Chapter 358: Craving Your Food

Ning Qiuer, who was setting the table, heard the doorbell ringing downstairs and knew it was Xia Yu’s arrival.

She tidled her clothes, thinking about how to politely and gracefully refuse any excessive requests Xia Yu might make during dinner, while still leaving a favorable impression on him.

Well, based on experience, as long as she fully displayed her charm, everything would be fine. She needed to be elegant, yet subtly flirtatious and endearing.

What a bother.

Rubbing her face, Ning Qiuer saw three people coming upstairs with Liu Manman.

She looked at the two other girls. It was understandable that You Xue was there; people sometimes brought their younger siblings to dinner. But who was the other girl who looked slightly younger than herself?

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, You Xue and Yaoyao are coming too. This is An Siyao, whom I mentioned to you before,” Liu Manman introduced An Siyao to Ning Qiuer.

Ning Qiuer leaned on the table. She knew about An Siyao’s relationship with Xia Yu and suspected that Xia Yu must have been secretly seeing her and that An Siyao found out and followed him.

However, Liu Manman’s next words shattered her assumption.

Liu Manman said, “Xia Yu mentioned it this morning; I just forgot to tell you.”

So he had voluntarily brought his girlfriend?

Ning Qiuer was surprised. Over the years, she had seen too many men who secretly had affairs while hiding from their girlfriends or wives. Even if they weren’t cheating, they often had unusual hobbies, such as engaging in more thrilling extreme sports.

Adding two more sets of chopsticks and bowls, Ning Qiuer thought to herself that it was fortunate she had prepared extra food, hoping there wouldn’t be any awkwardness from running out.

Everyone sat down at the table and began eating the dishes laid out before them.

Ning Qiuer secretly observed Xia Yu. She couldn’t understand why he had invited her if he had brought his girlfriend. Unless he was one of those perverts who enjoyed group activities, it was obvious that nothing could happen while his girlfriend was present.

She noticed Xia Yu was fully focused on his chopsticks, tasting every dish and nodding in satisfaction.

“What do you think? I told you it would be great!” Liu Manman proudly asked.

“Yeah, compared to professional chefs, there’s a slight difference in taste, but it’s still delicious,” Xia Yu commented after tasting a few more bites. “Actually, this flavor is even better than that of professional chefs.”

“I told you you wouldn’t regret coming!” Liu Manman excitedly patted Xia Yu on the back, looking proud of her successful recommendation.

Beside them, Ning Qiuer silently chewed her food. She had now clearly understood the reason Xia Yu had come.

It was actually for her cooking!

No wonder Liu Manman immediately left when she asked in the morning whether he would be home for lunch!

No wonder he had been cold yesterday but suddenly became enthusiastic today!

Discovering that Xia Yu was after her cooking rather than her body, Ning Qiuer couldn’t help but glance lower at him, beginning to suspect whether he might be inadequate in some way or have unusual preferences.

Unaware of Ning Qiuer’s subtle gaze, Xia Yu drank a bowl of tomato egg soup.

Ning Qiuer had prepared simple home-style dishes. The taste was better than that of ordinary hotel chefs but slightly inferior to the chef at An Siyao’s villa.

However, Xia Yu felt these dishes were more delicious than those prepared by An Siyao’s chef.

Initially, he didn’t understand why, but by now, he had figured it out.

It was because these dishes better suited his taste. He liked dishes with a slight spiciness but disliked them being overly spicy. He preferred light soup rather than rich, and Ning Qiuer’s dishes were exactly like that.

For a moment, Xia Yu had the thought of tying Ning Qiuer up and bringing her home, changing her into an apron to be responsible for his three meals a day.

Unfortunately, Ning Qiuer was a public figure and also a good friend of Liu Manman’s.

Sighing inwardly, Xia Yu continued eating his dinner.

After finishing, they left the table for the maid to clean up and the four of them played games together.

With Ning Qiuer’s subtle guidance, You Xue ended up staying with Liu Manman, while she, Xia Yu, and An Siyao were together.

If she hadn’t been unsure of the exact relationship between Xia Yu and An Siyao, she would have sent An Siyao over as well.

The game on the TV screen was a fighting game, which An Siyao didn’t like, so she just watched from the side.

Ning Qiuer began steering the conversation.

First, she started with piano playing, a skill both Xia Yu and An Siyao shared, then expanded the topic to music in general, eventually narrowing it down to the song Xia Yu had sung earlier.

“Can I buy the copyright to this song?” Ning Qiuer asked.

Xia Yu, who was greedy for Ning Qiuer’s cooking skills, easily agreed. Xia Yu had already realized that although Ning Qiuer was somewhat attentive to him, she had no intention of pursuing a deeper relationship and even seemed somewhat cautious, completely different from Yan Wei. This made him feel very at ease about his plan to come over just for the food.

“Preparing to release a new album?” Xia Yu casually asked.

“How can I release a new album with only one song from you?” Ning Qiuer finally found an opportunity to hint.

“Aren’t you a singer-songwriter?” Xia Yu was surprised.

“Creating songs requires inspiration, and inspiration isn’t endless. The past few years have completely drained me. Do you think I retired for no reason?” Ning Qiuer deliberately played the weak card, showing a pitiful and delicate expression.

If it weren’t for her character on the screen currently pounding Xia Yu’s character into the ground, Xia Yu might have almost believed her.

Taking advantage of the moment when Ning Qiuer’s character was momentarily stunned from launching an attack, Xia Yu maneuvered his character out of the battle. This was the first time he had encountered someone in a game who was even stronger than himself.

Moreover, she used the same aggressive fighting style as he did.

“Then just buy songs from others. With your reputation, paying a high price for songs would definitely be a safe investment, right?” Xia Yu continued the conversation.

“It’s hard to find songs that suit me,” Ning Qiuer shook her head. “I don’t feel like singing those average songs.”

She sighed, “If the songs they offer were all at the level of your song, I wouldn’t have these worries.”

“Which singer has every song a hit? An album with every song being a hit would be a loss, wouldn’t it?” Xia Yu’s main focus was on the game. He fully controlled his character, barely managing to fight Ning Qiuer to a draw.

“I don’t have much financial pressure. I hope the name Ning Qiuer can become legendary,” Ning Qiuer replied.

Hearing this, Xia Yu couldn’t help but glance at her, not expecting this woman, who seemed only interested in building connections, to also be a dreamer.

Feeling Xia Yu’s gaze, Ning Qiuer thought this was a great opportunity. She raised one hand and gently brushed a strand of hair falling beside her ear.

A magazine cover had once used a photo of her doing exactly this, and that issue sold out, even sparking a trend of hair-flicking.

This classic scene, tested by the public, would surely earn her many points, right?

Indeed, she saw Xia Yu’s eyes light up.

Without hesitation, Xia Yu seized the opportunity, rapidly pressing a series of special moves on the controller, defeating her character.

“What??”