Chapter 120: You are truly a piece of work!

In the early morning, after Tan Shuying and Lan Jin finished freshening up and came downstairs, the aroma lingering in the air immediately awakened their appetites. They then saw Qin Chuan busy in the kitchen.

“Brother Chuan, what are you making? It smells amazing!” Lan Jin blinked her large, captivating eyes and asked curiously.

Though Tan Shuying said nothing, the curious expression on her face was unmistakable. Her rosy, lively tongue licked her lips, clearly eager to savor the delicious food.

Qin Chuan smiled and said, “Of course, I’m preparing medicinal cuisine for you. Ying’er is weak and needs nourishment, and Jin’er has too much dampness that needs balancing. I’ve truly troubled myself for your health!”

Ying’er?

Tan Shuying’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Earlier, Qin Chuan had always addressed her formally as Miss Tan, so why had he suddenly switched to such an intimate nickname? Although he followed it immediately with Jin’er, it was obvious that Qin Chuan was deliberately using these affectionate terms to make “Ying’er” seem less abrupt. Such a small trick couldn’t possibly escape the sharp eyes of Miss Tan.

Too much kindness when there’s no reason—either deceit or mischief!

Tan Shuying kept a calm exterior but raised her guard inwardly, instinctively tightening the collar of her already conservative silk pajamas, which made Qin Chuan’s mouth twitch fiercely.

“Do you have to guard against me like I’m a thief?” Qin Chuan muttered softly.

Tan Shuying gave him a sarcastic look and replied, “If you were just a thief, I wouldn’t be so tense. After all, thieves might only steal money, but if I can’t guard against you, it could cost me my very being.”

“You’re right, Sister Ying!” Lan Jin enthusiastically agreed, raising her small pink fists.

Sister Ying?

A flash of surprise crossed Qin Chuan’s eyes. Had this wide-eyed girl forgotten that Lin Wanyu had sent her here? It seemed she had already been swayed over!

“There’s no need to be so tense!” Qin Chuan protested. “Besides, do I look like a man lacking women? I always believe a gentleman loves beauty with proper boundaries—after all, forcibly plucked melons aren’t sweet.”

“Forcibly plucked melons may not be sweet, but they do quench thirst!” Tan Shuying retorted without yielding.

Lan Jin clearly sided with Tan Shuying and teased, “Yes, yes, of course you don’t lack women. You just make declarations in the office during the day…”

“Stop, stop! Jin’er, what nonsense are you saying? Aren’t you afraid the gods of censorship will block this?” Qin Chuan quickly changed the subject as soon as Lan Jin started to mention Liu Qingcheng.

“Go wash your hands quickly. The medicinal dish is ready, and it must be eaten hot; otherwise, its effect will be halved.” As he spoke, Qin Chuan deliberately lifted the lid from the clay pot, releasing a wave of enticing fragrance. The two women’s attention was instantly diverted, and they obediently washed their hands and sat down like well-behaved schoolchildren awaiting their exam papers.

“Mr. Qin, isn’t there any for us?” Wei Dapeng asked pitifully, with Liao Hua standing beside him swallowing nervously.

“You didn’t say you wanted to eat!” Qin Chuan feigned innocence and added, “Moreover, today’s ingredients are limited, so I couldn’t make the yin-nourishing, kidney-strengthening medicinal dish. When the materials are complete, I’ll make it up to you. Fair enough?”

Feeling the strange looks Tan Shuying and Lan Jin gave him, Wei Dapeng and Liao Hua’s mouths twitched fiercely. If they weren’t outmatched, they would have loved to beat Qin Chuan up.

How dare he ask if he’s fair?

Saying we have kidney issues in front of women—that’s really bold!

“Actually, you two don’t have big problems. My advice is to watch fewer adult films and, if there’s a need, don’t always bother your ‘Qilin arm’—put some thought and money into marrying a wife once and for all!” Qin Chuan said.

Wei Dapeng, being married, could at least gracefully hide his embarrassment, but Liao Hua was on the verge of breaking down. At this moment, he finally understood the true meaning of “no secrets before a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.”

“Liao Hua, don’t worry. I know plenty of beautiful women in my circle; today I’ll introduce you to some,” Tan Shuying said compassionately, looking at her little brother. Since childhood, Liao Hua had been like a younger brother to her, and now it seemed she had failed in her role as an elder sister.

What should have been a warm moment of familial affection instead became the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Liao Hua couldn’t hold back any longer; tears welled up in his eyes, and he wished he could crawl into a hole and disappear.

“Look how touched the boy is,” Qin Chuan added mockingly.

“You bastard, I’m going to fight you!” Liao Hua snarled, lunging at Qin Chuan. But the power gap was too great, and within a few moves, Qin Chuan had him completely subdued.

“Why don’t you listen? Being sick isn’t frightening; what’s frightening is denial and refusal to seek treatment. For Ying’er’s sake, I’ll start with acupuncture to help you,” Qin Chuan said.

Before he finished, Liao Hua’s head lolled to one side, motionless. Qin Chuan couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time—being socially mortified in public was hard to cover up, and this kid had it rough.

After breakfast, Tan Shuying still savored the lingering fragrance on her lips and palate. She couldn’t imagine medicinal cuisine tasting so delicious. How wonderful it would be to wake up to such a meal every day!

“Qin Chuan is skilled in medicine, powerful in martial arts, an excellent cook, and handsome to boot. Having such a fiancé isn’t bad at all,” she silently mused.

Just as she was lost in thought, Qin Chuan’s cheerful voice came from behind them.

“Ying’er, do you have any work planned for today?”

“No, why?” Tan Shuying suddenly felt a bad premonition.

Qin Chuan rubbed his hands awkwardly and said, “It’s nothing much, just want to ask you for a small favor.”

Relieved, Tan Shuying instinctively thought Qin Chuan’s friend might be a fan, perhaps wanting an autograph or something trivial.

“We’re all friends. A small favor is no problem; no need to beat around the bush. Just say it—what is it?” she asked with a smile.

Qin Chuan took her soft and supple hand in his, his face full of excitement. “I knew you’d help. Let’s set off now.”

“Where to?” Tan Shuying’s cheeks flushed as she asked. For some reason, she didn’t particularly mind Qin Chuan holding her hand; instead, the warmth and strength gave her a sense of security.

Qin Chuan said in a low voice, “You’ll know when we arrive. Jin’er, you don’t need to come along. We’ll meet outside Longquan Villa tonight.”

Without giving Lan Jin a moment to respond, Qin Chuan pulled Tan Shuying and dashed out of the villa. Only after the car started did Tan Shuying realize something important.

“Qin Chuan, I haven’t changed clothes yet!” she said, blushing.

Through the rearview mirror, Qin Chuan saw that Tan Shuying was only wearing a set of silk pajamas, with two faintly visible cherry-like curves that instantly made his mouth dry.

“It doesn’t matter—you’ll have to change anyway!” Qin Chuan smiled even wider and pressed the accelerator firmly.