Gao Wu: I'll enjoy the benefits, but you'll bear the side effects.

On the tranquil shore of that body of water, gently caressed by the sunlight, Huang Xu's voice, like a sudden bolt of lightning, abruptly shattered the surrounding picturesque serenity. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of urgency and curiosity, and he rushed toward the water's edge like a gust of wind.

His figure was lithe and agile, like a valiant hunter about to reap his spoils.

When he reached the water's edge, he bent down slightly and steadily dipped his hands into the water like nimble water snakes. After a brief search and exploration, he successfully lifted the "spirit" out of the water in no time.

It was a mandarin fish, its body shimmering like silver light under the brilliant sunlight. The fish's body was like a nimble dancer, constantly twisting and struggling, and the splashing water was like a string of crystal beads, refracting colorful halos in the air.

Huang Xu gripped the fish tightly, looking as if he had obtained a rare treasure. His face beamed with a smug smile as bright as the midday sun. He excitedly shook the fish in his hand at the crowd that was eagerly waiting not far away, as if announcing his great "achievement" to the world.

Witnessing this scene, Gao Jie's heart was also subtly touched by Huang Xu's emotions, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, outlining a faint smile that was full of warmth and relief.

"Come on up, this is no ordinary thing. This is called a mandarin fish. Its flesh is so tender that it's like the most delicate flower in spring. It melts in your mouth, especially when steamed. The taste is simply divine and will immerse your taste buds in an unparalleled feast."

Huang Xu stood by the water, like a seasoned gourmet passionately recommending a delicacy. His booming voice was filled with eager anticipation for the mandarin fish that was about to become a dish, and he lingered leisurely by the open water.

"By the way, you guys rest after you finish eating. I'm going out to meet a friend in a bit, and I also want to find out what the current situation is like. We can't just stay here in a daze; we need to understand the situation around us."

As Huang Xu strode back, he spoke solemnly to the crowd.

At this moment, after a long and arduous journey and many twists and turns, everyone felt confused and helpless about their current situation, as if they were in a thick fog and could not tell which way to go.

Therefore, upon hearing Huang Xu's words, everyone nodded thoughtfully in agreement.

Upon hearing this, the Xu sisters exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes seemingly conveying a thousand unspoken words.

Then, they nodded gently, their movements soft and graceful, like flowers swaying in the wind.

Gao Jie handed over the important task of cooking to Huang Muran without hesitation. Huang Muran also did not complain. He straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and with a sense of determination and confidence, turned around and walked firmly towards the makeshift kitchen. His back seemed to be telling that he was about to make great achievements in this small kitchen world and carefully cook this fresh mandarin fish that still had the spirit of water.

Time slipped away quietly amidst everyone's busyness or anticipation, and before we knew it, it was almost time for dinner.

A group of people gradually sat around the simple yet warm dining table, filled with a strong sense of everyday life. A subtle and indescribable atmosphere permeated the air, like undercurrents surging beneath a calm lake.

But at this moment, Sister Wen was unusually enthusiastic, her eyes filled with a burning desire, and she insisted on sitting with Gao Jie.

She moved gracefully with light, delicate steps, slowly sitting down while muttering to herself like a babbling brook.

"I feel that I only enjoy my food when I'm near you, as if you have some kind of magical power that can instantly transform ordinary food into a delicacy. If I'm far away from you, I feel that food tastes like chewing wax, utterly tasteless."

Sister Wen's voice was soft and melodious, like the song of a nightingale. Her eyes held a hint of shyness and expectation, as if they were dreamlike. She sat down close to Gao Jie, so close that they seemed to feel each other's breath. It seemed that she wanted to convey some special and secret emotion, like fireworks quietly blooming in the quiet night sky, shining brightly for only one person.

Xu Rourou was straightforward by nature, and her temper was like a summer storm, coming on swiftly and intensely.

Upon hearing this, she was slightly taken aback at first, and then her clear and melodious laughter echoed freely in the air like silver bells, carrying a hint of undisguised and heart-wrenching mockery.

"That's right, what they said is absolutely true. Some people can't eat without a man. At first, I thought they were joking, but I didn't expect it to be true."

While laughing so hard she almost fell over, Xu Rourou deliberately raised her voice, making it as loud as a bell. Her eyes would occasionally dart towards Sister Wen like a nimble sprite, and the provocation in her words grew stronger, like sharp swords piercing straight into the depths of Sister Wen's heart.

"Now I feel like this has come true, don't you think?"

Xu Rourou glanced around at everyone with the air of a victor, trying to gain their approval and support, looking like a female general returning victorious from the battlefield.

Once everyone understood what had happened, they all found the situation quite dramatic and somewhat amusing. However, out of consideration for Sister Wen's feelings and dignity, they all suppressed their laughter, their faces turning red from holding it in, but they dared not laugh out loud.

Sister Wen's face instantly turned as red as the sky dyed by the sunset, like a ripe apple, beautiful and tempting yet full of bitterness. She never expected that her heartfelt gesture would be so easily ridiculed and countered by a young girl. This was undoubtedly a sudden "disaster," plunging her into extreme embarrassment and awkwardness.

She was both angry and somewhat at a loss. Apart from being angry, there seemed to be nothing else she could do. She was like a wild beast trapped in a cage, full of anger but with nowhere to vent it.

Sister Wen simply stopped talking. She felt that she had already lost the argument, and if she stayed any longer, she would only put herself in an even more embarrassing situation.

So, like a wounded ostrich, she turned around and hurriedly went about her business, trying to use her busy figure to cover up her inner panic and displeasure.

She walked to the dining table, her eyes somewhat vacant, reached out and grabbed a piece of fish, stuffing it into her mouth without a second thought, her movements appearing slightly awkward and hurried.

Although this mandarin fish is incredibly delicious and can be considered a top-grade fish, it has several small and sharp bones near its spine. At this moment, Sister Wen's mind was filled with the gloom brought about by the unpleasant confrontation just now, and she had no time to pay attention to the details of eating fish.

After she swallowed it, she instantly felt a sharp pain, like a razor blade, piercing her throat.

A sharp pain surged through her like a tidal wave, and she couldn't help but cry out in pain and terror.

Then, she instinctively covered her neck with both hands, as if that would alleviate the excruciating pain.

Gao Jie was watching with some helplessness the childish commotion between Xu Rourou and Sister Wen when he heard Sister Wen's shout. His sharp eyes instantly became as keen as a hawk's, and he immediately saw the problem.

He quickly stood up, his movements swift and agile, like a black lightning bolt, and strode towards Sister Wen.

"You can't even have a quiet meal? What's there to argue about? We're all in this together now, we should be sharing the burden. What's the point of all this arguing? Can't we just get along peacefully?"

Gao Jie's tone carried a hint of reproach, a reproach that struck everyone's hearts like a light hammer, but more than that, it was filled with concern and worry like the warm spring sun.

He walked to Sister Wen's side, bent down slightly, his posture elegant and gentlemanly, carefully examining Sister Wen's condition, his eyes full of focus and pity.

"Don't move, I'll help you remove this fish bone."

As Gao Jie spoke, he swiftly picked up a chopstick, his gaze so focused that it seemed the whole world consisted only of the fishbone in Sister Wen's mouth.

His hands were steady and gentle, like a skilled artist sculpting a rare treasure.

Under the tense yet expectant gazes of everyone, he carefully and slowly inserted the chopsticks into Sister Wen's mouth. Relying on his years of accumulated skill and his radar-like sensitivity, he carefully and patiently explored the narrow and dangerous "battlefield" of her mouth and quickly and successfully removed the fishbone.

At this moment, Sister Wen looked like a little girl who had suffered all the injustices of the world. Her eyes were red, and tears welled up in them, like a lake about to burst its banks. She looked pitiful and endearing. Xu Rourou, on the other hand, pursed her lips, looking at Sister Wen's appearance with a disdain in her heart. She thought Sister Wen was too pretentious. It was just a small fishbone; why make such a fuss, as if the sky were about to fall?

In that seemingly calm but turbulent little world, Xu Rourou was filled with confusion and entanglement, and she herself couldn't understand what was wrong.

Everything was fine, but whenever she saw Gao Jie getting close to that woman, her head would start to throb, as if countless tiny needles were gently pricking it.

More than anything, an indescribable sense of unease spread through my heart like a tidal wave.

If Gao Jie maintained a proper distance from that woman, her heart would be at peace. But once the distance between them shortened, her heart would immediately feel like a pool of burning coals, hot and painful, and the discomfort would rush to her throat.

Xu Wanwan noticed her sister's unusual behavior and knew that if things continued to develop this way, it would inevitably cause a big commotion.

So she quickly stepped forward to stop Xu Rourou, her bright eyes darting around, and then she made up an excuse, saying:

"My sister and I went to the kitchen to get some soup."

The voice was clear and resonant, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Come quick!"

Although Xu Rourou was unwilling, she still followed her sister into the kitchen.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, her anger still raged in her chest, and her face turned bright red.

Looking at her younger sister's appearance, Xu Wanwan couldn't help but frown, a small crease appearing between her brows, her eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and seriousness.

"That's enough. What does this man have to do with us? Besides, what happened before is over. I don't want you to make a big deal out of this trivial matter, understand?"

Xu Wanwan's tone carried a hint of reproach and admonition as she stared intently at Xu Rourou, as if trying to imprint her words deeply into her younger sister's mind.

"In short, you'd better listen to me and not do anything you shouldn't. This is no joke. If you make things complicated, it'll be a real disaster, understand?"

As Xu Wanwan spoke, she gently shook Xu Rourou's shoulder, trying to bring her back to her senses.

"We're all living under the same roof now, so why worry so much? Besides, you've been acting strange lately. Do you like him?"

Xu Wanwan's gaze was like a torch, piercing straight into Xu Rourou, her eyes seemingly able to see into the depths of her heart.

When Xu Rourou heard her sister say this, her eyes widened instantly, like two round black gems. She shook her head frantically, her head bobbing like a rattle drum.

"Don't talk nonsense. How could I possibly like that guy Gao Jie? Let me tell you, I could never like him in my entire life, you hear me?"

"By the way, why are you asking me this? Do you think I like him? Let me tell you the truth, there's absolutely no way I could like him, not in this life, not in the next, you hear me?"

Xu Rourou's voice trembled slightly with excitement, and she spoke very quickly, as if afraid that her sister would not believe her.

Seeing her sister's reaction, Xu Wanwan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, and she asked softly:

"Since you said you wouldn't like him, why are you so agitated? Is it because I was right? Logically, you should be quite calm, right?"

These words were like a sharp sword, instantly choking Xu Rourou into silence.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time. For a moment, the young girl didn't know how to deal with this sudden "attack".

She could only call out "Sister" in a coquettish tone, then picked up the bowl of soup and slowly walked out of the kitchen with her sister.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the kitchen, he witnessed an unpleasant scene. Sister Wen had somehow grabbed Gao Jie, who was about to leave, her face full of pitiful expression, and she was lying, saying her hand was injured and in great pain.

"My hands really hurt so much, can you feed me? Besides, I've never eaten this kind of fish before, I mostly eat sea fish, how do you eat this kind of fish?" Sister Wen's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, but there was a hint of cunning in her eyes.

Gao Jie was a kind-hearted and simple-minded person, and he didn't think much of what Sister Wen said.

So he picked up his chopsticks and patiently prepared some fish or rice, slowly feeding it into Sister Wen's mouth.

Xu Rourou witnessed this scene, and she felt as if a bucket of oil had been poured on the already raging fire in her heart, causing it to burn even more fiercely. She was so angry that she was about to explode!

"snort!"

Xu Rourou angrily shoved the chopsticks in her hand away. The chopsticks drew an arc in the air and then fell to the ground with a "thud".

She turned and went back into the house, her back view filled with endless anger and grievance.

Gao Jie and the others were puzzled. They really couldn't understand why this girl would suddenly do such a thing.

Xu Wanwan quickly picked out some dishes, picked up a bowl of rice, and hurriedly followed them inside.

"It's okay. My sister isn't feeling well today, so don't worry about it. Everyone can eat and drink as usual."

Xu Wanwan tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor, attempting to use these words to dispel the doubts and awkwardness in everyone's hearts.

Huang Xu and Huang Muran didn't feel anything special about this unexpected little episode. After all, in their opinion, everyone had already reached this point, so why bother with the trivial matters in life?

So the two of them stopped being polite and continued to enjoy the food.

It must be said that Huang Muran's cooking skills are truly excellent. This big mandarin fish, weighing more than four pounds, exudes an enticing aroma under his careful cooking, and its taste is absolutely delicious and unforgettable.

In no time, the whole fish was eaten clean.

After the meal, Gao Jie, out of politeness, escorted Sister Wen back to her room.

Throughout the journey, Sister Wen seemed hesitant to speak, as if she had a lot on her mind.

Gao Jie was initially puzzled, but after a brief moment of thought, he seemed to suddenly realize something.

"Sister Wen, just tell me what's wrong. Although I'm a rough guy, I'm actually quite perceptive. If there's anything, just tell me."

Gao Jie's voice was deep and steady, and his eyes revealed concern and sincerity.

"Did something go wrong during dinner today? Did it make you unhappy? If so, I apologize on behalf of the two sisters. Don't take it to heart; we're all in the same boat now."

Gao Jie assumed that Sister Wen was still bothered by Xu Rourou's matter, so he spoke first.

Sister Wen sighed softly, the sigh like a wisp of smoke, slowly dissipating in the air.

She gently raised her hand and carefully smoothed Gao Jie's hair, her movements light and natural.

"It wasn't because that girl was glaring at me, but because some things are just really hard to deal with."

"For example, although we have already reached this point, as for what will happen next, I really have no idea."

"A hint of worry and confusion appeared in Sister Wen's eyes. Her gaze passed over Gao Jie and looked into the distance, as if she was contemplating her unknown fate."

"Right now, I just want everyone to be okay, and please, please don't let anything else go wrong. If things continue like this, I feel like no one can handle it. What do you think?"

Sister Wen turned her gaze back to Gao Jie, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation and inquiry.

"What I mean is that it's already a pretty good outcome that everyone is living here. Those two girls are Xu Wenfeng's daughters; they'll bring trouble upon us sooner or later."

Sister Wen finally voiced her concerns. Although her voice was still gentle, her words carried great weight.

Gao Jie instantly understood what Sister Wen meant. In the end, wasn't she just trying to get people to leave?

A bitter feeling welled up in his heart. After all, Xu Wenfeng had fallen to such a state of destitution, what could these two girls possibly do?

Gao Jie could only offer a few words of comfort in a soft voice, trying to ease the heavy atmosphere.