In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

Xie Wanrou was also taken aback when she received the message from her servant. Zhou Xuan'an had never hosted so many friends before, especially since they were all Jinshi graduates from the same cohort this year, and if nothing unexpected happened, they would all become future government officials.

"Have the cooks prepare some food that can be served quickly; they should be here soon," Xie Wanrou instructed. "Tingyu, go to Liyuan and inform Yige."

"Yes, my wife."

After receiving their orders, the two immediately went their separate ways. Before long, Xie Yige arrived and quickly went to help Xie Wanrou, who had stood up to greet her.

"Sister-in-law, you're still pregnant, I can take care of everything, please don't overwork yourself."

After hearing the servant finish explaining the arrangements, Xie Yige said to Xie Wanrou, "Sister-in-law, your arrangements are very thoughtful. They are all good friends and will surely chat for a long time before parting. We can prepare a few elaborate dishes that require careful cooking time, so that after the first batch is finished, we can serve the second batch."

Xie Wanrou's eyes lit up after hearing this: "Yige, you will definitely be a good matriarch in the future, even more thoughtful than your sister-in-law." She then tapped the tip of her nose.

Xie Yige blushed instantly, because she knew he had come too.

"By the way, Bichun, go and tell the cook not to put any scallions in the dishes, but you can add some cilantro to a few that are suitable," Xie Yige said earnestly.

After listening to this, Xie Wanrou immediately understood what was going on.

What a silly girl.

Not long after, Zhou Xuan'an led everyone into the mansion.

The group went directly to the dining hall and sat down around a table. Servants immediately served tea, which was Yangxian tea, a top-quality tea that was known as one of the "two wonders of western Zhejiang" along with Guzhu Zisun tea.

"Brother Xuan'an, you actually have such fine tea hidden away? I've never tasted it when I visited your residence before," Zhang Zhiyi said, sipping his tea with a hint of grievance.

Zhou Xuan'an was speechless; he himself had no idea his family had this.

"Brother Zhou, how did you manage to recruit the cook at Linshui Pavilion?" Xie Wanzhou couldn't help but ask curiously. "I heard that their owner is very mysterious, and even aristocratic families and officials' sons don't dare to cause trouble there easily."

"I'm not entirely sure either, it was my sister who found it," he said affectionately. "That girl is such a little foodie."

"Your sister is truly an amazing person," Xie Wanzhou sighed softly.

"That's right, Sister Yige is not only a divine being, but also a beauty."

"Even delicious food can't shut you up?" Zhou Xuan'an was already preparing to roll up his sleeves. "Zhang Zhiyi, if you keep talking nonsense, I'm going to beat you up."

Meanwhile, Cui Yutang, who was sitting next to Zhou Xuan'an drinking tea, was already considering what kind of burlap sack would be suitable so that he could cover Zhou Xuan'an's head and give him a quiet beating on his way back.

Before long, Xie Wanrou led Xie Yige in, followed by a group of servants carrying food. The aroma was enticing, and a table full of various delicious dishes was immediately laid out.

Xie Wanrou and Xie Yige performed a curtsy with everyone.

"I apologize for keeping you gentlemen waiting. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality." Xie Wanrou, true to her name, was gentle and graceful in every movement, displaying remarkable poise and elegance. Xie Yige, standing beside her with her large, innocent, and sweet eyes, looked adorable and well-behaved.

As soon as she entered, Cui Yutang's gaze couldn't help but linger on her, making Xie Yige's heart skip a beat.

"We apologize for our sudden arrival and for disturbing you," Cui Yutang said, leading everyone to rise and return the greeting.

Zhou Xuan'an was deeply gratified. Although his brother was aloof and didn't like to talk, he was the one who gave him the most face.

As he gestured for everyone to sit down, he stepped forward to help Xie Wanrou and said softly, "You've all had a hard day. Go back and rest. I'll take care of things here."

"Okay, be careful not to drink too much."

"it is good."

After the two women left, the banquet proceeded more freely.

"Speaking of which, Brother Xuan'an, there's a question I've been holding back for a long time, but I don't know if I should ask it or not," Zhang Zhiyi finally couldn't help but say.

"What's the problem?"

Others also looked at him curiously.

"Why do you have a different surname from Yige?" Zhang Zhiyi asked cautiously, afraid of touching on some family taboo or scandal, but his gossipy nature wouldn't allow him to back down.

Cui Yutang also put in his best effort, as this problem had troubled him for a long time.

"There's nothing wrong with saying that. I have my father's surname, and Yige has my mother's surname," Zhou Xuan'an explained frankly. "When my mother was pregnant with Yige, she had a very difficult time. In a fit of anger, she scolded my father, saying that he hadn't done anything and had two children for free. She felt she had lost out and insisted that each of them have one. So she demanded that my sister take her surname."

"Your mother is truly amazing," Zhang Zhiyi exclaimed in amazement. "So, what did your father say back then?"

"My father said that all three of us could actually take your surname."

"Then your father must be quite a legendary figure." Zhang Zhiyi glanced at Zhou Xuan'an with disdain. "Looks like you're the only serious one in your family."

His words made everyone laugh.

Only Cui Yutang silently shed tears in his heart. He glanced at Zhang Zhiyi and suddenly felt that he should learn more from him; being a silent person never ends well.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a little tipsy.

Cui Yutang then left under the pretext of waking up a bit from the alcohol.

He stood in the courtyard of the Zhou residence, staring blankly at the bright moon hanging in the sky.

I feel that she is still too far away from me.

Should he stay and discuss the marriage proposal with Zhou Xuan'an after everyone leaves? Would that be too informal? Or should he come back tomorrow?

"Cui Yutang, what are you staring at the moon for? Chang'e isn't going to fall from the sky."

He turned around and saw Xie Yige's crescent-shaped eyes smiling at him, with a faint dimple showing at one corner of her mouth.

After glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he immediately took her hand, led her behind a large tree, and held her tightly in his arms.

"Yi Ge".

"Yi Ge".

His husky voice whispered softly in her ear as he kissed her swan-like neck, his burning lips and hot breath igniting a spark within her.

His arms tightened around her, as if he wanted to meld her into his body. The alcohol took effect, and all restraint and forbearance crumbled at that moment, leaving only the most primal desire—to be close to her, to possess her.

"You lecherous scoundrel...you do bad things when you're drunk..." Xie Yige scolded him gently while holding his head that was messing around on her body. Her voice was as soft as water and had no intimidating power at all.

"What...what are you doing?"

Zhou Xuan'an stood not far away, watching the two entangled, as if struck by lightning.