Chapter 2695 - 1675: Witness

Chapter 2695: Chapter 1675: Witness

Six o’clock.

Punctual start.

After all, it’s winter. The sky turns dark early, and by the time everyone is seated at the dinner table, the outside has already turned a gloomy gray.

But it doesn’t matter.

The manor itself is resplendent.

The Song Yun lacquer mother-of-pearl round table with a huanghuali wood base, using non-legacy craft lacquer and deep-sea luminous shell inlay, has the "Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" painting embedded within, with dazzling gold foiled lines illuminating parts of it.

The table alone showcases the Shi Family’s wealth in full detail.

Such a family.

Yet their daughter wants to be a concubine?

No wonder Shi Zhenhua is angry.

"Miss Lan, how about some yellow wine? It’s suitable for this weather and, most importantly, it’s gentle on the body."

Some genes only activate at certain stages in life.

Take health maintenance, for instance.

When young, it’s often disregarded, but as one ages, they dutifully start soaking goji berries in a thermos.

"Alright."

Lan Peizhi nods agreeably.

The same old saying.

Guests follow the host.

Upon Lan Peizhi’s consent, Shi Zhenhua surprisingly doesn’t inquire Jiang Chen’s opinion, directly instructing the servant to fetch the wine.

Why bother asking.

Does he truly take himself as a guest?

Surely not?

It’s not quite a Manchu Han Imperial Feast, but the valuable Song Yun lacquer mother-of-pearl round table is laden with various dishes, enough to satisfy everyone’s taste.

And noticeably.

Most of the dishes are Sichuan cuisine.

"Miss Lan is from Bashu, so I’ve had the chef prepare some renowned Sichuan dishes, hoping they’ll suit Miss Lan’s palate."

What’s that saying again?

Don’t worry about scarcity, worry about inequality.

It’s really quite biased.

Before anyone speaks, Lan Peizhi surprisingly starts voicing her discontent.

"Director Shi didn’t prepare any Hubei dishes?"

"Prepared, sure. Here they are."

Everyone, including Jiang Chen himself, turns their gaze to a plate of seemingly "back to basics" cuisine.

"Sha City Fish Cake, which is the most significant feature of Hubei cuisine."

Shi Zhenhua seriously introduces.

Jiang Chen’s eyelid twitches.

Shi Qianxi tries hard to keep her mouth closed, clenching her hands to suppress a laugh she almost couldn’t contain.

Unlike other aesthetically refined and breathtakingly artistic dishes, this fish cake on the table appears simply heated, thus unremarkable, even seeming somewhat out of place.

Yet.

Perhaps this is the chef’s ultimate ingenuity.

Premium ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods.

"By the way, this fish cake was brought by Jiang himself. Miss Lan, Miss Duanmu, you two definitely should try it."

What’s meant by insults without using vulgar words.

No harsh words spoken, yet it can cause one such awkwardness their toes curl.

Presenting the fish cake as a gift, and making a big show of it in front of other guests, for an ordinary person, they’d definitely hang their head low, but Jiang Chen is no ordinary person; he sits steadfast.

"Yes, I brought ten pounds of it, eat as much as you like, enough for all."

Ah.

He actually follows up.

Shi Zhenhua is at a loss for words.

Shi Qianxi finally couldn’t hold it back, turning her head with trembling shoulders.

Even Meng Meiling’s mouth curves slightly.

Back when they first met, he was just a college student yet could assertively argue his point with her, showing clear resilience.

Especially now.

"After knowing each other for so long, I’ve never tasted Sha City Fish Cake before; I must try it."

Everyone present is a wise old fox.

Lan Peizhi’s implied words are, of course, understood.

"Jiang, that’s indeed your fault, you and Miss Lan are friends, how could you forget to bring some for Miss Lan too."

Facing the complicated situation, Jiang Chen tries to maintain a clear head, with no choice but to respond as best as he can, "If Miss Lan finds it delicious, I’ll be sure to personally deliver some to Miss Lan’s residence afterward."

Lan Peizhi neither affirms nor denies, choosing not to elaborate, thus ending the discussion.

Jiang Chen remains vigilant, who throws the big move right from the start?

The battle has just begun.

The yellow wine arrives.

"Would Miss Duanmu like a drink?"

Lan Peizhi says nothing.

As the "guardian," Jiang Chen is certainly not fit to speak under these circumstances.

Thus Daoist Duanmu decides for herself.

"I’ll have a little."

She nods.

A foodie will not refuse tasting new cuisine.

"Haha, Miss Duanmu is quite straightforward too."

All six at the table are poured a drink without exception.

"Let’s dig in, no need to hold back."

Despite sometimes being exasperating, this young lady Shi Qianxi warms the heart with her cuteness at times.

For instance, right now, she picks up her chopsticks, and first of all picks a piece of fish cake from the heap of delicacies, and takes a bite.

"Hmm, it’s tasty."

Jiang Chen is left amused and touched, yet bewildered.

This young lady clearly stands by him.

But why does she always delight in causing him trouble?

If she had told him sooner, such a complex challenging situation would never have arisen.

"Eat slowly, be careful of bones."

In the end.

Boss Jiang chooses to forgive and forget, there’s no need for pettiness with his own woman.

Sitting beside her daughter, Meng Meiling listens quietly, yet her expression subtly softens.

Seeing Shi Qianxi eating with such relish, Tanki Liuli surprisingly reaches with chopsticks to pick a piece of fish cake.

Indeed.

Not to mention Lan Peizhi, even Tanki Liuli living in Spring and Autumn Plaza hasn’t tasted Sha City Fish Cake until now.

Clearly, when someone visits carrying such a thoughtful gift, they truly put effort into it.