Chapter Ninety-Six: Of All the Times to Meet

Song Waning beamed brightly as she showed off her spoils, but Wen Jingxing noticed that her sleeve was soaked through. His brows furrowed instantly. He said, “Change your clothes first; they’re all wet.”

She replied, “Where—” But when Song Waning lifted her sleeve, she saw both were drenched, and the words caught in her throat. “I’ll change right away!” She set the bucket by the door and ran upstairs.

Wen Jingxing shook his head helplessly. She was already grown, yet still so careless, unable even to look after herself. He then looked down at the bucket she’d left, finding it filled with all kinds of seafood—everything but shellfish. Curious, he wondered whether Song Waning disliked them and moved to check another, smaller bucket. This one brimmed with shells, but on closer inspection, they were all empty, without any meat.

Then Wen Jingxing spotted one shell, much larger and more vibrant than the others, still alive—the seam at its edge gently opening and closing, as if breathing. “Strange, why is it the only one left?” Carefully, he picked it up and happened to see something shimmering within its flesh. Even in the dim afternoon light of the room, with no lamps lit, it emitted a faint glow.

Nearby, the cameraman waiting for Song Waning called out excitedly, “So it’s here! I thought it was missing!”

“What?” Wen Jingxing asked. This shell was merely several times bigger than the others—what was so astonishing?

“I saw this shell and thought it was the most likely to have a pearl! I even thought Miss Song was remarkably lucky. But then, a crowd suddenly appeared and demanded shells from her, until there were none left. I thought someone else had taken this one!” The cameraman was more thrilled than the person who might have discovered treasure, recounting the scene to Wen Jingxing with dramatic anguish.

Wen Jingxing listened, his brows tightly knit, and asked if it had been broadcast live. The cameraman paused, then nodded. “Yes, why?”

When livestreaming, Li Weiwei didn’t notify the guests but always alerted the camera crew to stick close to them. Hearing this, Wen Jingxing understood and said, “Since Waning found it, she should see for herself if there’s anything valuable inside.”

He set the shell back in the bucket. The cameraman stared, dumbfounded—any normal person would be itching to see if there was a pearl, but Wen Jingxing could restrain himself! He felt he’d found yet another reason to admire Wen Jingxing; to preserve the surprise for Miss Song, he’d resist even a peek.

When Song Waning came downstairs, Wen Jingxing was already preparing the seafood. “Wow, you’re handling all that? Be careful not to prick your hand.”

Her warning stemmed from her fear of the little crabs. He misinterpreted, “Are you… worried about me?”

“What else? Getting pinched by those things hurts!”

“Alright.” Wen Jingxing’s lips curled into a faint smile, and his entire demeanor softened, no longer seeming so distant.

Watching him work so diligently, Song Waning felt a little guilty—it was she who’d brought back the seafood to eat, and now she was troubling him. She quickly sat beside him. “Let me help!”

Wen Jingxing saw her enthusiasm and thought she knew how, but soon discovered Song Waning had no idea. The appearance and taste of these creatures were beyond her previous experience; she couldn’t possibly know how.

He teased her, and Song Waning was instantly annoyed. “So you’re the expert, huh?”

To her surprise, he said, “Actually, I don’t know either.”

“Huh? Then how—”

“How do I know? I’m learning as I go.” Wen Jingxing smiled, unusually proud.

Song Waning refused to let him win. “Is that so? Since you’re so skilled, I’ll leave it all to you then!” She stood to leave.

Wen Jingxing immediately asked, “Where are you going?”

“To find Nan Yan—she should know how to handle these ingredients. She told me her mother is a chef.”

“Alright, it’s cold outside; wear something extra.”

“I know, I know.” Song Waning replied, but was already slipping out the door, leaving Wen Jingxing shaking his head in resignation.

When she arrived, Nan Yan hadn’t finished her task yet, so Song Waning went to wait at the location of Nan Yan’s assignment.

She didn’t need to seek out Yun Ze; halfway there, she saw him coming to find Nan Yan.

Noticing Nan Yan and Song Waning walking together again, Yun Ze’s first thought was that he’d soon hear news he didn’t want. Sure enough, the next moment, Song Waning told him they’d be dining at her cottage tonight for a seafood feast.

Yun Ze had no interest in seafood; he only wanted time alone with Nan Yan! Yet seeing Nan Yan gazing at him with starry eyes, craving his agreement, he couldn’t utter a word of refusal.

Nan Yan, that little vixen, had learned to coax him gently… But what could he do? He loved it! Even knowing she had an ulterior motive, Yun Ze was utterly charmed by her soft manner.

Fine… He admitted he was a bit strange.

Though thrilled inside, he maintained a calm exterior, replying lightly, “Alright,” as if it were a reluctant concession.

Nan Yan grinned cheekily. “I knew you were the best.”

The trio set off together, and on the way, they encountered Jiang Mingzhao.

Lately, he’d been plagued by Shen Yue, who was terrifying—she’d somehow learned to call him “Mingzhao Gege” just like Jian Anan. Every day, whenever she saw him, she’d shower him with “Mingzhao Gege” this and “Mingzhao Gege” that.

Now, seeing the other guests, Jiang Mingzhao’s eyes lit up and he rushed toward them. Normally, he’d hide behind Yun Ze out of desperation, but seeing Yun Ze and Nan Yan together, he dove behind Song Waning instead. “Song Waning! I saw you all together—is something up?!”

He ran fast and spoke even faster.

“Oh, we’re going to eat—”

“Can I join you? Please!!” Before Song Waning finished, he looked at her with hopeful eyes. “Of course, why not?”

“Great!” At that moment, Song Waning heard a breathless woman behind them. “Mingzhao Gege, why are you running so fast? You didn’t even wait for me.”

(End of chapter)