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n133 Treat Me to a Meal

nA hearty laugh burbled from Guan Lei’s chest as he said, “You can’t know that. There are fish and shrimp; each has its means. I naturally have my way of making things happen. Believe me. It’s nothing illegal.”

nShen Xi decided to play along even though she had her doubts. She had long braced herself to be chased out, so what more did she need to fear?

nAs the exquisite dishes flew out of the kitchen and were laid out one at a time, Shen Xi grew curious and asked Guan Lei, “Tell me honestly. Who are you?”

nGuan Lei picked up a piece of fish and placed it in Shen Xi’s bowl. “I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell anyone else,” he whispered.

nShen Xi nodded enthusiastically.

n“I worked under Chef Wang for two months during the summer vacation. Chef Wang thought I was talented and begged me to be his disciple. That’s why he’s treating me so well now,” Guan Lei said.

nShen Xi eyed Guan Lei suspiciously. “Really? You came to Auspicious Dragon Hall to work during the summer vacation?”

nGuan Lei nodded and replied, “Yes, yes. Why would I lie to you? It’s a good opportunity to earn money during the summer vacation to lighten the burden on my family.”

nGuan Lei did not think he was spouting nonsense. He was merely… tweaking the truth. After all, he had worked hard over the summer break to earn money and lighten a certain burden.

nHe wanted to portray himself as a hard-working young man from a family situation similar to Shen Xi. In doing so, Guan Lei hoped to bridge the gap and build a closer relationship whereby Shen Xi would not feel inferior because of her family’s financial situation.

nMany of the dramas he had watched featured this approach, whether they were streamed or caught on television. A poor girl would bitterly hide her affections because she felt dating a rich young man was an impossible feat.

nGuan Lei did not want Shen Xi to suppress her feelings like they so often did in those dramas; it was too cruel! Hence, he had concocted this scheme to reassure Shen Xi and take away some of the pressure she felt.

nOn the other hand, Shen Xi was thoroughly amused by Guan Lei’s tall tales. She laughed in the depths of her heart. Did Guan Lei take her for a fool? Who was he kidding? Why would Chef Wang need to beg him to be his disciple?

nEver since Guan Lei beat up Xiang Cheng and came out unscathed in the aftermath, Shen Xi had started questioning his identity.

nXiang Cheng was a petty person who did not take his losses lying down. He would have sought revenge by now.

nIf Guan Lei wanted to play charades, Shen Xi would happily accompany him. Everyone has their secrets, and it was not her place to pry when it was so clearly a sensitive topic.

nBemused but not showing any lack of support, she said, “Is that so? Then you must have worked hard!”

nGuan Lei nodded vigorously. “It was not too bad. Hurry up and eat. The food is delicious.”

nDish after dish was pushed toward Shen Xi in a bid to change the topic. Guan Lei feared that if Shen Xi pressed further, she would soon riddle his fabricated story with holes faster than he could patch them up.

nShen Xi savoured her food; every motion seemed to carry infinite elegance and heavenly charm. It differed from how she had eaten the pork trotters earlier that day. Guan Lei decided this Shen Xi, who enjoyed her food, was much more pleasing to the eye.

nIt was his first time experiencing this feeling. Guan Lei never knew watching someone genuinely enjoy the food they were given could be so gratifying. He could even bear the thought of leaving Shen Xi’s side while she ate.

nThe memory of the kiss he stole resurfaced. Guan Lei could not help but touch his lips, reminiscing the sweet, seductive taste. He did not know when it began, but he laughed, a rich baritone warming their surroundings.

nShen Xi looked up in surprise. Guan Lei caught himself, having thought of something. He touched his mouth and stared at her, smiling like a fool.

n“Hey, Guan Lei?” Shen Xi called out to Guan Lei, who had wandered off into some strange fantasy.

n“Guan Lei!” Shen Xi raised her voice, the sound pulling Guan Lei back to reality.

n“Hmm…? What’s wrong?” Guan Lei looked at Shen Xi, not knowing what to do.

nShen Xi sniffed in disgust. “Why are you looking at me like that, and what’s wrong with your mouth? Did you bite it too?”

nHorror replaced confusion, and Guan Lei’s hand disappeared under the table as if burned. “I-I was wondering what other delicious treats there are here? D-don’t mind me…” He stuttered, his voice trailing off into silence.

nShen Xi quirked a brow incredulously. Was it just her, or was there something off about Guan Lei? “Oh? Have you thought of anything?”

nGuan Lei’s eyes burned seriously as he said, “Of course! I was thinking of Chef Wang’s special desserts. They’re delicious, and he doesn’t serve them to just anyone.”

nNo sooner had he finished speaking did he dash out of the private room as if the hounds of hell were chasing him.

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