Chapter 4 Dinner Party 1

Yinqi Qing reclined gracefully on the grass, basking in the gentle caress of the sunlight. A soft breeze tousled her hair, cascading over her delicately chiseled face. Sitting up, she smoothed the unruly strands from her forehead with a graceful gesture.

With arms crossed, Yinqi Qing's gaze was drawn to a towering tree nearby. Wasn't this the very spot where she sought solace in her sorrow years ago? She recalled the days when she would run to this refuge, yearning for her mother's embrace. She would hide among the branches, weeping for what felt like an eternity. It was Chen Mama who searched frantically for her, with Pei Yun bravely volunteering to accompany her. Pei Yun was the one who discovered her on the tree, but even with her bold climb, she lacked the courage to descend. It was Chen Mama who eventually carried her down. From that moment, her bond with Pei Yun grew stronger, and they made a pact to leave all troubles behind whenever they came here. To commemorate their friendship forged under this tree, Yinqi Qing tied a ribbon to its trunk. Since the arrival of "Lian Lian," she hadn't returned, wondering if Pei Yun had visited.

"Suddenly, the phrase 'the journey begins' carries such warmth. How cleverly it encapsulates our story..." Yinqi Qing glanced at her phone in resignation. Why did Pei Yun always seem to disrupt her moments of peace?

"Hey, Qiao qiao, is there something important you need to disturb me for?" Yinqi Qing's tone carried a hint of annoyance.

"Qing'er, must there be something important for me to reach out to you? Honestly, you always tug at my delicate heartstrings," Song Zhiqiao's voice softened from anger to a gentle murmur, her discomfort evident.

Startled by Song Zhiqiao's words, Yinqi Qing rose from her spot as if pricked by a thorn. Then, with unusual tenderness, she said, "Qiao qiao, what's the matter? Speak in your normal voice, please!"

"Hmm? Are you saying my voice is abnormal?"

"No, no, Qiao qiao, how could you think that? Please, tell me what's on your mind in a normal tone. I'll do my best to help!" Anyone familiar with Song Zhiqiao would recognize the tone as one of anger; this girl was not to be trifled with!

"Nothing major, just inviting you to dinner at Yun's place!" Song Zhiqiao said with a proud smile.

"Just dinner? Nothing else? And it's only us three, right?" Yinqi Qing arched an eyebrow, sensing trouble in Song Zhiqiao's tone.

"Ahh, I knew Qing'er is the smartest! Yes, Yun has a friend coming over tonight, and he wants to introduce you to him! Oh, you did promise me earlier, didn't you? You'll come, won't you? Alright then, see you tonight!" Song Zhiqiao muttered as she gazed at the phone, "Qing'er, I know you're reluctant, but for Qiao qiao's sake, could you make this small sacrifice?" She had promised Yun that Qing'er would come, after all.

"Qiao qiao, you..." Before she could finish, the call was disconnected. Yinqi Qing realized that Song Zhiqiao knew she disliked dining with strangers, especially men. Song Zhiqiao must have agreed to Pei Yun's request; she was a girl who placed great importance on her promises. Yinqi Qing shook her head with a smile.

Yinqi Qing called the shop, gave some instructions, and informed Maya that she and Qiao qiao might not be coming in today. She asked her to handle things with Xiao Gang and to call if anything came up.

"Ding dong."

"Yun, go answer the door. Qing'er must be here!" Song Zhiqiao, busy in the kitchen, heard the doorbell and urged Pei Yun happily.

"Qiao qiao, how do you know it's definitely Qing'er?" Pei Yun scratched his head, looking puzzled.

"Of course it's Qing'er. I know she hates seeing me tired, so she's come to help me. Besides, would your friend arrive this early?" Song Zhiqiao rolled her eyes playfully, feeling smug.

"As soon as I walked in, I heard you two quarreling. It's a true lovers' spat, isn't it? Right, Qiao qiao?" Pei Yun teased as he watched Song Zhiqiao bustling around.

"Qing'er, why do you tease me as soon as you arrive?" Song Zhiqiao blushed.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Look at your blushing face!" Yinqi Qing maintained a serious expression, but her words hinted at warmth. After changing her shoes, she strode purposefully towards the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Pei Yun, standing nearby with a smile, listened to the conversation between the two women. He and Song Zhiqiao treated Qing'er as if she were their own sister. Though their time together was short, he understood that she was a strong woman with hidden vulnerabilities. While everyone saw her strength, few witnessed her weaknesses. Pei Yun was grateful that Qiao qiao had such a good friend. After all, someone had once threatened him, saying if he dared mistreat Qiao qiao, he wouldn't have an easy time of it.

The cozy house exuded the aroma of delicious food, making Pei Yun, lounging on the sofa watching TV, feel content. Glancing at the clock, he muttered, "Leng Haoyu, why hasn't he arrived yet?" The doorbell rang again, "Speak of the devil and he appears!"

"Kid, why are you so early?" Pei Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, isn't it all thanks to you?" Leng Haoyu smirked, looking at Pei Yun with a mischievous grin. Then, noticing Pei Yun's confusion, he explained, "I forgot to bring your gift from abroad, only brought one for my sister-in-law, so I had to come back!"

Pei Yun gave Leng Haoyu a skeptical look. Was this intentional?

Leng Haoyu smiled benignly at Pei Yun, "How could I dare? No matter what, I wouldn't leave you out, right?"

Pei Yun accepted the gift from Leng Haoyu, placing it in the foyer.

After hearing the doorbell, Song Zhiqiao, out of politeness, stepped out of the kitchen to greet the guests. She found two men staring at each other in the living room, their eyes seemingly sparking with electricity. Rubbing her temples, she said, "What are you two doing standing in the living room? This gentleman here must be Mr. Leng, right? Yun has mentioned you. Please, have a seat!"

"So, you're the sister-in-law, huh? Don't stand on ceremony, just call me Yu!" Leng Haoyu flashed a trademark smile.

"Qiao qiao, call me Yu too!" Pei Yun, coming from the dining room, wrapped his arm around Song Zhiqiao

's waist affectionately and said.

"Sure, calling him Yu is fine!" Song Zhiqiao smiled faintly as she accepted the gift.

"Qiao qiao, why did you take so long to come out?" Song Zhiqiao held Yinqi Qing's hand.

Yinqi Qing, head bowed, slowly took a seat across from Leng Haoyu. Meanwhile, Leng Haoyu was engrossed in conversation with Pei Yun and didn't notice the new addition.

"I just went to the bathroom! Shall we eat?" Pei Yun saw Yinqi Qing already seated and said, "Qing'er, let me introduce you to a new friend, my best friend!" Pei Yun pointed to Leng Haoyu, "This is the new friend I want to introduce you to!"

"It's you..."

"It's you..."

Yinqi Qing and Leng Haoyu said in unison.

"You two know each other!" Song Zhiqiao asked curiously.

"We don't!..."

"We don't!..."

Both spoke simultaneously again, leaving Pei Yun and Song Zhiqiao amused and bewildered.