Outside the house, Yan Yincheng still stood there holding a bouquet of roses. The two kids were standing beside him, looking like two little flower girls following the groom to greet the bride.
Hearing the footsteps, Yan Yincheng took two steps forward with the flowers in his hands and said, "Zixi, 99 roses for you."
The bright and fresh roses were in full bloom. There were still fresh dewdrops on the petals, obviously freshly picked.
No matter which woman saw someone holding such a large bouquet of roses outside the door, she couldn't help but be touched, especially when the scene was so pleasing to the eye. She couldn't control the corners of her lips and raised her hand to take the flowers. But at this moment, Aunt Li's words came back to her inopportune time -
"He takes a bouquet of flowers to the Haicheng International Hotel every day."
The out - stretched hand clenched into a fist. She said angrily, "When someone shows excessive kindness for no reason, they must have an ulterior motive! Come on, what on earth do you want by knocking on the door and giving flowers so early in the morning?"
Yan Yincheng said seriously,
"I thought it over carefully yesterday. In fact, the project is progressing very smoothly. There's no need to keep a close eye on it all the time. Taking a day off might not be a bad idea. This day off is a benefit for everyone and won't be counted in our bet period. Zixi, now we both have time. I'd like to invite you to take care of the kids with me today. Is that okay?"
"You gave everyone a day off?" Xu Zixi's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Sure enough, as the major shareholder, you can do whatever you want."
"I'm willing to do anything for you," Yan Yincheng said.
He's spouting sweet nothings again!
But... have to admit, she did seem to be soothed by him. Moreover, being able to understand her intention and choosing to appear in front of her instead of staying with his "friends" meant that he had taken her words to heart and studied them carefully, didn't it?
"Since you've already arranged everything, why bother asking for my opinion?" Xu Zixi snorted. Finally, she took the gorgeous bouquet of roses from his hands. "I can agree, but you have to wait."
After saying that, she turned around with the bouquet in her hands and went back into the house, closing the door again.
Behind the door, facing Aunt Zhang who was watching with great interest, Xu Zixi felt her cheeks burning. She handed the flowers over and said, "Find a vase and put the flowers in it."
Aunt Zhang held back her laughter and said, "Yes, Miss."
After pretending to be busy inside the house for quite a while, Xu Zixi opened the door again. She stepped out as if nothing had happened and said to Yan Yincheng, who had been patiently waiting outside without showing any impatience,
"Okay, let's go."
When taking the elevator down, Xu Zixi and Yan Yincheng stood side by side. Maybe because both of them had touched the bouquet of roses, all Xu Zixi could smell was the fragrance of the roses.
She couldn't help but think that 99 roses represented intense and passionate love. Did he really know the meaning of this bouquet of flowers? Was this really what was on his mind? What kind of flowers did he give to Xie Shi? Giving flowers every day was something he didn't seem like the type to do. Why did he give flowers to Xie Shi?
Feeling a pang of jealousy in her heart, she had to shift her attention and asked, "What's your plan for today? Just stay at home and take care of the kids?"
Yan Yincheng said, "How about watching two more movies? The 'Invincible Bug Troopers' you mentioned last time?"
Xu Zixi gave him an annoyed look. "I don't want to watch it anymore."
"Then... shall we go shopping in the mall?" Yan Yincheng was trying hard to think of places to go. He didn't like going out, so his knowledge of "dating" places was very limited.
"Or go to the zoo again?"
He mentioned several places, but there was no response from the person beside him. This made Yan Yincheng a little anxious. He recalled the content of the "Wife - Spoiling Handbook" in his mind to see if he had done something wrong again.
It seemed... he hadn't!
When they reached the first floor, Xu Zixi looked up and saw his car parked outside.
She put her hands behind her back and decided to follow the advice of the rational voice in her mind and be straightforward with him.
Clearing her throat, she said, "I heard from Aunt Li that there's a cooking competition at the Haicheng International Hotel today. I'm a bit interested and want to go and have a look."
Yan Yincheng was stunned for a moment and asked carefully, "Just go and watch? Not participate?"
Hehe, was he afraid that her excellent cooking skills would make Xie Shi, who was a judge, look bad? Looking at him, Xu Zixi said meaningfully, "Why should I participate? Do I need someone to evaluate my cooking skills? I'm fully qualified to be a judge, okay?"
Her words made Yan Yincheng's heart skip a beat. He said, "But this competition will be live - broadcasted by Haicheng TV Station. We might be caught on camera. Are you okay with that?"
Being caught on camera was equivalent to announcing to the world that there was a close relationship between her and him.
Yan Yincheng certainly didn't mind announcing their relationship to the public, but he was afraid that Xu Zixi would mind.
He thought that saying this would make her touched and think that he was considering her feelings. However, obviously, Xu Zixi misunderstood him again.
Oh? He was so high - profile in Pei's before, proclaiming his sovereignty. Why was he being so hesitant now? Was he afraid that Xie Shi would misunderstand?
She said sourly, "So what? Are you afraid that people will know you gave your nephew a cuckold? You're daring enough to do it but not daring enough to admit it. Do you want to be that scumbag who runs away after sleeping with someone?"
After saying that, Xu Zixi's little face was tightly drawn. It seemed that if he said "yes", she would immediately turn against him.
This was exactly the "life - threatening question" that Jiang Chang'an had mentioned!
Yan Yincheng quickly said, "Of course not! I can't wait to marry you and announce our relationship to the world. How could I be afraid of people knowing?"
The "Wife - Spoiling Handbook" said: When your wife doubts your loyalty, you must firmly express your stance to make your wife feel at ease!!
Actually, Xu Zixi had also considered the camera issue he mentioned. But then she thought that this was a good opportunity to test him. He always said he wanted to atone for his sins, make up for her, and said he loved her. Then she'd see how far he could go for her.
After all, if they really wanted to be together, the colored looks of the world and the ruthless criticism were hurdles they had to overcome. Whether he could protect her and the kids in the torrent of public opinion was his due responsibility.
Moreover... people should know that he was already the father of two kids! Some people should be more self - aware and stop having ideas about him. Humph.
Xu Zixi said, "Anyway, I'm putting it out there. If you're not even brave enough to admit to the public that you're the father of the kids, I advise you to disappear from my sight as soon as possible. Don't keep pestering me with nonsense about forgiveness and marriage."
Yan Yincheng smiled. "Then let's go and watch this cooking competition together."
When Xu Zixi got into the car with the two kids, Yan Yincheng leaned over and whispered a few words in Wei Shu's ear. Wei Shu immediately nodded:
"Yes, Third Master. I'll go and arrange it right away."
The car drove towards the Haicheng International Hotel. Inside the car, the two kids asked, "Mummy, Daddy, where are we going to play today?"
Having initially achieved her goal for the day, Xu Zixi was in a very good mood. She said with a smile, "We're going to watch others cook today."
Hearing about cooking, Yuan Xiaoxu's mouth watered. "Can Xuxu eat?"
Yan Yincheng was about to say yes, but Xu Zixi said, "No, Xuxu. Have you forgotten the time when you ate seafood and had to go to the hospital for an injection?"
So he swallowed the words that were about to come out and echoed, "That's right, you can't."
The "Wife - Spoiling Handbook" said: When your wife is educating the kids, you can't oppose her! You should cooperate with her and help her establish her authority in front of the kids!
Yuan Xiaoxu was denied by both his daddy and mummy. His little face immediately fell. He angrily turned around with his back to them, pouting his little mouth so high that it seemed like a soy - sauce bottle could be hung on it.
"Daddy and mummy are bad! Humph! Xuxu won't talk to you anymore!"
Xu Zixi couldn't help but laugh. "If baby really wants to eat, when we get home tonight, mummy will cook for you, okay?"
Hearing this, Yuan Xiaoxu's little face brightened up. He threw himself into her arms, hugged her neck and said, "Okay, mummy! Baby loves mummy the most!"