Chapter 19: You Just Like Playing That Much

She curled up the finger that had made the mistake.

“Yan-ge, Qin-ge…” At this moment, Mu Ling wished she could bury herself on the spot.

Seeing her shrinking like a quail, as if wanting to tuck her head into her stomach, Qi Qin couldn’t help but want to laugh. But he also didn’t want her to be so frightened, so he took the lead and asked:

“What are you two looking at?”

Mu Ling was just about to answer honestly, but Wen Jiu had already calmly replied, “Nothing.”

Then, right in front of the two men, she exited the photo album and put her phone away.

Mu Ling: !!!!!

She swore, from now on Wen Jiu was her idol—her one and only goddess!

Who gave her the courage to lie to Jiang Yanci’s face and still keep such a straight face?!

Mu Ling quietly shrank behind Wen Jiu. Yan-ge was so special toward Wen Jiu—he wouldn’t bully her in front of Wen Jiu, right?

She had to admit, Mu Ling really felt like she’d found a super reliable protector this time.

And just as she hid behind Wen Jiu, Jiang Yanci actually did look away from her.

“Qi Su is looking for you.”

As soon as those words landed, it was as if Mu Ling had been granted amnesty—she jumped up and quickly ran off.

“I’ll go find him!”

Her voice hadn’t even fully fallen before she’d already run far away.

Wen Jiu tugged at the corner of her mouth, leaning lazily against the swing as she looked up at Jiang Yanci.

“You scared Mu Ling away. Who’s going to sit on the swing with me now?”

“Yan-ge will sit with you,” Qi Qin chimed in. “Yan-ge loves swings.”

“Oh?” Wen Jiu blinked at Jiang Yanci, her clear amber eyes gleaming with teasing laughter.

Jiang Yanci was a bit helpless—this woman was clearly doing it on purpose.

Her little tricks were written all over her face, with zero intent to hide them. She was clearly confident he’d take the bait.

He bent down so that their eyes were level, keeping a distance Wen Jiu would be satisfied with, and asked meaningfully:

“You really like playing that much?”

Wen Jiu grinned mischievously and looked him right in the eye.

“Yup.”

The two of them were clearly speaking in double meanings, both understanding the tease in each other’s words—yet both pretended not to notice.

Qi Qin smiled as he looked at the two.

“Alright, you two enjoy. I’m going to check on the food prep.”

To ensure the flavor and freshness, the chef had waited for everyone to arrive before starting to cook.

In truth, Qi Qin didn’t need to check on anything—he just wanted to give them some alone time.

Once Qi Qin left, Jiang Yanci straightened up.

The shadow over Wen Jiu receded, but she still leaned lazily on the swing without moving.

Jiang Yanci didn’t rush her and simply stood by quietly.

Occasionally, his gaze would fall on Wen Jiu. But seeing her staring off at the scenery, he didn’t interrupt.

The post-rain air carried waves of floral fragrance on the breeze. Wen Jiu’s eyes gradually lost focus as she zoned out, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

Only when Qi Qin and the others called for dinner did Wen Jiu reluctantly get up and walk over with Jiang Yanci.

“Jiujiu!” Mu Ling waved at her. “Fresh seafood just came out. Come quick!”

“Coming.”

Wen Jiu sat beside her. Mu Ling placed some cleaned seafood in front of her.

“Tell me what you like. I’ll get it for you.”

After what happened earlier, Mu Ling had already decided to be Wen Jiu’s friend.

“Okay~” Wen Jiu smiled, placing some lobster and crab onto a plate and handed it to the chef across the table.

“Thank you.”

“Please wait a moment.” The chef took the plate and began shelling the seafood for her.

At that moment, Qi Qin handed a freshly grilled skewer to Jiang Yanci.

“Just finished grilling.”

Jiang Yanci took it but didn’t eat it. Instead, he walked over and sat next to Wen Jiu.

“Any food preferences?”

“Not exactly, but I can’t really stand the gamey taste in meat. Can I try one first?”

Wen Jiu loved meat, but couldn’t handle the gamey flavor at all.

At home, they prepared it well, but outside it was easy to get disappointed.

So generally, she avoided meat when eating out. But the skewers in Jiang Yanci’s hand looked so tempting, the aroma of grilled meat mingled with charcoal was making her hungry—seriously hungry.

Seeing her practically drooling over the skewers in his hand, Jiang Yanci silently smiled and handed her one of each of the three types.

Just as she was about to take a bite, he warned,

“Careful, it’s hot.”

“Okay.”

Wen Jiu nodded but still eagerly blew on it for a moment before biting into it.

The moment it entered her mouth, Wen Jiu had already prepared herself to gulp it down with water if it tasted too gamey.

But—

Instead of gamey, it was flavorful. The meat juice burst in her mouth—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—so delicious it was almost illegal.

“Hot, hot, hot!” Wen Jiu fanned her mouth as the hot juices burned her tongue. She chewed frantically, and only calmed down after Jiang Yanci handed her a glass of water.

She gave a big thumbs-up, eyes sparkling.

“So good!!”

She had eaten lamb. Although it had a slight lamby smell, the seasoning completely masked it.

“If you like it, have more.” Jiang Yanci said as he gave her three more skewers.

“Eat while they’re hot.”

He wanted to give her all of them, but he was afraid she’d take too long and they’d get cold.

“Mhm!” Wen Jiu was too busy chewing to talk. Plus, the seafood was ready too—she was even busier now.

During the whole meal, Wen Jiu barely spoke. She was too focused on eating.

Qi Qin glanced several times at the growing pile of skewers in front of her, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Eventually, he whispered to Jiang Yanci,

“Is it really okay for her to eat this much?”

Wen Jiu had eaten nearly twenty skewers! Each skewer had ten thumb-sized pieces of meat.

Plus seafood. Could her stomach handle all this?

Jiang Yanci was a bit concerned too, but seeing she didn’t seem uncomfortable, he let it be.

Finally, under everyone’s shocked and worried gazes, Wen Jiu elegantly wiped her hands clean.

When she looked up, she met Qi Qin’s stunned eyes. She raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

“You’re the biggest eater I’ve ever seen among girls.”

Mu Ling quickly added,

“I can only manage ten skewers before I’m full. Jiujiu, you’re amazing!”

There was no sarcasm in her tone—just admiration in her eyes, like being able to eat was some kind of superpower.

Wen Jiu rubbed her forehead.

“I didn’t eat lunch, and tonight’s dinner really suits my taste.”

“I haven’t found anything good to eat since I came to Gangcheng.”

Then she blinked pitifully.

“You guys didn’t go hungry because of me, did you?”

“No, no, no!” Mu Ling shook her head.

“We’re totally full!”

Stuffed, even.

Maybe watching Wen Jiu eat had boosted their appetites, because they all ate way more than usual.

Especially Mu Ling—she felt like she was about to burst.

“Jiujiu, want to walk around? I need to digest. I’m stuffed.”

“Sure.” Wen Jiu nodded, but grabbed the bowl of leftover cherries on her way out—for dessert.

As the two walked off side by side, Qi Qin couldn’t help but ask,

“Where does all that food go in her body?”

Jiang Yanci shot him a glance.

“Talk less.”

Did Wen Jiu eat a lot? Not really.

She just allowed herself to eat more freely than the other girls who were always worried about maintaining their figure.