Forced into a romantic relationship

The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.

Amidst the rising white mist, Han Zhou stared blankly at Wang Lengqiu beside him, his face filled with shock.

Senior Wang Lengqiu, did you major in Japanese in college? Why would you say something like that?
He complained inwardly, but he was more worried. He didn't know how Wang Lengqiu knew that he and Mo Yixia had gone hiking together. Logically speaking, even if this matter was exposed, Wang Lengqiu shouldn't be the first to know. Could it be that he had overlooked some details recently and accidentally exposed something?
Thinking of this, Han Zhou's heart jumped to his throat. If that were really the case, then the problem would be huge—

Guzheng must never find out about this!
If Guzheng finds out, that dream she had on the snow-capped mountain might come true.

Fortunately... he quickly calmed down. Judging from what Wang Lengqiu just said, Gu Zheng probably didn't know about this... but why would Wang Lengqiu know?

Han Zhou was completely baffled. Even though his expression had betrayed his nervousness just now, he still tried to remain calm and said, "Xue... Qiuqiu, I don't understand what you're saying."

In fact, the reason he couldn't control his expression was mainly because he didn't expect Wang Lengqiu to suddenly transform into a "Japanese netizen" and attempt to threaten him in some way.

Indeed, as we all know, the phrase "You don't want so-and-so to know your secret, do you?" is usually used in situations of coercion. The fact that Wang Lengqiu would suddenly say this clearly indicates that she wants to use this secret to achieve some kind of goal.

So what does the senior want to exchange this secret for?
Han Zhou didn't think Wang Lengqiu had any ill intentions towards him, but if he didn't think in that direction, he would never guess the other party's purpose.

Meeting Wang Lengqiu's somewhat vacant eyes, Han Zhou sighed inwardly. Sure enough, he couldn't discern any of this girl's thoughts, but one thing he was certain of—

Wang Lengqiu wouldn't joke around. Since she said something that clearly carried a certain threat, it meant that she definitely wanted to get something from me.

But what does she want in return?

Han Zhou waited silently for Wang Lengqiu's reply, but the other party remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Just when Han Zhou thought Wang Lengqiu wouldn't speak, the girl suddenly asked, "After we finish looking at the photos, the pigeons will fly away, right?"

Her voice was very soft, with a coolness completely different from Mo Yixia's, like chilled lemon tea.

The girl had her back to the window, where the night was gradually deepening, and she could vaguely see moving lights and faint contrails in the darkness.

Han Zhou was taken aback, then vaguely understood what the other person meant: "Are you asking me if I will leave after seeing the photos?"

Wang Lengqiu didn't answer, but instead asked, "Do you think it will fly back?"

Han Zhou was about to answer when the kitchen door was suddenly pushed open, and a fluffy head poked its head into the room, excitedly saying, "Sister Wang Lengqiu, you're really back! I thought Grandpa Wang was lying to me. How about coming to my house to play tomorrow afternoon?"

Han Zhou looked in the direction of the sound and saw a chubby little girl outside the door. She looked about six or seven years old, with a round, rosy face and eyes like two black grapes. She wore a white woolen hat and a thick white cotton coat, and looked like a little snowman.

"Senior, this is..."

Han Zhou initially thought this was Wang Lengqiu's younger sister, but he quickly realized that this was not the case. Although the girl was cute, she did not look like Wang Lengqiu at all.

"This is Old Chen's granddaughter, named DouDou. She heard that Youyou was back, so she ran over to find her as soon as she got out of school."

Wang Lengqiu's grandfather appeared at the door and said with a smile, "This girl just likes to stick to Youyou. When Youyou isn't around, she comes to ask me every few days when Youyou is coming back. I wonder if she informed Old Chen before she came."

It was clear that the old man liked the round-headed little girl very much; his smile was very kind. Even Wang Lengqiu, who was usually expressionless, softened a little when he saw the girl.

“I told my grandpa, and he told me to come to your house for a meal.”

The girl spoke with such confidence, clearly having frequented this place for meals before, but she quickly became distressed. "But Grandpa didn't tell me there were so many people at your house today, so maybe I should go home and eat..."

She said this, but her feet were rooted to the ground and she didn't move. Her eyes were fixed on the steaming pot and she kept swallowing.

It wasn't that Chen Doudou was being irresponsible; it was just that the aroma from the pot was too enticing. She had never smelled anything so delicious before, and she had no idea what it would taste like... She had no intention of eating it! She just wanted to see what was cooking in the pot. Of course, if Sister Wang Lengqiu insisted on having her stay for dinner, then she would have no choice but to take over—this was a new idiom she had learned today, meaning that guests should respect their hosts and obey whatever the host says.

Chen Doudou found it strange. A long time had passed. If it were before, Sister Wang Lengqiu would have invited her to stay for dinner long ago. But today, she still hadn't been granted a pardon. There must be something else going on.

She looked up in confusion and realized that her sister Wang Lengqiu had been staring at the handsome older brother, as if seeking his opinion.

Who...who is this person?

Chen Doudou was struck dumb. Her legs, which had been firmly planted on the ground, suddenly lurched backward several steps. If Guzheng hadn't caught her in time, she might have fallen to the ground with a thud.

"What's wrong with this child?" Gu Zheng asked in a puzzled voice.

Zhong Ling, standing beside him, shook her head, indicating that she wasn't quite sure.

"Stay at my place and eat."

After a long while, Wang Lengqiu finally withdrew her gaze and softly uttered the words Chen Doudou had been longing to hear. However, the latter was already devoid of any will to live and had no choice but to accept a heartbreaking reality—

She has fallen out of favor.

She was no longer the child that Sister Wang Lengqiu loved most. From now on, if she wanted to have a meal at Sister Wang Lengqiu's house, she would have to be mindful of how others treated her.

And all of this is thanks to this new pretty boy!
Chen Doudou glared fiercely at Han Zhou in the kitchen. She would never forget this grudge and secretly resolved not to give this person a kind look later.

With this belief in mind, she quickly gave this young man a harsh lesson—

When Grandpa Wang introduced the two pretty ladies one by one, she sweetly greeted them with "Hello, ladies." But when he introduced the pretty boy named Han Zhou, she pretended not to hear and made an excuse to leave the kitchen.

She walked with a proud and confident air, and even without turning around, she could imagine the ugly look on that pretty boy's face. She couldn't help but feel smug. Just then, Grandpa Wang's voice suddenly rang out behind her.

"DouDou, this is your favorite braised pork, come and have a taste."

Braised pork?
Chen Doudou immediately stopped, pivoted on her left heel, spun around 180 degrees, and ran happily into the kitchen, mouth agape, waiting to be fed.

"Be careful of the burn."

The old man picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of braised pork, blew on it gently, and then put it into the girl's mouth, saying with a smile, "By the way, all the dishes tonight were made by Brother Han Zhou. You must thank him properly later."

Pshaw, so what if he made it? What's so great about it? It doesn't even look appetizing. Why should I thank him...?

Chen Doudou sneered inwardly, but the next second she froze.

The braised pork melts in your mouth, juicy and flavorful, with an aroma that goes straight to your head—how can there be such delicious braised pork in the world!

"DouDou, what's wrong?"

"Doudou?"

Chen Doudou stood there for a long time, then suddenly gritted her teeth, ran to Han Zhou, hugged his leg tightly, looked up at his blank eyes, and tried to force a sweet smile on her face.

"Hello, brother."

(End of this chapter)