Chapter 126: The Party Crasher

The next morning.

“Old Bai...” Bai Ren'song felt someone gently nudging him. When he opened his eyes, he saw Han Jiayi smiling at him. “Get up. We're going to the market to buy groceries. We haven't been there in several days, you know. If we don't go now, there won't be anything left to eat in the refrigerator.”

“Mm, I know.” Bai Ren'song nodded, then sat up and stretched. He reached over to stroke Han Jiayi's head and kissed the top of it lightly. “Good morning, Mumu.”

“Good morning...” Han Jiayi pouted slightly at the nickname, but ultimately accepted it.

The two of them went downstairs to brush their teeth together. It was obvious that Han Jiayi had been waiting especially for this moment.

“Look at you. Your hair's all mussed up from sleeping...” Bai Ren'song brushed down the cowlick sticking up from the top of her head while brushing his own teeth. Han Jiayi smiled at him through the mirror.

After brushing her teeth, Han Jiayi spat out the foam in her mouth. Once Bai Ren'song had done the same, she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

“That one's for you.”

“Then I'll owe you another one.” The brief, tender touch ended before Bai Ren'song had time to savor it. As he spoke, he moved to kiss her again.

But Han Jiayi dodged him.

“No. If you do that, it'll...” She smiled mischievously. “We'll lose the novelty too quickly. Come on, let's go out for breakfast.”

This was the first time the two of them had gone to the market as a couple, so it felt rather fresh to Bai Ren'song. Of course, in the eyes of everyone around them, they looked no different from usual.

After breakfast, Bai Ren'song's hands were free. Han Jiayi was still drinking her soy milk and looking around at everything, while her left hand hung idle at her side.

I want to hold hands...

Thinking this, Bai Ren'song wove his way through the crowd and quietly moved to Han Jiayi's left, waiting for a chance to take her unoccupied hand.

Han Jiayi did not notice. She continued examining the shops along the roadside. “Why are there so many people at that breakfast place? It must be delicious...”

“Yeah. We should try it sometime.” Bai Ren'song answered absently, waiting for the right moment before reaching toward her left hand.

But before he could touch it, he pulled back.

No, that would be too unnatural. He had to wait for a suitable opportunity.

So Bai Ren'song continued walking beside Han Jiayi, chatting idly with her while silently waiting for his chance.

Just then, they arrived at a crosswalk.

“Now!”

Bai Ren'song inwardly cheered. He reached out and clasped Han Jiayi's little hand, keeping his expression calm as he said, “We're crossing the street. Watch where you're going, and don't keep looking around.”

Han Jiayi glanced at the green light in front of them and immediately understood. Pressing her lips together to suppress her laughter, she nodded.

“Mm.”

Her little hand was so soft, like a cat's paw pad.

Bai Ren'song thought this as he led her forward by the hand.

“Hee hee...” Han Jiayi eventually could not hold back and let out a laugh. She quickly turned it into a light cough, then pointed ahead with a bright smile. “All right, let's go to Daily Fresh first and see what good vegetables they have.”

She took long strides while swinging their joined hands back and forth, like an elementary school student on her way to school. She was clearly in an excellent mood, and soon began humming a little tune.

“I hear the most beautiful, most beautiful summer solstice, and remember the story of us. Do you still remember how we called each other's names? How I wish this season could slowly stand still...”

That song suited this girl perfectly.

Bai Ren'song thought this as he reached over and rubbed her head.

“Oh, these chives look so fresh! Should we buy some and make dumplings when we get home?” Han Jiayi pointed to a nearby stall, pulled Bai Ren'song over, grabbed a large handful of chives, stuffed them into a bag, and handed it to him.

Then she immediately dragged him toward the other side. “Oh, look at these eggplants! They're so plump and adorable! Minced pork with eggplant is going to be delicious!”

Bai Ren'song simply enjoyed the moment in silence. Whether it was her soft little hand or her sweet voice, everything filled him with immense happiness. He sighed inwardly.

This really was the best possible start to a new day.

While Han Jiayi was picking out cherry tomatoes, Bai Ren'song took out his phone, aimed it at their tightly interlocked fingers, and snapped a picture. Then he posted it to his social feed:

“Up early to accompany my girlfriend to buy groceries...”

He was not someone who liked showing off, but... he truly could not resist this time.

After they finished shopping, the two of them carried bags full of groceries home. Wang Bei was already there, hard at work.

“Then I'll head to the restaurant first, all right?” Han Jiayi said after putting away the vegetables and meat. “You at noon...”

“Same time as always.” Bai Ren'song answered cheerfully. He took her little hand and kissed it. “Be careful on the way.”

“Got it!”

Han Jiayi answered brightly before hopping into the elevator.

“Sister Jiayi really is...” Wang Bei covered her mouth and teased him. “I've never seen her this happy before. The power of love is terrifying.”

“Go do your work.” Bai Ren'song glared at her, then went upstairs to edit his video.

He edited together the footage from his visit to Red Fort the previous night and sent it to He Guang for post-production. By the time the video was finished and released, Red Fort should have completed its menu revisions as well, giving his fans just enough time to go there and try the dishes.

However, Bai Ren'song no longer intended to call this series “Restaurant Visits.” Instead, he planned to create an entirely new genre called “The Great Restaurant Rescue.”

After all, the style he and Han Jiayi used could hardly be considered restaurant exploration anymore.

Once he had finished everything, it was already noon. Bai Ren'song headed to Yijia Pavilion.

“Old Bai!” The moment Han Jiayi saw him, she happily rushed over. She looked as though she wanted to throw herself into his arms, but managed to stop herself at the last moment.

“Come here.” Bai Ren'song opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace, kissing the top of her head. “You worked hard.”

“Not really. It wasn't hard...” Han Jiayi scratched her head shyly. “Do I smell like cooking fumes?”

“Not too much.” Bai Ren'song smiled. “You smell delicious.”

“Hee hee...” Han Jiayi beamed as she smoothed back her hair. “What do you want for lunch?”

“Let's order the couples' special.”

“You... Don't say things like that.” Han Jiayi lightly thumped his shoulder, blushing. “It looks bad...”

Bai Ren'song was about to tease her a little more when a sudden shout came from outside the door.

“Sir, you can't go in there! That's the employees' lounge. No one but staff are allowed inside! Sir, you're putting me in a very difficult position...”

A commotion came from outside, growing closer and louder by the second.

Bai Ren'song immediately lost his temper. How dare someone come to his girlfriend's restaurant and cause trouble?

Bring out the Banca Sura!

He rolled up his sleeves aggressively and hurried toward the dining area, with Han Jiayi following close behind, visibly nervous.

The next moment, someone shoved open the door to the employees' lounge and stormed in.

“Little Bai! You're here, aren't you?!”

Bai Ren'song took a close look and realized that the intruder was Yang Hua.

Everyone in the kitchen immediately gathered around to watch the spectacle.

What was going on? Was someone here to steal the bride?

“Boss, this man...” The front-of-house supervisor looked troubled. “I couldn't stop him. He...”

“It's all right. He's someone we know.” Han Jiayi quickly raised a hand to reassure him. “Go back to the front desk. We'll handle things here, so don't worry.”

Hearing this, the supervisor nodded and returned to the dining area.

“What are you doing here?” Bai Ren'song asked with a frown. “It's the restaurant's lunch rush, isn't it? Why aren't you in the kitchen at Lanwafang? What are you doing here?”

“I saw your social-media post!” Yang Hua strode forward and seized Bai Ren'song by the shoulders, his voice filled with disbelief. “You and this little brat are dating, aren't you?!”

Bai Ren'song froze for a moment before remembering the post he had made that morning. It had indeed been the first time he had ever posted a picture publicly acknowledging his relationship with Han Jiayi.

He had hardly had any friends at his old company. He had called his parents to tell them personally, while his fans had long since assumed that he and Han Jiayi were a couple. As a result, he had not posted anything on social media on the day they began dating.

Because of that, Yang Hua had only learned the news today.

“Yeah. I forgot to tell you.” Bai Ren'song smiled. “I don't usually post things just to show off.”

“I object!” Yang Hua declared angrily.

“You're not my father. What right do you have to object?” Bai Ren'song lowered his eyes and spoke coolly. “Your objection is invalid.”

“Then promise me one thing!” Yang Hua grabbed Bai Ren'song's shoulders and spoke excitedly. “From now on, you can only use your tongue for eating, all right? Promise me!”

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone present was stunned. The atmosphere instantly became excruciatingly awkward.

Han Jiayi covered her mouth, her face turning red all the way to her ears. What was this man saying in front of so many people? Did he have no common sense at all?

Bai Ren'song was stunned as well. Then, with an utterly serious expression, he said firmly, “I refuse.”

Another uproar broke out. The atmosphere shifted from awkward to something far more suggestive in an instant.

Everyone here was an adult. They understood perfectly well.

“You—you!” Han Jiayi angrily thumped Bai Ren'song on the shoulder. “What are you saying? Have you no shame?”

“What?” Bai Ren'song shot back irritably. “Are we supposed to spend the rest of our lives without kissing?”

Han Jiayi's face flushed all the way down to her neck. She cleared her throat and turned to Yang Hua, doing her best to sound calm.

“Exactly! Are Old Bai and I supposed to go our whole lives without kissing? How could that possibly happen?”

“Han Jiayi!” Yang Hua slammed a palm onto the table and said furiously, “Woman, if you have even the slightest sense of shame, don't use Little Bai's tongue for anything other than cooking!”

“Oh, you're completely impossible!” Han Jiayi cried, her face burning with embarrassed anger. “You came here today just to cause trouble, didn't you? Let me tell you, this is my territory. I'm not afraid of you!”

“That's exactly why I'm here!” Yang Hua said angrily. “Today, we'll have a contest. If I win, you have to promise me that you won't use Little Bai's tongue for anything besides eating!”

Han Jiayi rolled her eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into the back of her head.

This man was completely outrageous!

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