It's quite a coincidence that both the original owner and Jiang Li disliked eating celery.

Over the years in the Zhou family, Zhou's mother knew that the original owner did not eat celery and never put it in her cooking.

Despite his supposed thoughtfulness, Zhou Yanchuan didn't even remember his nominal wife's preferences.

She picked up her chopsticks, poked at the pile of celery, and didn't put it in her mouth for a long time.

Zhou Yanchuan, sitting opposite, leaned over and got close to Xu Qingyu's bowl.

"I remember you don't eat scallions, so I'll pick them out for you."

His movements were extremely skillful; the tips of his chopsticks precisely scooped out the few scattered scallions from Xu Qingyu's bowl, one by one.

The two men were very close together, whispering about the company's data reports.

Xu Qingyu nodded occasionally, his eyes filled with dependence.

The tacit understanding and familiarity between them was like an impenetrable wall, keeping everyone else out.

Jiang Li bit her chopsticks, mentally ranting and raving.

"Tongzi, look at these two, they're practically stringing food together on the dinner table."

Zhou Yanchuan picked out the dishes I didn't like for me and chopped scallions for his little sweetheart. He's truly an exceptionally good man.

"Baby, be quiet, eat ribs, those sweet and sour ribs are delicious."

Just then, a voice came from the other side.

"elder brother."

Zhou Chiye put down his chopsticks and leaned back lazily in his chair.

His tone sounded like a casual, nonchalant question.

But when those eyes looked at Zhou Yanchuan, they turned as black as ink.

Do you know what your sister likes to eat?

There was a few seconds of silence at the dining table.

Zhou Yanchuan smiled and took over the conversation in a relaxed tone.

"Your sister isn't a picky eater."

He spoke as if it were a matter of course, as if stating a fact that did not require confirmation.

Jiang Li nodded in agreement and continued eating with her head down, playing the obedient original owner who never made any demands.

After her parents passed away, the original owner became sensitive and dared not trouble others.

I never make demands, and I tolerate things I don't like.

When they feel wronged, they will first ask others if they are tired.

To maintain her public image, Jiang Li has no choice but to continue pretending to be this innocent and carefree girl.

[Baby, your performance made my heart ache.]

If you feel bad about it, send me money.

This system primarily focuses on providing emotional support.

Get out of here, you electronic paupers.

Zhou Chiye did not ask any further questions.

He lowered his eyes and casually stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth.

But those eyes remained fixed on Jiang Li's bowl.

He could see everything clearly, from the order in which she picked up food with her chopsticks to what she ate and what she didn't eat.

She quietly moved the pile of celery to the side of the bowl, without touching it.

Zhou Chiye reached out with his chopsticks and naturally took the celery from her bowl and put it into his own.

The movements were so natural, as if I'd done them a hundred times.

Jiang Li was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him.

Zhou Chiye did not explain.

He simply reached out with his chopsticks again, picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs, and placed it in the ginger and pear bowl.

"Sister, have some ribs."

He spoke casually, his tone still carrying the lazy, youthful air at the end.

It seems like it was just something I did on a whim.

[Honey! This little brother is so savvy!]

The cow cat was so excited in the void that it kept clapping its paws.

[Look at her insight! She's a million times better than that scumbag husband.]

Jiang Li nodded frantically in her mind.

The way he snatched the celery was incredibly cool.

[No wonder he's a sports student; the veins on his hands are really impressive.]

She showed nothing on her face.

She simply raised her face and gave Zhou Chiye a sweet smile.

"Thank you, Ono."

After saying that, she couldn't wait to reach out with her chopsticks, pick up a piece of pork rib, and put it in her mouth.

The sweet and sour sauce coated the crispy on the outside and tender on the inside meat, and her eyes lit up the moment she took a bite.

Really delicious.

Zhou Chiye rested his chin on his hand and looked at her.

When she eats something delicious, the corners of her eyes curve up slightly, and her mouth puffs out like a squirrel hoarding food.

As he watched, he started to laugh along with himself.

Zhou Yanchuan paid no attention to their conversation.

He pushed the bowl with the cleaned scallions to Xu Qingyu.

"Is the soup too salty? You said your stomach wasn't feeling well at lunch, so I didn't add enough salt."

Xu Qingyu shook his head, his voice very soft: "Just right."

The two spoke in very low voices, as if it were a frequency that belonged only to them.

Zhou Chiye glanced at it but didn't say anything.

Although he felt that his brother and Assistant Xu were a bit too close, he didn't think about it in that direction for the time being.

But he was certain of one thing.

The older brother had never really looked at Jiang Li closely, nor did he know anything about her.

She didn't even know she hated celery.

If you don't like her, why marry her?

Zhou Chiye glanced at Zhou Yanchuan across from him and gripped his water glass tighter.

What kind of couple are they?

For her brother, it was at most a sense of responsibility to take care of a younger sister.

Since her brother doesn't care about her, then someone else will.

Zhou Chiye lowered his head and took a sip of water, a smile still on his lips.

But a deep gloom settled in those dark eyes.

He didn't want to call her SZ, not at all.

Jiang Li felt the boy's gaze repeatedly falling on her, neither too light nor too heavy, like a cat's paw probing.

She pretended not to notice and continued eating her ribs with her head down.

[Child, the little wolf cub keeps staring at me.]

Based on facial data, his emotions went through stages of jealousy, doubt, and relief.

What about now?

[Preparing to poach talent.]

[So efficient?]

Nineteen is the age when one dares to dream and act.

Jiang Li silently picked up another piece of pork rib.

Yeah, I'm eating meat, and I don't want to think about anything else.

After finishing her meal, the bones in front of her piled up like a small mountain.

Zhou Chiye glanced at the empty rib plate, then at her slender waist.

"Sister, are you full?"

I'm full.

Jiang Li put down her bowl and answered with great confidence.

Xu Qingyu silently looked at the rice cooker, which was almost empty.

Zhou Yanchuan also remained silent for two seconds.

He remembered that Jiang Li used to only eat half a bowl of food. How long had she been hungry today?

Jiang Li blinked faster.

"The ribs are delicious today."

Eat as much as you like.

"Then I'll make it for you tomorrow."

Zhou Yanchuan smiled gently.

[Drawing a pie in the sky.]

This pork rib meal was cooked by Xu Qingyu.

A man's words are like a devil at the dinner table.

"Sister, wipe it off."

Zhou Chiye pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

"Thanks."

Jiang Li took it and wiped the sauce from her lips.

Zhou Chiye stared at those rosy lips and gulped down half a glass of cold water.

After dinner, the rain outside the window gradually subsided.

As Zhou Yanchuan cleared the dishes, he casually remarked:

"Chiye, the rain is about to stop. I'll drive you back to your parents' place in a bit."

Zhou Chiye leaned back on the sofa, his long legs resting on the edge of the coffee table, in a lazy posture.

"Brother, I don't want to go back."

Zhou Yanchuan paused in wiping the table.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Chiye sat up straight, casually ruffled his half-dry black hair, and adopted a carefree and cheerful youthful appearance.

"I just finished the college entrance exam and I'm finally free, but when I go home I have to listen to my mom nagging again."

Zhou Chiye tilted his head back, his voice carrying the rebelliousness unique to a young man just coming of age.

"I want to stay away from home for a few days to relax."

He paused, then smiled at Zhou Yanchuan, his eyes crinkling at the corners:

"There are a lot of courts around here, which is convenient for me to play. I'll stay here."

Zhou Yanchuan wrung out the rag, his tone flat.

There are no extra rooms in the house.

P.S. (The author has a note!)

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like