The Long Road Ahead

Liuli Xuan room turned out to be a private room.

Xiao Ning never knew Shan Haiming before, and Wang Hua did once tell him Shan Haiming had acted recklessly for a time. But right at that moment he felt as if a piece of cotton was stuck in his heart, as if a painting he had always admired was recklessly demeaned by someone, ad the artist of the work had no way to defend themselves.

Shan Haiming backhandedly held onto Xiao Ning's hand which had yet to be retrieved, his gaze turning to him as he replied, "Because a certain someone has quite a temper."

Aunt?

The place was completely different from the Jinge restaurant (Brocade Pavilion), the décor was quite classical, and the detailing was gorgeous, giving the feel of a exquisitely ornate structure. The twisting veranda was clearly inspired by Suzhou styled gardens[1]. It's as if a realm of little rivers flowing under little bridges was carved out in the most expensive part of the heart of the city.

Xiao Ning said nothing further, after all, he didn't want to appear too stingy as he was currently representing Shan Haiming's face. "What would Mr Shan and Ye Zixin like to eat?"

Xiao Ning never knew Shan Haiming before, and Wang Hua did once tell him Shan Haiming had acted recklessly for a time. But right at that moment he felt as if a piece of cotton was stuck in his heart, as if a painting he had always admired was recklessly demeaned by someone, ad the artist of the work had no way to defend themselves.

"Zixin," Shan Haiming leaned back, laziness in his appearance as he continued, "you don't need to say anything in my aid. What my brother said is true."

He then thought it over seriously, adding the dagger, "It should be my brother who said that."

The waitress knocked on that door, and from the inside another waitress dressed the same as her had opened it.

It looks like they only serve high-end people here.

That word caught Xiao Ning's attention.

Shan Haiming nodded knowingly then said, "Waiter, the menu."

Xiao Ning feels that the only person in that room who can resonate with him was most like the waiter. Like, what the heck is this?

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

When he lifted his eyes, Ye Zixin's smiling face was frozen stiff, a borderline look of panic in her eyes as she sated at him.

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

Xiao Ning followed Shan Haiming wordlessly, as they were led to the door of a private room by a waitress wearing a qipao[2], the name plate on the door, one carved in wood, reading: Liuli Xuan.

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

What a disaster...

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

Not only had Shan Haiming still not release Xiao Ning's hand, he also rocked it forwards and back. And since Xiao Ning had no way to hold out, he could only pull in that direction in return.

Suzhou styled gardens are tradition Chinese gardens that follow the Suzhou architectural styling that mirrors natural landscapes but scaled down, bridges and water sources are a common feature. [] Pic says a thousand words. boo1 [] 冰糖燕窝炖雪蛤: lit. rock sugar & bird's nest boiled hashima. It can be sweet or savoury dish (the one below is sweet obviously). But here's the explanation for the ingredients (the ones no regular person could afford when emperors were a thing). Hashima (hasma) is the fatty tissues extracted near the fallopian tissues of frogs (don't you dare make a face, especially if you eat stuff with gelatin) anyhow, it's dried and when you soak and cook it, it becomes white and gelatinous and takes on the flavour of what you cook it in because it has none of its own (like the bird nest). It's thought to have health benefits (just like the birds nest), and is used in TCM. Bird's nest is the prized saliva-ish nest made by swiftlets (a bird species), it's gelatinous in texture when cooked too, it turns clear if it's the white kind. Pic below. boo2

The waitress knocked on that door, and from the inside another waitress dressed the same as her had opened it.

Never expecting Shan Haiming would take hold of his hand, Xiao Ning pulled it a bit, but it it didn't pull out. Right then he had no intention of pulling the rug out from under Shan Haiming, so instead he thought that guy was just performing as he pleased, and doing so was just fine. "Nope! I think it'll be better for Shan-shao to take me along to see the impressive sights so we can see them together. I can come to gain an appreciation for taste of such sightsT/n: The word that means, sights/scenery/lanscapes/ is also the same word Xiao Ning used to call Shan Haiming's messing about "impressive". So he's repeating it to seem annoyed.."

"Haiming!"

The place was completely different from the Jinge restaurant (Brocade Pavilion), the décor was quite classical, and the detailing was gorgeous, giving the feel of a exquisitely ornate structure. The twisting veranda was clearly inspired by Suzhou styled gardens. It's as if a realm of little rivers flowing under little bridges was carved out in the most expensive part of the heart of the city.

The round table they were at was able to seat ten, and Ye Zixing and Shan Haihong sat on one end, while Shan Haiming sat opposite them, with Xiao Ning naturally taken his seat next to him.

N/A

Xiao Ning followed the direction of the voice sounding much like a yellow oriole to meet a beautiful girl looking their way, her dark pearl-like eyes shining joyfully.

"Naturally, I did." Xiao Ning replied confidently. "Even though I was a little apprehensive of Haiming in the beginning, afterwards, I realised it was only his mouth that was not easy to deal with at all."

Xiao Ning feels that the only person in that room who can resonate with him was most like the waiter. Like, what the heck is this?

"Fine. I know you're busy." Ye Zixin exposed a proper smile, a bit of her 'Ms Perfect' reservedness peeking through her words. "Haiming, why are sitting so far away? It's been so long since we last saw each other, so you acting so distant will make a person feel sad."

Xiao Ning followed the direction of the voice sounding much like a yellow oriole to meet a beautiful girl looking their way, her dark pearl-like eyes shining joyfully.

The waitress then handed over a menu resembling a high-end photo studio's photo album. Shan Haiming then waved his hand. "Give it to him."

Shan Haiming lifted his gaze towards her. "Zixin, long time no see. Why did you come to the country?"

Shan Haiming backhandedly held onto Xiao Ning's hand which had yet to be retrieved, his gaze turning to him as he replied, "Because a certain someone has quite a temper."

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

He was talking directly to Ye Zixin in the end, but her pretty and white, face appeared to have given no reaction.

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

The two then took their seats one after the other. The waitress coming forward to arrange their bowls and chopsticks as well as pouring them both water and tea. Her movements were quiet, fluid and carrying an immense amount of grace. When she had completed all her tasks, she again returned to her former position in silence.

His attitude was far from cold, but in comparison to the girl's, it was frosty. The girl was a bit dispirited, but nonetheless still quite happy.

After he spoke, he went straight out the door of the private room, taking his coat from the waitress before walking out without looking back.

What a disaster...

A Pretty Good Performance

Shan Haihong then spoke again. "Seriously, when I first heard it I was beyond shocked! Even though Haiming was fond of messing around before, I never heard about him having a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend."

Xiao Ning followed Shan Haiming wordlessly, as they were led to the door of a private room by a waitress wearing a qipao, the name plate on the door, one carved in wood, reading: Liuli Xuan.

Zexin, Xiao Ning remembered seeing the name on Shan Haiming's phone at some point earlier, filling the entirety in himself.

"Is there anything either of you dislike eating?" while he asked this, Xiao Ning flipped open the hard menu cover. It was just as he had guessed, the prices listed at that place was beyond the range of affordability for his class. The only thing listed with a double digit price point was the white rice.

"Zixin!" Shan Haihong stood while looking at Shan Haiming reproachfully. "Haiming, you know Zixin likes you. She even happily left her studies in France to come here and marry you this time. You went too far treating her like this."

"Looks like you were pretty impressive before, huh? I never expected that, I never expected it at all." Xiao Ning then said to Shan Haiming in jest, "So how come you're so respectable now?"

Xiao Ning said nothing further, after all, he didn't want to appear too stingy as he was currently representing Shan Haiming's face. "What would Mr Shan and Ye Zixin like to eat?"

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

Is this Ye Zixin?

Xiao Ning took the menu, but he did not open it. "How about letting Mr Shan do the honours?"

"Fine. I know you're busy." Ye Zixin exposed a proper smile, a bit of her 'Ms Perfect' reservedness peeking through her words. "Haiming, why are sitting so far away? It's been so long since we last saw each other, so you acting so distant will make a person feel sad."

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

Is this Ye Zixin?

The three seemed to have a tacit agreement between then to act as if nothing was just witnessed, as Shan Haihong then asked, "So when and how did you and Haiming get to know one another, Xiao Ning?"

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar for each of us."

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

Shan Haihong lifted his brows, his smile not diminished in the least. "Of the two of you, who chased who?"

Suzhou styled gardens are tradition Chinese gardens that follow the Suzhou architectural styling that mirrors natural landscapes but scaled down, bridges and water sources are a common feature. [] Pic says a thousand words. boo1 [] 冰糖燕窝炖雪蛤: lit. rock sugar & bird's nest boiled hashima. It can be sweet or savoury dish (the one below is sweet obviously). But here's the explanation for the ingredients (the ones no regular person could afford when emperors were a thing). Hashima (hasma) is the fatty tissues extracted near the fallopian tissues of frogs (don't you dare make a face, especially if you eat stuff with gelatin) anyhow, it's dried and when you soak and cook it, it becomes white and gelatinous and takes on the flavour of what you cook it in because it has none of its own (like the bird nest). It's thought to have health benefits (just like the birds nest), and is used in TCM. Bird's nest is the prized saliva-ish nest made by swiftlets (a bird species), it's gelatinous in texture when cooked too, it turns clear if it's the white kind. Pic below. boo2

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

After a long period of silence,Ye Zixin stood up. "Pardon me but I feel a bit unwell all of a sudden, so I'll be leaving first. You guys can enjoy your meal."

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

Xiao Ning held back his urge to frown. What was he saying? What do you mean 'messing around'? What do mean 'never had a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend'? Leaving aside whether everyone here is more or less familiar with one another, if someone says such things in front of other abut their younger brother, is that older brother cracked in the head or just doing it with intention?

One was Shan Haihong, and the other was Shan Haiming. Those two brothers of the Shan family were simply.... Xiao Ning just wanted to hold his forehead and not watch that upsetting scene.

Shan Haiming nodded knowingly then said, "Waiter, the menu."

Shan Haiming lifted his gaze towards her. "Zixin, long time no see. Why did you come to the country?"

Shan Haiming backhandedly held onto Xiao Ning's hand which had yet to be retrieved, his gaze turning to him as he replied, "Because a certain someone has quite a temper."

Not only had Shan Haiming still not release Xiao Ning's hand, he also rocked it forwards and back. And since Xiao Ning had no way to hold out, he could only pull in that direction in return.

Shan Haihong: "I'm fine with anything, and Zexin likes to eat mushrooms."

That man sent a polite smile to Xiao Ning, who sent him a small one in return. "Mr Shan."

Shan Haihong: "I'm fine with anything, and Zexin likes to eat mushrooms."

Ye Zixin said nothing.

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

Shan Haihong turned to look at her, perfectly surprised. "Zixin?"

Shan Haiming played with his emerald cup of tea, soon noticing Xiao Ning was staring at him with pursed lips, and so tilted his head while asking, "What?"

The two then took their seats one after the other. The waitress coming forward to arrange their bowls and chopsticks as well as pouring them both water and tea. Her movements were quiet, fluid and carrying an immense amount of grace. When she had completed all her tasks, she again returned to her former position in silence.

Xiao Ning feels that the only person in that room who can resonate with him was most like the waiter. Like, what the heck is this?

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

Despite the others being unable to see it, from the movement of their shoulders it was quite clear what was happening outside their line of sight. Ye Zixin suddenly cried out, "I don't believe it."

"Fine. I know you're busy." Ye Zixin exposed a proper smile, a bit of her 'Ms Perfect' reservedness peeking through her words. "Haiming, why are sitting so far away? It's been so long since we last saw each other, so you acting so distant will make a person feel sad."

The three seemed to have a tacit agreement between then to act as if nothing was just witnessed, as Shan Haihong then asked, "So when and how did you and Haiming get to know one another, Xiao Ning?"

The round table they were at was able to seat ten, and Ye Zixing and Shan Haihong sat on one end, while Shan Haiming sat opposite them, with Xiao Ning naturally taken his seat next to him.

Aunt?

Although he said those words while wearing no particular expression, Xiao Ning suddenly felt rather hurt. He had no idea what the reason behind it was, but this was Shan Haiming.

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

Shan Haiming nodded knowingly then said, "Waiter, the menu."

A Pretty Good Performance

If it were Xiao Ning, he would be more than soft-hearted enough to say at least a few words. Why hurt someone that much? But, not only is Shan Haiming the main character, he is also the director. So if he needs a "doesn't matter, don't care", you just have to swallow it all back and coordinate with Director Shan.

—Crash!

Xiao Ning never knew Shan Haiming before, and Wang Hua did once tell him Shan Haiming had acted recklessly for a time. But right at that moment he felt as if a piece of cotton was stuck in his heart, as if a painting he had always admired was recklessly demeaned by someone, ad the artist of the work had no way to defend themselves.

Saying this, she then made her way out the room without looking back.

Letting out a long-winded relived sigh, Xiao Ning withdrew his complicated gaze, lamenting as he replied, "Nothing. I was only thinking of all the bags I have to pack tonight."

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

Shan Haihong paused momentarily. "Lets discuss this some other time, alright? And, Zixin's opinion's should be respected at least. Besides..."

Xiao Ning followed the direction of the voice sounding much like a yellow oriole to meet a beautiful girl looking their way, her dark pearl-like eyes shining joyfully.

What a disaster...

When he lifted his eyes, Ye Zixin's smiling face was frozen stiff, a borderline look of panic in her eyes as she sated at him.

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

Proving himself to be his brother, Shan Haihong was still able to smile normally as he replied, "No, not yet. Weren't we waiting for you guys to get here?"

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

One was Shan Haihong, and the other was Shan Haiming. Those two brothers of the Shan family were simply.... Xiao Ning just wanted to hold his forehead and not watch that upsetting scene.

He turned his gaze from Shan Haiming to Xiao Ning, sighing. "It's also a good thing you're planning on settling down. Dad and Aunt will be happy to know that. When are you planning to tell them?"

"Understood." The waitress recorded all the orders on her tablet then retrieved the menu.

He was talking directly to Ye Zixin in the end, but her pretty and white, face appeared to have given no reaction.

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

Xiao Ning's reaction wasn't as quick as Shan Haiming's, so when he ws pinched, he couldn't stop the blush which erupted on his face. Shan Haiming again turned towards the two people at the opposite side of the table. "Can you do me a favour, bro? Can you not mention things like that in the future? As you can see, it's a jar of vinegarT/n: it's just a way of saying jealousy. you knocked over I have to go clean up."

Shan Haiming nodded knowingly then said, "Waiter, the menu."

"Zixin," Shan Haiming leaned back, laziness in his appearance as he continued, "you don't need to say anything in my aid. What my brother said is true."

The waitress then handed over a menu resembling a high-end photo studio's photo album. Shan Haiming then waved his hand. "Give it to him."

One was Shan Haihong, and the other was Shan Haiming. Those two brothers of the Shan family were simply.... Xiao Ning just wanted to hold his forehead and not watch that upsetting scene.

The waitress did as instructed, handing a menu to Xiao Ning.

Shan Haihong turned to look at her, perfectly surprised. "Zixin?"

Xiao Ning took the menu, but he did not open it. "How about letting Mr Shan do the honours?"

Ye Zixin's face grew paler, to where even the makeup she wore couldn't hide it.

Xiao Ning took the menu, but he did not open it. "How about letting Mr Shan do the honours?"

Suzhou styled gardens are tradition Chinese gardens that follow the Suzhou architectural styling that mirrors natural landscapes but scaled down, bridges and water sources are a common feature. [] Pic says a thousand words. boo1 [] 冰糖燕窝炖雪蛤: lit. rock sugar & bird's nest boiled hashima. It can be sweet or savoury dish (the one below is sweet obviously). But here's the explanation for the ingredients (the ones no regular person could afford when emperors were a thing). Hashima (hasma) is the fatty tissues extracted near the fallopian tissues of frogs (don't you dare make a face, especially if you eat stuff with gelatin) anyhow, it's dried and when you soak and cook it, it becomes white and gelatinous and takes on the flavour of what you cook it in because it has none of its own (like the bird nest). It's thought to have health benefits (just like the birds nest), and is used in TCM. Bird's nest is the prized saliva-ish nest made by swiftlets (a bird species), it's gelatinous in texture when cooked too, it turns clear if it's the white kind. Pic below. boo2

After he spoke, he went straight out the door of the private room, taking his coat from the waitress before walking out without looking back.

"Um, no can do." Shan Haiming then turned to look at Xiao Ning. "I don't wish for my lover to have any misunderstandings."

Saying this, she then made her way out the room without looking back.

"Looks like you were pretty impressive before, huh? I never expected that, I never expected it at all." Xiao Ning then said to Shan Haiming in jest, "So how come you're so respectable now?"

Shan Haihong indicated it was all right, "No, you can order. I heard Haiming mention it before, but I never expected you worked at Rihua. This really is a work of fate."

Ye Zixin gasped, her voice small, reduced to sporadic sobs. Shan Haihong leaned over to her worriedly, his face etched with pure concern. "Zixin, are you alright?"

Xiao Ning said nothing further, after all, he didn't want to appear too stingy as he was currently representing Shan Haiming's face. "What would Mr Shan and Ye Zixin like to eat?"

Despite the others being unable to see it, from the movement of their shoulders it was quite clear what was happening outside their line of sight. Ye Zixin suddenly cried out, "I don't believe it."

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.

"Zixin!" Shan Haihong stood while looking at Shan Haiming reproachfully. "Haiming, you know Zixin likes you. She even happily left her studies in France to come here and marry you this time. You went too far treating her like this."

Ye Zixin said nothing.

The waitress did as instructed, handing a menu to Xiao Ning.

Shan Haihong: "I'm fine with anything, and Zexin likes to eat mushrooms."

As she stared at Shan Haiming with a tightened gaze, Ye Zixin tried her best to suppress her emotions, and the curvature of her lips as if formed from a great number of repeated practice, did not fail at this moment either. "Haiming, may I say a few words with you in private?"

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

Is this Ye Zixin?

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

The waitress then handed over a menu resembling a high-end photo studio's photo album. Shan Haiming then waved his hand. "Give it to him."

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

"Is there anything either of you dislike eating?" while he asked this, Xiao Ning flipped open the hard menu cover. It was just as he had guessed, the prices listed at that place was beyond the range of affordability for his class. The only thing listed with a double digit price point was the white rice.

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

The round table they were at was able to seat ten, and Ye Zixing and Shan Haihong sat on one end, while Shan Haiming sat opposite them, with Xiao Ning naturally taken his seat next to him.

He was talking directly to Ye Zixin in the end, but her pretty and white, face appeared to have given no reaction.

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

The atmosphere around the table was strange, but Xiao Ning could only ignore it. According to Shan Haihong's requirements, he order some suitable dishes, and according to experience when he had eaten with Shan Haiming last, he ordered the shrimp and crab.

But Shan Haiming only asked strangely, "I said something like that? You must have remembered wrongly, no?"

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

Shan Haihong then spoke again. "Seriously, when I first heard it I was beyond shocked! Even though Haiming was fond of messing around before, I never heard about him having a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend."

Suzhou styled gardens are tradition Chinese gardens that follow the Suzhou architectural styling that mirrors natural landscapes but scaled down, bridges and water sources are a common feature. [] Pic says a thousand words. boo1 [] 冰糖燕窝炖雪蛤: lit. rock sugar & bird's nest boiled hashima. It can be sweet or savoury dish (the one below is sweet obviously). But here's the explanation for the ingredients (the ones no regular person could afford when emperors were a thing). Hashima (hasma) is the fatty tissues extracted near the fallopian tissues of frogs (don't you dare make a face, especially if you eat stuff with gelatin) anyhow, it's dried and when you soak and cook it, it becomes white and gelatinous and takes on the flavour of what you cook it in because it has none of its own (like the bird nest). It's thought to have health benefits (just like the birds nest), and is used in TCM. Bird's nest is the prized saliva-ish nest made by swiftlets (a bird species), it's gelatinous in texture when cooked too, it turns clear if it's the white kind. Pic below. boo2

Proving himself to be his brother, Shan Haihong was still able to smile normally as he replied, "No, not yet. Weren't we waiting for you guys to get here?"

If it were Xiao Ning, he would be more than soft-hearted enough to say at least a few words. Why hurt someone that much? But, not only is Shan Haiming the main character, he is also the director. So if he needs a "doesn't matter, don't care", you just have to swallow it all back and coordinate with Director Shan.

Never expecting Shan Haiming would take hold of his hand, Xiao Ning pulled it a bit, but it it didn't pull out. Right then he had no intention of pulling the rug out from under Shan Haiming, so instead he thought that guy was just performing as he pleased, and doing so was just fine. "Nope! I think it'll be better for Shan-shao to take me along to see the impressive sights so we can see them together. I can come to gain an appreciation for taste of such sightsT/n: The word that means, sights/scenery/lanscapes/ is also the same word Xiao Ning used to call Shan Haiming's messing about "impressive". So he's repeating it to seem annoyed.."

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

Xiao Ning's reaction wasn't as quick as Shan Haiming's, so when he ws pinched, he couldn't stop the blush which erupted on his face. Shan Haiming again turned towards the two people at the opposite side of the table. "Can you do me a favour, bro? Can you not mention things like that in the future? As you can see, it's a jar of vinegarT/n: it's just a way of saying jealousy. you knocked over I have to go clean up."

Xiao Ning held back his urge to frown. What was he saying? What do you mean 'messing around'? What do mean 'never had a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend'? Leaving aside whether everyone here is more or less familiar with one another, if someone says such things in front of other abut their younger brother, is that older brother cracked in the head or just doing it with intention?

There was nothing Xiao Ning failed at understanding now. That girl had clearly fancied Shan Haiming.

Xiao Ning held back his urge to frown. What was he saying? What do you mean 'messing around'? What do mean 'never had a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend'? Leaving aside whether everyone here is more or less familiar with one another, if someone says such things in front of other abut their younger brother, is that older brother cracked in the head or just doing it with intention?

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

Propping his chin on his hand, Shan Haiming stared directly at Xiao Ning as he ordered. Seeing him ready to close the menu, he said, "Order some more dishes you like. Oh, and the bird's nest and hashima stew here is pretty good, order that too."

If it were Xiao Ning, he would be more than soft-hearted enough to say at least a few words. Why hurt someone that much? But, not only is Shan Haiming the main character, he is also the director. So if he needs a "doesn't matter, don't care", you just have to swallow it all back and coordinate with Director Shan.

"Understood." The waitress recorded all the orders on her tablet then retrieved the menu.

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar[3] for each of us."

"Um, no can do." Shan Haiming then turned to look at Xiao Ning. "I don't wish for my lover to have any misunderstandings."

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

"Understood." The waitress recorded all the orders on her tablet then retrieved the menu.

So, catching a glimpse of Shan Haiming's hand hanging at his side, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out his own to pat it gently.

Shan Haiming nodded knowingly then said, "Waiter, the menu."

Xiao Ning said nothing further, after all, he didn't want to appear too stingy as he was currently representing Shan Haiming's face. "What would Mr Shan and Ye Zixin like to eat?"

Shan Haihong then spoke again. "Seriously, when I first heard it I was beyond shocked! Even though Haiming was fond of messing around before, I never heard about him having a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend."

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar for each of us."

But Shan Haiming only asked strangely, "I said something like that? You must have remembered wrongly, no?"

"Understood." The waitress recorded all the orders on her tablet then retrieved the menu.

Shan Haihong turned to look at her, perfectly surprised. "Zixin?"

Ye Zixin, just then, said in a voice sounding rather unnatural, "Haihong, it's not nice to say these things about Haiming. Don't pay any mind to what other people say. Don't we know the kind of person Haiming really is?"

Never expecting Shan Haiming would take hold of his hand, Xiao Ning pulled it a bit, but it it didn't pull out. Right then he had no intention of pulling the rug out from under Shan Haiming, so instead he thought that guy was just performing as he pleased, and doing so was just fine. "Nope! I think it'll be better for Shan-shao to take me along to see the impressive sights so we can see them together. I can come to gain an appreciation for taste of such sightsT/n: The word that means, sights/scenery/lanscapes/ is also the same word Xiao Ning used to call Shan Haiming's messing about "impressive". So he's repeating it to seem annoyed.."

Zexin, Xiao Ning remembered seeing the name on Shan Haiming's phone at some point earlier, filling the entirety in himself.

Xiao Ning held back his urge to frown. What was he saying? What do you mean 'messing around'? What do mean 'never had a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend'? Leaving aside whether everyone here is more or less familiar with one another, if someone says such things in front of other abut their younger brother, is that older brother cracked in the head or just doing it with intention?

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

Proving himself to be his brother, Shan Haihong was still able to smile normally as he replied, "No, not yet. Weren't we waiting for you guys to get here?"

Is this Ye Zixin?

Xiao Ning gazed to his side from the corner of his eye. Shan Haiming's face doesn't seem to have changed.

N/A

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

After a long period of silence,Ye Zixin stood up. "Pardon me but I feel a bit unwell all of a sudden, so I'll be leaving first. You guys can enjoy your meal."

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

Xiao Ning's reaction wasn't as quick as Shan Haiming's, so when he ws pinched, he couldn't stop the blush which erupted on his face. Shan Haiming again turned towards the two people at the opposite side of the table. "Can you do me a favour, bro? Can you not mention things like that in the future? As you can see, it's a jar of vinegarT/n: it's just a way of saying jealousy. you knocked over I have to go clean up."

Xiao Ning took the menu, but he did not open it. "How about letting Mr Shan do the honours?"

The two then took their seats one after the other. The waitress coming forward to arrange their bowls and chopsticks as well as pouring them both water and tea. Her movements were quiet, fluid and carrying an immense amount of grace. When she had completed all her tasks, she again returned to her former position in silence.

Ye Zixin, just then, said in a voice sounding rather unnatural, "Haihong, it's not nice to say these things about Haiming. Don't pay any mind to what other people say. Don't we know the kind of person Haiming really is?"

Saying this, she then made her way out the room without looking back.

"Zixin," Shan Haiming leaned back, laziness in his appearance as he continued, "you don't need to say anything in my aid. What my brother said is true."

Letting out a long-winded relived sigh, Xiao Ning withdrew his complicated gaze, lamenting as he replied, "Nothing. I was only thinking of all the bags I have to pack tonight."

Her timber as she spoke these words was both high and low, the kind of rhythm people would find rather charming. That sort of look and bearing could only be regarded as that of a girl's, as at that time, she couldn't mask her voice, making it difficult for Xiao Ning, this stranger, to steal his heart from the hurt.

Is this Ye Zixin?

"Looks like you were pretty impressive before, huh? I never expected that, I never expected it at all." Xiao Ning then said to Shan Haiming in jest, "So how come you're so respectable now?"

Ye Zixin's gaze refocused gradually, the slowly squared itself on Xiao Ning's face.

Xiao Ning held back his urge to frown. What was he saying? What do you mean 'messing around'? What do mean 'never had a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend'? Leaving aside whether everyone here is more or less familiar with one another, if someone says such things in front of other abut their younger brother, is that older brother cracked in the head or just doing it with intention?

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

Although he said those words while wearing no particular expression, Xiao Ning suddenly felt rather hurt. He had no idea what the reason behind it was, but this was Shan Haiming.

The atmosphere around the table was strange, but Xiao Ning could only ignore it. According to Shan Haihong's requirements, he order some suitable dishes, and according to experience when he had eaten with Shan Haiming last, he ordered the shrimp and crab.

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

Proving himself to be his brother, Shan Haihong was still able to smile normally as he replied, "No, not yet. Weren't we waiting for you guys to get here?"

Xiao Ning never knew Shan Haiming before, and Wang Hua did once tell him Shan Haiming had acted recklessly for a time. But right at that moment he felt as if a piece of cotton was stuck in his heart, as if a painting he had always admired was recklessly demeaned by someone, ad the artist of the work had no way to defend themselves.

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

"So what if I know?" Shan Haiming replied without care, adding, "Do I have to be responsible for her just because she likes me? I have a lot of people I have to be responsible for, then. Besides, it's not her marriage with me, but one between the Ye family and the Shan family. Dad and Uncle Ye have already agreed to it, so don't act like you already don't know. Anyhow, as long as it's one of dad's sons, it's fine whether it's you or me, right? Or do you hate her or something?"

The atmosphere around the table was strange, but Xiao Ning could only ignore it. According to Shan Haihong's requirements, he order some suitable dishes, and according to experience when he had eaten with Shan Haiming last, he ordered the shrimp and crab.

As she stared at Shan Haiming with a tightened gaze, Ye Zixin tried her best to suppress her emotions, and the curvature of her lips as if formed from a great number of repeated practice, did not fail at this moment either. "Haiming, may I say a few words with you in private?"

Liuli Xuan room turned out to be a private room.

So, catching a glimpse of Shan Haiming's hand hanging at his side, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out his own to pat it gently.

"So what if I know?" Shan Haiming replied without care, adding, "Do I have to be responsible for her just because she likes me? I have a lot of people I have to be responsible for, then. Besides, it's not her marriage with me, but one between the Ye family and the Shan family. Dad and Uncle Ye have already agreed to it, so don't act like you already don't know. Anyhow, as long as it's one of dad's sons, it's fine whether it's you or me, right? Or do you hate her or something?"

He then thought it over seriously, adding the dagger, "It should be my brother who said that."

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

Shan Haiming was stunned, but soon recovered himself and relaxed.

Not only had Shan Haiming still not release Xiao Ning's hand, he also rocked it forwards and back. And since Xiao Ning had no way to hold out, he could only pull in that direction in return.

"Looks like you were pretty impressive before, huh? I never expected that, I never expected it at all." Xiao Ning then said to Shan Haiming in jest, "So how come you're so respectable now?"

Zexin, Xiao Ning remembered seeing the name on Shan Haiming's phone at some point earlier, filling the entirety in himself.

Shan Haiming backhandedly held onto Xiao Ning's hand which had yet to be retrieved, his gaze turning to him as he replied, "Because a certain someone has quite a temper."

Although he said those words while wearing no particular expression, Xiao Ning suddenly felt rather hurt. He had no idea what the reason behind it was, but this was Shan Haiming.

Never expecting Shan Haiming would take hold of his hand, Xiao Ning pulled it a bit, but it it didn't pull out. Right then he had no intention of pulling the rug out from under Shan Haiming, so instead he thought that guy was just performing as he pleased, and doing so was just fine. "Nope! I think it'll be better for Shan-shao to take me along to see the impressive sights so we can see them together. I can come to gain an appreciation for taste of such sightsT/n: The word that means, sights/scenery/lanscapes/ is also the same word Xiao Ning used to call Shan Haiming's messing about "impressive". So he's repeating it to seem annoyed.."

Proving himself to be his brother, Shan Haihong was still able to smile normally as he replied, "No, not yet. Weren't we waiting for you guys to get here?"

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

If it were Xiao Ning, he would be more than soft-hearted enough to say at least a few words. Why hurt someone that much? But, not only is Shan Haiming the main character, he is also the director. So if he needs a "doesn't matter, don't care", you just have to swallow it all back and coordinate with Director Shan.

Propping his chin on his hand, Shan Haiming stared directly at Xiao Ning as he ordered. Seeing him ready to close the menu, he said, "Order some more dishes you like. Oh, and the bird's nest and hashima stew here is pretty good, order that too."

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

"You really want to?" Because of Xiao Ning's sarcastic tone, Shan Haiming let out a teasing smile, turning his body then used his other hand to pinch Xiao Ning's cheek while a grin framed on his handsome face. "Don't you dare."

What a disaster...

"Is there anything either of you dislike eating?" while he asked this, Xiao Ning flipped open the hard menu cover. It was just as he had guessed, the prices listed at that place was beyond the range of affordability for his class. The only thing listed with a double digit price point was the white rice.

A Pretty Good Performance

It looks like they only serve high-end people here.

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

Xiao Ning's reaction wasn't as quick as Shan Haiming's, so when he ws pinched, he couldn't stop the blush which erupted on his face. Shan Haiming again turned towards the two people at the opposite side of the table. "Can you do me a favour, bro? Can you not mention things like that in the future? As you can see, it's a jar of vinegarT/n: it's just a way of saying jealousy. you knocked over I have to go clean up."

He was talking directly to Ye Zixin in the end, but her pretty and white, face appeared to have given no reaction.

"Zixin," Shan Haiming leaned back, laziness in his appearance as he continued, "you don't need to say anything in my aid. What my brother said is true."

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

"You really want to?" Because of Xiao Ning's sarcastic tone, Shan Haiming let out a teasing smile, turning his body then used his other hand to pinch Xiao Ning's cheek while a grin framed on his handsome face. "Don't you dare."

Xiao Ning feels that the only person in that room who can resonate with him was most like the waiter. Like, what the heck is this?

Shan Haihong coughed a few times to hide his hard to miss smile. "Sorry, I won't mention it again. Xiao Ning, the Haiming with you right now is very good. You don't need to worry about it."

Is this Ye Zixin?

—Crash!

Xiao Ning followed Shan Haiming wordlessly, as they were led to the door of a private room by a waitress wearing a qipao, the name plate on the door, one carved in wood, reading: Liuli Xuan.

Although he said those words while wearing no particular expression, Xiao Ning suddenly felt rather hurt. He had no idea what the reason behind it was, but this was Shan Haiming.

—Crash!

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

So, catching a glimpse of Shan Haiming's hand hanging at his side, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out his own to pat it gently.

The sharp clatter of broken dishes rang out as Ye Zixin swept all the tableware in front of her onto the floor. She remained still in her seat, her facial expression as deep as water, as dignified as an empress. Making it seem as though those fallen dishes had fallen onto the floor on their own. The waitress professionalism was top-tier, showing not the slightest trace of shock. She crouched down to first clean the fallen dishes, then placed another set of tableware before Ye Zixin, restoring it all as it was in the twinkling of an eye.

"You really want to?" Because of Xiao Ning's sarcastic tone, Shan Haiming let out a teasing smile, turning his body then used his other hand to pinch Xiao Ning's cheek while a grin framed on his handsome face. "Don't you dare."

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

There was nothing Xiao Ning failed at understanding now. That girl had clearly fancied Shan Haiming.

Her timber as she spoke these words was both high and low, the kind of rhythm people would find rather charming. That sort of look and bearing could only be regarded as that of a girl's, as at that time, she couldn't mask her voice, making it difficult for Xiao Ning, this stranger, to steal his heart from the hurt.

The round table they were at was able to seat ten, and Ye Zixing and Shan Haihong sat on one end, while Shan Haiming sat opposite them, with Xiao Ning naturally taken his seat next to him.

Xiao Ning said nothing further, after all, he didn't want to appear too stingy as he was currently representing Shan Haiming's face. "What would Mr Shan and Ye Zixin like to eat?"

What a disaster...

A Pretty Good Performance

The three seemed to have a tacit agreement between then to act as if nothing was just witnessed, as Shan Haihong then asked, "So when and how did you and Haiming get to know one another, Xiao Ning?"

Ye Zixin said nothing.

Zexin, Xiao Ning remembered seeing the name on Shan Haiming's phone at some point earlier, filling the entirety in himself.

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

"Zixin," Shan Haiming leaned back, laziness in his appearance as he continued, "you don't need to say anything in my aid. What my brother said is true."

Aunt?

Sweeping his gaze that way in a simple manner, Xiao Ning then replied, "We met through a friend and after meeting Haiming I thought he was a good person, so we got to know each other meeting up a couple or so times after that."

Shan Haiming lifted his gaze towards her. "Zixin, long time no see. Why did you come to the country?"

Although he said those words while wearing no particular expression, Xiao Ning suddenly felt rather hurt. He had no idea what the reason behind it was, but this was Shan Haiming.

Shan Haiming played with his emerald cup of tea, soon noticing Xiao Ning was staring at him with pursed lips, and so tilted his head while asking, "What?"

The waitress did as instructed, handing a menu to Xiao Ning.

"Naturally, I did." Xiao Ning replied confidently. "Even though I was a little apprehensive of Haiming in the beginning, afterwards, I realised it was only his mouth that was not easy to deal with at all."

Ye Zixin's gaze refocused gradually, the slowly squared itself on Xiao Ning's face.

The waitress knocked on that door, and from the inside another waitress dressed the same as her had opened it.

Shan Haihong lifted his brows, his smile not diminished in the least. "Of the two of you, who chased who?"

There was nothing Xiao Ning failed at understanding now. That girl had clearly fancied Shan Haiming.

Proving himself to be his brother, Shan Haihong was still able to smile normally as he replied, "No, not yet. Weren't we waiting for you guys to get here?"

Shan Haihong then spoke again. "Seriously, when I first heard it I was beyond shocked! Even though Haiming was fond of messing around before, I never heard about him having a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend."

"Naturally, I did." Xiao Ning replied confidently. "Even though I was a little apprehensive of Haiming in the beginning, afterwards, I realised it was only his mouth that was not easy to deal with at all."

Shan Haihong indicated it was all right, "No, you can order. I heard Haiming mention it before, but I never expected you worked at Rihua. This really is a work of fate."

Not only had Shan Haiming still not release Xiao Ning's hand, he also rocked it forwards and back. And since Xiao Ning had no way to hold out, he could only pull in that direction in return.

"Understood." The waitress recorded all the orders on her tablet then retrieved the menu.

Shan Haiming lifted his gaze towards her. "Zixin, long time no see. Why did you come to the country?"

Her timber as she spoke these words was both high and low, the kind of rhythm people would find rather charming. That sort of look and bearing could only be regarded as that of a girl's, as at that time, she couldn't mask her voice, making it difficult for Xiao Ning, this stranger, to steal his heart from the hurt.

Ye Zixin, just then, said in a voice sounding rather unnatural, "Haihong, it's not nice to say these things about Haiming. Don't pay any mind to what other people say. Don't we know the kind of person Haiming really is?"

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

"So what if I know?" Shan Haiming replied without care, adding, "Do I have to be responsible for her just because she likes me? I have a lot of people I have to be responsible for, then. Besides, it's not her marriage with me, but one between the Ye family and the Shan family. Dad and Uncle Ye have already agreed to it, so don't act like you already don't know. Anyhow, as long as it's one of dad's sons, it's fine whether it's you or me, right? Or do you hate her or something?"

"You really want to?" Because of Xiao Ning's sarcastic tone, Shan Haiming let out a teasing smile, turning his body then used his other hand to pinch Xiao Ning's cheek while a grin framed on his handsome face. "Don't you dare."

Despite the others being unable to see it, from the movement of their shoulders it was quite clear what was happening outside their line of sight. Ye Zixin suddenly cried out, "I don't believe it."

"Looks like you were pretty impressive before, huh? I never expected that, I never expected it at all." Xiao Ning then said to Shan Haiming in jest, "So how come you're so respectable now?"

"You really want to?" Because of Xiao Ning's sarcastic tone, Shan Haiming let out a teasing smile, turning his body then used his other hand to pinch Xiao Ning's cheek while a grin framed on his handsome face. "Don't you dare."

Xiao Ning's reaction wasn't as quick as Shan Haiming's, so when he ws pinched, he couldn't stop the blush which erupted on his face. Shan Haiming again turned towards the two people at the opposite side of the table. "Can you do me a favour, bro? Can you not mention things like that in the future? As you can see, it's a jar of vinegarT/n: it's just a way of saying jealousy. you knocked over I have to go clean up."

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.

He then thought it over seriously, adding the dagger, "It should be my brother who said that."

N/A

Propping his chin on his hand, Shan Haiming stared directly at Xiao Ning as he ordered. Seeing him ready to close the menu, he said, "Order some more dishes you like. Oh, and the bird's nest and hashima stew here is pretty good, order that too."

Xiao Ning feels that the only person in that room who can resonate with him was most like the waiter. Like, what the heck is this?

Shan Haiming's reply to this held no sincerity whatsoever. "My ears aren't good."

"Haiming!"

Shan Haihong then spoke again. "Seriously, when I first heard it I was beyond shocked! Even though Haiming was fond of messing around before, I never heard about him having a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend."

Shan Haihong turned to look at her, perfectly surprised. "Zixin?"

It looks like they only serve high-end people here.

"Haiming..." Ye Zixin rested both hands on the table, the sight of her small and delicate hands against the exquisite workmanship of tablecloth, quite pleasing to the eyes. "...You've always liked girls before, haven't you? They said you... but I never believed it! You even said you'd marry me when we were younger."

"Haiming!"

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar for each of us."

Suzhou styled gardens are tradition Chinese gardens that follow the Suzhou architectural styling that mirrors natural landscapes but scaled down, bridges and water sources are a common feature. [] Pic says a thousand words. boo1 [] 冰糖燕窝炖雪蛤: lit. rock sugar & bird's nest boiled hashima. It can be sweet or savoury dish (the one below is sweet obviously). But here's the explanation for the ingredients (the ones no regular person could afford when emperors were a thing). Hashima (hasma) is the fatty tissues extracted near the fallopian tissues of frogs (don't you dare make a face, especially if you eat stuff with gelatin) anyhow, it's dried and when you soak and cook it, it becomes white and gelatinous and takes on the flavour of what you cook it in because it has none of its own (like the bird nest). It's thought to have health benefits (just like the birds nest), and is used in TCM. Bird's nest is the prized saliva-ish nest made by swiftlets (a bird species), it's gelatinous in texture when cooked too, it turns clear if it's the white kind. Pic below. boo2

Her timber as she spoke these words was both high and low, the kind of rhythm people would find rather charming. That sort of look and bearing could only be regarded as that of a girl's, as at that time, she couldn't mask her voice, making it difficult for Xiao Ning, this stranger, to steal his heart from the hurt.

Ye Zixin's gaze refocused gradually, the slowly squared itself on Xiao Ning's face.

But Shan Haiming only asked strangely, "I said something like that? You must have remembered wrongly, no?"

Ye Zixin, just then, said in a voice sounding rather unnatural, "Haihong, it's not nice to say these things about Haiming. Don't pay any mind to what other people say. Don't we know the kind of person Haiming really is?"

He then thought it over seriously, adding the dagger, "It should be my brother who said that."

Ye Zixin's face grew paler, to where even the makeup she wore couldn't hide it.

Ye Zixin gasped, her voice small, reduced to sporadic sobs. Shan Haihong leaned over to her worriedly, his face etched with pure concern. "Zixin, are you alright?"

His attitude was far from cold, but in comparison to the girl's, it was frosty. The girl was a bit dispirited, but nonetheless still quite happy.

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

"Haiming..." Ye Zixin rested both hands on the table, the sight of her small and delicate hands against the exquisite workmanship of tablecloth, quite pleasing to the eyes. "...You've always liked girls before, haven't you? They said you... but I never believed it! You even said you'd marry me when we were younger."

Xiao Ning gazed to his side from the corner of his eye. Shan Haiming's face doesn't seem to have changed.

If it were Xiao Ning, he would be more than soft-hearted enough to say at least a few words. Why hurt someone that much? But, not only is Shan Haiming the main character, he is also the director. So if he needs a "doesn't matter, don't care", you just have to swallow it all back and coordinate with Director Shan.

One was Shan Haihong, and the other was Shan Haiming. Those two brothers of the Shan family were simply.... Xiao Ning just wanted to hold his forehead and not watch that upsetting scene.

"Zixin!" Shan Haihong stood while looking at Shan Haiming reproachfully. "Haiming, you know Zixin likes you. She even happily left her studies in France to come here and marry you this time. You went too far treating her like this."

Shan Haiming backhandedly held onto Xiao Ning's hand which had yet to be retrieved, his gaze turning to him as he replied, "Because a certain someone has quite a temper."

Ye Zixin's face grew paler, to where even the makeup she wore couldn't hide it.

The atmosphere around the table was strange, but Xiao Ning could only ignore it. According to Shan Haihong's requirements, he order some suitable dishes, and according to experience when he had eaten with Shan Haiming last, he ordered the shrimp and crab.

He was talking directly to Ye Zixin in the end, but her pretty and white, face appeared to have given no reaction.

Saying this, she then made her way out the room without looking back.

Shan Haiming played with his emerald cup of tea, soon noticing Xiao Ning was staring at him with pursed lips, and so tilted his head while asking, "What?"

As she stared at Shan Haiming with a tightened gaze, Ye Zixin tried her best to suppress her emotions, and the curvature of her lips as if formed from a great number of repeated practice, did not fail at this moment either. "Haiming, may I say a few words with you in private?"

Propping his chin on his hand, Shan Haiming stared directly at Xiao Ning as he ordered. Seeing him ready to close the menu, he said, "Order some more dishes you like. Oh, and the bird's nest and hashima stew here is pretty good, order that too."

"Um, no can do." Shan Haiming then turned to look at Xiao Ning. "I don't wish for my lover to have any misunderstandings."

When he lifted his eyes, Ye Zixin's smiling face was frozen stiff, a borderline look of panic in her eyes as she sated at him.

Shan Haiming nodded knowingly then said, "Waiter, the menu."

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar for each of us."

Although he said those words while wearing no particular expression, Xiao Ning suddenly felt rather hurt. He had no idea what the reason behind it was, but this was Shan Haiming.

After a long period of silence,Ye Zixin stood up. "Pardon me but I feel a bit unwell all of a sudden, so I'll be leaving first. You guys can enjoy your meal."

It looks like they only serve high-end people here.

Ye Zixin's face grew paler, to where even the makeup she wore couldn't hide it.

Shan Haihong then spoke again. "Seriously, when I first heard it I was beyond shocked! Even though Haiming was fond of messing around before, I never heard about him having a fixed girlfriend or boyfriend."

"Haiming..." Ye Zixin rested both hands on the table, the sight of her small and delicate hands against the exquisite workmanship of tablecloth, quite pleasing to the eyes. "...You've always liked girls before, haven't you? They said you... but I never believed it! You even said you'd marry me when we were younger."

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

That word caught Xiao Ning's attention.

"You really want to?" Because of Xiao Ning's sarcastic tone, Shan Haiming let out a teasing smile, turning his body then used his other hand to pinch Xiao Ning's cheek while a grin framed on his handsome face. "Don't you dare."

"Why huddle together? Are you warm?" Shan Haiming did not move, only taking a sip if his tea. "Xiao Ning, you already know my older brother, and this is Ye Zixin. Zixin, this is Xiao Ning, my boyfriend."

If it were Xiao Ning, he would be more than soft-hearted enough to say at least a few words. Why hurt someone that much? But, not only is Shan Haiming the main character, he is also the director. So if he needs a "doesn't matter, don't care", you just have to swallow it all back and coordinate with Director Shan.

"Haiming..." Ye Zixin rested both hands on the table, the sight of her small and delicate hands against the exquisite workmanship of tablecloth, quite pleasing to the eyes. "...You've always liked girls before, haven't you? They said you... but I never believed it! You even said you'd marry me when we were younger."

"Fine. I know you're busy." Ye Zixin exposed a proper smile, a bit of her 'Ms Perfect' reservedness peeking through her words. "Haiming, why are sitting so far away? It's been so long since we last saw each other, so you acting so distant will make a person feel sad."

Acting as the sole conversation starter, Shan Haiming again spoke out. "Yes, seafood is Haiming's favourite thing to eat."

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar for each of us."

Shan Haihong: "I'm fine with anything, and Zexin likes to eat mushrooms."

After a long period of silence,Ye Zixin stood up. "Pardon me but I feel a bit unwell all of a sudden, so I'll be leaving first. You guys can enjoy your meal."

The two then took their seats one after the other. The waitress coming forward to arrange their bowls and chopsticks as well as pouring them both water and tea. Her movements were quiet, fluid and carrying an immense amount of grace. When she had completed all her tasks, she again returned to her former position in silence.

As she stared at Shan Haiming with a tightened gaze, Ye Zixin tried her best to suppress her emotions, and the curvature of her lips as if formed from a great number of repeated practice, did not fail at this moment either. "Haiming, may I say a few words with you in private?"

As soon as those words were said the room broke out in a silence. Only Shan Haiming then went on to ask as if nothing happened, "Have you ordered?"

Saying this, she then made her way out the room without looking back.

Shan Haiming played with his emerald cup of tea, soon noticing Xiao Ning was staring at him with pursed lips, and so tilted his head while asking, "What?"

"Zixin!" Shan Haihong stood while looking at Shan Haiming reproachfully. "Haiming, you know Zixin likes you. She even happily left her studies in France to come here and marry you this time. You went too far treating her like this."

The sharp clatter of broken dishes rang out as Ye Zixin swept all the tableware in front of her onto the floor. She remained still in her seat, her facial expression as deep as water, as dignified as an empress. Making it seem as though those fallen dishes had fallen onto the floor on their own. The waitress professionalism was top-tier, showing not the slightest trace of shock. She crouched down to first clean the fallen dishes, then placed another set of tableware before Ye Zixin, restoring it all as it was in the twinkling of an eye.

Shan Haiming lifted his gaze towards her. "Zixin, long time no see. Why did you come to the country?"

Liuli Xuan room turned out to be a private room.

The waitress then handed over a menu resembling a high-end photo studio's photo album. Shan Haiming then waved his hand. "Give it to him."

A Pretty Good Performance

Shan Haihong indicated it was all right, "No, you can order. I heard Haiming mention it before, but I never expected you worked at Rihua. This really is a work of fate."

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

"So what if I know?" Shan Haiming replied without care, adding, "Do I have to be responsible for her just because she likes me? I have a lot of people I have to be responsible for, then. Besides, it's not her marriage with me, but one between the Ye family and the Shan family. Dad and Uncle Ye have already agreed to it, so don't act like you already don't know. Anyhow, as long as it's one of dad's sons, it's fine whether it's you or me, right? Or do you hate her or something?"

That man sent a polite smile to Xiao Ning, who sent him a small one in return. "Mr Shan."

That man sent a polite smile to Xiao Ning, who sent him a small one in return. "Mr Shan."

During this, Xiao Ning was also taking a sip of his own tea to wet his throat, and upon hearing those words out of the blue, he almost spat his mouthful of tea right out. He managed to restrain himself, continuing to drink his tea silently, lamenting in his heart over the lack of a forewarning.

Shan Haihong coughed a few times to hide his hard to miss smile. "Sorry, I won't mention it again. Xiao Ning, the Haiming with you right now is very good. You don't need to worry about it."

He turned his gaze from Shan Haiming to Xiao Ning, sighing. "It's also a good thing you're planning on settling down. Dad and Aunt will be happy to know that. When are you planning to tell them?"

Shan Haihong lifted his brows, his smile not diminished in the least. "Of the two of you, who chased who?"

"Fine. I know you're busy." Ye Zixin exposed a proper smile, a bit of her 'Ms Perfect' reservedness peeking through her words. "Haiming, why are sitting so far away? It's been so long since we last saw each other, so you acting so distant will make a person feel sad."

Xiao Ning feels that the only person in that room who can resonate with him was most like the waiter. Like, what the heck is this?

Liuli Xuan room turned out to be a private room.

The sharp clatter of broken dishes rang out as Ye Zixin swept all the tableware in front of her onto the floor. She remained still in her seat, her facial expression as deep as water, as dignified as an empress. Making it seem as though those fallen dishes had fallen onto the floor on their own. The waitress professionalism was top-tier, showing not the slightest trace of shock. She crouched down to first clean the fallen dishes, then placed another set of tableware before Ye Zixin, restoring it all as it was in the twinkling of an eye.

But Shan Haiming only asked strangely, "I said something like that? You must have remembered wrongly, no?"

Shan Haihong paused momentarily. "Lets discuss this some other time, alright? And, Zixin's opinion's should be respected at least. Besides..."

The waitress then handed over a menu resembling a high-end photo studio's photo album. Shan Haiming then waved his hand. "Give it to him."

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

He was talking directly to Ye Zixin in the end, but her pretty and white, face appeared to have given no reaction.

Shan Haihong indicated it was all right, "No, you can order. I heard Haiming mention it before, but I never expected you worked at Rihua. This really is a work of fate."

Sure enough, the girl then whined with the attitude of one who was far younger, "Why do you always not answer whenever I call you?"

He turned his gaze from Shan Haiming to Xiao Ning, sighing. "It's also a good thing you're planning on settling down. Dad and Aunt will be happy to know that. When are you planning to tell them?"

Sweeping his gaze that way in a simple manner, Xiao Ning then replied, "We met through a friend and after meeting Haiming I thought he was a good person, so we got to know each other meeting up a couple or so times after that."

Suzhou styled gardens are tradition Chinese gardens that follow the Suzhou architectural styling that mirrors natural landscapes but scaled down, bridges and water sources are a common feature. [] Pic says a thousand words. boo1 [] 冰糖燕窝炖雪蛤: lit. rock sugar & bird's nest boiled hashima. It can be sweet or savoury dish (the one below is sweet obviously). But here's the explanation for the ingredients (the ones no regular person could afford when emperors were a thing). Hashima (hasma) is the fatty tissues extracted near the fallopian tissues of frogs (don't you dare make a face, especially if you eat stuff with gelatin) anyhow, it's dried and when you soak and cook it, it becomes white and gelatinous and takes on the flavour of what you cook it in because it has none of its own (like the bird nest). It's thought to have health benefits (just like the birds nest), and is used in TCM. Bird's nest is the prized saliva-ish nest made by swiftlets (a bird species), it's gelatinous in texture when cooked too, it turns clear if it's the white kind. Pic below. boo2

"Understood." The waitress recorded all the orders on her tablet then retrieved the menu.

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.

"Haiming..." Ye Zixin rested both hands on the table, the sight of her small and delicate hands against the exquisite workmanship of tablecloth, quite pleasing to the eyes. "...You've always liked girls before, haven't you? They said you... but I never believed it! You even said you'd marry me when we were younger."

Aunt?

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

The two then took their seats one after the other. The waitress coming forward to arrange their bowls and chopsticks as well as pouring them both water and tea. Her movements were quiet, fluid and carrying an immense amount of grace. When she had completed all her tasks, she again returned to her former position in silence.

Despite the others being unable to see it, from the movement of their shoulders it was quite clear what was happening outside their line of sight. Ye Zixin suddenly cried out, "I don't believe it."

N/A

It looks like they only serve high-end people here.

That word caught Xiao Ning's attention.

Shan Haiming was stunned, but soon recovered himself and relaxed.

He then thought it over seriously, adding the dagger, "It should be my brother who said that."

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

Shan Haihong indicated it was all right, "No, you can order. I heard Haiming mention it before, but I never expected you worked at Rihua. This really is a work of fate."

"Zixin," Shan Haiming leaned back, laziness in his appearance as he continued, "you don't need to say anything in my aid. What my brother said is true."

Shan Haiming played with his emerald cup of tea, soon noticing Xiao Ning was staring at him with pursed lips, and so tilted his head while asking, "What?"

Shan Haihong turned to look at her, perfectly surprised. "Zixin?"

"I'll do it as soon as possible." Shan Haiming didn't look at him, he even seemed disinterested as he added, "In a day or two."

—Crash!

"Alright, just make the last desserts." Xiao Ning obediently ordered the last two dishes in line with his sweet preference for himself, closing the menu. "And a bowl of the bird's nest hashima stew with rock sugar for each of us."

It looks like they only serve high-end people here.

But Shan Haiming only asked strangely, "I said something like that? You must have remembered wrongly, no?"

Ye Zixin's gaze refocused gradually, the slowly squared itself on Xiao Ning's face.

Xiao Ning's gaze landed at the man sitting beside the girl. His nose was tall and straight, his overall appearance quite handsome. But, to Shan Haiming, this man bore not even the slightest bit of resemblance.

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

"If you need me to say something, I'll help you in persuading dad." Shan Haihong then nodded to Xiao Ning, saying, "I'm sorry, but I'm worried about Zixin. You two can stay and eat, the bill's on my tab. Goodbye."

He turned his gaze from Shan Haiming to Xiao Ning, sighing. "It's also a good thing you're planning on settling down. Dad and Aunt will be happy to know that. When are you planning to tell them?"

After he spoke, he went straight out the door of the private room, taking his coat from the waitress before walking out without looking back.

"Don't order the bitter gourd." Shan Haihong then laughed as he continued, "Back when we were little, Zixin, I remember you coming over to our house for dinner. Back then, the nanny made pickled bitter gourd, and it looked especially good while she was making it and you insisted on eating some. But, in the end, you cried heaps after you took a bite."

He then thought it over seriously, adding the dagger, "It should be my brother who said that."

That word caught Xiao Ning's attention.

Shan Haiming played with his emerald cup of tea, soon noticing Xiao Ning was staring at him with pursed lips, and so tilted his head while asking, "What?"

Xiao Ning followed the direction of the voice sounding much like a yellow oriole to meet a beautiful girl looking their way, her dark pearl-like eyes shining joyfully.

"If you need me to say something, I'll help you in persuading dad." Shan Haihong then nodded to Xiao Ning, saying, "I'm sorry, but I'm worried about Zixin. You two can stay and eat, the bill's on my tab. Goodbye."

Sweeping his gaze that way in a simple manner, Xiao Ning then replied, "We met through a friend and after meeting Haiming I thought he was a good person, so we got to know each other meeting up a couple or so times after that."

The round table they were at was able to seat ten, and Ye Zixing and Shan Haihong sat on one end, while Shan Haiming sat opposite them, with Xiao Ning naturally taken his seat next to him.

What a disaster...

Letting out a long-winded relived sigh, Xiao Ning withdrew his complicated gaze, lamenting as he replied, "Nothing. I was only thinking of all the bags I have to pack tonight."

Shan Haihong coughed a few times to hide his hard to miss smile. "Sorry, I won't mention it again. Xiao Ning, the Haiming with you right now is very good. You don't need to worry about it."

Xiao Ning followed the direction of the voice sounding much like a yellow oriole to meet a beautiful girl looking their way, her dark pearl-like eyes shining joyfully.

The two then took their seats one after the other. The waitress coming forward to arrange their bowls and chopsticks as well as pouring them both water and tea. Her movements were quiet, fluid and carrying an immense amount of grace. When she had completed all her tasks, she again returned to her former position in silence.

Shan Haiming backhandedly held onto Xiao Ning's hand which had yet to be retrieved, his gaze turning to him as he replied, "Because a certain someone has quite a temper."

Xiao Ning was shocked, and clearly knew the scene of the climax was probably on its way.