Wu Youzhi, Pi Xiaoqian, Xu Dahai, and Si Ya had followed along.
Si Ya wasn't familiar with the others, so she followed behind Pi Xiaoqian.
Li Minxi and Xiao Yun also sat down.
Since Iliana had confessed to Guo Xuyang, she had spent less time with him.
She was self-aware and obediently followed Wu Shangqing and Guo Yiyu with Xiao Bao.
Except for Lu Liang and Xiao Yu who hadn't returned yet, everyone else was present.
"Boss, do you think this is suitable?"
A young black man wearing glasses arrived, panting, beside Qike.
"Don't you see we're about to eat? Let's talk after the meal," Qike chided the young man.
"Let me see," Guo Xuyang said, reaching out his hand.
The young man glanced at Qike before handing the contract to Guo Xuyang.
"You Jia, right? Get your boss to reward you. This efficiency is commendable," Guo Xuyang said with a smile after glancing at the contract.
"Thank you for your praise, sir. This is what I should do. I apologize for disturbing your meal."
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? Join us?"
"No, sir. Thank you!"
"Sit down. Since Mr. Guo has spoken, I can't shortchange your reward. You'll receive an extra ten thousand when you settle your accounts this month."
"Thank you, boss, thank you, Mr. Guo."
You Jia sat down below Xiao Yun and Si Ya.
"Miss Si Ya?" You Jia suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
His exclamation startled Qike as well.
Si Ya and Weir's reputations were not a secret in that mysterious manor, and they were also very famous in this country. It was just that few people had the chance to see them. You Jia had met Si Ya by chance.
"Do I know you?" Si Ya asked.
"I had the honor of meeting you and Miss Weir with a friend," You Jia quickly replied.
"Weir?" Si Ya's eyes held a hint of confusion. She seemed to recall this person, but couldn't bring herself to remember.
Guo Xuyang knew why Si Ya was in this state. It was because he had absorbed Weir into his mind, completely severing their connection.
"What do I do?" Si Ya asked You Jia. You Jia, however, had no answer.
Si Ya, alongside Weir, was adept at all sorts of trickery and deceit. Furthermore, the women sent to that mysterious manor were all exceptionally beautiful. She herself was a master thief. To her, bank safes were no different from children's piggy banks. Whatever she desired, she could obtain. If she hadn't been so ambitious and misguided, trying to steal a painting in a heavily guarded museum that might not even be famous, she wouldn't have been caught. And she wouldn't have ended up in this predicament. Unfortunately, due to Weir, she had lost many memories. She truly couldn't recall what she did. Seeing someone who recognized her, she naturally wanted to find out.
"You are a master, you have many disciples," Qike interjected.
"Really?" Si Ya asked.
"Yes. I'm very sorry, I didn't recognize you," Qike said after a pause. "I thought you were Mr. Guo's wife earlier, so I didn't dare to look too closely."
"It's alright. I seem to have encountered some unfortunate events, and I've forgotten a lot," Si Ya said.
"Oh?" Qike said, glancing at Guo Xuyang. "How did you end up here?"
"I came with him," Si Ya said, pointing at Guo Xuyang.
"Shouldn't we eat first? We can talk after," Guo Xuyang quickly said.
"Then let's eat first, everyone is starving," Qike said, waving his hand.
Seeing Qike's gesture, the service staff outside immediately arranged for the cooked lamb and roasted golden and tender lamb and beef to be brought over. There were also some hand-shredded pancakes, desserts, and other food items. Everyone seemed to be starving, and once the food was served, they fell silent. Each person had a small knife and a bowl of nameless clear soup, fulfilling their need to eat and drink. This clear soup was likely from boiling lamb, but it lacked the gamey smell.
"Mr. Qike, this soup is really delicious, do you know what it's made of?" Guo Xuyang finished the hot soup in his bowl in one go.
"I really don't know. The chefs here make it. Their skills are top-notch," Qike said, making another gesture. The service staff outside immediately approached with a large teapot-like vessel and refilled Guo Xuyang's clear soup.
"Thank you," Guo Xuyang said. The server bowed to him and left.
"The chef's skills are truly amazing. The boiled lamb is very chewy and especially flavorful. The roasted lamb and beef are also good," Guo Xuyang praised as he ate.
"Mr. Guo, as long as you like it."
"Delicious. I didn't expect your chefs to be so skilled. I really wish I could learn a few tricks from him."
"If you like it, I'll have him make a few more portions for you to take with you."
"No need, Mr. Qike. Even the best food can become tiresome if you eat too much," Guo Xuyang said, smiling and stopping him.
Si Ya didn't know why Guo Xuyang didn't want Qike to discuss her affairs, but she didn't feel comfortable interrupting their meal. She was also hungry. Although she hadn't gone shopping with the others that morning, she had been tired from helping to look after that little one at home. Moreover, she hadn't eaten anything since last night. She wasn't familiar with anyone else, so she couldn't join them for group shopping and had to stay home with Guo Xuyang. Since Guo Xuyang was at home, he wouldn't let his mother look after his precious son, so for the entire morning, it was basically just him and Si Ya taking care of little Guo Yishun. Little Guo Yishun could now take about two steps, and Si Ya, seeing him, was overflowing with maternal love and had a great time playing with him.
Iliana had recognized Si Ya early on, but she hadn't dared to step forward to acknowledge her. This was not the place for that. In fact, the two of them had a bit of a connection. When Iliana first arrived in Africa, she had interacted with Si Ya. Later, for some unknown reason, Si Ya had inexplicably disappeared. After Iliana met Guo Xuyang, she became smitten and returned to China with him. She hadn't seen Si Ya since, and she never expected to meet her again at Qike's manor. It was a pity that Si Ya didn't recognize Iliana at all. The side effects of soul sacrifice seemed quite severe.
"Mr. Qike, we've finished eating. Should we get down to business?" Guo Xuyang said, wiping his mouth.
"That's a must. Please invite the old lady to come over and sign," Qike said.
"Please don't say that, my mother isn't old yet. If you say that, she'll be unhappy."
"Don't you think I'm showing respect? Could you take me over to sign with the elder?" Qike said immediately. He knew what Guo Xuyang meant. He had been too presumptuous earlier, leading to Guo Xuyang speaking with a veiled warning.