Chapter 18: Is the Big Shot Testing Her?

Under Aunt Hong's astonished gaze, Ye Jiayao entered the kitchen and got busy.

Aunt Hong stood by, looking worried. "Let me handle these rough tasks."

Ye Jiayao waved her hand. "Don't worry, I won't wreck your kitchen."

Aunt Hong's expression seemed a bit embarrassed, as if Ye Jiayao had hit the nail on the head.

In the end, Aunt Hong was chased to the kitchen door and made to wait there, with her expression never relaxing.

Ye Jiayao worked for over an hour and emerged from the kitchen just in time for a meal.

She untied her apron and walked upstairs. "You bring the dishes out; I'll go wake up Mu Linghan."

Aunt Hong hesitated for a moment. "Master has a bad temper when waking up."

Ye Jiayao nodded. "I just want to see if he's awake."

Aunt Hong hesitated a bit longer, glanced at the kitchen, and then followed Ye Jiayao upstairs. Their steps were light as they ascended.

Ye Jiayao went directly to Mu Linghan's room and gently pushed the door open. Mu Linghan was still sleeping, his eyes closed, and his complexion slightly pale. The dark hair under his eyes seemed a bit lighter than before.

Aunt Hong stood at the bedroom door, her face full of worry as she peered inside.

Ye Jiayao stared at Mu Linghan's handsome face, silently admiring him for a moment. She turned to leave when suddenly the person on the bed opened his eyes, and his sharp gaze fell upon her face, startling her.

Suppressing her panic, Ye Jiayao said seriously, "Get up, it's time for dinner."

Mu Linghan glanced at her but didn't answer, closing his eyes again.

Ye Jiayao: ???

She clearly saw that the Big Shot's eyes were wide awake! Was he deliberately ignoring her, or did he really want to continue sleeping?

"If you don't get up, I'll eat without you," she threatened.

In theory, the dining table was the best place to build connections, and Ye Jiayao didn't want to miss this opportunity.

Aunt Hong stood at the door, utterly shocked by what she was witnessing. Mr. Mu's temper was notoriously bad, yet he didn't flare up at all???

Ye Jiayao glanced at Mu Linghan, who was still resting with his eyes closed, and ascertained that he had no intention of getting up. She turned and left.

But just as she had taken two steps, the person on the bed suddenly spoke.

His voice was deep and pleasant, with a hoarse quality that suggested he had just woken up, making it intoxicating.

"Wait."

Ye Jiayao stopped and turned to look at him.

"Bring my wheelchair."

At this moment, Aunt Hong quickly interjected, "Sir, let me do it."

"Let her do it."

Mu Linghan's voice was cold and low, his gaze deep as he looked at Ye Jiayao. Seeing her lack of reaction, he smirked mockingly. "Didn't you say we should live a good life together? How come you only know how to talk?"

Ye Jiayao: ???

Was the Big Shot testing her or trying to make her feel humiliated?

"Maybe the latter accounts for a little more?"

Ye Jiayao didn't mind at all; instead, she was overjoyed.

This man somewhat acknowledged her sincerity after all!

However, she still needed to play her part.

Ye Jiayao put on a conflicted expression and walked with difficulty toward the wheelchair by the wall. She unfolded it and placed it beside the bed, reaching out to help Mu Linghan get out of bed.

Aunt Hong hurriedly wanted to come in and assist but was stopped by Mu Linghan.

Ye Jiayao: "..."

Mu Linghan wasn't afraid of his big size; she ended up injuring her arms and legs trying to support him!

Well, he was pretending to be sick, so it's not like he could be injured!

Ye Jiayao forced a smile, exerting all her strength to help Mu Linghan into the wheelchair and then pushed him out of the room.

Due to Mu Linghan's condition, an indoor elevator was specially installed in this villa.

At the dining table, Mu Linghan looked at the dishes, which were different from usual, with deep, contemplative eyes.

Aunt Hong noticed this and quickly said, "Ye Miss made these."

Mu Linghan's tone was slightly cold, "Get rid of them."

Ye Jiayao widened her eyes and immediately said, "How can we waste them??" Realizing something, she continued, "… Are you afraid I might have poisoned them? Well, I'll eat first."

Saying that, she picked up the chopsticks and took a portion of each dish, mixed them together, and swallowed it in one bite, grumbling with her cheeks bulging, "See, no 'du' (poison)..."

The girl's cheeks puffed up, and her round eyes showed a hint of irritation, making her look quite adorable.

Mu Linghan: "…"

The man's gaze fell on the dishes with colors, fragrance, and taste on the table. After hesitating for a moment, he picked up the chopsticks.

Ye Jiayao finally breathed a sigh of relief and tried to swallow the food in her mouth but choked suddenly!

"Cough, cough, cough…"

Ye Jiayao started to cough violently, her fair and translucent face quickly turning red. In her disheveled state, there seemed to be a hint of shyness.

Mu Linghan's eyes deepened.

Ye Jiayao took the glass of water that Aunt Hong handed her and drank it to ease her discomfort. When she met Mu Linghan's profound gaze, she felt somewhat embarrassed.

She wanted to maintain a dignified and noble image!

Mu Linghan only glanced at her briefly before averting his eyes and eating with elegance.

One had to admit that this woman's culinary skills were good, but...

The man's eyelids lowered slightly.

There was nothing in the information about her being capable in the kitchen. Was there something missing in the report?

While eating, Ye Jiayao observed Mu Linghan, hoping to find a topic to get closer to him. But when she met his elegant and restrained expression, she couldn't say anything.

Speaking now would probably ruin the aesthetic of the moment.

The next day, Ye Jiayao drove to a restaurant in a corner of the student street. When she entered, there was no one inside, and it felt desolate and empty.

The restaurant had a traditional Chinese style, although not large, it exuded an ancient charm, giving a sense of simplicity and comfort. In theory, such a place should be doing well, but strangely enough, even though it was lunchtime, there wasn't a single customer in sight.

Even at the cash register, there was no sign of the owner. Ye Jiayao took a few steps further inside and heard voices coming from the direction of the kitchen.

Clang! That was the sound of porcelain shattering on the floor, followed by a rough male voice.

"Pay up! If you don't pay, don't blame us for being impolite!"

Clang! Another sound of broken porcelain, accompanied by the crisp noise of metal hitting the ground—those were the sounds of kitchen utensils colliding.

At that moment, a soft female voice sounded, tinged with a hint of pleading and humility. "Please give me a few more days. Students are on vacation these days, and business has been slow."

The man's voice was rude and wild, echoing through the empty restaurant. "You said the same thing last time. I'm not running a charity here! Paying debts is only right and proper! If you can't make money running a restaurant, go work at a bar! Bottom line is, if I don't see the money today, don't expect any mercy!"

"Ah!-" Suddenly, a woman's scream came from the kitchen. Ye Jiayao's heart tightened, and she rushed in to see several rough-looking men surrounding a woman wearing a cheap sports shirt. The woman's hair was yanked forcefully, her face filled with stubbornness, and tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.

In the corner of the kitchen, a girl dressed as a waitress huddled there, trembling in fear.

"Stop it!" Ye Jiayao shouted loudly, grabbing a nearby kitchen spatula and rushing over to push away the man pulling the woman's hair, standing in front of her to protect her.