"RUMBLE RUMBLE~"
Just then, Ning Ruoxiâs stomach suddenly rumbled, making an already awkward situation even more so for her.
"Iâm hungry."
Ning Ruoxi looked up at Ye Ling, blinking her eyes and pouting with an aggrieved expression.
"Should I fill you up, then?"
Ye Ling chuckled.
"Okay... wait, youâll fill me up? How are you going to feed me?"
Ning Ruoxi frowned, clearly not understanding what Ye Ling was implying.
"By taking you out for a big meal, of course. Wouldnât that fill you up?"
Ye Ling said this without batting an eye.
"Oh... so thatâs what you meant. Okay then, letâs go get a big meal!"
Although Ning Ruoxi found it a little strange, she didnât overthink it. She immediately packed up her things with excitement, her face full of anticipation.
Previously, whenever Ye Ling took her out for a big meal, Ning Ruoxi would worry if it was okay to go as just the two of them, without bringing Luo Yue. But after a while, she had gotten used to leaving the girl at home by herself.
Best friends are meant to be ditched, after all~
"Stinky, what are we eating today?"
Ning Ruoxi asked curiously as she sat in the car.
"Iâm taking you out for seafood."
Ye Ling said with a faint smile.
He wasnât taking the girl for hot pot this time. After all, eating hot pot every time they went out would get old. They needed a change of pace once in a while.
When they arrived, Ye Ling parked the car and led Ning Ruoxi by the hand to the front of a restaurant.
Drunken Immortal Inn!
Thatâs right, he had brought Ning Ruoxi to the very restaurant he had acquired as a sign-in reward.
"Stinky, do you have a reservation? I think you need one for the Drunken Immortal Inn, right?"
Ning Ruoxi looked at Ye Ling and asked, a little curious.
As far as she knew, the Drunken Immortal Inn was an extremely famous seafood restaurant in Modu. Normally, you had to make a reservation a week in advance, or you wouldnât be able to get a table.
âFor Ye Ling to bring her here... Could he have been planning to take me out for a nice meal a week ago?â
"No need for a reservation."
Ye Ling said with a faint smile.
"Huh?"
Ning Ruoxi was stunned. Before she could say anything, Ye Ling had already pulled her inside.
Just as the two of them stepped inside, a waitress approached and said respectfully, "Young Master Ye, your private room has been prepared. Please follow me."
"Alright."
Ye Ling nodded and continued to lead Ning Ruoxi deeper into the restaurant.
"Stinky, whatâs going on?"
Seeing the waitressâs respectful attitude, Ning Ruoxiâs curiosity grew even stronger.
"What âwhatâs going onâ?"
Ye Ling glanced at the girl.
"I mean, why donât you need a reservation, and why is there a waitress waiting just for you...?"
Ning Ruoxi tilted her head up, blinking her eyes.
"Because this restaurant is mine."
Ye Ling said nonchalantly.
"Huh?"
Hearing Ye Lingâs answer, Ning Ruoxi froze for a moment, a look of surprise appearing in her beautiful eyes.
She didnât think Ye Ling would lie to her about something like this, but the Drunken Immortal Inn was one of the top seafood restaurants in Modu. How did it suddenly become his?
"Silly girl, why are you staring at your man like that? Itâs just a restaurant."
Ye Ling waved his hand dismissively.
"I was just thinking about how many other assets youâre hiding from me... This is going to make it hard for me to manage your secret stash of money in the future!"
Ning Ruoxiâs voice drifted over faintly.
Hearing this, Ye Ling couldnât help but freeze, a look of exasperation on his face.
He had originally brought Ning Ruoxi to the Drunken Immortal Inn to show off a little. After all, owning a restaurant like this, where you could come eat anytime without a reservation, was pretty impressive~
But now that she knew, the girl was already thinking about his future secret stash?
For some reason, Ye Ling suddenly regretted bringing Ning Ruoxi here.
"What? Are you really planning on keeping a secret stash?"
Seeing the exasperated look on Ye Lingâs face, Ning Ruoxi immediately raised a slender eyebrow.
"No, of course not. How would I dare?"
Ye Ling replied instantly, his survival instincts on full display.
"âHow would you dare?â Are you implying that Iâm forcing you?"
Ning Ruoxi huffed.
"No, no, Iâll hand over any secret stash money voluntarily."
Ye Ling said.
"So you admit you have a secret stash?"
Ning Ruoxi turned her head, her gaze burning into Ye Ling.
"Thatâs not the point, is it..."
Ye Lingâs mouth twitched.
âDamn it, since when do I have a secret stash?!â
âBesides, do I, Ye Ling, even need a secret stash?â
âOkay, fine. Looking at the current situation, I probably will have to secretly hide a little in the future. After all, my status in this household is looking pretty bleak~â
"Hmph! Men are all pigs."
Ning Ruoxi huffed and turned her head away.
Ye Ling was helpless, but what could he do? This was his little princess. He had no choice but to sidle up to her and coax her.
"Ruoruo, try this salmon. Itâs delicious."
"Ruoruo, donât be mad. Look at all this delicious food, hurry up and eat."
"Ruoruo..."
Thanks to Ye Lingâs tireless efforts, Ning Ruoxi was finally appeased and began to dig into the feast on the table.
It had to be said, the seafood at the Drunken Immortal Inn was truly excellent. The salmon, in particular, was smooth and rich without being greasy. It truly deserved its great reputation.
Seeing Ning Ruoxi eating with food all over her mouth, Ye Ling couldnât help but crack a small smile.
"Eat slower, no oneâs going to steal it from you. Youâre like a little stray cat that hasnât eaten in days."
Ye Ling picked up a napkin and wiped her mouth.
"Hmph! Iâll bite you!"
As she spoke, Ning Ruoxi gave Ye Lingâs hand a playful bite and huffed.
"Ouch..."
Ye Ling immediately pulled his hand back, his eyes full of feigned grievance.
âI was nice enough to wipe your mouth, and you bite me?â
âWhat kind of nonsense is this!â
âIâm writing this down in my little black book. Sooner or later, Iâll get you back for this!â
By the time they finished dinner, it was around seven or eight oâclock.
Ning Ruoxi was completely stuffed. She couldnât help but rub her flat stomach, a look of pure satisfaction on her face.
"So, how was it? Tasted pretty good, right?"
Ye Ling asked with a smile.
"Mhm, Xiaoyezi did a good job today. You may escort Us back to the palace."
Ning Ruoxi extended a hand toward Ye Ling as she spoke.
"But... Your Highness may be full, but Iâm not."
Seeing this, Ye Ling chuckled, immediately grabbing her hand and giving it a gentle pull.
"Ah!"
With a cry of surprise, Ning Ruoxi fell right into Ye Lingâs arms.
"What are you trying to do...?"
Ning Ruoxi looked up, her pretty face blushing as she gazed at Ye Ling.
âThis big pervert is definitely up to no good!â
"What do you think?"
As Ye Ling spoke, his gaze fell upon Ning Ruoxiâs lips, which were slightly flushed and moist from the meal.