301— Lunch With The Gao Family

Gao Tingxiu thought her glances were discreet enough, but everyone at the table—even Gao Zhipeng— was a veteran at spying on others, so her overwhelming attention didn't go unnoticed.

Just when Gao Tinghua wanted to tap her, she switched her gaze to Li Chuanmo. After just one look, she froze and then slowly directed her attention back to Pei Yueran.

One look at the man beside her, and it felt like the air-conditioning had been turned on at full blast in the peak of winter. Even the famous Movie King Si didn't have such an overwhelming aura.

It was by far easier to stare at her sister. Gao Tingxiu nodded to herself. Blood was indeed thicker than water!

Gao Tinghua: "..."

Even his sister was cowed into submission. Incredible!

"Elder Sister, you're welcome." Gao Tingxiu suddenly spoke out with a smile.

Pei Yueran looked straight at her and gave a smile of her own, making Gao Tingxiu's eyes light up. She really approved of this sister.

"Thank you."

When she finally took her eyes away, Pei Yueran gave a sigh of relief inwardly. At least that went well.

Gratified to see her children getting along, Qiao Mingran smiled and spoke, "Since you have all met each other, there's no need for more introductions. Let's eat."

They all nodded and waited for Gao Zhipeng to take the first bite before picking up their chopsticks. Qiao Mingran hesitated at first, but eventually asked, "Can I pick food for you? I won't pick shrimps or anything you can't eat, I promise."

On one accord, the three of them nodded. Qiao Mingran was almost giddy with excitement and she carefully picked a piece of spicy fish for Pei Yueran, "Eat up."

She had asked Director Zhou for her meal preferences and painstakingly committed it all to heart. Pei Yueran quietly said her thanks and ate it.

Qiao Mingran wanted to skip Li Chuanmo, but decided on second thought to include him. He had not heard him speak since they arrived, but she had a good impression of him.

Besides he was the person her daughter loved, so she had to treat him well, at least to earn points with her daughter. Last but not least, she had not forgotten that he was the one they were counting on for help.

On all fronts, it was a good thing to remain in his good books.

So she clipped a piece of stir fry beef and dropped it in his plate, "Son-in-law Li, please eat more."

Li Chuanmo paused, then said "thank you" before clipping it elegantly in between his chopsticks and eating it.

Next up was Gao Tinghua, who received a piece of pork covered in chili oil. He raised an eyebrow. He hadn't realized that his mother knew what he like to eat.

Raising his head, he met her gaze and she smiled albeit sadly, "I'm now paying attention."

Pei Yueran noticed thier interaction. She could guess that their relationship didn't used to be great in the past, but at least, it looked to be on the mend now.

Li Chuanmo noticed but for an entirely different reason. Now he knew a piece of information he wasn't at all interested in knowing — that Gao Tinghua liked spicy food too. It annoyed him that both of them had the same taste for spicy foods.

On this side, Qiao Mingran was already clipping a piece of steamed tofu for Gao Tingxiu.

"I don't get meat Mum? So unfair." Gao Tingxiu joked without thinking, then reacted. She hoped her mother would not take her seriously and feel hurt again.

Although their relationship had gotten better in the past couple of months, they still didn't spend much time together because of her busy schedule.

Qiao Mingran laughed however as she said, "What? Jealous? I didn't pick meat for you because you're always talking about burning calories. This is for the good of your war against calories."

Gao Tinghua and Gao Zhipeng raised their heads in surprise. Did their mother/wife just try to be funny? Her happiness had really reached new heights today.

Gao Tingxiu was still stuck on the fact that her mother laughed. It was shocking. Indeed, things had really changed.

The only people that didn't react were the Li couple.

For the duration of lunch, Qiao Mingran kept on filling their bowls instead of eating. A piece of crab on one plate, some vegetables for another person, a piece of fried tofu here, some chicken there, but Pei Yueran undoubtedly got served the most.

The only person who did not get a dose of "love" was Gao Zhipeng. He had tried to ask for something in a roundabout way, but the look she sent his way could almost rival Li Chuanmo's chilly gaze, making him keep quiet instantly.

After the fourth piece of food that was dropped into her bowl, Pei Yueran turned to her, "You too eat something."

Qiao Mingran smiled brightly, "I'm eating, I'm eating, don't worry." She couldn't stomach anything due to pure joy, but since her daughter cared about her so much, then she had to eat.

Beside her, Li Chuanmo dropped a piece of mushroom covered in sweet sauce into Pei Yueran's bowl, "Don't eat only spicy dishes, it's bad for your stomach."

Qiao Mingran grimaced, "That's true Yue'er, I'm sorry, I should have picked other things."

Pei Yueran sighed inwardly again.

"It's alright Ma—. It's fine, I can pick it myself. He just likes to worry a lot."

"Worry is good." Qiao Mingran answered happily. A man that worried about his wife getting hurt was absolutely good. She was coming to like this son-in-law more and more.

After lunch, they set out to move around the Capital, with Gao Tinghua offering to show them around.

Li Chuanmo didn't even bother to pretend and rejected him flatly.

What a joke. He has to endure them living under the same roof, and still endure him driving them around?

No thank you!

Seeing the unconcealed disdain, Gao Tinghua gave up and informed one of their drivers to take them out.

Gao Tingxiu spoke to Pei Yueran, "Elder Sister, it was truly a pleasure meeting you today. I would have stayed longer, but I have to rush back to the filming set. The director only gave me half a day off. But no worries, I'll make sure to attend tomorrow's banquet."

Pei Yueran smiled and nodded. Gao Tingxiu was a very friendly and easygoing person. She was ironically the only family member she felt comfortable with at present.

So sometime after lunch, Pei Yueran and Li Chuanmo went out after informing Qiao Mingran.