Chapter 141: Table Manners

Tang Xi took a look at Yang Jingxian, who nodded at her with a smile and gestured for her to sit beside her. Tang Xi sat beside Qiao Yuxin and sweetly called her Aunt Qiao. The latter nodded at her with a smile and turned to look at Qiao Liang, complaining, “Don’t be a workaholic. Come on, sit down and have dinner. When was the last time you had dinner with me?”

Qiao Liang hummed in response as he slowly walked over and, in a natural manner, sat beside Tang Xi under everyone’s stare. Uttering a curse under his breath, Xiao Jing curled his lips and walked over as well.

At this moment, Xiao Yao came down from the study on the second floor with General Yang. When he saw Tang Xi sitting beside Qiao Liang, he frowned, then took a deep breath and helped General Yang walk downstairs, saying, “Grandpa, slow down a bit.”

General Yang seemed to be in a very good mood. He patted Xiao Yao’s arm and smiled as he said, “I’m still strong. No need to support me.”

Xiao Yao smiled but did not loosen his hand. He helped General Yang down the stairs, went to the dining table and sat directly beside him.

It was a round table and they were all sitting around it. Yuan Lihua said cheerfully, “It’s been a long time since we had dinner together.” Then she looked at Tang Xi and Qiao Yuxin, adding, “Yuxin, Rourou, Qiao Liang, eat more. Help yourselves.”

Tang Xi smiled and nodded. They all drank a glass of wine and began to eat…

Everything was normal at the beginning. Tang Xi would pick up food for Qiao Yuxin with her chopsticks from time to time, to which the latter would respond with a thanks, while at times Qiao Yuxin would also do the same for Tang Xi, to which the latter would also respond with a thanks and a smile. The atmosphere was very warm, but it was then that her hand was slowly taken hold of. Tang Xi frowned and looked at Qiao Liang, but he continued to pick up food for himself and eat casually as if nothing had happened.

Tang Xi attempted to pull back her hand as she ate, but the hand holding hers was too powerful, so she couldn’t do it no matter how hard she tried. Tang Xi moved her finger to tickle Qiao Liang’s palm, but he didn’t even bat an eyelid, though he kept his hand under the table.

Tang Xi had no choice but to continue eating.

The Xiao brothers, who had been watching them, had long noticed the interaction between Tang Xi and Qiao Liang. Xiao Jing clenched his teeth. Oh, how he wanted to drag Tang Xi away from Qiao Liang, but as he was afraid the latter might force him to work overtime, he could only pretend he didn’t see it. Xiao Sa had nothing against Qiao Liang and was afraid that he might offend his sister if he disturbed them, so he kept silent… And as for Xiao Yao…

“Rourou, you can’t just eat from the dishes. Eat some rice too.” Xiao Yao glanced at Tang Xi before picking up his bowl to fill it with soup and then drink it as if nothing had happened.

Tang Xi smiled, while Qiao Liang finally released her hand. She took up her bowl to eat and smiled as he said, “I am eating rice. It’s just that the dishes are too delicious, which is why I’m eating a bit more of them.”

“That’s okay,” said Yuan Lihua. “If you like the dishes, eat as much as you want. The pig’s feet soup is nice. You can drink more. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to eat rice.”

Tang Xi answered with a smile and filled her bowl with some soup. Qiao Liang nudged his bowl close to her and said flatly, “Miss Xiao, please fill some soup for me. Thanks.” Then he paused and added, “The soup is a bit far from me.”

Tang Xi smiled as she answered politely, “Never mind. I’ll fill the soup for you.”

Qiao Yuxin was so happy that she couldn’t even hide the smile on her face. Yang Jingxian couldn’t help but to ask, “What’s on your mind, Yuxin? Why do you look so happy?”

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Qiao Yuxin hurriedly stopped smiling and patted her cheek as she replied, “Do I? Well, I was reminiscing about Qiao Liang’s childhood days. Back when he was still little, he was much cuter than he is now, so shy and adorable.”

Yang Jingxian fell silent. Qiao Yuxin had truly lived a happy life before Qiao Liang’s father betrayed her, but it was good for her that she could forget the sad memories and laugh so happily.

Tang Xi carefully filled the bowl with soup for Qiao Liang and passed it to him, saying, “Mr. Qiao, your soup.”

“You can call me Qiao Liang.” Even though he sounded as cold as usual, Tang Xi sensed cheerfulness in his tone.

This guy simply liked teasing her!

While no one was paying attention, she cast an angry glance at him and pouted her lips to warn him not to continue!

Qiao Liang apparently didn’t take Tang Xi’s warning seriously. He looked casually at the bamboo shrimp placed on Tang Xi’s right-hand side and said, “That bamboo shrimp looks fresh. Could you pick up some for me, Miss Xiao?”

The others were surprised and looked at the two of them. Qiao Liang remained straight-faced, while Tang Xi looked embarrassed, but Qiao Liang’s request was reasonable. Because there were a lot of dishes tonight, they had removed the turnplate to make room for the dishes. If Qiao Liang wanted to pick up the shrimp, he would have to stand up, which would look awkward, so it made sense for him to ask for Tang Xi’s help. Within an instant, all eyes came to rest on Tang Xi.

Tang Xi chuckled as she picked up a bamboo shrimp with her chopsticks and placed it onto Qiao Liang’s plate, saying, “Sure. I just tasted the bamboo shrimp. It’s really fresh.”

Then she cast a warning glance at Qiao Liang again. Don’t go too far!

Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude!

However, Qiao Liang seemed to be addicted to the shrimp, as he repeatedly asked her to pick up shrimps for him. When Tang Xi finally couldn’t bear it anymore and was going to switch seats with him, Qiao Liang suddenly looked at Yuan Lihua and said, “I have a gastric ulcer, so I’ve been suffering from indigestion for many years and rarely had a good appetite. It’s the first time in years that I’ve eaten so much. Thank you for this wonderful meal, Aunt Yang.”

Everyone forgot what Qiao Liang had just done. Yuan Lihua said, “You’re so busy that you don’t have regular meals and the food outside isn’t healthy. You should pay more attention to your diet. When you’re free, you can bring your mom to visit us often.”

Qiao Liang nodded with a smile and replied, “Thanks.”

Tang Xi also forgot to switch seats with Qiao Liang. He had suffered so much over the years, and she should be more considerate to him. He had only asked her to pick up some dishes for him. How could she complain? She would study more recipes, make tonic dishes for him and help him nourish his body.

Xiao Jing was roaring in his heart when he saw his sister’s pitying look. Rourou, don’t be fooled by this smiling tiger!

He was very healthy!

Just then, Xiao Jing suddenly received a warning glance from Qiao Liang. The former gritted his teeth as he gazed sharply at Qiao Liang, as if silently accusing him with his eyes— You liar!

The latter slowly put into his mouth a piece of sweet and sour spare rib that Tang Xi served for him and chewed on it.