As expected, less than five minutes later, large raindrops began to fall.
Fortunately, Lin Xingwan and the others had already harvested a good amount of vegetables, so everyone quickly headed inside.
The harvested vegetables were taken by the staff to be washed, and while they were picking vegetables, the chef had also prepared all the other ingredients needed for the hot pot.
The room where Lin Xingwan and the others were dining this time was a viewing room with transparent glass on three sides.
A large round table was placed in the center of the room, and an incredibly extravagant pot sat in the middle of the table, its hot pot broth already boiling.
The entire room was filled with the aroma of hot pot. Even though Lin Xingwan wasn't hungry, the tempting scent made her feel like she could still eat three bowls of rice.
Xu Jingkuan sat in the main seat, with Lin Xingwan beside him. Next to Lin Xingwan sat Duan Muxing, and Qingluan, who had been guarding the door, was also called in to dine, sitting beside Duan Muxing.
This arrangement left Zhou Jinnbai with no choice but to sit between Qingluan and Xu Jingkuan.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat strange, though it was hard to pinpoint exactly why.
Lin Xingwan had a persistent feeling of being watched, but she couldn't figure out where the eyes were coming from.
The sensation of being monitored was unbearable, making Lin Xingwan feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
Soon, the servants brought in the washed ingredients one by one.
As the fresh food was dropped into the hot pot broth, outside, a storm raged as if it were the end of the world. Yet, inside the room, a lively feast was underway.
"I'm curious, why are you all here?"
Zhou Jinnbai cast a questioning gaze at Duan Muxing, whose pale face was flushed red from the chili. Duan Muxing's eyes were teary.
He wanted to speak, but the food he had eaten was so spicy that his throat felt like it was on fire. After a few coughs, he finally replied, "We have business."
"What business?" Seeing Duan Muxing's miserable state, Zhou Jinnbai's mood improved.
This man, making him eat such food was a rather light punishment.
"When did you become so nosy?"
Duan Muxing retorted. Zhou Jinnbai didn't get angry, merely smiled and said, "I indeed don't like to meddle in others' affairs, but I detest others meddling in mine. I believe some things are best left unsaid, lest they become irreversible and leave one in a difficult position."
Although Zhou Jinnbai was responding to Duan Muxing, Duan Muxing's expression suddenly turned grim.
At that moment, Duan Muxing was almost certain that Zhou Jinnbai had figured out that Xu Qingdai was Lin Xingwan.
Otherwise, with so many coincidences, he didn't know what other excuses he could use to explain it all.
Duan Muxing sneered, "I've never been afraid of being in a difficult position. In fact, I see everything I do as a challenge. It's either win or lose. Life isn't that complicated."
The conversation between Duan Muxing and Zhou Jinnbai, when overheard by others, sounded like they were discussing something else entirely. However, upon closer thought, both men were deeply contemplative, making it impossible to fathom their true intentions.
Xu Jingkuan, meanwhile, began to ponder what kind of feud existed between Duan Muxing and Zhou Jinnbai.
After this hot pot meal concluded, Xu Jingkuan resolved to investigate thoroughly.
"Here, eat more of these vegetables. They are precious treasures," Xu Jingkuan said, using a clean, new pair of chopsticks to pick up food for Lin Xingwan. He even shamelessly placed his favorite dishes in front of her as if presenting a treasure.
Halfway through the meal, a knock came from outside the room.
*Knock, knock, knock—*
Everyone's gaze fell on the door. They saw Cen Zhiyuan, dressed in a black qipao, leaning against the doorframe. She looked lazily at the group inside with her fox-like eyes and asked, "I wonder if my arrival will disturb your pleasant mood?"
Although Cen Zhiyuan said this, she was already walking towards Zhou Jinnbai as she spoke.
Upon seeing Cen Zhiyuan appear, Lin Xingwan's body instantly tensed up.
Especially when she saw Cen Zhiyuan usher Qingluan away and take her place beside Zhou Jinnbai, Lin Xingwan felt as if her heart had been pierced by a sharp weapon.
Why was it that every time she saw Zhou Jinnbai, this woman Cen Zhiyuan always appeared by his side?
Lin Xingwan felt a pang of sadness. She wished Zhou Jinnbai happiness after she left, but when another woman appeared by his side, Lin Xingwan couldn't help but feel jealous and distressed.
"Didn't you say you were waiting for me? I just took a little longer to do my makeup, and you left without me? If you keep this up, people will laugh at our wedding soon."
Cen Zhiyuan linked her arm through Zhou Jinnbai's. Although she wasn't acting coquettishly, her words were spoken with her eyes fixed on Zhou Jinnbai, a clear declaration of ownership, telling everyone that Zhou Jinnbai was her man.
"Since you're here, have something to eat."
Zhou Jinnbai removed Cen Zhiyuan's hand and continued to eat his hot pot.
Cen Zhiyuan then turned her attention to the food before her. She ate elegantly, sitting beside Zhou Jinnbai. The handsome man and beautiful woman looked exceptionally well-matched.
Lin Xingwan, however, felt that the food before her had lost its enticing flavor.
She even felt as if something were stuck in her throat, a discomfort that made her eyes sting.
"Try this rose wine I brewed myself. It tastes absolutely wonderful." Xu Jingkuan, however, failed to notice these subtle changes. Instead, he brought a pot of wine and poured a cup for everyone.
Lin Xingwan downed the cup in one go. The aroma of roses filled her mouth. It tasted less like wine and more like a beverage.
It reminded her of the wine she drank at Zhou Jinnbai's house when they first met.
Back then, the wine had tasted just as delicious.
"It's very good. It feels like eating a mouthful of roses," Lin Xingwan praised.
"Of course. Growing vegetables only ranks tenth among my abilities, but winemaking is my specialty. I've brewed countless fine wines over the years. The most expensive bottle was sold for thirty million! That's the recognition I've received. I've even invested in many wineries, which bring me a lot of money every year. I was born with an extraordinary talent for winemaking. If you like my wine, I'll send you some more later."
His daughter enjoyed his wine. Although they hadn't officially reunited, for Xu Jingkuan, this was silent affirmation.
Even if his daughter emptied his entire wine cellar, he wouldn't complain.
"Okay," Lin Xingwan smiled, but her expression was somewhat perfunctory. Especially when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cen Zhiyuan picking up food for Zhou Jinnbai.
What was most significant was that Zhou Jinnbai actually ate it!
Their relationship had become so intimate!
Lin Xingwan's mood plummeted to the bottom.
"I'm full. It was too tiring today. Mr. Xu, do you know where the guest rooms are?"
Lin Xingwan didn't want to stay there for another moment. She felt as if a hand were choking her, and if she stayed any longer, she would feel an overwhelming sense of suffocation.
"You're already full? You've only eaten a little!" Cen Zhiyuan asked, seeing Xu Qingdai stand up from her chair.
Although she didn't know when they had started eating hot pot, seeing how much food was left, and knowing it had only been a few minutes, she couldn't help but question it.
"Yes, I'm full. I've never been a big fan of hot pot."
Lin Xingwan lied. In reality, she usually loved hot pot, but today her mood was so terrible that she had no appetite.
"Duan Muxing, your fiancée has such a small appetite. As a doctor, haven't you examined her?"
Upon hearing this, Duan Muxing's expression turned exceptionally gentle and doting. "Qingdai has had a rather light appetite all these years. She can't handle such heavy flavors. It's fine. I'll have the chef prepare a light dinner for her later. It's not a problem."
After speaking, Duan Muxing cast a doting gaze at Lin Xingwan. "Since you're tired, you should go rest first. I'll escort you."
Qingluan quickly pushed Duan Muxing, and the three of them walked out.
Xu Jingkuan was stunned on the spot. Why did he feel like he was the guest?
And his daughter's demeanor earlier clearly showed she enjoyed hot pot!
Yet, she had left now.
The only explanation was that she disliked Zhou Jinnbai and Cen Zhiyuan!
Xu Jingkuan couldn't help but glance at the two of them again. They were indeed quite detestable, giving off an air of being born superior, as if everyone else were an idiot.
This reminded Xu Jingkuan of Cen Jue in the past. Indeed, these people were all cut from the same cloth.
A few minutes later, in the guest room.
Lin Xingwan sat on the sofa resting, while Duan Muxing spoke, "You're unhappy because Cen Zhiyuan came over? Didn't I tell you that you've given up on Zhou Jinnbai? But looking at you, it seems you still have lingering feelings."
After asking, Duan Muxing felt his own mood becoming restless. He even wondered why this woman, Lin Xingwan, didn't keep her word.
She had promised him before that she had left Zhou Jinnbai.
But looking at her recent behavior, she was just saying one thing and meaning another.
"No, I just feel really tired. If you have nothing else, please leave. I want to rest for a while."
Lin Xingwan dismissed him. Her mind was filled with the image of Zhou Jinnbai and Cen Zhiyuan being so intimate.
It hadn't been that long, so why had their relationship developed so quickly?
"Cen Zhiyuan is going to marry Zhou Jinnbai. Do you know about this?" Duan Muxing didn't leave immediately. Instead, he brought up the most sensitive topic, and as expected, Lin Xingwan's expression became even more impatient.
"Why should I know if they are getting married? Even if they do, it has nothing to do with me. My only thought now is to avenge my mother. And now that I know the truth of what happened back then, I just need to proceed step by step. One day, my mother's matter will be resolved satisfactorily."
"If that's the case, then I wish you success." After saying this, Duan Muxing left Lin Xingwan's room.
Lin Xingwan's mood, however, became even more agitated.
She tried to distract herself by doing other things, otherwise, she felt she would be driven to death by anger!
Lin Xingwan directly contacted several private reporters. These reporters were introduced to her by Duan Muxing.
Duan Muxing had also mentioned that if other reporters were caught, they would reveal the truth. But the reporters Duan Muxing arranged for Lin Xingwan were ones he had trained since childhood. Even if these reporters died, they wouldn't reveal who the mastermind was.
So, Lin Xingwan instructed these reporters to dig up the events of the past. Everything about Helian Diejin, from her adoption to the present, was to be written by the reporters, and with considerable embellishment.
Of course, Lin Xingwan had already told the reporters everything she knew about Helian Diejin.
By the time Lin Xingwan finished all this, it was already evening.
Unlike the doomsday-like feeling in the afternoon, a full moon hung high in the night sky, surrounded by many small stars.
After the heavy rain, the air on the mountain became incredibly fresh.
Lin Xingwan even felt that her explosive head seemed to be slowly calming down.
She felt she was being too foolish, getting upset over something as trivial as Cen Zhiyuan picking up food for Zhou Jinnbai. If she encountered more outrageous things in the future, would she impulsively question Zhou Jinnbai?
Just as Lin Xingwan's thoughts began to become chaotic, her stomach rumbled loudly.
At the same time, a knock sounded from outside the room.
Lin Xingwan looked towards the door and heard Xu Jingkuan's voice.
"Qingdai... Qingdai, are you awake? Qingdai? Can you hear me?"
Although Xu Jingkuan was trying to lower his voice, it was very quiet outside, and Lin Xingwan could hear him clearly.
Lin Xingwan quickly opened the door and saw Xu Jingkuan holding a box of bottles and jars.
"Mr. Xu?"
Lin Xingwan looked at Xu Jingkuan with confusion, not knowing why he had come to find her so late.
"Come, come, I brought you something good!"
Xu Jingkuan walked into the room. Lin Xingwan also saw the old man who had opened the door for them earlier. The old man was holding a wooden tray, on which sat a bowl of hot pot that looked and smelled delicious.
Xu Jingkuan and the old man placed everything on the table. Lin Xingwan felt increasingly perplexed.
Xu Jingkuan immediately explained, "When we were eating hot pot tonight, I knew you hadn't eaten enough, so I asked the chef here to make a special portion for you. Don't worry, it will definitely taste better than what we had not long ago. And these bottles and jars are all small batches of wine I made for you. You can taste each one and see which one you like best!"
Xu Jingkuan had a very ingratiating expression on his face. The old man standing beside him couldn't bear to watch.
"Sir, sir, look at yourself now, so cheap."