Chapter 135: Ostensibly an argument, but actually flirting

The so-called treating someone to a meal, of course, isn’t about finding a restaurant and ordering a huge table full of dishes, surrounded by a bunch of students.

Such ostentation would just look ridiculous.

And as for things like red wine, steak, piano music, and candlelight, that’s even less suitable for a big group like this—Qin Sheng has absolutely no interest in that.

Every time Shen Xiyan eats Western food, it’s just a cow chewing peonies—he can’t tell good steak from bad, nor can he appreciate the difference in red wine.

He’d rather the two of them team up in the kitchen to make some home-cooked food.

Usually, Shen Xiyan is the one cooking, while she causes trouble behind him.

Yeah. Physical trouble.

That really gets in the way of Shen Xiyan’s cooking, and afterward the two of them eat their “failed dark cuisine,” in pain and happiness.

Now that they’re out and about, they eat as they travel. If not for all these light bulbs tagging along, Qin Sheng’s plan was to stroll around the night market.

She’s always craving snacks, but has a small appetite.

Whenever she sees something, she’ll buy a bite to try; whatever she can’t finish, she throws to Shen Xiyan, and if she gets tired from walking, she can have him carry her. Just thinking about it feels so intimate.

But alas—

Things never go as planned.

“Qin Sheng! Have you decided yet, what are we eating?” Shen Xiyan asked.

Qin Sheng thought for a bit, then said she wanted super spicy Chongqing Hotpot.

Shen Xiyan shot it down right away—clearly there are more girls here who can’t eat spicy food.

“Oh, what’s the big deal? If it’s too spicy, just dunk it in the sauce bowl a few more times…”

“Enough!”

Convincing someone to eat spicy food is, in essence, the same as convincing someone to be gay.

The script is always: [Just give it a try, you’ll fall in love with this feeling].

And after the person tries it, whether or not they fall in love, they always end up with a sore behind.

Besides, Shen Xiyan has a huge psychological shadow when it comes to hotpot.

Some year, some month, some day, Qin Sheng had prepared a pot of ingredients at home, happily waiting for Shen Xiyan to get off work.

But he got stuck at a company dinner last minute and couldn’t leave, so he called to say he couldn’t make it.

Qin Sheng was very understanding over the phone, saying she’d take good care of herself.

But did Shen Xiyan not know her?

Coming home a bit late, she’d turn into Miss Deep Boudoir in seconds.

He’d grab a quick bite just to save face, then hurried off.

When he got home, Qin Sheng had already finished eating and was washing dishes.

Shen Xiyan tentatively probed, and finding Qin Sheng wasn’t angry, was immediately relieved.

To make it up to her, Shen Xiyan braced himself for “punishment.”

After showering, they snuggled under the covers, their soft bodies pressed together, whispering sweet nothings—mostly “Shen Xiyan apologizing” and “Qin Sheng being understanding.”

Shen Xiyan still remembers that conversation to this day.

[Sorry…I came back late. Tomorrow, I’ll eat with you again, I’ll make it.]

[Dummy! Why would I be mad at you? You must be tired from your dinner—Xiyan is the best! I want to reward you!]

Then Qin Sheng slipped down his body.

With a tipsy warmth, gentle movements, and clumsy coughs, it felt like he was wrapped in gentle water, not wanting to wake.

Normally, it should have ended there.

But that night, Qin Sheng hadn’t brushed her teeth, and afterward apologized for forgetting.

Shen Xiyan was furious—how could someone with a hint of OCD forget that? He’d actually believed she was truly understanding!

He then asked her why she didn’t just yank his pants off when he came in—that’d be even more exciting, right?

Qin Sheng said that would’ve hurt too much, she just wanted a little punishment.

Shen Xiyan was touched, so he pinned Qin Sheng over his thigh and spanked her hard.

Ever seen an overripe peach?

Finally, Qin Sheng sucked on an ice cube—better late than never.

“How about Roast Fish then?” Qin Sheng pointed next door.

Through the glass window, a mostly cooked fish lay in bubbling, crimson oil, covered with red chili peppers, cilantro, tofu skin, shiitake mushrooms, onions, and other vegetables, with a bed of bean sprouts, luncheon meat, and lotus root underneath

The steam was thick, the aroma of fish rich, and couples at the tables couldn’t help but salivate.

Shen Xiyan refused again.

“Roast Fish isn’t for big groups—two or three people, tops…”

Especially with Su Hao here.

If he grabbed some, it would feel uncomfortable, and the girls would have to eat his saliva.

Qin Sheng suggested, “Then let’s go to K*…Maybe they still have duck…”

Shen Xiyan refused again.

After several rounds, Qin Sheng started making trouble.

First, she suggested going to Beijing for Roast Duck and Douzhi; then Xinjiang for Whole Roast Lamb and Roast Camel; then Fujian for Geoduck and Abalone; then Guangdong to eat Fujian people.

Shen Xiyan vetoed them all!

Recently, Su Hao really couldn’t stand it, so he spoke up righteously: “Anyway, Qin Sheng’s treating. She should eat whatever she wants.”

Everyone silently looked at him.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

…It’s fine.

Su Jin tried hard not to laugh.

These two call it “arguing,” but it’s really “flirting.”

How could he not see it—was his IQ really below seventy?

Or did Shen Xiyan warn him in advance?

“Enough, let me see what good food is nearby…”

Su Jin opened the map to search, and finally decided on barbecue.

Qin Sheng objected.

Asked for a reason—there was none. She just objected!

Shen Xiyan said, then let’s vote.

Lin Ci and Wenwen abstained. Su Hao…forget it, Su Hao doesn’t count.

Qin Sheng’s voice was drowned out, two votes passed.

On the way, Qin Sheng grumbled quietly.

“First you won’t help me win a claw machine, now you have to butt in about where I treat everyone to eat. Is there a boyfriend as bossy as you?”

“Come on now… Don’t think I can’t tell you’re doing it on purpose? So many people here…deliberately picking all the worst options, huh?”

Even if Su Jin hadn’t spoken, Qin Sheng would probably have ended up picking barbecue or Japanese food anyway—or at worst, a buffet.

Money isn’t an issue for her; the main thing is she has no dietary restrictions, and most importantly…she doesn’t have to worry about sharing someone else’s saliva.

You know me so well?”

“Then why didn’t you help me when I gave you that look?” Qin Sheng glared at Shen Xiyan with jealousy.

Shen Xiyan played dumb: “When did you give me that look for help?”

“Say that again! Say it again!”

Qin Sheng glared at him fiercely, “You believe I’ll bite you? I’ll really do it!”

“…I never said you wouldn’t.”

From this angle, Qin Sheng’s face was simply stunning.

Qin Sheng pouted and snorted, “Too lazy to argue with you! Forget the claw machine…as if I care that much.”

Back then, when that idiot first gathered up the courage to ask her out, he really didn’t know what to talk about, so he bragged about his claw machine skills.

He did have experience, but maybe he was too nervous—after several tries, he didn’t win once.

Remembering that date, Qin Sheng couldn’t help but snicker.

“What are you giggling about?” Shen Xiyan looked at her suspiciously, confused.

…I remembered something happy. I’m going to have a baby!!

Shen Xiyan rolled his eyes. “Whose?”

“Yours.” Qin Sheng tried to keep a straight face, but seeing his baffled expression, she couldn’t help but laugh, coughed, and turned away.

This idiot, he must be thinking about how to comfort her now.

Oh well, she’d just play dumb for now.

“You’re so weird,” Shen Xiyan sighed.

Qin Sheng is good at everything—except her head. Whenever she’s with him, she’s always grinning for no reason.