Ye Yuning stepped forward to help pour the heated milk.
Xiao Linye placed the toasted bread on the table while saying, "You're back a bit late. Have the past few days been tiring for you?"
She must have been exhausted to fall asleep on the couch without even taking off her facial mask.
Ye Yuning nodded. "Yeah, I've been quite tired these past few days, but I'll be fine once these few days are over!"
Thinking about the Xiao Family's project gave her a headache, and her dissatisfaction with the newly appointed Mr. Xiao Seventh grew. Looking at Xiao Linye again, she couldn't help but sigh. How could there be such a big difference between two people also surnamed Xiao? But considering Xiao Shuo's character, Ye Yuning figured he was probably typical of the Xiao Family of Upper City. The people from Lingcheng, now they were different.
She handed the milk to Xiao Linye. He reached out to take it, and his warm fingertips brushed against the back of her hand, sending a jolt of warmth through Ye Yuning's heart.
Xiao Linye paused as well.
He pushed the bowl of corn kernels in Ye Yuning's direction.
Somewhat awkwardly, Ye Yuning picked up a spoon and ate several spoonfuls, but she couldn't calm the racing of her heart.
She had a good appetite, eating two slices of toast, a sunny-side-up egg, half a bowl of corn kernels, and drinking a full glass of milk.
Towards the end of the meal, Xiao Linye asked her, "Are you going to a wedding today?"
He suddenly spoke, his magnetic voice, much like the warmth of his fingertips earlier, tugged at her heartstrings.
Ye Yuning mumbled a distracted 'mm-hmm,' her gaze flickering away, not daring to meet his.
Watching her like this, the curve of Xiao Linye's lips deepened. "Do you want me to give you a ride?"
Ye Yuning replied, "No need, I'll take a taxi."
She couldn't bring herself to say it wasn't on his way; after all, she was attending the wedding of the Xiao and Qin Families, an event for prominent figures. Given the current situation, she wasn't quite ready for Xiao Linye to know about her social circles.
Xiao Linye didn't insist, saying, "Okay then!"
After breakfast, he started to clear the table but was stopped by Ye Yuning.
They had only been living together for a day, but she had already subconsciously divided the chores: Xiao Linye was a good cook, so she would do the dishes.
She acknowledged Xiao Linye's good qualities, but this marriage still felt rushed and ridiculous to her. She had been so angered by the Ye Family back then that she hadn't left herself any way out! To be precise, she and Xiao Linye were still in the stage of getting to know each other. She wasn't the type to take advantage; even if she wasn't very skilled at chores, she still had to participate. Besides, he, a man, was already doing them; how could she just let him serve her? It wasn't as if he owed her anything.
From last night until now, Xiao Linye had probably understood her intentions. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Should we hire a housekeeper?"
Ye Yuning exclaimed, "Huh?" Hire a housekeeper? Seriously? Does he know how much housekeepers earn in Upper City? She wanted to ask about his salary again but decided against it. Still, for him to suggest it probably meant his salary wasn't low. But no matter how high his salary was, ten thousand for a housekeeper would still be a hefty expense for him, wouldn't it?
Xiao Linye said, "You're busy with work. You don't need to be distracted by these household chores."
So, he was actually thinking of her? An innate respect for women seemed to emanate from him, and Ye Yuning's heart, which she had just managed to calm, began to pound again.
While taking the dishes to the kitchen, she told Xiao Linye, "There's no need to spend that money." Besides, hiring a housekeeper for a two-hundred-square-meter house just wasn't practical.
Xiao Linye was about to say something more when a call from Lai Shuo came in. He could only say to Ye Yuning, "I have to go. You should think about it."
He still hadn't given up on the idea?
By the time Ye Yuning finished cleaning the kitchen, Xiao Linye was already gone.
Her phone had been ringing with calls since last night, but she had put it on silent.
Once everything was in order, she picked up her phone.
Zheng Cai's call came through. The moment Ye Yuning answered, Zheng Cai's furious, exasperated voice erupted from the phone, "Ye Yuning, where on earth are you?" All her patience was gone; she couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore!
Ye Yuning countered, "What about my two hundred million?"
"Are you serious with me?"
"What do you think? When have I ever joked with you about such things?" Ye Yuning sneered.
Her heavy breathing came sharply through the phone. Even over the phone, Ye Yuning could sense Zheng Cai's seething fury, as if she wanted to tear her to shreds.
The two remained at a standoff over the phone; Ye Yuning wouldn't give in, and Zheng Cai didn't want to give her the money.
An unknown amount of time passed. Only then did Zheng Cai, suppressing her anger and gritting her teeth, say, "Come to the wedding venue first. We can discuss this matter then."
Ye Yuning raised an eyebrow. Go to the wedding venue first? Would there be any room for discussion then?
Ye Yuning let out a cold laugh. "It seems Madam Ye has no intention of paying!"
"Ye Yuning, I raised you for so many years! Must you be so ungrateful?"
The words 'raised you,' at this moment, sounded incredibly sarcastic to Ye Yuning. She didn't retort or speak. Her silence, however, only underscored her unyielding stance.
After a long pause, just as Zheng Cai was getting frantic, Ye Yuning said meaningfully, "Are you sure you want me to come to the wedding venue to discuss this with you?"
"Just come!" Zheng Cai choked out, sounding almost suffocated.
Ye Yuning replied, "Alright."
The instant Ye Yuning agreed, Zheng Cai finally heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed Ye Yuning still remembered the kindness shown to her over the years. And besides, she wouldn't dare actually offend the Qin Family, would she?
Her tone softened slightly, "Should I send someone to pick you up?"
Hearing the change in her tone, Ye Yuning couldn't be bothered to reply and directly hung up.
「At the wedding venue.」
Lai Shuo opened the car door for Xiao Linye and said respectfully, "Seventh Master, we've arrived!"