Chapter 25: A Day of Deliveries and Demands

“We’re back with the groceries, Director Chen!”

Lin Ziyao’s voice echoed from outside the villa, audible even before she came into view. By the time Director Chen came downstairs, he saw several people standing at the doorway, laden with bags of all sizes.

Yang Tian and Feng Qiqi were also by the door, lending a hand to help carry the plastic bags.

While the others were out shopping, Yang Tian and Feng Qiqi had returned to the villa shortly before them. Now, only Tang Wenjie and Teacher Xu Li had yet to arrive.

Upon their own return, Feng Qiqi had expressed regret that she hadn’t gone along when she heard the others had gone to the supermarket.

Once all the plastic bags were brought into the kitchen, Feng Qiqi immediately began rummaging through them. “Let me see what you bought!”

As she searched, she continued to grumble. “Do you know, Director Chen and the others have almost finished all the snacks in the villa? Did you buy any snacks?”

However, the bags only contained the fruits and vegetables Qin Yu and Dai Wen had chosen. Her face fell, unable to hide her disappointment.

Then, Lin Ziyao’s next words instantly transported her from the depths of despair to paradise.

“Sister Dai Wen already told us about it,” Lin Ziyao said. She lifted the plastic bag she was holding slightly. “This one contains the snacks Sister Dai Wen specifically bought for you.”

Seeing this, Feng Qiqi immediately dropped the bag in front of her. The unorganized fruits and vegetables she had pulled out were neatly stacked on the counter, ready to be put away later. She rushed to Lin Ziyao’s side to help with the bag. “This bag is a bit heavy. Let me help you, big sister.”

She placed the newly acquired plastic bag on the table and began enumerating the snacks they had purchased.

“Potato chips, jellies, chocolates, nuts…”

She pulled out colorful food wrappers from the bag, continuously listing the types of snacks. Lin Ziyao could see genuine joy radiating from her face.

Yet, this joy was short-lived, abruptly interrupted by Dai Wen, who had just entered the kitchen.

“Qiqi, put away what you’ve taken out first!”

Dai Wen, having just changed clothes in her room, walked into the kitchen.

She didn’t need to think twice. Seeing the spread of vegetables, fruits, and snacks in front of Feng Qiqi, she knew the girl had immediately started searching for treats. Dai Wen had no choice but to instruct her to help organize the food first.

“Qiqi and I will handle this here. You should go back to your room and rest for a bit. We’ll be relying on you tonight,” Dai Wen suggested with a smile.

Director Chen had readily taken the plastic bags from Qin Yu and Dai Wen. He had initially wanted to carry Dai Wen’s bag as well, but she insisted on bringing it to the kitchen herself. Since it only contained snacks, the bag didn’t seem heavy, so Director Chen respected her decision.

He was currently with the cameraman and Yang Tian, moving drinks from the car. Meanwhile, Dai Wen had changed and come down to sort the food.

It was only natural to ask her to rest, as their chef couldn’t be too tired. Tonight’s dinner depended entirely on the two of them.

Lin Ziyao didn’t refuse. She nodded, accepting Dai Wen’s suggestion, and turned to leave the kitchen.

As she departed, she could still faintly hear the two women talking.

“If these snacks stay in the kitchen, Director Chen and the others will devour them quickly. It’ll be too much trouble to restock the supermarket again.”

“Are you implying that if they’re in your room, you won’t quickly devour them yourself?”

Dai Wen flatly rejected Feng Qiqi’s suggestion, leaving no room for negotiation. Dai Wen saw right through her little trick.

By the time Lin Ziyao reached the stairs on the second floor, she could still hear Feng Qiqi’s mournful wails.

Back in her room, Qin Yu had already changed and was seated on the bed. Her loose white shirt had been replaced by comfortable loungewear, and her unbound long hair was tied back with a hair tie, draped over her shoulder. She leaned lazily against the headboard, engrossed in the musical score in her hands.

The scene before her was serene and beautiful. If Lin Ziyao knew how to paint, she would surely capture this moment in a treasured artwork.

That is, if it weren’t for the chopsticks placed on her nightstand.

Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing, Qin Yu didn’t even lift her head. She merely glanced up with a casual air and asked, “You’re back?”

Then, with a gentle movement of her delicate hand, the rustle of a turning page followed.

Lin Ziyao felt inexplicably nervous at the sight, but she pushed through it and replied, “I’m back.”

In their interactions, she always found herself strangely at a disadvantage, like a mouse encountering a cat, feeling a sense of guilt.

“Shall we start today’s training now?” Qin Yu set down the score, picked up the chopsticks from her nightstand, and shook them, as if extending an invitation.

Faced with Qin Yu’s invitation, Lin Ziyao, for once, straightened her back and, with a rare hint of defiance, said, “Can’t we do it tonight?”

“I just think striking while the iron is hot yields better results.” Qin Yu rose and approached Lin Ziyao, still holding the essential teaching tool: the chopsticks.

“W-w-what are you doing?” As Qin Yu slowly advanced, a flicker of panic crossed Lin Ziyao’s eyes. She could only control her body, backing away step by step, yielding her space, until her back pressed against the wall. It was then she realized she had nowhere left to retreat.

Facing the approaching Qin Yu, all she could do was tightly close her eyes, surrendering to fate’s design.

Watching Lin Ziyao cower in the corner, Qin Yu felt a rare surge of playfulness.

She reached out to caress Lin Ziyao’s face. The sensation from her fingertips revealed a subtle tension in the areas they touched.

Her fingertips traced a path from the cheek down to the corner of the mouth, but Lin Ziyao would not allow her to continue her teasing. She bit down, clamping her lips shut, giving no quarter.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to train?” Qin Yu whispered, her voice close to Lin Ziyao’s ear.

They were now face-to-face, their words easily reaching each other’s ears.

“I said we should wait until tonight.”

“But…” Qin Yu deliberately drew out the sound. “I am the teacher, and I have the right to decide class times.”

Her tone then hardened, becoming a command. “Open your mouth!”

The sudden shift startled Lin Ziyao, and she instinctively obeyed, parting her previously sealed lips.

Qin Yu swiftly placed the chopsticks she held into Lin Ziyao’s wide-open mouth.

“Now, gently hold it with your teeth. Don’t let it fall,” Teacher Qin Yu began her instruction.

Feeling the chopsticks resting on her teeth and with no escape, Lin Ziyao could only open her eyes and glare fiercely at her.

Qin Yu, seemingly oblivious, continued, “Separate your upper and lower lips so they don’t touch the chopsticks, then curl the corners of your mouth upwards.”

“Good. Hold that for five minutes.”

Seeing the results of Lin Ziyao’s effort, Qin Yu nodded in satisfaction, deciding to have her maintain the pose for five minutes.