Upon hearing this, Losi forgot her shyness and frowned, saying, "How can you not be angry? Li Mingyao went too far. He's just someone who inherited his grandfather's company, what makes him so arrogant? Anyway, I'm going to stand up for you."
He turned his head away from Cheng Qing, clearly not wanting to listen to Cheng Qing's advice.
Cheng Qing sighed, walked up to Luo Xi, and gently hugged her.
She sighed contentedly, "Rosie, thank you."
Luo Xi was taken aback by Cheng Qing's sudden hug and didn't react for a moment. Actually, she and Cheng Qing had hugged quite a few times since they met in the past few days.
It was either an unexpected hug from her, or a comforting embrace from Cheng Qing. But this time was different; the way Cheng Qing hugged her, burying his face in her neck, seemed more like a search for comfort.
The hug was a silent expression of affection. Losi's act of jumping out to protect Cheng Qing was like pointing the way for Cheng Qing's restless heart, which had been in a strange world for several months.
"Thank you for caring about me so much." It suddenly felt like I had a home in this unfamiliar world.
Luo Xi blushed at her gentle words. She slowly raised her hand to hug Cheng Qing and rested her head on Cheng Qing's shoulder.
The two embraced quietly in the room, like mandarin ducks with their necks intertwined.
Luo Xi bit her lower lip, feeling Cheng Qing's vulnerability for the first time, and her heart ached even more. She didn't know that Cheng Qing could be so vulnerable.
"Don't be afraid! I'll protect you," Losi said.
Cheng Qing was only slightly saddened at first, but after hearing Luo Xi's promise, she laughed out loud.
Losi's expression immediately turned serious, and she pushed her away: "What are you laughing at?"
Cheng Qing clenched her fist to cover her mouth, but she couldn't hide her eyes, which were smiling like crescent moons. Her eyes were like clear springs, and her gentle gaze made people feel as if they were in the most beautiful moonlight.
Losi felt uncomfortable under her gaze and asked in a low voice, "What are you looking at?"
Cheng Qing laughed: "Of course it's because you're so charming that I'm looking at you!"
With a bang, Losi's face flushed bright red. Her eyes widened, and she exclaimed in shock, "You...you heard that?"
Cheng Qing chuckled: "You shouted so loudly, I was sure I could hear you."
When Luo Xi, who didn't think there was anything wrong with what she said in front of those people, heard Cheng Qing repeat the same thing and felt so embarrassed that she almost wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.
Seeing that Luo Xi was shy, Cheng Qing smiled, reached out and lifted her face, and then said seriously and solemnly, "Don't be embarrassed, because I think you are right."
Losi's breath hitched, but she still whispered shyly, "...No need to repeat yourself."
Cheng Qing: "Hahahaha, okay! I won't say anything more then. Shall we go downstairs and cook now?"
Luo Xi quickly patted her face and obediently followed Cheng Qing downstairs.
The two walked side by side to the top of the stairs, the winding staircase, each step like a stepping stone in life.
As Luo Xi followed Cheng Qing, she saw the sunlight streaming in from outside the stairwell bathing Cheng Qing in golden light.
Lossie wanted to laugh with pride, but then her eyes darted around, and she asked casually, "How did you and Zhang Lingling meet?"
Cheng Qing had no doubts and thought about it seriously before saying, "Actually, we didn't know each other before. Although she, Zhou Yong, and I are all in the same city, we live in different places, like the horizon."
Upon hearing this, Rossi's lips curled up slightly.
Cheng Qing: "It was because of this program that I, she, or you and I came into contact."
Lossie put her hands behind her back, glanced at Cheng Qing again, and continued to ask, "So, do you like her like that?"
Cheng Qing: "She's not bad, is she?"
Losi took a breath and gritted her teeth: "What's so good about her?"
Cheng Qing found it amusing and turned to look at her, asking, "There's nothing wrong with her, is there?" She and Zhang were both ordinary people who participated in the show at the same time.
Zhang Lingling has a good personality and speaks softly; there's really nothing about her that's annoying.
After thinking it over, Luo Xi realized that it was actually her own irritable temper that made her worse than Zhang Lingling.
“Of course…” Cheng Qing kept a close eye on Luo Xi and saw her gritting her teeth. Cheng Qing found it amusing, but still raised her hand and placed it on Luo Xi’s head, gently rubbing it and soothingly saying, “You are different from her, you are special.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Xi quickly covered her face with her hands, and indeed felt a little hot. Seeing this, Cheng Qing smiled and reached out to pull her hands down.
Looking at Losi's delicate face, Cheng Qing gently tapped her forehead: "Are you jealous?"
Luo Xi blushed even more, completely forgetting to deny it. Cheng Qing smiled and approached her, telling Luo Xi in a seductive tone, "Zhang Lingling and you... of course can't compare."
Losi blushed instantly.
***
Because of this sudden farce, everyone was a little embarrassed and didn't feel comfortable looking around while sitting in the living room.
When Cheng Qing brought Luo Xi down, everyone was silent.
Cheng Qing nodded to Luo Xi, indicating that she should go into the kitchen first.
Luo Xi turned around and glared at Li Mingyao. After confirming that Kong Mingyan had also come out, Li Mingyao dared not bully Qingqing, and then reluctantly went inside.
Cheng Qing smiled and said, "Everyone is a little excited about what happened today..."
Kong Mingyan had already watched the video and knew that Li Mingyao had provoked him first. He was also the eldest son of the Li family and the de facto head of the Li Group.
Getting him to apologize would be difficult. Having spent time with Cheng Qing, Kong Mingyan also understood that Cheng Qing was definitely not someone who would bow to power.
Kong Mingyan was already worried before Cheng Qing even expressed his thoughts. But Cheng Qing's words surprised him. Was he preparing for reconciliation?
Cheng Qing: "With so many people, friction is inevitable. I hope everyone can let it go and get along well." Even though she was the only outsider, and she was the first one attacked.
But it was she who spoke of reconciliation, which shocked everyone and made them feel ashamed.
The talk of reconciliation was brief and to the point; Cheng Qing then changed the subject...
With a bright smile, Cheng Qing said, "Of course, if you're really not convinced, you can have a fight." He casually picked up a fencing sword from the side and twirled it.
He smiled gently at Li Mingyao: "If weapons are allowed, I can also accept men and women fighting each other."
Cheng Qing was confident in this much.
Li Mingyao finally laughed and looked at Cheng Qing, saying, "Then forget it, I'm afraid I'll only get beaten up."
That day, when he stood on the island platform looking down into the courtyard, he saw Cheng Qing easily break up a fight between three students with a fencing sword.
Cheng Qing's swordsmanship and confidence were on full display; he was very strong.
Li Mingyao stood up and took a deep breath. If Cheng Qing could be so magnanimous as to say those things, then as the person in charge of the company, he certainly wouldn't be so petty as to be calculating.
Therefore, he stood up, looked at Cheng Qing, and finally said, "Today, it was mainly because I couldn't control my mouth."
Cheng Qing was a little surprised; she had thought that someone as proud as Li Mingyao wouldn't get up.
Cheng Qing's hope for reconciliation among everyone is ultimately for Luo Xi's sake. Cheng Qing will leave sooner or later, but Luo Xi is different. She will have to face these people alone sooner or later, and Cheng Qing doesn't want Luo Xi to make enemies.
But at the same time, they didn't want them to think that they and Losi were easy to bully. That's why they used both soft and hard tactics, saying those things.
It does seem like a concession, and everyone hopes to get along peacefully.
That's probably why Li Mingyao didn't want to appear petty, and that's why he stood up and took the initiative to apologize!
But this was a good result. When Cheng Qing heard Li Mingyao take the initiative to admit his mistake, he smiled happily and finally said, "I accept this apology." Although he didn't even say the words "I'm sorry."
After saying that, she turned and headed towards the kitchen, saying, "I'll go cook."
Kong Mingyan stared in disbelief at Cheng Qing's retreating figure, never expecting that the imminent battle would be resolved so easily.
Cheng Qing... truly a genius!
***
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Rilsey frowned as she looked at the plates of meat and vegetables prepared on the counter, wondering: what should I pair with what?
Hearing Cheng Qing enter, she turned to look at her and asked with a smile, "What did you say to everyone?"
Cheng Qing walked over to her and replied helplessly, "After comforting you, of course I also need to comfort the others."
Losi turned her head away and pursed her lips: "What's there to appease them about?"
Cheng Qing picked up an apron from the side and put it on, saying casually, "For you, even if there's no value in comforting me, I still have to comfort you. That's the greatest value."
Lossie paused, then said nothing more. Instead, she went around behind Cheng Qing and helped her fasten the ties. Of course, Cheng Qing didn't see the tender and happy expression on Lossie's face behind her.
"This afternoon's main dishes include squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, braised lion's head meatballs, hibiscus shrimp, and twice-cooked pork. Is there anything else you'd like to eat?" After preparing everything, Cheng Qing turned on the stove to heat the pot.
Lossie stood beside her, shook her head, and said, "I love everything you make."
Cheng Qing chuckled: "What about boiled sliced pork?"
Losi: "...Don't make it so spicy, I can eat it too."
Seeing that she could say such things even though she didn't like spicy food, Cheng Qing leaned close to her ear and teased her with a smile, "Thank you."
Luo Xi touched her face, suppressing her rising excitement, and proudly told Cheng Qing, "I asked Director Kong to buy eggplants yesterday."
Cheng Qing: "Yes, so I'm going to make a bowl of fish-flavored eggplant casserole this afternoon."
The two were busy in the kitchen. Luo Xi would get all the seasonings Cheng Qing needed. Even though she couldn't help much, Luo Xi felt very capable just by handing her things.
After serving the finished dishes bowl by bowl, Cheng Qing cooked another pot of Wensi Tofu. Luo Xi was standing to the side with chopsticks in hand, tasting the freshly cooked twice-cooked pork, finding it dry, fragrant, and not greasy at all.
"Delicious!" she squinted. "How come Qingqing's cooking is so delicious?"
Before he could finish experiencing it, he heard Cheng Qing whisper in his ear, "Try a sip of this soup and see how it tastes?"
As she spoke, a small dish was extended in front of her and brought to her lips. Losi opened her mouth and drank it straight in.
Cheng Qing has excellent knife skills and cooking skills; this soup melts in your mouth, is tender and pure.
Losi thought the soup was delicious!
"It's delicious." She turned to say something, but saw Cheng Qing looking at her with a smile, and Luo Xi gave her a thumbs up. Cheng Qing nodded, then put the small plate used for tasting back, and then saw Luo Xi lower her head again to pick up a piece of twice-cooked pork.
Cheng Qing: "Delicious?"
Losi nodded, looked up at Cheng Qing, and said loudly, "It's super delicious."
"Then I'll give it a try."
As she spoke, she reached out and grasped the small hand holding the chopsticks. Luo Xi was taken aback and didn't immediately realize what Cheng Qing was trying to do.
He felt a slight tingling sensation in his hand as it was being held. Cheng Qing leaned closer and lowered her head, and her unique fragrance suddenly wafted over him.
It smelled like the shampoo she and Cheng Qing used together, and the shower gel she and Cheng Qing used together.
Cheng Qing opened her mouth and took the chopsticks from Luo Xi's hand, putting the green peppers and meat on them into her mouth together.
Cheng Qing took a bite, her lips still bearing a bit of oil from the twice-cooked pork, which shimmered brightly in the sunlight.