Chapter 145: She’s My Friend
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
He Ruhuan was stunned. Shen Tianci stood up straight and said, “She’s not my maidservant. She’s my friend whom 1 invited. You were rude just now. You should apologize to her.”
Xiaoxiao looked at Shen Tianci in surprise. She was very surprised that this playful little foodie could be so serious. Moreover, he was actually protecting her.
He Ruhuan felt aggrieved. “Cousin, why are you scolding me? H-how can she be your friend?”
“She’s so…” Poor…
Xiaoxiao did not care about these words, but Shen Tianci was instantly angry. “I don’t want to hear you continue!”
He Ruhuan’s tears fell. Shen Tianci couldn’t flare up at a girl, so he could only stomp his feet and call out to Xiaoxiao and the rest. “Let’s go somewhere else.”
When they reached a place with fewer people, he awkwardly moved to Xiaoxiao’s side. “Um, Ning Xiaoxiao, are you angry?”
Xiaoxiao shrugged. “Maybe you don’t believe me, but 1 don’t care.”
Shen Tianci added, “It’s my fault for making you suffer.”
Xiaoxiao said sincerely, “Actually, 1 think the person who feels the most aggrieved now is that young lady just now.”
Shen Tianci sighed. “That’s my cousin. Although she’s my cousin, she’s actually a little distant… Anyway, what 1 mean is that don’t listen to her nonsense. You’re much better than them. Actually, I don’t want to invite them here at all today. They’re on good terms with me because of my parents. They’re just hypocritical about celebrating my birthday. But you’re different. You’re different from them.”
Xiaoxiao was suddenly glad that she did not ask County Magistrate Shen for the recommendation letter. Otherwise, not only would Shen Tianci not treat them as friends at this moment, but he would also be very sad because he was deceived by someone they trusted.
Glancing at her brother, who was smiling faintly, Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and felt that he might have guessed everything.
She was right. Ning Dalang had guessed that his sister was on good terms with Shen Tianci because of him the day he officially met County Magistrate Shen. He also understood why his sister didn’t say anything later—she was really sincere to be friends with Shen Tianci.
Neither of them cared, but Ning Erlang said angrily, “When 1 earn money in the future, I’ll buy the most beautiful dress and the most expensive jewelry for my sister. Let’s see which of them still looks down on us!”
With this interlude, Shen Tianci’s mood was obviously affected. Xiaoxiao deliberately teased him. “Shen Tianci, do you know what you look like when you’re angry?”
Shen Tianci asked, “What?”
Xiaoxiao smiled. “Pufferfish, round and full. It’s exactly the same as your expression now.”
Shen Tianci’s conditioned reflex was to puff up his face, but he hurriedly tried his best to suppress his instincts.
Xiaoxiao continued, “The fish meat of the pufferfish is delicious and fresh without any thorns. There are also many ways to make it. Braised pufferfish, dried pufferfish roasted pork belly, rice-grass pufferfish, pufferfish stir-fried cabbage, fried pufferfish, abalone-juice pufferfish, and pufferfish soup. Every way of making it can provide a different fresh fragrance. There was once a poet who praised the saying, ‘Flowers grow in Spring Continent, and flowers fly on the spring shore. At this moment, the pufferfish are precious.”
Shen Tianci swallowed with difficulty. He turned around and asked the servant to bring him some snacks, but after eating them, he said in disdain, “They’re not as delicious as your sponge cake.”
Xiaoxiao was helpless. “Then eat it.”
Shen Tianci shook his head vigorously. “There’s only so much. It’s all gone after eating!”
Xiaoxiao:… Alright, he should be the one praising her culinary skills.
The servant had a bitter expression. “Young Master, this is made by the chef of the Fragrance Restaurant.”
Shen Tianci rolled his eyes. “So what if it’s the Fragrance Restaurant?”
Xiaoxiao found it strange. “You have a grudge against the Fragrance Restaurant?”
Shen Tianci had a complicated expression. “Not really. 1 just don’t like their Boss.”
Just as he finished speaking, he was knocked on the head. Shen Tianci turned around and instantly cowered. “Mother…”
Mrs.. Shen said with a fierce expression, “You’re talking bad about him again!”