Tea-flavored Romance

"It's not a matter of how good or bad it is... cough cough cough... Did you see the drawing I made for you? It's at the end of the letter."

"I don't remember much."

"You must have read the second and third letters, right? There are also drawings I made for you there. They're about the time we rode the roller coaster together, and you pinched my cheek and made me scream. I'm still holding a grudge about that."

"Did not receive it."

"How could that be! My system clearly shows that it has been signed for! Full Moon, you wouldn't be lying to me, would you?" Master Ning asked suspiciously, "Could it be that the letter I wrote to you is actually lying quietly on your desk right now, which is why you're so determined not to let me in?"

Jiang Manyue sneered: "Do you think that's possible?"

"What if?"

"Then open your eyes and look for yourself. What's on my table?"

The girl opened the door, letting Ning Yuan's gaze pass over her as he surveyed the room's layout. Master Ning, examining the room, stroked his chin and said, "Hmm...it does seem like it...hey, was that letter I wrote for the full moon?"

"That's my book."

"Hey...Manyue, isn't that doll on your bed the one we bought together when we went shopping before?"

Miss Full Moon: "..."

"No, it's the same style." The girl said casually, "I threw away the one you bought, it was in my sight."

"I picked out this scarf for you before, right? Why is it hanging on the coat rack without you wearing it?"

“It’s the same style,” Jiang Manyue replied. “I threw away the one you bought.”

Master Ning fell silent this time, suppressing a laugh as he looked at the girl's expressionless face. This expression seemed to infuriate Miss Manyue, who, without thinking, stomped on the scumbag's foot with her small, slippery feet and sneered, "You think I'm lying to you?"

"No, no, that's not true at all. I just feel that my eye for choosing things needs improvement; I can't spot the subtle differences between similar items." Master Ning laughed, "Next time, I promise I'll pick out a gift that you won't want to buy again."

“There won’t be a next time,” Jiang Xihua said resolutely. “I wouldn’t accept it even if you gave it to me.”

"Whether you accept it or not is your business, but whether I give it to you or not is mine." Ning Yuan replied seriously, "Man Yue, you're so cute right now, may I kiss you?"

"If you want to die, then go ahead and bite me." Jiang Manyue said coldly, "This is my home, and I can't guarantee that I'll stop this time like before."

“That makes sense, but I choose death.” Master Ning took a step closer, his gaze fixed on Miss Manyue’s face, and said softly, “Manyue, I’m sorry.”

He took a step forward, and Miss Manyue took a step back. The two gradually approached the wall by the windowsill, their backs pressed against the solid wall. With nowhere left to retreat, their gazes finally met. Only then did a cold smile appear on Jiang Manyue's lips. She gently stroked Ning Yuan's face, pulling him closer. But strangely, after reaching a certain point, Miss Manyue stopped. The two maintained this close, eye-to-eye distance, Ning Yuan's warm cheek still touched by the girl's slightly cool hand…

It looks just like they're kissing.

Wait a minute! It looks just like a kiss?!

Snow's current crime! ?

Master Ning's pupils dilated slightly as he tried to turn his head to glance at the view from the room across the window, but a ruthless beauty from the department grabbed his chin. The girl's face was full of a dangerous smile. She pressed down on Master Ning's face, preventing him from seeing the direction of Xuebao's room, and said sarcastically, "Didn't you want to kiss me? What? Want to back out?"

Master Ning felt like crying, thinking to himself that Miss Manyue's vengeful nature was indeed beyond compare. She had only remembered the grudge because she had discovered that he was in Xuebao's room, and now she was finally revealing her true colors, making Xuebao on the opposite window feel the same way.

Of course, since the mistake has already been made, what Master Ning is most angry about is that Miss Manyue used a trick like camera angles to complete this operation, without giving any benefits at all. This makes Ning Yuan, the best male lead, somewhat reluctant to work.

Perhaps having already achieved her goal, or perhaps busy admiring the despair and resentment in Ning Yuan's eyes, Jiang Manyue released the scumbag's chin, pushed his chest aside, and pulled the curtains shut, saying indifferently, "I gave you a chance, but you didn't do it, so don't blame me."

Ning Yuan: ? ? ?

Was it because I didn't want to be useful? It was clearly your little hand that kept me from moving my chin! If I had just a fraction less self-control, we'd be in your bed right now!

"You said it yourself, so I'd better seize the opportunity now, okay?"

Jiang Manyue didn't answer, but just glanced at him, seemingly certain that he wouldn't dare to do anything. Master Ning, seeing that he was completely under his girlfriend's thumb, couldn't help but smile wryly and said, "Okay... I really won't do anything to you if you resist, but don't think of me as too much of a gentleman, okay? I do sometimes do things that go beyond my usual persona."

"for example?"

“For example, right now.” Master Ning stepped forward and gently pulled the girl into his arms, sighing softly in her ear, “Manyue, stop being so stubborn, okay?”

The warm breath on her ear made the girl's body stiffen slightly. She subconsciously tried to break free, but she suddenly found that Ning Yuan's embrace was actually quite difficult to break free from. She was stunned for a moment, and then began to pinch the soft flesh on Master Ning's waist, as if hoping that he would release her in pain.

However, these coquettish little actions didn't seem to have any effect on Ning Yuan. He endured the pain and said, word by word, "Man Yue, I know what I did was very wrong to you, and I know that I shouldn't continue to pester you, but I can't let you go. Just like now, even though it hurts, I still want to hold you."

Jiang Manyue didn't speak, but her breathing sounded slightly disordered. Seeing this, Master Ning continued, "You know the situation with the Gu family, so..."

However, before Master Ning could actually say what he wanted to say, Old Master Jiang's booming voice suddenly came from outside: "Hey, what are you three doing hiding here? Playing the eavesdropper? Mu Feng, Chao Yun... what's wrong with you two? Why do you look like you're about to fight someone? Where's your sister Manyue?"

“Upstairs, with that guy,” Jiang Mufeng replied through gritted teeth.

What are they doing upstairs?

"I don't know, but it sounded like they were about to fight," Jiang Muyu interjected. "Sister Manyue seemed to dislike this former cousin-in-law quite a bit."

"Really? Then I have to go up and take a look." Grandpa Jiang immediately perked up: "Let's see how my granddaughter beats that kid. I wonder if the military boxing I taught her will be of any use."

Master Ning: "..."

So, all that punch I got from my girlfriend that almost made me vomit blood was thanks to you, sir?!

Chapter 339: Ning10: Can I report my teammate?

"Still not letting go?"

Jiang Manyue finally mustered the strength to push Ning Yuan away. Master Ning looked helplessly at the door, thinking to himself that his path as a scumbag was truly full of twists and turns. Xuebao was interrupted by her mother-in-law while casting a spell, and he was talking about serious matters with Manyue when Grandpa Jiang interrupted his operation...

I think even God doesn't want me to have a peaceful New Year!

Left with no other choice, Ning Yuan was asked to leave the room by Miss Manyue. At the door, he bumped into Grandpa Jiang, who had come to inquire about the battle. The two stared at each other for a moment before Grandpa Jiang asked with a puzzled look:

"How come you can still stand?"

"Old Master, you sound quite disappointed..." Master Ning said, quite annoyed, "Do you really want me to collapse like this?"

"No... I mean you were the first boy to enter the Full Moon room, what were you two doing in there? The atmosphere seemed a bit awkward?"

"Ahem...nothing, just catching up and reminiscing." Master Ning coughed lightly and said, "By the way, Elder Jiang, what brings you here?"

"Nothing much, it's just that I heard you came here after I got back..." Old Master Jiang looked Master Ning up and down, then looked past him and said to Jiang Manyue, who was sitting peacefully in the room, "Manyue... how about we have New Year's Eve dinner with Grandpa Gu's family this year?"

"I have no objection," Jiang Manyue said calmly. "Grandpa, you can decide for yourselves."

"Hey, I was just worried you'd have something to say." Grandpa Jiang's words carried a hidden meaning. He spoke meaningfully to the scumbag, "Xiao Ning...you really deserve a lot of credit for making this big pot of New Year's Eve dinner possible..."

"Crack..."

A sharp crack suddenly came from Miss Manyue's room. Master Ning and Grandpa Jiang turned around at the same time to look at the source of the sound. They saw the girl break a pencil with her bare hands and calmly put the broken pencil in the trash can next to her.

"I'm fine, you can continue."

Master Ning: "..."

Is this what you call "nothing's wrong"? This is clearly something's wrong!

He turned his head and looked at Grandpa Jiang with a pleading expression, as if begging the old man to say less. But Grandpa Jiang seemed to have a grudge against Ning the scumbag, and looked away, continuing, "Not only did he offer to have dinner together, but he also took on the task of cooking. Little Ning, you've really had a hard time this time..."

"Crack..."

Ning Yuan: ?

Grandpa, if you want me dead, just say so, okay? Don't expose my scheme of killing the New Year's Eve dinner in front of my Manyue, okay... You're not really trying to test whether Manyue dares to kill this scumbag at home, are you?

"Grandpa, you flatter me. Actually, it's mainly so that you two can enjoy a drink together..." Master Ning, his survival instincts kicking in, quickly interrupted, "How about this, tonight I'll cook for you and show off my skills. Tell me about any dietary restrictions or preferences you have, and you can all look forward to tasting my cooking for the New Year's Eve dinner tomorrow... By the way, where is your kitchen? I'd like to go over and try cooking a couple of dishes."

"There's no need to rush... Weren't you just chatting? Why don't you chat a little longer?"

"Enough talk, enough talk, eating is the priority... Grandpa, you probably don't have a good grasp of my culinary skills right now, but I'm about to show you what a true God of Cookery is..."

Due to limited ingredients, Master Ning was ultimately unable to prepare a full-course Manchu Han Imperial Feast for the Jiang family. However, he still managed to make simple home-style dishes delicious and flavorful, earning him repeated praise from those who stayed for the meal. Even his parents-in-law couldn't help but look at him with admiration.

A man's ability to cook is not a sign of being petty. Often, a person's refinement and character can be seen in small details, and so far, Ningyuan's character has greatly pleased Mr. and Mrs. Jiang...

But... since this kid seems alright, well-behaved and sensible, and doesn't seem to be angry with Manyue, then why does Manyue dislike him so much?

She wouldn't say anything when asked, so in the Jiang family's understanding, the relationship between Ning Yuan and Jiang Manyue became an unspoken understanding.

"Mofeng, is today's meal delicious?"

"It's nothing special," Jiang Mufeng said casually, putting down the bowl that had already been filled with two bowls of rice and wiping his mouth.

"Where is Muyu?"

"generally."

"Chaoyun?"

"I can't tell if a dish is good or bad by taste; I'm terrible with food," Jiang Chaoyun said calmly. "You know me well, Aunt."

"What are you all saying... Tomorrow, Brother Xiaoning will be cooking for our New Year's Eve dinner with Uncle Gu from next door... With your attitude, it's hard for them to help you."

The three little ones, with their strong survival instincts, were immediately stumped upon hearing this. They couldn't help but glance at the silent big boss, Jiang Manyue, implying that their opinions were unimportant, since the person whose opinion truly mattered hadn't spoken yet.

Aunt Manyue noticed the gazes of the younger generation and immediately understood. She stopped making things difficult for the weak, pitiful, and helpless little ones and instead asked, "Manyue, what do you think?"

"It's alright." As soon as Jiang Manyue put down her chopsticks, Master Ning, who was sitting not far away, casually pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. The three little girls in the Jiang family couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement at how skilled and quick he was. They thought to themselves that Master Ning's conditioned reflex could only be developed by eating together with her hundreds of meals.

"I have no objections, as long as Grandpa and Grandpa Gu are satisfied with the food." Jiang Xihua paused for a moment. Even though she hadn't forgiven that scumbag, she still didn't want to embarrass Ning Yuan in front of everyone. She took the tissue and replied softly, "You decide, I'm fine with whatever you want."

"Then it's settled. Xiao Ning, a few of us will help you out tomorrow."

“No problem, Auntie. You usually work so hard during the New Year, this time it’s your turn to relax and enjoy yourself.” Ning Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest to assure her, “You can make any requests for the dishes tomorrow. As long as I have the ingredients, I can make any dish.”

The three younger members of the Jiang family were secretly delighted upon hearing this, giving their cousin-in-law a silent thumbs-up. Grandpa Jiang smiled meaningfully and said, "Alright then, it's getting late. Xiao Ning, are you planning to stay at the Gu family's house, or stay here at the Jiang family's?"

Master Ning swallowed hard upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "If you could arrange for me to live with Miss Manyue, I would run away with my luggage. But living here would prevent me from repairing my relationship with my girlfriend, and it would also disrupt my time management skills. I absolutely cannot let you interrupt my operations."

"I'm here to pay a visit, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay overnight. Besides, Old Master Gu said he wanted to discuss something with me tonight, so I have to go back." Master Ning replied with great regret, "Next time, next time I'll definitely trouble you for a few more days at your residence..."

"Oh, I see. Then there's nothing I can do... Full Moon, do you have time to take Xiao Ning to... Full Moon?"

Sitting there, Jiang Xihua, slightly lost in thought, snapped out of her reverie and fell silent upon hearing Old Master Jiang's words. Master Ning, thinking Miss Manyue was about to refuse, was about to say something to gloss over the matter when he heard the girl gently nod and reply:

"it is good."

……

The two left the Jiang family's house one after the other. Without the warmth of the heating, the air outside felt chilly when inhaled, giving them a jolt. Thick clouds obscured the moonlight, and the stars were nowhere to be seen. Ning Yuan put his hands in his pockets, looked up at the sky, and began trying to make conversation:

"The moonlight isn't very good tonight... Judging by the humidity, it might snow tomorrow."

Jiang Manyue did not answer, but walked slowly with her head down in silence. Master Ning was a little confused about the girl's intentions, so he could only follow her in silence.

"Go this way, there's a door in the backyard that leads directly to the Gu family's house."

"But what if I don't want to go home so soon?" Ning Yuan shrugged. "We need a chance to digest after dinner, right? Could you walk with me for a while?"

"No," the girl said coldly. "I only promised Grandpa I'd take you home; I have no obligation to accompany you for a walk to help you digest your food. Walk by yourself."