Sun Jiming was unaware of the silent communication between the two girls. He invited them to sit down and then took a seat a bit farther away near the door.
Since Emperor Dezong of the State of Yue, the strict separation between men and women had become less stringent. As long as people adhered to etiquette, it was quite normal for them to dine together.
Sun Yuelan picked up her chopsticks and greeted Xie Fengran. "Hurry up and eat. Don't be polite!"
Sun Jiming looked at his younger sister who seemed as if she hadn't eaten for ages and rubbed his forehead. Sometimes he wondered how these two girls with such different personalities could become friends!
Xie Fengran was also hungry. Without waiting for Yuelan to serve her, she started eating on her own.
Seeing that Xie Fengran didn't act distantly just because he was present, Sun Jiming felt both happy and a bit sad.
He liked Xie Fengran, and he would respect her choice. If they were not destined to be together, he would treat her like a younger sister!
Fortunately, Xie Fengran didn't seem to deliberately avoid him. Their interactions had always been open and aboveboard, without anything to hide.
Thinking of this, Sun Jiming got up and served each of them a bowl of fish soup. He said softly, "This is a nourishing fish soup newly introduced by Jingyueju. Try it and see how it tastes."
"Thank you!" Xie Fengran looked up and thanked Sun Jiming. She took a sip and felt that the soup was so delicious that her tongue almost fell out, yet there was not a trace of fishy smell.
"It's fresh without being fishy. The chef at Jingyueju really lives up to his reputation."
Sun Yuelan gulped down the soup in a few mouthfuls. "It's delicious!"
Sun Jiming took the bowl and served her another one. "If you like it, drink more."
"Brother, why are you being so kind to me today?" Sun Yuelan blinked her eyes. She had no qualms about teasing her elder brother.
Sun Jiming looked calm on the surface. "I have to save some face for you in front of Miss Xie!" But if one looked closely, they could see that the tips of his ears had turned red.
Sun Yuelan knew that her elder brother's composure and maturity in front of outsiders would disappear completely in front of her best friend. She was just about to make fun of him when suddenly a piece of fish was put into her bowl. "Eat more!"
She looked up and saw her elder brother smiling extremely amiably. She shivered involuntarily and immediately dared not say a word.
Xie Fengran had eaten enough and was watching the show on the side. When she saw Sun Yuelan's instant show of cowardice, she had a hard time holding back her laughter.
Seeing that Xie Fengran had stopped eating, Sun Jiming said, "Miss, I've talked to the manager of Lingfeng Teahouse about your idea of cooperation a few days ago. The manager readily agreed, and the profit - sharing will follow the original ratio of the teahouse."
Xie Fengran also became serious. After a moment of thought, she said, "This is beyond my expectation. It seems that I'm actually taking advantage in this arrangement, since it doesn't take much effort to turn it into a manuscript."
Sun Jiming nodded. After hesitating for a while, he still said, "When I went to talk to the manager about the cooperation, he agreed without the slightest hesitation, which is not in line with his usual style!"
Everyone who had dealt with the manager of Lingfeng Teahouse knew that he was a real miser. It was almost impossible to take advantage of him.
But this time, the terms he offered to Xie Fengran were quite generous. Sun Jiming couldn't help but think more about it!
Xie Fengran also felt that there was something strange about this. An unusual event must have a hidden cause. However, no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't figure it out. Moreover, she needed money now, and the more the better!
After thinking for a while, she said, "Since the miser is willing to part with his money, there's no reason for us not to accept."
Sun Jiming nodded. "As long as you know what you're doing, Miss."
Sun Yuelan on the side saw the way they were talking and was itching to make a teasing remark. She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Sir, the guest next door has ordered a pot of tea for you. May I come in?"
The three of them looked at each other, wondering who this guest next door was.
It was Sun Jiming who finally said, "Come in."
The waiter pushed the door open and walked in quietly. He said enthusiastically, "Sir, this is Longjing tea ordered by Prince Qin for you. Enjoy it slowly."
"Prince Qin!"
Hearing this name, the three of them had different expressions on their faces. Obviously, they all remembered the rumor.
Xie Fengran wondered why this man was so persistent. She even wished she could strangle him!
Finally, it was Sun Jiming who coughed lightly to break the silence. He reached out to pick up the teapot and poured a cup for each of them. "The prince means well. Don't let his kindness go to waste."
Sun Yuelan glanced at her elder brother. She always felt that there was something off about his words.
"Mr. Sun!"
Before this thought could fully pass through her mind, a rather surprised female voice came from outside the door.
The three of them looked back and met the surprised eyes of the Third Princess.
Before Sun Jiming could say anything, the Third Princess walked over. "What a coincidence, Mr. Sun. You're also here for dinner. Why don't you join us?"
Originally, Sun Jiming was sitting at the door, blocking the view inside the room. As the Third Princess took a few steps forward, Xie Fengran was suddenly exposed to her sight. And since the Third Princess had her back to Sun Yuelan, she didn't notice that there was another person in the room.
The Third Princess's face changed several times. She forced a smile and said, "Miss Xie, you really have some skills!"
Xie Fengran wiped her mouth, calmly stood up, and saluted. "Greetings to the Third Princess."
The Third Princess's eyes widened slightly. She involuntarily took two steps forward, wishing she could scratch Xie Fengran's face.
But thinking of the days of house - arrest these days, she forcibly held back. Ignoring Xie Fengran, she looked at Sun Jiming. "A man and a woman alone in a room may harm your reputation, Mr. Sun. Why don't you join me next door for dinner? My second brother is also there!"
Sun Jiming's face changed, showing a bit of displeasure. He took a step back and quietly blocked in front of Xie Fengran, blocking the Third Princess's view. "Your Highness, please be careful with your words! I..."
"Your Highness, my brother and I came out for dinner together. How can it be considered a man and a woman alone?"
"Yue... Yuelan!" The Third Princess looked at the suddenly appearing Sun Yuelan, and the expression on her face froze.
The atmosphere in the room became quiet, and the situation suddenly became awkward!
Xie Fengran looked at Sun Yuelan's gratified expression and then at the silent Sun Jiming. For the first time, she noticed that the siblings really had some similarities.
A hint of a smile flashed in her eyes. She coughed lightly and said, "Mr. Sun, Yuelan, I'm full. Are you done eating?"
"I'm full. Let's go!" Sun Yuelan curtsied to the Third Princess, walked over to hold Xie Fengran's arm, and said as she walked out, "It's a pity about the pot of tea sent by the prince."
"If you like it, I'll give it to you."
"Yuelan, I have top - grade Longjing in the palace. I'll send it to your mansion another day."
The sudden words from the Third Princess really surprised the others. They all looked at her in unison.
Meeting Xie Fengran's eyes, the Third Princess said provocatively, "No matter how good the things in the Marquis of Dingguo's mansion are, they can't compare to the things in the palace. Am I right, Miss Xie?"