Qiao, you sit down. I'll go."
Qiao Xinyue looked up at him, pursed her lips, and smiled before sitting back down.
After Han Xiao had brought everything out, Old Mrs. Ou also emerged from the kitchen.
She looked at Qiao Xinyue reproachfully, "You lazy girl, all you do is sit. Go call the young master and madam down for a snack."
"Got it."
Qiao Xinyue scrolled through videos as she walked. It seemed she had found something interesting, as her eyes were filled with a smile.
Han Xiao stared at her retreating back, scratching his head with a distinctly foolish look.
Old Mrs. Ou didn't even glance at him and turned back into the kitchen to clean up.
Qiao Xinyue surveyed the living room, but seeing no sign of the couple, she headed upstairs.
As she ascended the stairs, her heart pounded. What could a couple do hiding in their room? What if she interrupted them and it became awkward?
Halfway up, she paused, cleared her throat, and called out loudly, "Young Master, Madam, it's time for a late-night snack!"
"Young Master, Madam."
...
A moment later, the bedroom door opened, and Ling Yucheng walked out with a composed expression.
As soon as Qiao Xinyue saw him, she immediately became demure, nodding respectfully, "Greetings, Young Master."
Then Xia Wantang followed, her face slightly flushed, her lips a vibrant red.
"Greetings, Madam."
Xia Wantang felt a bit awkward but still replied, "Hello."
"My name is Qiao Xinyue, Old Mrs. Ou's daughter. Madam, you can just call me Xinyue," Qiao Xinyue introduced herself with a bright smile, confidently.
"Then you can call me Wantang! Don't call me Madam." This earned her immediate favor from Xia Wantang.
She stepped forward, and the two of them walked downstairs together, with Ling Yucheng a step behind them.
"Okay! I'm twenty this year. Wantang, how old are you?"
"I'm a year older than you, I'm twenty-one."
Qiao Xinyue's eyes lit up, and she immediately became friendly, "Then I'll call you Sister Wantang!"
"You can!"
People of similar age naturally hit it off. In just a few exchanges, they had become quite familiar.
Xia Wantang asked, "You're twenty, are you in college?"
"Yes, I am, at Nanjia University."
Xia Wantang's eyes brightened with excitement.
"Really? I'm at Nanjia University too! I'm in the Chinese Language and Literature department. How about you?"
"What a coincidence! But I'm majoring in Accounting."
Ling Yucheng, walking behind them, watched them chat amicably with a calm expression.
It seemed that after he returned to the old house tomorrow, she wouldn't be bored.
Old Mrs. Ou had set out the bowls and chopsticks and said enthusiastically, "Madam, please come! I've prepared a little of everything. I don't know which one you'll like."
Her attention was solely on Xia Wantang, as she took her hand and led her to the table.
Xia Wantang sniffed the air and couldn't help but praise, "It smells so good."
The table was laden with delicious food, emitting a tempting aroma. The sight and smell were exquisite, arousing the appetite and causing saliva to secrete.
Old Mrs. Ou, satisfied, went back into the kitchen.