Yu Wanru was caught off guard by the kiss. Her eyes widened as she looked at Xiao Anlan, her face flushed. “You—”

Xiao Anlan quickly laughed and said, “Let’s start learning the left-turn step. There are still several steps to cover, and if we delay, we won’t finish today.”

Yu Wanru was both embarrassed and annoyed. Who was really causing the delay here?

Seeing her flustered, Xiao Anlan knew when to stop. He went on to explain the left-turn step, and Yu Wanru soon became engrossed, letting go of her previous irritation.

By the time Xiao Anlan left in the evening, Yu Wanru had learned several dance steps, though her transitions were still not entirely smooth. She continued to practice on her own in her room, determined to improve.

The next day, Xiao Anlan returned, but this time he wasn’t alone. A few young ladies from the Xiao family accompanied him.

Madam Yu was delighted and welcomed them warmly into the living room.

The Xiao sisters were polite, pretty, and sweet-mannered, calling her “Auntie” affectionately, which made Madam Yu beam with joy as she quickly ordered refreshments.

Xiao Anlan looked helplessly at Yu Wanru. “Anya and Anhui are on summer vacation. They saw me leave the house today, and Anhui insisted on visiting you since you’d promised to go on an outing with them.”

Yu Wanru asked, “Are they already on break? Ah Qing still has a few more days until he returns. So, are we going out today?”

Xiao Anlan nodded, “We promised them, and if we don’t keep our word, they’ll never let me live it down. How about going to Yang Shidong’s ranch? It’s spacious, and we can bring some food for a barbecue.”

“A barbecue?” Yu Wanru asked, curious.

Xiao Anlan explained, “It’s when we build a grill in an open space by arranging stones into a makeshift stove. A mesh grill is placed on top with charcoal underneath. We cook fish, lamb, or beef, basting it with soy sauce and chili powder. It’s something people abroad often do with friends or family, and they call it a BBQ.”

“BBQ…” Yu Wanru repeated, amused. “Westerners are quite interesting.”

Watching her say each letter with a pause, Xiao Anlan was inspired. “Wanru, I can teach you more Western words if you like. Once you learn a bit more, you can even read books in their language.”

Yu Wanru’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really? But I’ve never studied any foreign language. I wouldn’t know where to start…”

Xiao Anlan replied, “Don’t worry. I didn’t know anything at first either; you just have to start learning.”

“Thank you.” Yu Wanru blushed, looking at Xiao Anlan with admiration.

Xiao Anlan felt a rush of elation from her gaze.

Just then, Xiao Anhui butted in, “Ge, what are you and Wanru whispering about? Wanru, let’s go find Xiaoman Jie and ask her to join us.”

“Sure, I’ll ask someone to inform Xiaoman,” Yu Wanru agreed.

Xiao Anhui turned to Xiao Anlan and asked, “Ge, where are we going for the outing?”

Xiao Anlan, slightly annoyed at his sister’s interruption, replied, “We’ll go to Yang Shidong’s horse ranch for a barbecue. Does that sound good?”

Xiao Anhui cheered, “Perfect! Barbecue! Let’s go buy the meat now.”

Madam Yu overheard and quickly said, “No need to buy meat; we have plenty in the kitchen. I’ll have it cleaned for you.”

Xiao Anya added politely, “Thank you, Auntie, but we can buy it ourselves.”

Madam Yu laughed warmly, “Don’t be so polite. If you’re calling me Auntie, let me treat you to some meat.”

Xiao Anhui responded sweetly, “Thank you, Auntie.”

Soon, Su Xiaoman joined them, and after a bit of preparation, they were ready to set out.

Xiao Anhui suggested, “Ge, since we’re heading to Yang Ge’s, why not invite Zhou Ge as well?”

“Sure,” Xiao Anlan agreed, thinking of Zhou Sheng’s recent gloomy state, and nodded.

He drove to Wanchang Restaurant again, dragged Zhou Sheng out of the office, and took one of the restaurant’s cars.

The group split between two cars. Xiao Anlan took Yu Wanru and Su Xiaoman, while Zhou Sheng was with the three Xiao sisters.

When they reached the Yang family’s horse ranch, Yang Shidong was returning with a group of horses. He spotted two cars approaching from a distance.

Recognizing them as cars from the Xiao family, he waved to his workers to lead the horses back to the stables. Then he brandished his riding whip and charged on horseback toward the cars.

As the cars came closer, his horse picked up speed, and he leaned forward, his body almost lying flat on the horse’s back.

When the horse and the car were just a few steps apart, Xiao Anlan suddenly braked, stopping the car.

Yang Shidong pulled the reins, and the black horse neighed, lifting its front legs high. At this point, the car and the horse were less than two steps apart.

He laughed loudly from the horse, ” Anlan! Did I scare you into wetting your pants?! Come, let me help you wipe it off!”

Xiao Anlan looked at him silently, got out, and opened the back door.

Yang Shidong scratched his head. “Is there someone else in the car?”

Yu Wanru and Su Xiaoman got out one after the other, looking at Yang Shidong in shock.

They had been chatting in the back and didn’t know what was happening ahead. They only realized they’d almost crashed when the horse reared close to the car.

Seeing two gentle, refined young ladies emerge, Yang Shidong’s playful smile froze on his face.

He slowly turned his head, his neck seeming to make creaking sounds as he glared at Xiao Anlan. His veins bulged, and he finally burst out, “Anlan! You tricked me again!”

Xiao Anlan innocently shrugged.

The car behind them stopped as well, and Zhou Sheng, along with Xiao Anhui, Anya and Anqi jumped out.

Xiao Anqi ran up excitedly, “Yang Ge, Yang Ge, I’m back again!”

Yang Shidong wiped his face, forced a stiff smile, jumped off his horse, and hugged Xiao Anqi. “Anqi, are you here to visit me?”

Xiao Anqi nodded, then whispered in his ear, “There’s a pretty young lady here too. Yang Ge, don’t you think Xiaoman Jie is very pretty?”

Yang Shidong glanced sideways at the delicate, unfamiliar girl standing by the car. She looked back at him, still in shock, and he managed a pained smile. “Yes, very pretty…”