"I'm going to the restroom."
Seeing Liu Zijun head off, Murong Yanran took out her phone and dialed Li Haochen. "At the shop?"
"No, I'm here at the construction site. Are you coming back for dinner tonight?"
"Yes, buy more dishes. I'm bringing a friend back."
"Okay."
"Haochen... there's something I need to tell you." Murong Yanran seemed hesitant.
"Yeah, tell me."
"I was hoping my friend could stay with us for a while, is that okay?"
"You decide."
"Okay." Murong Yanran happily hung up the phone.
Liu Zijun wasn't actually going to the restroom; she just found an excuse to pay the bill. When she got to the counter and was about to pay, she was stunned. "Are consumer prices in China this high now?"
Looking at the meager 700 yuan left in her wallet, she let out a helpless wry smile.
"Why are you smiling so happily?" Liu Zijun returned to find Murong Yanran beaming. She felt a pang of envy.
"Uh, it's nothing. I need to go to the restroom too."
Murong Yanran was also using the restroom as an excuse to pay. When she inquired at the counter, she learned that Liu Zijun had already paid. She didn't mention it upon her return, letting it be known implicitly.
"Let's go, time to head back."
When the two women returned, Li Haochen was already busy preparing the ingredients. The spread was very generous; he had even gone into his spatial dimension to retrieve some "General's Hat" mushrooms and some mollusks like sea snails and scallops, determined to host his wife's friend well.
As he chopped and prepped, Li Haochen belted out "Lone Brave," his voice so uniquely captivating.
"I love you walking alone in the dark alleys,
I love your unyielding posture.
I love you facing despair,
Refusing to shed a tear.
I love your tattered clothes,
Yet daring to shoot at fate's gun.
I love how you are so much like me,
With the same cracks.
Should I go? Am I worthy? This tattered cloak.
Should I fight? Fight, with the humblest dream.
To those sobs and roars in the dark night,
Who says only those standing in the light are heroes..."
As soon as they entered the doorway, they heard Li Haochen's peculiar rendition. Murong Yanran's forehead creased, and she helplessly brought a hand to her forehead, a wry smile on her face.
Beside her, Liu Zijun covered her mouth and giggled, "Yanran, your man sure has spirit."
"Ahem~"
"Uh... Yanran, you're back?" Li Haochen saw Liu Zijun beside her and offered an awkward smile.
Liu Zijun, unafraid, walked right up and circled Li Haochen twice. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, quite impressive. Tall, strong, and looks like he'll last long. No wonder he's completely captivated our Yanran."
Li Haochen's lips twitched, and his face turned black.
Murong Yanran, covering her face, moved a few steps away from Liu Zijun, feigning ignorance.
"Hello handsome, my name is Liu Zijun. Sorry to interrupt your little couple's moment," Liu Zijun extended her delicate hand, smiling playfully at Li Haochen.
Li Haochen felt his wet hands, wiped them dry on his apron, and extended his hand, shaking hers gently. "Hello beautiful, my name is Li Haochen. Welcome!"
After greetings were exchanged, Murong Yanran pulled Liu Zijun upstairs. "Here, this room is yours. I just cleaned it a few days ago, you just need to arrange the bedding."
Pushing open the door, the room was clean and tidy. Though small, it was fully equipped.
Working together, they had everything neatly arranged in less than half an hour. Liu Zijun leaped onto the bed, which creaked with the sound of springs. She hugged a plush toy and rolled around a couple of times. "Ah~ I can finally sleep soundly!"
"Thank you!"
"Why are you thanking me? Rest for a bit, I'll call you for dinner later."
Liu Zijun lay on the bed, gazing at the vibrant red sunset outside, her thoughts drifting to faraway places. Before long, she had fallen asleep.
Her brows were furrowed, her expression one of worry. This must have been a bad dream.
"Ah~"
Startled awake by a nightmare, Liu Zijun sat up, gasping for air. Sweat drenched her thin shirt, her ample cleavage becoming prominently displayed.
"Phew~"
Liu Zijun took a deep breath, shook her head, grabbed her clothes, and walked into the bathroom.
When she came down, Murong Yanran had just set the dining table. "Zijun, I was just about to call you upstairs. Come sit quickly."
Liu Zijun didn't stand on ceremony and walked over, sitting down gracefully. Just then, Li Haochen brought out a plate of steamed grouper with soy sauce, his little face flushed red.
"Phew, be careful, it's hot."
After enduring the intense heat and setting down the plate, Li Haochen acted as if he were possessed, pouting and blowing air constantly, his earlobes twitching erratically.
Murong Yanran, with the demeanor of a devoted wife, walked over tenderly, took Li Haochen's fingers, and blew on them.
"Why didn't you use a cloth?" Murong Yanran chided, her face full of concern.
Liu Zijun mimicked Li Haochen, pinching her earlobes and looking pitifully at Murong Yanran. "Ranran, I need blowing too... Hahaha!"
Murong Yanran's face turned as red as blood. She clenched her small fists and playfully chased Liu Zijun, their movements causing the air to ripple.
Li Haochen, however, was in a state of discomfort, unable to openly watch. He could only crane his neck, stealing glances from time to time, secretly relishing the spectacle.
After their playful chase, both women were slightly out of breath, their chests rising and falling. Li Haochen's eyes involuntarily followed their movements.
Sensing Li Haochen's wandering gaze, Murong Yanran subtly twisted his waist.
"Hiss..."
Li Haochen dared not make a sound, only biting his lip, accepting his fate with tears in his eyes.
Murong Yanran shot him a glare. "Alright, it's getting cold. Let's eat."
Life should have its sense of occasion. With good company, how could there not be fine wine? Li Haochen went inside and brought out a bottle of chilled Golden Ice Valley, pouring a glass for each of them. The golden liquid looked beautiful, and its aroma was delightful.
Why was there wine? It wasn't because Li Haochen had any ulterior motives. He had overheard Liang Minfeng mention once that drinking wine was good for women's complexion and could slow down aging. So, he ordered a case from Dong Ge. Even though there were only six small bottles, they were quite expensive, costing over 1700 yuan.
He had to admit that the price was justified. The wine was indeed delicious, with a rich, complex aroma, a mellow fruitiness, and a smooth, velvety texture on the palate.
"To our reunion, cheers."
"Cheers."
"Cheers."
Sipping fine wine, chatting about life, reminiscing about the past, their laughter filled the air.
Before long, the 375ml bottle of ice wine was finished. The two women were still eager for more and clamored to open a second bottle. Unable to refuse, he opened another. Li Haochen secretly hid the remaining four bottles.
Fortunately, the alcohol content wasn't high, and both women had decent tolerance. They were slightly tipsy, not drunk, their cheeks flushed pink. Gazing at the delicate and shy Murong Yanran, Li Haochen found himself intoxicated by her presence.
After a pleasant gathering, both host and guests were happy. Murong Yanran linked arms with Liu Zijun and went back to their room for a quiet chat. Meanwhile, Li Haochen cleared the dining table, grabbed a chilled young coconut, and sprawled on the sofa, watching "I Am a Singer" and occasionally singing along, enjoying a moment of carefree bliss.