Chapter 102: Backyard Barbecue (Part 1)

Since Elder Jian had spoken so decisively, Jian Shuxing refrained from pressing the matter further. After all, with Xiao Ling now living at the old residence, under the watchful eyes of both the elder Jian and his wife, it wasn't his place to meddle. Still, a lingering sense of unease gnawed at him.

No matter how trustworthy Yu Xi might seem, he was still a boy. And their Xiao Ling was, after all, a girl. Though the idea of a future marriage between the two families wasn't entirely out of the question, it was far too early for such thoughts. Xiao Ling was still so young. Such considerations could wait until she was older.

Around 10 a.m., Yu Xi and the others began bringing out the food that Jian Yiling had prepared earlier, setting it on the lawn. Large umbrellas were opened to provide shade, and several barbecue grills were arranged neatly around the area. On the adjacent table, a variety of pre-made dishes and beverages had already been set out—undoubtedly the result of He Yan's meticulous preparation.

Ever since her brief conversation with Yu Xi earlier, He Yan had been busy nonstop. From drinks to side dishes, she had made sure everything was of the highest quality. What was originally intended to be a simple backyard barbecue had, in her eyes, turned into a rare opportunity to spend time with Zhai Yunsheng. After all, in Hengyuan City, countless people would do anything for the chance to meet him, yet few succeeded.

Yu Xi, noticing how full the table had become, called for a servant to bring over another table. They needed a separate space to display the food they had prepared themselves. After all, the ingredients they had painstakingly shopped for that morning and that Xiao Ling had personally handled were in a different league compared to what He Yan had provided.

Even if Xiao Ling's seasoning ended up being less than perfect, it would still be special. As long as it wasn't completely inedible, Yu Xi was determined to eat everything she made. After all, maintaining *Ling Shen*'s pride and self-esteem was of utmost importance.

Truth be told, Yu Xi had never tasted anything Jian Yiling had cooked before, so he wasn't expecting too much. Still, based on how confidently she had seasoned the ingredients in the kitchen earlier, he figured it was worth a try. 

Once all the food had been set out, Jian Yiling and the others emerged from the house. Jian Yiling was wearing an apron adorned with cartoon characters. The apron had a pale pink base, embroidered with a small, pure-white bunny whose round eyes gave it a cute, innocent appearance. Zhai Yunsheng had picked it up while they were out shopping that morning, casually buying it when he saw it. Since she needed something to wear while cooking, Jian Yiling had put it on in the kitchen. It was the only apron that fit her petite frame, so she didn't really have a choice in the matter.

Following closely behind Jian Yiling was Jian Yujie, who was smiling broadly and seemed to be chatting happily with her the whole way. Zhai Yunsheng walked a little behind the two, keeping a slight distance between them.

Upon seeing Zhai Yunsheng and Jian Yujie arrive together, He Yan felt a surge of glee. This was undoubtedly a good sign for her. Any interaction between the two could be an opportunity she could capitalize on later.

Jian Shuxing and Wen Nuan watched their daughter approach. A mix of emotions stirred within them. They couldn't help but glance at Jian Yunzhao, who sat nearby, staring intently at his phone. Their hearts were torn between frustration and hope. 

Jian Yuncheng, meanwhile, frowned again, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Zhai Yunsheng, who was standing just a couple of meters behind his sister. There was something dangerous about that man, and it troubled him deeply. His sister shouldn't be spending time with someone like him. Once the barbecue was over, he knew he'd need to have a serious talk with Yu Xi.

Elder Jian and his wife had already taken their seats, watching the preparations unfold with quiet anticipation, like two children patiently waiting for a special treat. As soon as Jian Yiling appeared, the old lady smiled warmly and called out to her, "Our sweet girl is going to be the head chef today, is she? Well then, Grandma is looking forward to tasting whatever you cook! How about that, hmm?" 

Her voice was filled with affection, clearly delighted by the sight of her granddaughter preparing to take on the role of the chef for the day.