Tea-flavored Romance

"I guess so." The short-haired girl picked up her acoustic guitar again, extended her hand and said, "My name is Wang Ziwei, and I'm currently a trainee at a record company."

"Using this method to improve singing skills? That's quite an idea." Master Ning reached out and shook hands with her.

"You could also say you're looking for inspiration. After all, singing is something that depends on your mood."

"Your way of expressing your mood is quite unique. You only feel motivated to sing when you encounter a particularly beautiful young lady."

"It's alright, considering we only ran into two today." Wang Ziwei suddenly smiled. "And it seems like they're both related to you?"

Master Ning was slightly taken aback. Following the short-haired girl's gaze, he saw Jiang Xihua appear at the place where the crowd had just gathered, looking at him with a half-smile.

That's why they say Miss Manyue is a cold, aloof deity who looks down on all living beings. She just stands there quietly, saying nothing and doing nothing, naturally creating a scene that keeps strangers away. When Ning Yuan saw Miss Manyue's unbelievably beautiful face appear before him, he suddenly felt a little dazed.

"Jiang...what a coincidence..."

Jiang Manyue slightly curved the corners of her mouth, and a hint of a smile appeared in her dark eyes as she gazed at Master Ning.

"Unfortunately," the girl's clear voice rang out softly, "I was looking for you."

Master Ning: ? ? ?

This happened so many chapters ago, Jiang Manyue, and you still want to retaliate against me in such a serious manner! "Vengeful" doesn't even begin to describe you! You clearly refuse to suffer even the slightest loss!

The short-haired girl quietly left with her wooden guitar, leaving only Ning Yuan and Miss Jiang Manyue, along with Ning Yiling, who subtly approached him and asserted her dominance through her actions.

Seeing that Jiang Xihua seemed to casually shift her gaze to Xiao Ling'er beside her, Master Ning's heart skipped a beat. He wondered if this was another way of saying, "She's just my sister."

We didn't meet at the next corner, but we met in the blink of an eye!

"Ahem... Jiang, don't misunderstand, she's just my sister."

He finally managed to utter the line, which sounded almost like a spell, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, he had a strange premonition that he might have to say this line more than once.

Is this some kind of weird flag?!

Ning Yiling was so angry she wanted to pinch Master Ning, but she couldn't come up with a good reason. She clenched her fist and had no choice but to give up.

You weren't in a hurry to clarify that I was your sister when you met that short-haired passerby, but now that you've run into your little sweetheart, Cha Cha, you're afraid she'll misunderstand, so you just turn your back on her!

Ning Yuan, you're ruthless!

"Yes, I understand." Jiang Xihua nodded gently, it was unclear whether she meant she already knew or she knew now.

So you're all out having fun together now?

"Ahem...more or less...Jiang, you're out shopping alone?"

Jiang Manyue responded with a half-smile, and looked at Ning Yuan without saying anything. Master Ning immediately understood.

Gu Guanxue had previously said that Jiang Xihua was very controlling and would definitely panic if things got out of her control... However, to their surprise, Jiang Manyue remained calm and didn't do anything, which almost made Gu Xihua panic instead.

This encounter is a mix of coincidence and inevitability, but judging from the girl's appearance, she's definitely up to something big. Master Ning, a double agent for so long, has never had a chance to exchange intelligence with her and is already itching for something.

Make your move, Jiang Manyue! I want to see what you're up to today!

Therefore, Ning Yuan cautiously probed:

"How about...we go shopping together?"

"Okay."

Jiang Manyue nodded without the slightest hesitation, chuckling softly.

Master Ning gasped.

Sister Jiang, you can even follow this?

Chapter 110: Was this also part of your calculations?

Ning Yuan initially thought the earlier probing was just an unspoken understanding: he asked if she wanted to go shopping together, Jiang Manyue declined, and then, like the Bodhi Patriarch wanting to give Sun Wukong three taps on the head, she subtly hinted at a time and place for their meeting. Finally, Master Ning found an excuse to ditch Ning Yiling, successfully achieving his strategic goal of meeting up…

But Jiang Xihua's immediate agreement caught him off guard... Can you even join a tour group like this? Although the person behind me is indeed my younger sister, not my sweetheart, we're not a couple either!

This is bad, this arrogant guy next to me is about to explode!

As expected, upon hearing Miss Manyue's words, Ning Yiling's expression changed drastically, and she gently grabbed Master Ning's arm and leaned closer. On the surface, she appeared to be a well-behaved and adorable younger sister hiding behind her brother, too shy to greet his friends. In reality, however, her hands were tightly locked together, as if she would pinch Ning Yuan's fingers until he suffered internal injuries if his answer was unsatisfactory.

The pressure gradually shifted to Master Ning. However, the master lived up to his reputation, displaying extraordinary composure and the ability to remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before him or a deer ran past on his left. He gently patted Ning Yiling's head beside him and smiled indulgently.

“It’ll be more fun if the three of us go shopping together, but let me tell you this first, Jiang, it’s fine when we all go out together, but today my sister is here, so when we’re shopping and eating and drinking together, my wallet will belong to my sister. You’re not allowed to be jealous.”

"Of course." Jiang Xihua's expression was calm, with a smile on her face. She didn't seem to find Master Ning's doting brother persona at all out of place, and she didn't immediately dismiss the slightly opportunistic joke about not being jealous.

Ning Yuan couldn't tell whether she meant that it was only natural for him to dote on his sister, or that it was expected that she wouldn't be jealous. He became even more wary: How could Jiang Xihua, in her normal state, be so easily taken advantage of by him?

This girl has been possessed!

She's the type who won't suffer even the slightest loss! If there's anything that could make her temporarily overlook a small loss, it would definitely be if she were to make a huge profit in the future!

This kid has grand ambitions, so everything he's doing now is just forbearance, right?

Even Master Ning wasn't confident he could gain the upper hand against Miss Manyue, given her lack of intention. Having grasped the hidden danger, Ning Yuan couldn't help but glance at Xiao Ling'er beside him.

Ning 10, do something! Quickly, just say something cute and that you want your brother to keep you company! Otherwise, I'm going to be completely devoured by the number one candidate for sister-in-law in front of you!

Unfortunately, Ning Yiling was, after all, a proud and aloof old man. In front of outsiders, especially those he didn't know well, he naturally had to be mindful of his public image. Hearing Master Ning's three-person plan, he initially wanted to lash out, but then he realized this guy still had some survival instinct and knew to emphasize his importance. His dissatisfaction immediately dissipated, and he generously replied, "Then let's all go together..."

Oh no, I'm doomed! I'm not generous when I should be, and I'm incredibly generous when I shouldn't be. Sisters really do affect how fast I can get the Snow Moon Kill achievement!

"Then...shall we go?"

The three of them, in an awkward atmosphere, began their journey together. Master Ning's happy face concealed a mask of pain. Ning Yiling walked to Ning Yuan's left, but compared to when they had just walked together, the distance between them seemed to have quietly closed considerably.

Jiang Xihua remained motionless, slowly walking a little ahead of the two, looking as leisurely as if she were out shopping and having fun.

"Cough cough..."

After a moment, Ning Yuan seemed to sense the awkward atmosphere and cleared his throat, saying, "Um... Jiang, was that female singer you the one who ran into earlier?"

"Ah."

What song did she sing for you?

“Virtual,” Jiang Manyue said, tilting her head slightly. “It should be this one.”

"What do you mean by 'should'...?"

The girl replied matter-of-factly, "Because I wasn't listening carefully."

"This...this is so real?"

Master Ning was stunned when he heard this. The Wang Ziwei had expressed her gratitude to the brother and sister for listening to her sing... So she was comparing herself to Jiang Xihua?

That makes sense. Who is Jiang Manyue? She's the scheming villain Gu Xihua talks about. It would be quite a magical story if a villain could listen to a stranger's song with such gentleness and consideration.

Xiao Ling'er also appears rather aloof in front of outsiders. It's likely that if it weren't for waiting for Ning Yuan, Wang Ziwei might have been subjected to real damage by two young ladies in one day.

The key point is that both of these young ladies have a connection to him!

Perhaps this is fate... Master Ning thought to himself. Jiang Manyue's steps suddenly slowed down. He thought that the girl had seen some shops and was about to go in to shop. Then, he heard a few girls' excited greetings from behind.

"Ning 10~"

"Over here, over here..."

Several girls in a group waved to Xiao Ling'er, seemingly acquaintances. Ning Yiling looked surprised and waved back, asking, "What are you all doing here?"

"The businesses here are having a joint promotion, so we changed our plans... What are you doing here? Didn't you say you had something to do this afternoon and couldn't come out with us?"

"Oh...I came out with Ningyuan..."

Ning Yiling never calls him "brother" in public, something Master Ning is already used to. Hearing Xiaoling'er's explanation, and glancing at Jiang Manyue standing beside Master Ning, the friends all exchanged knowing glances.

So, you're the sister-in-law and sister-in-law... Xiao Ling'er, what you did was really not right. They're so in love, being a third wheel is not something a good sister-in-law should do!

"Since we've run into each other, shall we borrow Zero?"

"Brother Ningyuan, you don't mind lending us your sister for half a day, right?"

"Let's go, let's go! 10, I'm telling you, we just came across a really delicious clam noodle shop. Let's go there again when we're tired of shopping..."

After a brief discussion, the girls pushed and shoved Ning Yiling away from Master Ning, all the while flashing Young Pioneer-like smiles at Master Ning and Miss Manyue.

There is true affection and love in the world. It is our duty to eliminate potential family conflicts between sisters-in-law!

"Eh... I..."

Ning Yiling, looking utterly bewildered, was pushed away from Ning Yuan by her friends. As she left, she only showed a confused profile, as if she wanted to turn back and say something to him. Ning Yuan, meanwhile, watched helplessly as his younger sister was pulled away by her friends. He glanced back at Jiang Xihua, who stood calmly beside him, and gasped again.

Sister Jiang, was this also part of your calculations?

Chapter 111: So Cute

Jiang Xihua responded to Ning Yuan's gaze and slowly said, "The way you look at me makes me feel sad and untrusted."

She subtly distanced herself from Ning Yuan, returning to the way they had been interacting at the beginning, and frankly admitted, "I did want them to help me take your sister away."

"So this was all part of your plan!" Master Ning said with a pained expression, "I even suspect I fell into your trap from the very beginning..."

Oh well... it's just a toy for the full moon.

"It's not that bad," Jiang Xihua said casually. "Would you believe me if I said I was just out shopping for fun?"

"It's not a question of whether I believe it or not anymore... Have you been following us the whole time?"

Jiang Xihua twitched the corner of her mouth: "I'm not that bored."

Would someone who isn't bored go shopping alone?

"I'm not that bored!" Jiang Manyue repeated, her eyes seemingly carrying a hint of barely perceptible murderous intent.

“I think so too.” Master Ning quickly grasped the point and said seriously, “Jiang has been racking her brains every day to help me win over Gu Guanxue. She doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would do something so pointless.”

"Believe it or not, I got out earlier than you all," Jiang Manyue said quietly. "If I had to say, maybe it's fate."

Fate? You're just being overly sentimental. Ning Yuan thought to himself, Jiang Xihua seems to have only denied following him, but hasn't denied plotting to get Ning Yiling away. In the end, she's still trying to take advantage of me, isn't she?

However, thinking about it from another angle, if what Jiang Manyue said is true, that she went out shopping and eating alone, wandering through the surging crowds, and just happened to bump into Master Ning sitting there singing "Clouds and Smoke Turn to Rain" in a crowded place... and that he was using the same guitar that the singer had just sung a song for her! It really does seem to have a bit of a divine touch.

“Even if it’s fate… Jiang, you sent my sister away so you could talk to me alone. That’s not God’s will, is it?” Ning Yuan sighed. “Gu Guanxue thought you would contact me beforehand, but I didn’t expect you to be so patient.”

“I don’t call it being calm,” Jiang Xihua said calmly. “It just means that Gu Guanxue is still too young.”

"She gave herself away?"