Chapter 342 - 241: An Uninvited Guest

When Han Qiuming, Shan Yunmei, and Gongyang Jin returned home carrying bags of ingredients,

Only Han Zhan was left, playing with a blank card, lost in thought.

Hearing the commotion at the door, Han Zhan looked up.

"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and take the groceries out of Xiao Jin’s hands, can’t you see!"

Ever since Gongyang Jin came into their lives, Shan Yunmei’s heart completely leaned towards him.

"Exactly, can’t you see?" Han Qiuming chimed in from the side.

"Uncle, Auntie, it’s not heavy," Gongyang Jin quickly shook his head, indicating Han Zhan need not help.

Gongyang Jin, after all, is primarily a close-combat Sword Cultivator and has returned to Tier Two of the Realm.

Carrying some groceries is not a problem.

But with his parents giving orders, there was no way Han Zhan could pretend to be deaf and mute. He hurried over and took the groceries from Gongyang Jin’s hands.

"Bought this much?"

"Beef, lamb, fish slices, shrimp paste, meatballs... all hotpot ingredients?"

Han Zhan glanced down.

"Yes, it’s hotpot. Isn’t hotpot your favorite?"

Shan Yunmei said while handing Gongyang Jin a pair of slippers to change into.

Confirmed, she really is a loving mother.

After changing shoes, Gongyang Jin walked further into the living room, "Did that Special Envoy leave?"

"Yes, he’s been gone for more than half an hour."

"Did he talk to you about anything?"

"Talked about a lot, I’ll tell you in detail when we get to the room."

Han Zhan briefly chatted with Gongyang Jin and stopped when he saw Han Qiuming approach with a grin.

"Xiaozhan, how about it? Have you thought it over? Care to share your special stock trading skills?"

Han Qiuming was still obsessing over the matter.

"Oh, Dad, I almost forgot to tell you that yesterday the stock market crashed at the close, and I lost fifteen million."

Han Qiuming: "???!"

"You ungrateful child!!"

He extended a trembling finger toward Han Zhan.

"But I made sixteen million today," Han Zhan added.

Han Qiuming’s Parkinson’s syndrome instantly cured.

"Xiaozhan, my voice was a bit loud just now. Maybe reconsider?"

"Alright, you two stop bantering. Pour in the bone broth, add in the beef tallow base, it’s time to eat."

Shan Yunmei shouted from the dining table.

A long-awaited hotpot.

The last time they had hotpot was quite some time ago.

But eating hotpot with Han Qiuming and Shan Yunmei was a different experience.

"Eat up, why are you in a daze."

Seeing Han Zhan holding chopsticks in a daze, Shan Yunmei reminded him.

Han Zhan snapped back to reality and forced himself to act more collected. "Eat up, I’m going to eat a lot today!"

"Eat what? Leave some for Xiao Jin!"

When Shan Yunmei looked at Gongyang Jin again, her tone softened immediately,

"Xiao Jin, from now on, this is your home too, come, eat more."

...

"How does the hotpot taste?"

"It’s good, just a bit spicy."

"Come, Zhan Ning, Yu Lian, let me toast you both!"

At Shudian, the largest film base, many restaurants cluster, including hotpot restaurants.

After the day’s shooting, the director announced a treat for everyone at a hotpot restaurant.

Today’s shoot was a scene between the male leads, the most intense part of the entire storyline.

But Zhan Ning and Yu Lian performed impressively.

The overall effect was great, lighting up the director’s mood.

"Do you think they were really acting?"

"I don’t think it was fake. Didn’t you see the way the main lead looked at the second lead? Zezeze... almost sultry."

"The main lead was quite active, while the second lead seemed reserved and passive. But that fits the character perfectly!"

"Can’t help but admire Director Han, for his sharp eye for talent, he must have signed Yu Lian because his personality matches the character exactly."

Such conversations were happening at the small tables of other crews.

With the couple’s hotpot bubbling, billowing white steam rose, Zhan Ning eagerly picked out dishes for Yu Lian.

"Eat more."

"This is what you like."

"This is also your favorite; let me get you a slice."

Yu Lian, appearing more intrigued, raised his beautiful brows as he watched Zhan Ning.

Because they just finished filming and had to shoot more in the evening, his makeup wasn’t fully removed.

Now, Yu Lian truly resembled a cold and graceful beauty.

"Zhan Ning, it’s just acting. You didn’t really fall into it, did you?"

"You’re a man, understand? I’m a man too."

Yu Lian reminded sternly.

"I know, I know. Don’t overthink it; there are paparazzi everywhere. If we don’t act a bit real, wouldn’t the pictures spoil it all?"

"Remember, we’re stuck here for at least four more days."

Zhan Ning replied earnestly.

Yu Lian thought it over and realized Zhan Ning had a point.

"Pass me a few slices of duck blood."

"And some kelp sprouts, they’re tasty."

"No problem!"

...

The Han family ate hotpot for two hours.

After two hours, almost all the food was gone, and everyone was full and satisfied.

"Let’s go into the room," Han Zhan stood and said to Gongyang Jin beside him.

"Ahem." At that moment, Han Qiuming suddenly coughed loudly twice.

He exchanged a glance with Shan Yunmei.

"Well, just finished eating, don’t engage in strenuous activities, okay?"

Han Zhan: "???"

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

"Alright, alright, Dad has been there, back in the day I..."

"Stop, stop, stop! Any more and it’ll be unbearable to listen to." Han Zhan hastily stopped Han Qiuming from going further.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, the Han family’s door was knocked again.

"It’s nine already, who can it be?"

"Couriers should have clocked off; could it be that guy in the black suit again?"

Shan Yunmei muttered, but she went over and opened the door anyway.

After the door opened,

An elegantly beautiful woman in a traditional sense stood outside.

She wore a light green palace dress with a gentle grace, stunning attractive features.

Such a beautiful lady standing at the door, Shan Yunmei was taken aback.

"Miss, you are..."

"Auntie, hello." The woman in a palace dress saw Shan Yunmei and made a slight bow, continuing, "Is this Han Zhan’s residence?"

"Han Zhan? Ah yes, he does live here."

"Miss, who might you be?"

"I’m his fiancée; my name is Nuannuan."

Fiancée?! Shan Yunmei was struck as if by lightning, her mind buzzing, swelling.

She instinctively turned and just caught a glimpse of Han Zhan and Gongyang Jin passing by hand in hand.

"You’re his fiancée, then who is she?"