Sheng Mumu called Zhang Housekeeper and told the chef at home not to cook dinner.
In the big pot of the roadside malatang food stand, the ingredients gurgled and tumbled.
The warm light from the light bulb overhead shone down, making the skewers that had already absorbed flavor look even more appetizing.
The aromatic hot steam kept drilling into Sheng Mumu's nostrils.
The boss lady wearing an apron smiled and tidied up the table surface, enthusiastically greeting:
"Take whatever you want, thick skewers are 4 yuan each, thin skewers are 2 yuan each, there are condiments over there."
Sheng Mumu's eyes curved as she nodded her head and said, "Okay boss."
She then reached out and took a seaweed skewer and a crispy tofu skin skewer and put them in her bowl.
She ate them in a few bites without dipping them in any condiments.
Satisfied, she patted her stomach and sighed contentedly: "Ah...so delicious!"
Just as she was about to take more skewers from the pot, she caught a glimpse of Qi Shaobai sitting still as a statue out of the corner of her eye, with his eyebrows slightly furrowed and a hint of disdain flashing through his eyes.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Sheng Mumu blinked and asked.
Qi Shaobai tilted his neck back and said plainly, "I'll wait a bit."
He needed to psych himself up a little more.
He didn't want the boss lady to see his reluctance, yet he really couldn't get past the barrier in his mind.
So he remained frozen, stretching his hand out a little, about to grab a skewer, then suddenly turning midair and grabbing his drink instead, tilting his head back for a sip.
Sheng Mumu held back a laugh, patting the proud and stubborn boy's shoulder as she got up.
"I'll go make you a special secret ultimate dipping sauce, guaranteed to make you unable to stop eating."
Back when she was in college, she and her roommates loved eating street food skewers like these.
They were delicious and lively.
She also had a good grasp on making sauces.
Soon, she placed a small bowl in front of Qi Shaobai.
"Try it."
Qi Shaobai reluctantly accepted the small bowl and murmured, "Oh."
He told himself inwardly: I'm already here, so I'll just eat a few skewers to give my stepmom some face.
Twenty minutes later...
Steam rose faintly above the evening roadside food stand.
"Boss lady, do you have any more cooked beef skewers?"
Qi Shaobai called out to the boss lady who was busy inside, panting from the spiciness, yet still wanting more skewers.
Seeing that the tall young man had swept thirty beef skewers she had just cooked clean in one go, the boss lady's eyes smiled into a line. She called out loudly:
"Yeah, I have more, just a moment!"
Sheng Mumu was already full, so seeing that Qi Shaobai showed no sign of stopping, she also slowed down, taking another potato skewer and slowly eating it.
She turned her head and cocked a brow. "How is it? Pretty good right?"
Qi Shaobai: "Delicious."
By the time the two finally finished their hearty meal and returned to Xiyu Yue Ting, the hour hand was nearly pointing at nine.
As usual, Sheng Mumu parked not far from the entrance of the villa district.
They took a stroll to walk off the food on the way back.
Sheng Mumu thought about what had happened today, and after thinking it over, decided to subtly probe Qi Shaobai.
She casually asked in a natural tone:
"Little Qi, you're always getting love letters from girls at school right?"
Qi Shaobai was stunned, not expecting the conversation to suddenly turn to this topic.
He turned to her blankly and said in a flat tone: "Yeah, it's annoying."
Sheng Mumu's eyes turned shrewdly. "Then...you've never responded to any of them?"
"Of course not," Qi Shaobai raised both hands as if to prove his innocence. "I don't even have enough time to do all the practice tests every day, the ones you bought last time, I still have over half left unfinished, it's killing me."
"Oh, I see." Sheng Mumu tapped her chin pensively.
From what she knew of the plot, this boy didn't seem to be lying.
She felt relieved, and earnestly added:
"Those love letters you receive, don't pass them around to your classmates, you understand? Not even a good friend like Wei Zhaonan.
Qi Shaobai put on a mature expression. "I know that already, it would be in poor taste."
Sheng Mumu looked at him approvingly. "Right, exactly."
The future domineering CEO was destined to become the crush of many girls in his student days. And this young heartthrob was destined to only have eyes for the future female protagonist.
Even so, Sheng Mumu still didn't want him to unintentionally hurt too many innocent young girls in their budding youth.
Naive, confused crushes were precious.
Even if unable to reciprocate.
Don't leave scars.
She had thought Qi Shaobai wouldn't understand.
But now it seemed.
He was much more sensible and mature than she realized.
As they neared the villa entrance.
Qi Shaobai's listless eyes suddenly lit up, and he halted in his steps.
Sheng Mumu noticed his abnormal behavior, and looked in the direction he was gazing.
She saw an elderly person with white hair, ringing their doorbell.
The next second, Qi Shaobai practically leapt forward, sprinting eagerly toward the elder.
As excited as a seven or eight year old child.
Calling out:
"Grandma, you're here!"
The white-haired elder slowly turned around. The moment she saw her great-grandson, a smile spread across her face.
Each wrinkle brimmed with benevolent joy.
She stamped her wooden cane vigorously twice. "Rascal."
Sheng Mumu also smiled and went up to greet her.
This was her first time seeing the old lady in person.
She was even more spirited than when Sheng Mumu had seen her on video calls.
Sheng Mumu went over to support the old lady's arm and affectionately called: "Grandma~"
The old lady patted her great-grandson's arm signalling him to move aside. She then gave Sheng Mumu a big hug.
Sheng Mumu was enveloped in the soft embrace, the faint floral scent of the old lady's 4711 Eau De Cologne wafting into her nose.
"Mumu, Grandma has missed you all so much."
Zhang Housekeeper and the servants successively came out from the villa, taking the old lady's small bag from her.
Zhang Housekeeper looked around concernedly and asked in puzzlement:
"Old Lady, where are the people accompanying you?"
Upon hearing this, the old lady reluctantly let go of her grandson's wife. Like a mischievous child, she stamped her cane again and said stubbornly:
"Sitting in cars all day, my limbs will atrophy. I told them to let me off to walk over."
Right after she finished speaking, a luxurious nanny van slowly pulled up to the entrance.
Some of the old lady's private caregivers got out.
Sheng Mumu supported the old lady as they walked inside, Qi Shaobai propping her up on the other side.
The old lady looked left and right at her most beloved great-grandson and the daughter-in-law she approved of getting along harmoniously. Her mood grew even better.
She patted Qi Shaobai's hand.
"Rascal, Grandma is making fried meatballs for you today. You loved eating the meatballs I made when you were little."
A rare docile and obedient look appeared on Qi Shaobai's face. He nodded eagerly:
"That's wonderful Grandma, I just happened to be hungry, thinking of the meatballs you make makes my mouth water."
Sheng Mumu listened in from the side, the corners of her eyes slowly curving up as a warm current rippled through her heart.
Only she knew how stuffed Qi Shaobai had been from their roadside feast.
Yet to make the elderly happy, he still told this tiny harmless lie.
This time, little Qi's fib wasn't clumsy at all.
It was full of filial piety and sincerity.
