"Hmm," he nodded in agreement.
"Right now, don't think about anything, just properly taste my cooking; this is quite a rare opportunity." Huo Jingtang had never cooked for a woman before, not even his mother, yet he made an exception for the young woman before him.
He showed off his skills today, gave Qin Yucen a surprise, and changed the impression she had of him in her heart—he wasn't just a rigid, serious businessman. He could also be a good man at home.
Qin Yuxuan enjoyed the meal the most, and Qin Yucen exchanged a smile with Huo Jingtang, "You make us laugh, it's just that the fish you made is too delicious."
"If you like it, and you're willing, I can make it for you again." Huo Jingtang lightly sipped his wine, his eyes deepening with amusement.
At that moment, footsteps sounded from behind, "Big Bro, do we have a guest?"
The male voice was thick with nasal congestion, as if he had a cold.
Qin Yucen and Qin Yuxuan turned to see a particularly sunny and fashionable man, dressed in a pink woolen sweater and white slim pants that perfectly outlined his long legs.
The man walked over beaming, his gaze sweeping across Qin Yucen and Qin Yuxuan's faces, a trace of awe flashing in his eyes.
Then he introduced himself to the siblings, "Hello, beautiful lady and handsome guy, I'm Zhong Lang, Big Bro's childhood friend."
"Hello, I'm Qin Yuxuan." Qin Yuxuan stood up politely, gave a somewhat shy smile, and introduced his sister beside him, "This is my sister, Qicnen Yucen."
He needed to be bolder, to learn to communicate with strangers. He had to grow up; he couldn't let his grandmother, father, and sister worry anymore. So the fact that he took the initiative was already rare.
"Yuxuan, well done," Huo Jingtang praised him.
Qin Yucen looked at Qin Yuxuan, surprised but relieved in her heart. All these changes were influenced by Huo Jingtang, in this short time, during this fishing trip, through his communication, his encouragement was the driving force behind Yuxuan's bravery.
Because she could sense that Qin Yuxuan really liked him, or else he wouldn't have wished he was her brother-in-law.
In Qin Yuxuan's view, Huo Jingtang was his life's goal; even if he couldn't reach it, he wanted to lessen the gap.
Then Qin Yuxuan sat down, and Zhong Lang walked over to sit beside Huo Jingtang, eyes landing on the half-finished delicacies on the table, and complained, "Big Bro, you didn't call me for a midnight snack?"
"I never planned to invite you for a midnight snack, nor did I make your portion," Huo Jingtang said, taking the last sip of red wine before gently setting the glass on the table, his eyebrows raising slightly.
"Big Bro, a patient needs to replenish nutrients the most. How can you not eat?" Zhong Lang wasn't shy, grabbed a bowl and chopsticks, sat down, and began to eat, "Hmm, Big Bro, your cooking is really good."
He then enthusiastically urged Qin Yucen and Qin Yuxuan, "You eat as well, don't be shy. If it's not enough, Big Bro can go make more. Right, Big Bro?"
"As if all this food isn't enough to shut you up." Huo Jingtang served him a fish head, his expression much colder and more disapproving than the warmth shown to the Qin siblings, "If they need more they'll tell me themselves, no need for your messaging!"
"Big Bro, look at you, putting on that stoic face, they're too embarrassed to say it's not enough. I'm just kindly reminding you, so you don't forget your host's duties," Zhong Lang raised his eyebrows, as if to say he was just stating the obvious.
"I think the sharks in the ocean would prefer your noise, taking a winter swim there might not be bad," Huo Jingtang said lightly, but his tone implied a threat.
Upon hearing that, Zhong Lang immediately shut his mouth and continued eating.
"Hehe…" Qin Yuxuan looked on and couldn't help but laugh.
"Eat up." Qin Yucen remained more composed, but eventually, she too couldn't help but laugh, her beautiful face glowing.
Zhong Lang was the last to come to the dinner table, but ended up eating the most, so much that he leaned back into the sofa, rubbing his full stomach contentedly, "I ate too much, let me lie down for a bit."
"Since you've eaten and slept well, you might as well clean up the table now, it will help you digest too." Huo Jingtang assigned him a task.
Huo Jingtang had actually intended for Zhong Lang to come, but only after being pestered annoyingly did he agree; Zhong Lang had ended up not only not accompanying him fishing but also went off to sleep with a cold and getting served meals, treating him as if he was the housekeeper.
"Big Bro, don't you see that these clothes of mine aren't suitable for that kind of work?" Zhong Lang chuckled, "Given that I'm sick with a cold, spare me this time."
"Fine, you can sleep on the couch tonight." Huo Jingtang's bed had been occupied by him, and he had to sleep on the couch, suffering.
"Big Bro, there's no need to torture a sick person like this," Zhong Lang nudged Huo Jingtang's arm with his elbow, "Besides, in front of a beautiful lady you should maintain your elegant gentlemanly demeanor, right?"
The comment hit the nail on the head, striking Huo Jingtang's weak spot. Yet he still appeared nonchalant: "You want demeanor, do you?"
With one cold glance from Huo Jingtang, Zhong Lang immediately stood up.
Seeing this, Qin Yucen got up to start cleaning the dishes, "Mr. Zhong, let me do it."
"How could I let you do the work? I'll take care of it, moving a bit is good for the body," Zhong Lang dared not disobey now.
"I will do it." Qin Yucen insisted.
"Sis, my face feels so hot, I feel sick," Qin Yuxuan grabbed Qin Yucen, his fair face flushed with the effects of the wine.
Qin Yucen supported the drunken Qin Yuxuan, who had become intoxicated after just one drink, "Yuxuan, are you alright?"
"Eh, why are there two sisters…" Qin Yuxuan raised his hand, gesturing a 'two,' then his head tilted, and he fell asleep on her shoulder.
"Xiaoxuan…" Qin Yucen was a bit anxious, wishing she had never allowed him to touch the wine.
Huo Jingtang walked around the dinner table, reached out to support Qin Yuxuan, "It's his first time drinking, he'll be fine. Don't worry too much. We'll help him to the bedroom to rest, make sure to give him more water."
"Okay." Qin Yucen and Huo Jingtang together helped Qin Yuxuan to the bedroom to sleep.