The first thing Yang Mujian noticed was how well Zhao Lifei could keep his grandson in control. He honestly couldn’t care less what happened to the insignificant flies reaching for gold. However, seeing Zhao Lifei’s effective way of maneuvering Yang Feng’s bloodthirst, gravely dismayed him.

  Fan Jielan made up her mind to have a thorough discussion with Zhao Lifei before the one she would have with her husband. Su Meixiu was a good girl who didn’t deserve the embarrassing predicament but she overstepped her boundaries just because someone offered her a hand to cross it. It was already clear who was in Yang Feng’s heart, yet Su Meixiu still had the decency to show up to this banquet.

  Yang Ruqin patted the seat beside her with a gigantic smile. She felt like a damsel being saved by her knight in shining armor. "Feifei, sit here. I have so much to talk to you about." Her eyes twinkled and reflected the light of the champagne-colored chandelier ceilings above her.

  There was no empty seat beside Zhao Lifei. The last empty chair was on the other side of Yang Ruqin.

  Yang Feng’s mood dampened.

  Yang Ruqin scooted to the empty chair on the other side of her, so that she was sitting directly beside her grandfather who didn’t mind the switch. Her face said it all. ’There, happy now?’


  Yang Feng decided not to send her back to the main mansion for a while. It seems she finally developed a brain.

  He guided Zhao Lifei to one of the chairs and pulled it out for her. She flashed him a thankful smile and sat down where he pushed it in for her. Then she realized something but it was already too late for Yang Feng had already plotted himself right between her and Yang Ruqin. No one was going to steal her attention tonight.

  Yang Ruqin was flabbergasted. She couldn’t believe her brother would do something like this! She had even deliberately moved, but her brother still forced her to maintain a distance with her Feifei! She tearfully turned to her mother, then to the shaking Yang Yulong who was struggling to hold back his laughter.

  Zhao Lifei sighed. She leaned closer to him, "Must you behave like this?" He responded by placing a hand on her thigh discreetly, squeezing it with a wolfish smirk. "Of course."

  "I like Qinqin’s company. She makes me feel comfortable."

  "I don’t make you feel comfortable?" Yang Feng’s mood switched on her. She gave his hand a gentle pat and resisted the urge to squeeze his cheek.

  "You do—"

  "Then what’s the problem?" He grasped her hand and held it underneath the table.

  Zhao Lifei wished her heart didn’t skip a beat like that. His tiny actions made her feel giddy and overly excited. She wanted to retort with a reply, but he stole the words from her mouth by placing a chastise kiss on her cheek. Her eyes fluttered shut before she knew it and his lips were gone the next second.

  "You can’t use my tricks against me." Her smile said otherwise. She wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk off of his face.

  "I believe I just did."

  "Well, it wasn’t effective." She lied. The butterflies in her stomach betrayed her. She hoped he didn’t see the flicker of adoration in her eyes.

  "Really now? I have other means." He cupped one side of her face, lovingly stroking the skin. "I tried to not do it here because you would dislike it."

  Her face heated at his words. She had perverted thoughts about what he would do to her. His smirk deepened. "My love, what are you thinking about?"

  "None of your concern." She snapped, turning her attention to the turquoise-rimmed, white porcelain platter in front of her. The linen cloth was folded into the shape of a resting lily.

  Yang Feng couldn’t stop smiling because of her tsundere behavior. She was so adorable, he wanted to just gobble her up. The waiters were finally serving the first course of their meal after Fan Jielan motioned for the start of the dinner. She had already given her speech, but it was during Yang Feng and Zhao Lifei’s small discussion in the hallways.

  "Alright, my dear. Whatever you say." He took the linen cloth and placed it on her lap for her. He smoothed the creases and ensured it covered moderate amounts of her dress.

  Wine and champagne were the main drinks at tonight’s celebration. He did not like that. When the drink staff came forward, he turned the man away with a scathing glare for offering a glass of wine to Zhao Lifei.

  "I was going to tell him what I wanted to drink."

  "You will not be drinking alcohol."

  "Says the one with a glass of wine." She huffed, turning to her first dish of the day. It was peeled shrimps that were cooked on a hotbed of coarse, pink Himalayan salt with bay leaves, rosemary, and lemon zest. It rested upon a layer of creamy sauce made from toasted pine nuts, creme fraiche, lemon, and crushed pistachios. Underneath it was shaved salad toasted in olive oil and vinegar to add a tartness that would balance the meal.

  He leaned closer to her, "You can have a taste from my lips." Her face turned as pink as the perfectly cooked shrimp.

  "Shut up."

  "I thought you wanted some wine?"

  "How about I beat you like a grape?" She picked up the salad knife and fork.

  "I can give you something else to—"

  "Don’t you dare finish that sentence." Her face was becoming as red as the beets being served in the next course.

  "—to drink." He concluded, flashing her an overly confident smirk. "For example, fruit juices or kombucha." She sputtered over what else to say and ended up glaring a hole into her plate. "What else did you think I was going to say?"

  "Shut up and eat your food. It’s getting cold."

  "It’s a salad. It’s supposed to be cold." He cheekily said. This childish argument of theirs brightened his entire mood. Seeing her flustered and irritated was such an amusing sight. He had already finished his meal by the time she was beginning with hers.

  "Keep on going and I’ll have you enjoy a cold shower tonight." She sliced through the shrimp in an even clean cut. He unintentionally winced a bit, though it was barely noticeable.

  "Only if you will take it with me." A waiter passed by them and Yang Feng instructed him to bring a cold glass of Densuke watermelon juice.

  Zhao Lifei knew the longer she argued back with him, the longer this banter would go. It was a losing fight, so she stopped replying to him and focused on the dish instead. He did not like her fleeing attention. She jolted and nearly dropped her utensils when he placed a hand inches away from her womanhood. Because of how close they sat, no one could see his compromising hand.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Hm, what do you mean?" He was hoping for a frantic reaction. She was too composed for his liking. He liked how fast she jumped, but not how fast she calmed down right afterward.

  "I’m trying to eat."

  "Me too." His hooded eyes landed on her lips, then he briefly looked down, and returned to her eyes.

  Zhao Lifei’s face could not get any redder. His bluntness was too much for her to handle and she raised the small, white flag by setting down her utensils. "Later." She whispered to him, her words whisking him straight to the heavens whereupon he landed on cloud nine.