Lan Muguo asked with a smile, "Xi'er, shall we have a drink together later?
"Yes! Let the cook help you. I'll go ask if any of them can drink. More people, more fun."
"Okay, it's best to invite them all." Lan Muguo entered the kitchen and saw Nan Qiyue putting bowls and chopsticks into the disinfection cabinet. He was slightly stunned. "Don't you have servants? Why are you cleaning the dishes?"
The servant cleaning the stove nearby was so scared her face turned pale. How could they let a guest help with cleaning dishes? It was this Miss Qiyue who insisted on helping.
Nan Qiyue glanced at the servant whose face had changed, and then thought of his indifferent attitude when he ate. She lowered her eyes and said faintly, "I'm used to it, I insisted on doing it."
Nan Qiyue started to go out as she spoke.
Lan Muguo looked at her thin shoulders and almost slapped himself in regret.
"I want to make a few small dishes, and I need your help. Can you?"
Nan Qiyue's steps paused slightly, and she turned her head to look over.
Lan Muguo quickly explained, "We'll be drinking a bit later. Xi'er grew up in Huaguo, and you understand Huaguo's cuisine better than I do."
When Nan Qiyue heard it was for Lan Yuxi, she didn't hesitate any longer, turned around, and returned to the kitchen.
Lan Muguo tugged at his sleeves and looked at the servant, "Where is the package I brought?"
"In the refrigerator, Mr. Guo. I'll get it for you right away."
"No need. You don't know what I'll use. I'll get it myself."
Lan Muguo soon brought the ingredients.
Nan Qiyue watched him skillfully unwrap the package, then clean and cut the foods she had never even seen into various shapes and arrange them on plates. She felt a sense of pleasure.
Lan Muguo glanced sideways, "Do you like watching others cook?"
Nan Qiyue awkwardly shifted her gaze, "You're not cooking, you're creating works of art."
"You're the first person to praise me like this. None of the people I know are willing to let me cook."
"You're a man and your status is so noble, it's normal for them not to want you to cook."
"Professions have no hierarchy and are not divided by gender, but I just can't explain it to them. Fortunately, Xi'er is here. She spoke up for me a lot and gave me many ideas. I can finally stop listening to my parents and my eldest brother nag."
"Congratulations on finally being able to do what you love," Nan Qiyue smiled and took half a watermelon to the cutting board.
"I heard from Xi'er that you're in the Nan Corporation's publicity department. Do you like your current profession?"
"I don't have the right to choose my profession."
"Why not?"
"I need to support myself first."
"Isn't the Nan Corporation's excellent treatment enough for you?"
"My salary card is with my adoptive mother. I only get five hundred yuan for living expenses each month."
With a "bang," Lan Muguo slammed the knife in his hand onto the cutting board.
Nan Qiyue didn't know why he was so angry and instinctively took a step back.
Lan Muguo raised his right hand apologetically to his eye socket, "I'm sorry, I'm not losing my temper at you. I just think your adoptive mother is too detestable."
Nan Qiyue's grip on the fruit knife loosened slightly, "It's okay. If it weren't for her suppressive education, I might not be here today."
"You're quite optimistic."
"What's the point of not being optimistic? You smile for a day and cry for a day." Nan Qiyue wielded the knife on the watermelon, and soon the watermelon was carved into the shape of roses.
"You can do this too!" Lan Muguo exclaimed, "And you said I was creating works of art. Yours is the real work of art!"
"You're making me look bad. I learned this from videos when I had nothing to do."
Lan Muguo rubbed his chin and watched for a while, "You can carve so realistically just by learning from videos. You're simply a genius!"
Outside the door, Mu Mu leaned on the door frame and listened for a while before running to her grandmother's bedroom.
In the second-floor bedroom, Lan Yuxi was sitting in Nan Xiao's arms, listening to Ming Zicheng's call. After Ming Zicheng finished speaking, she asked, "Governor Yan wasn't involved?"
"Fence-sitters are usually very cautious. After Su Chi got into trouble, he immediately sided with us."
Lan Yuxi smiled and asked, "What about Yan Chuting? Has she been bothering you lately?"
"No. She went home, right?"
"What if I told you she didn't go home, and found a job in Kyoto, would you believe me?"
"A spoiled young lady like her can find a job?"
"Not only did she find a job, but she's doing quite well."
"Oh." Ming Zicheng replied with a disinterested "oh."
Lan Yuxi smiled and pinched Nan Xiao's ear, then asked, "Er Wan, aren't you curious where she's working?"
"There's nothing to be curious about. It has nothing to do with me where she goes."
Lan Yuxi pouted, and Nan Xiao smiled and kissed her cheek.
Lan Yuxi said with a wronged expression, "Husband, I don't think it's necessary to talk to him anymore."
Nan Xiao smiled and nodded, "People who don't see eye to eye, I also think it's unnecessary."
"I was even thinking of inviting him over for a few drinks. I don't think it's necessary now."
On the other end of the phone, Ming Zicheng's interest piqued as soon as he heard about drinks, "You want to drink? You should have said so earlier. I have nothing to do right now."
Lan Yuxi burst out laughing, "You scoundrel, you'll just spend your life with alcohol! Hurry up and come over. I'll call a few more people and see who's free to come."
"Alright, heading over immediately."
Lan Yuxi hung up the phone, clicked on the Hongmen small group chat, and sent a message.
Eldest Sister: [I have wine here, who's coming?]
Eleven: [Me!]
Eldest Sister: [I knew you'd be the first one to jump out!]
San Wan: [Sister, I'm out of town. I'll treat you next time.]
Eldest Sister: [Okay~]
Wu Wan: [I'll bring some dishes.]
Eldest Sister: [Just a small gathering. We've all had dinner, don't bring too much.]
Si Wan: [Sister, I'm abroad. Let's meet next time.]
Eldest Sister: [ok.]
Shi Wan: [Sister, I'm in Norcas.]
Eldest Sister: [If you need anything, go find my eldest brother. Don't be polite with him.]
Shi Wan: [Okay, Sister.]
Shi Er Wan: [I'm coming, do I need to bring wine?]
Eldest Sister: [No.]
Jiu Wan: [I'm coming too. Old Twelve, can your wine be better than Sister's?]
Eldest Sister: [(Proud) Exactly!]
Ba Wan: [Sister, I'm back in my hometown, so I can't make it.]
Eldest Sister: [Send my regards to Uncle and Auntie.]
Qi Wan: [Sister, I'm in Haishi, so I can't make it either.]
Liu Wan: [Qi Wan, are you looking for a girlfriend?]
Eldest Sister: [Same question!]
Qi Wan: [(Shut up)]
Er Wan: [Already on my way.]
Eldest Sister: [(Eye roll)]
Liu Wan: [Haha... My wine might not be as good as Sister's, but the dishes are okay. I'll bring some dishes.]
Eldest Sister: [My fourth brother is coming. His cooking is superb. You two can have a sparring match.]
Nan Xiao looked at his wife, who was constantly typing, with a smile full of affection. If time could stop, he wished it would freeze forever in this moment, so she could be happy forever.