Zhou Xuan indulgently pinched her nose, pressing her against the counter for a good bout of cheek-pinching, wishing he could knead her into his very heart.
It seemed as though this was how he could take his beloved to any place.
The bread maker in the kitchen let out a soft ding.
The toast was ready.
And the steak in the frying pan was sizzling, sending up wisps of smoke.
The aroma was simply divine.
Just smelling it made Lu Ling'er's stomach rumble incessantly.
Zhou Xuan chuckled, "My little glutton, you slept so late. Are you hungry?"
"Have a taste." Zhou Xuan took out the toast.
He had even sandwiched a piece of beef rib between it. The lettuce leaves were crisp and tender, making it look incredibly appetizing.
"Brother Xuan is the best." Lu Ling'er grinned, opening her mouth to take a bite. Her face was full of happiness. "Mmm, it's so delicious!"
Zhou Xuan smiled, "Then eat more. This was specially prepared for you."
"Ah? You're going to cook for me too?" Lu Ling'er was astonished.
To have Brother Xuan cook for her was truly the greatest honor imaginable.
She was on a diet, so she could only eat a little. But even a little was enough to make her happy.
"Mm, I'll cook for you every day from now on."
Zhou Xuan's gaze was as gentle as water, watching her intently.
Lu Ling'er's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
Her heart was pounding erratically.
Zhou Xuan took his knife and fork, cut two slices of steak, and offered them to her.
"Eat the steak first."
"Oh." Lu Ling'er responded softly, took a bite, and then looked up, asking, "Brother Xuan, how did you know I love steak?"
"I guessed. I saw the shape of your mouth when you were talking in your sleep last night."
"Haha..." Lu Ling'er couldn't help but laugh, "So Brother Xuan is this clever."
As she laughed, Zhou Xuan couldn't help but smile.
Zhou Xuan said, "If you don't eat a bit more, I'm afraid you'll be too full later and won't be able to digest your dinner."
"No way," Lu Ling'er said, chewing on the steak with her cheeks puffed out.
"Eat up. I like you a little plump."
He then helped her to two more slices of toast, a glass of milk, and a sandwich.
Lu Ling'er took them and devoured them ravenously.
The two of them had been active for a long time last night. Zhou Xuan was fine, but Lu Ling'er was exhausted, feeling both hungry and uncomfortable.
Seeing Lu Ling'er eating so eagerly was a rare sight.
It seemed she was truly hungry.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to snatch it from you!"
Zhou Xuan scolded with a smile, then licked his lips with his tongue.
He looked so sexy like that.
Lu Ling'er almost stared her eyes out.
After breakfast, she sat on the sofa, while Zhou Xuan sat on the single sofa beside her, attending to some documents.
Lu Ling'er sized him up a few times and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Xuan, why are you dressed like this today?"
He glanced down at his shorts.
Confused, he asked, "Why can't I wear them? Don't you like me wearing them?"
After saying that, he stood up and turned around twice.
Lu Ling'er covered her mouth and giggled.
He really looked quite sexy like this.
Brother Xuan looked so sexy in shorts.
"Ahem."
Zhou Xuan's cheeks turned red under her gaze.
He walked over, pulled her up, hugged her, and kissed her before letting her go to continue his work.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Lu Ling'er hurried to open the door.
Upon opening it, a beautiful girl with a clear and pretty face walked in, smiling at Zhou Xuan.
"Oh my, I'm practically blinded by the PDA this early in the morning. I should have just stayed away."
"Sister Ruo Lin? What brings you here?"
Lu Ling'er tilted her head and asked.
Zhou Xuan welcomed her in.
"Heh heh, I asked her to come. We're attending Madam Qiu's birthday banquet today."
"Madam Qiu? Isn't that Master's..."
Lu Ling'er exclaimed in surprise, covering her mouth.
It was the birthday banquet of Li Huihui, her Master's lover.
If they attended this, wouldn't Master be angry?
Zhou Xuan seemed to sense her worry and reassured her, "It's alright, we're going there on important business this time."
He had his preparations ready and naturally wanted to investigate whether this "Shiniang" had truly betrayed his Master or was forced into it.
"Ruo Lin is very good at dressing up and knows the latest fashion trends in Shangjing. I was afraid you wouldn't be familiar with it, so I wanted her to accompany you, Zhuge Mingyue, Zhuge Qingxue, and the others to pick out evening gowns."
As Zhou Xuan explained, he handed her a delicate small box.
"Oh!"
Lu Ling'er took it and carefully placed it on the coffee table.
"What's inside?"
She asked curiously.
Zhou Xuan opened the box. "This is a treasure! It's a priceless diamond ring, for you to wear to the banquet tonight!"
"A diamond ring?"
She leaned closer to examine it, and her eyes instantly widened.
The diamond sparkled with a dazzling luster, as large as a pigeon's egg, shining brilliantly under the sun.
She couldn't help but reach out and touch it, finding it warm like jade and incredibly radiant. She exclaimed in amazement, "Wow, such an expensive ring, you're really giving it to me?"
"Of course! Didn't I say we're going to Madam Qiu's birthday banquet? Such a grand gift needs a matching accessory. What do you think? Do you like it?"
Zhou Xuan looked at her with a smile.
Lu Ling'er nodded repeatedly, "I like it, I like it so much, it's so beautiful, I really like it."
Seeing this, Zhou Xuan's smile deepened.
"You're truly so lucky to have such a good boyfriend."
Fang Ruo Lin exclaimed.
"I'm so jealous my eyes are turning red."
"You'll find your own boyfriend too,"
Zhou Xuan said with a smile.
"Really? Can you really help me?" Fang Ruo Lin asked excitedly.
"No!"
"Tch!"
Fang Ruo Lin rolled her eyes.
"Alright, I knew you were useless."
"Come on, as the eldest daughter of the Fang family, do you think you'll have trouble finding a boyfriend?"
Zhou Xuan teased.
"That's what they say, but speaking of serious matters, are you really going tonight? Qiu Yue Lian already had a falling out with you, and you even made it onto the trending search list because of it!"
Fang Ruo Lin asked with great curiosity.
Zhou Xuan, however, said, "Well, in the business world, there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends. If there's a good project, it's not impossible for both families to make money together. I believe Commander Qiu is a person with foresight, and his wife wouldn't be much different. Respecting his wife is also respecting him."
Fang Ruo Lin pouted, "I hope so. Qiu Yue Lian is super annoying."
"Come, Ling'er, let's go. Today, I'll make sure my sisters conquer the world and shock everyone!"
Lu Ling'er hastily put away the box and followed Fang Ruo Lin to change and go out.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xuan went to find Xiao Chenyi and his maternal grandfather, Xiao Wushuang.
Xiao Wushuang was clearly waiting for him.
"Little Xuan, how was your trip to the Golden Triangle?"
"The harvest was great. Tonight, I want to attend with Chenyi. Grandfather, are you coming?"
"Never mind, I don't want to see Qiu Yuanhang and Qiu Wenlong's faces."
"Especially seeing their family's affection, it's not worth it for your Master."
"But I have something good here, and I want to go confirm if it's real."
"What is it?" Xiao Chenyi asked.
"Chenyi, do you know Xu Changliang?" Zhou Xuan took out the paper left by Taishu.
It also contained Qiu Wenlong's private bank account number.