Chapter 161: Storm Clouds Gathering

Inside the Jade House, an absolute uproar ensued. Everyone's gaze toward Qin Feng shifted completely, filled with a mixture of awe and greed.

Facing the adulation of the crowd, Qin Feng merely offered a faint smile, non-committal.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in a tailored Western suit with slicked-back, greasy hair walked over. He looked Qin Feng up and down, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Little brother, I am the owner of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, and my surname is Yu. I can see you have an extraordinary eye. You probably don't have much use for these jades; how about selling them to me? As for the price, rest assured, I will definitely give you a very satisfying offer."

Boss Yu said with a flattering smile, though a glint of greed flickered in his eyes.

Upon hearing the name "Heavenly Treasure Pavilion," the surrounding crowd instantly stirred in commotion.

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was one of the leading names in the jewelry industry, boasting immense financial strength and profound resources. Boss Yu was notoriously shrewd; anything that caught his eye was naturally the cream of the crop.

"With Boss Yu stepping in, it looks like these jades are going to be bought out in one fell swoop."

"Of course! Boss Yu is famous for his deep pockets and generosity. Selling these jades to him will definitely net a fortune!"

The onlookers chattered amongst themselves, fully believing that Qin Feng would readily agree.

However, Qin Feng merely glanced calmly at Boss Yu, and said in an even tone, "Sorry, I have no interest in selling the jades."

Boss Yu's smile instantly froze on his face. He had not expected Qin Feng to refuse him, and so bluntly at that.

"Little brother, you might not be fully aware of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's standing. I can offer you a price well above market value. Why don't you reconsider?" Boss Yu said, holding back his impatience.

"No need." Qin Feng still shook his head, his tone devoid of the slightest hesitation.

Boss Yu's expression darkened, and his tone chilled as well, "Little brother, don't be too greedy in life. You should understand the principle of quitting while you're ahead."

Qin Feng's gaze turned cold, and just as he was about to speak, Lin Wanting pulled him back.

"Boss Yu, my boyfriend means that we currently have no plans to sell these jades. Please forgive us."

Lin Wanting stepped forward, shielding Qin Feng behind her. Although her tone was polite, it carried an undeniable firmness.

Boss Yu's expression flickered with uncertainty before he finally let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeve, and walked away.

"Hmph! Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! We'll see about this!"

Watching Boss Yu's departing back, a flash of worry crossed Lin Wanting's eyes. She turned to Qin Feng and asked softly, "Afeng, are you alright?"

Qin Feng gently patted the back of Lin Wanting's hand and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Boss Yu wouldn't let the matter rest easily, but Qin Feng was no pushover to be manipulated at will.

Crucially, ever since the incident back in Kyoto, he had held zero tolerance for people who tried to throw their weight around and oppress others using their status.

"Wanting, you've worked hard today. Let me treat you to dinner tonight."

Qin Feng said with a smile, a flash of tenderness in his eyes.

Lin Wanting's pretty face flushed, and she chided playfully, "Who wants you to treat me to dinner? If you really want to thank me, then..."

At this point, Lin Wanting suddenly stopped. Her blushing face grew even rosier, a spark of mischief dancing in her eyes as she leaned close to Qin Feng's ear and whispered,

"Then come over to my place tonight, and I'll cook you a feast with my own hands!"

Leaving the Jade House, Qin Feng was in high spirits.

Recalling Lin Wanting's teasing words, the corners of his mouth curved upward involuntarily.

Usually looking so sharp and capable, this woman actually had an adorable, girlish side to her as well.

Along the way to the farmers' market, Qin Feng's mind was already calculating what ingredients to buy.

He knew Lin Wanting loved spicy food and had a partiality for seafood. He also had to pick up some fresh vegetables, lest that girl lecture him about neglecting a healthy diet.

That x-ray vision ability really came in handy; when picking ingredients, he could tell at a glance which ones were freshest and which ones had been artificially ripened with hormones.

In less than an hour, Qin Feng returned laden with heavy bags, his trip a complete success.

Back home, Qin Feng first sorted and organized the ingredients before sending Lin Wanting a WeChat message: "Everything is ready. Just waiting for master chef you to work your magic."

Not long after, Lin Wanting replied, accompanied by a smug sticker.

"Just wait! I guarantee you'll want more after a single bite!"

At seven o'clock in the evening, Qin Feng appeared punctually at Lin Wanting's doorstep.

Before he could even press the doorbell, he heard the lively sound of music drifting from inside, accompanied by the clatter of pots and pans, resembling a cheerful kitchen concerto.

"You're here?"

Lin Wanting was wearing an apron, still holding a spatula in her hand. Her face carried a flush brought on by the heat of the kitchen, making her look exceptionally charming.

"Yeah, it smells amazing. What delicious dish are you making?"

Qin Feng smiled as he walked into the apartment, only to be startled by the sight before him.

The originally clean and tidy living room now looked as though it had just survived a minor disaster.

The coffee table was piled high with various ingredients, scallion, ginger, and garlic scraps were scattered across the floor, and even the sofa held a few unwashed tomatoes.

"Uh... what is all this..." Qin Feng pointed at the mess, caught between laughter and tears.

"Ah! Don't look! I haven't cleaned up yet!"

Only then did Lin Wanting realize her current state. Her face turned crimson with embarrassment as she flurried about, trying to tidy things up in a panic.

Seeing this, Qin Feng quickly stopped her and smiled, "No need to clean up. Let me help you."

"No, no! There's no reason to make a guest do housework."

As Lin Wanting spoke, she reached out to grab the shopping bags from Qin Feng's hands.

"Hey, watch out, don't burn yourself."

Qin Feng nimbly dodged away. Looking at Lin Wanting's flustered state, he couldn't help laughing, "My dear lady, stop forcing yourself. You're not cooking dinner; you're practically demolishing the house!"

"None of your business!" Lin Wanting glared at him indignantly, "Take it or leave it, eat if you want, otherwise forget it!"

"Alright, alright, I'll eat. Aren't I going to eat?"

Qin Feng immediately raised his hands in surrender, though inwardly he found this side of Lin Wanting remarkably genuine and endearing.

Working together, the two of them quickly cleaned up the living room.

Lin Wanting was finally able to focus entirely on her cooking.

Qin Feng sat on the sofa, sipping the juice Lin Wanting had prepared for him while watching her busy figure in the kitchen, a wave of unprecedented satisfaction welling up in his heart.

"Ding-dong!"

The doorbell rang suddenly, interrupting this rare moment of warmth.

"Who is it?" Lin Wanting asked as she untied her apron and walked toward the door.

"It's me, Bai Ruoxi," came a cool, crisp female voice from outside.

Hearing that name, Qin Feng's heart skipped a beat, and a bad premonition flooded his mind.

He turned his head toward the entrance to see Bai Ruoxi dressed in a sharp, professional suit, holding a file folder and standing there with a stern expression.

"Why are you here?"

Lin Wanting was evidently quite surprised as well.

"I'm here to talk to Qin Feng about something."

As Bai Ruoxi spoke, her gaze swept past Lin Wanting and landed on Qin Feng, her eyes carrying a complex and unreadable look.

Qin Feng furrowed his brow slightly. Bai Ruoxi's sudden visit made him sense a storm brewing on the horizon.

"President Bai, what brings you here in person without even giving a heads-up?"

Qin Feng stood up, a hint of playful banter in his tone as he attempted to break the subtle tension in the air.