Shen Binnan wanted to help but ended up making a mess of things. Seeing how adept Fang Yi was, as well as his show-off attitude, Shen Binnan somehow felt an unreasonable annoyance brewing within her.
Is this guy a bodyguard or a nanny? How come he’s so skilled at even peeling vegetables?
But what surprised Shen Binnan even more came later.
Fang Yi took the lettuce, which he had peeled and stripped of its leaves, into the kitchen. With a kitchen knife in hand, he started chopping with a clank-clank sound. Each slice he made was only slightly thicker than a piece of paper, preventing them from turning mushy when stir-fried.
Not only could he peel vegetables, but he could also chop them. Shen Binnan couldn’t help but recall the guy’s past deeds.
He could fight, throw knives, play the piano, deceive people, protect others, and show care. It seemed there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. If Shen Xiaoxiao were to judge, besides these things, he could also race cars and play video games.
In short, it appeared there was nothing this guy couldn’t do, nothing that could stump him.
Fang Yi cooked personally, slicing meat, vegetables, and stir-frying, performing all with an orderly efficiency, swift and adept. To Fang Yi, it all seemed so simple and relaxed.
A table of steaming dishes was served, and Shen Xiaoxiao crowded around, "Wow, Brother Yi, did you make all these? They’re amazing. Whoever marries you will be so blessed."
As she was about to reach for the dishes, Shen Binnan knocked her on the head and sternly said, "Go wash your hands."
All were seated around the table.
Cai Cai and Lin Lin sat together, two adorable little girls who had already washed their hands, eagerly awaiting the meal.
"Is there any alcohol?" Shen Binnan suddenly asked.
Fang Yi paused, looking at Shen Binnan with puzzlement.
"Of course, there is alcohol. Miss Shen, please wait a moment; I will fetch it for you," Xia Ziqi said with a smile, standing up to get the alcohol.
Soon, a bottle of baijiu was brought back, in the shape of a calabash bottle from Xiaojiaolou with not too high alcohol content. Shen Binnan took it over and asked, "Miss Xia, do you have a bowl?"
Xia Ziqi, with a slightly odd expression, still stood up to fetch it. Shen Xiaoxiao, taken aback, said, "Sister, you don’t have to go to this extent. There are no fatty meats here, so there’s no need to drink heavily, right?"
Shen Binnan said nothing, merely gazing at Fang Yi with an almost smile.
Soon, the bowls arrived, and Shen Binnan filled both full, pushing one in front of Fang Yi.
Fang Yi raised his eyebrows and said, "Are you serious?"
Shen Binnan seemed to smile and answered, "Are you scared?"
Fang Yi said nothing, lifted his bowl, and made a toasting gesture. Shen Binnan, very straightforward, raised her bowl of baijiu and tipped it back, drinking with resolve, without the slightest hesitation.
Fang Yi opened his mouth as if to say something but felt it inappropriate and ultimately remained silent, raising his bowl and starting to drink.
Shen Xiaoxiao watched Shen Binnan with concern, fearing her sister would get drunk in one go, while Xia Ziqi was also somewhat worried, advising, "Miss Shen, drink slowly, there’s no rush... take your time."
Shen Binnan held the bowl with both hands, tilting her neck back to drink, gulping it down. She even choked once during the process. Shen Xiaoxiao tried to intervene but was dodged by her. Finally, having finished drinking, Shen Binnan turned her bowl over to show it was empty, then placed it back on the table.
Fang Yi had also finished his drink, and upon looking at Shen Binnan again, he saw that her originally flawless face now had a hint of a blush, like a rose’s tender charm. In those beautiful eyes of hers, there was a trace of a spiteful flavor.
"I’ve finished the drink," Shen Binnan declared in a deep voice.
"And then?" Fang Yi asked with a smile.
"Come back with me!" Shen Binnan commanded decisively.
Fang Yi’s smile grew wider as he said, "Did you drink so much just to have the courage to say that to me? You didn’t need to, I wouldn’t laugh at you."
A flash of warm anger flickered through Shen Binan’s beautiful eyes as she retorted coldly, "I drank this bowl of alcohol not to embolden myself, but to apologize to you."
Fang Yi said with interest, "Oh?"
Shen Binan met his gaze without evasion and said, "Last time, I misunderstood you. Your intentions were right; I shouldn’t have pressured you. Now, I’m apologizing to you—is that enough?"
For someone as proud and aloof as Shen Binan, bending the knee and bowing her head was unprecedented.
When had Shen Binan ever humbled herself before anyone ? Even in dealings with business partners or when facing those of higher status, she always kept her back straight, never bowing her head.
Yet, in front of this man and only this man, Shen Binan had bowed her head in an unprecedented manner.
However, what surprised Shen Binan was that she felt no displeasure at this moment, only finding it somewhat difficult to swallow her pride, and she wondered if this might be due to the excessive drinking.
For Fang Yi, too, it was somewhat of a surprise. He knew what kind of person Shen Binan was, but he had not expected her to be so adaptable—it was indeed a rare sight.
Truthfully, Fang Yi wasn’t angry, but teasing the president of Longtu Group seemed necessary.
Fang Yi smiled slightly and said, "Shen Binan, if you think that’s enough, then you’re not giving me much face, are you?"
Shen Binan’s eyes flashed coldly, "What more do you want?"
Shen Xiaoxiao chimed in, "Yeah, you big bully, I’m telling you, don’t go too far!" When she was happy, she would call Fang Yi ’Brother Yi’; when she was not, it was ’big bully.’
Xia Ziqi nudged Fang Yi’s arm, signaling him not to overdo it.
Fang Yi immediately became annoyed. It was Shen Binan who was seeking his help; why were they all siding with her? He was the main character here.
Fang Yi sighed and said, "Shen Binan, I won’t go too far, but if you want me back, you have to show some sincerity, or I can’t just step down like that. How about this: do me a favor."
Shen Binan said indifferently, "Speak."
Fang Yi said, "Lately, I’ve been thinking of opening a clothing store. You help me find a few suitable locations." Even though Fang Yi had found one spot, there was no harm in having more options.
Upon hearing this, Xia Ziqi’s pretty face revealed a look of surprise, as she stared at Fang Yi, touchingly moved.
Shen Binan, ever so observant, glanced at Xia Ziqi in that moment and immediately responded, "Okay!"
Meanwhile, Shen Xiaoxiao wore a mischievous smile, looking back and forth between Xia Ziqi and her older sister, almost splitting her cheeks with laughter.
"Mommy, it’s time to eat," Cai Cai nudged Xia Ziqi’s arm.
Xia Ziqi regained her senses from that state and her pretty face blushed enchantingly.
Lin Lin, sitting to the side and eating her fill, picked up a piece of green vegetable and suddenly sighed, "The world of grown-ups, I just don’t understand, really don’t." After speaking, the little girl shook her head in an all too mature fashion.
No matter what, they finished their meal just like that, and Xia Ziqi got up to clean up, taking the dishes to the kitchen to wash, while Shen Binan prepared to leave with Shen Xiaoxiao.
At the door, Shen Binan turned around and asked, "When will you come to work?"
Fang Yi responded with a smile, "Whenever you need me, that’s when I’ll come."
Shen Xiaoxiao cheerfully said, "The sooner, the better, Brother Yi. How about tomorrow? Otherwise, my sister will be washing her face with tears again. That pitiable look of hers, with tears like rain... it’s truly heart-wrenching..."
"Shen Xiaoxiao!" Shen Binan exclaimed her name.
Shen Xiaoxiao knew her sister was angry and pulled a funny face, saying, "Sister, I will wait for you downstairs." She then dashed down the stairs as swiftly as a flight.
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