Hearing the sound, everyone turned their heads. A member of the security team pulled out several raw jade stones from under the sofa. Their surfaces were easy to open, revealing several packets of flour hidden inside.
Zhao De's previously calm face immediately turned pale, his features contorted in panic. "How can these things be here!"
"Mr. Zhao, that's a question I should be asking you," Murong Xue said.
"I, I don't know."
Zhao De hastily said, "Team Leader Murong, someone must be framing me. That's right, it must be the owner of the Fuhao Gambling Stone Market, Shui Xiang and Li Yang!"
"These things must belong to them."
"And these seasoned flour dealers around you, were they also introduced to you by them?" Murong Xue's eyes swept over the men holding wine glasses and celebrating moments ago, saying coldly, "Do you really think that just because you're dressed up nicely and look presentable, I won't recognize you?"
"Zhao San, Hu Da, you haven't changed your ways, and you still dare to deal flour!"
"No, we don't dare! Team Leader Murong, we are just ordinary guests, and we absolutely haven't done anything illegal or against the law!" these men exclaimed, their faces changing drastically.
Murong Xue said, "If you want to claim innocence, you can do so at the security team's office."
"Everyone, arrest them all!"
"No, don't, ah!"
"Spare my life, Team Leader Murong, please spare me this once. I'm willing to confess, please give me a chance for leniency!"
Someone immediately turned traitor.
Zhao De, who had been trying to argue, turned ashen as paper upon seeing someone betray him. He knelt on the ground, filled with regret.
Just then, Li Yang parked his car and said with a smile to Shui Xiang beside him, "Sister Shui, get ready. In a few days, we'll acquire the Yuhuang Gambling Stone Market."
"Are you sure Master Zhang's eldest nephew can handle things?" Shui Xiang felt that everything was developing too quickly.
Li Yang smiled, "It won't go wrong."
"Alright, I'll call Manager Fang now and have her consolidate the usable funds of the gambling stone market." Shui Xiang nodded and said, "However, if the Yuhuang Gambling Stone Market truly can't continue, the other gambling stone markets won't just sit idly by and let us expand."
"It's alright, we'll compete with our true skills then. It doesn't matter who eats more or less," Li Yang said with a smile.
Shui Xiang hummed and was about to speak when a little girl ran over, "Mommy."
"Oh, Nannan," Shui Xiang recognized her daughter's voice and quickly opened her arms to embrace her, smiling as she teased her. "Do you remember this uncle?"
"Hello, Uncle Li," Nannan looked at Li Yang and greeted him, her voice sweet and pleasant.
She was also as delicate and exquisite as a porcelain doll, making her even more endearing.
Li Yang couldn't help but pinch her cheek and say with a smile, "You actually remember Uncle. Uncle is so happy. It's a pity Uncle didn't bring any gifts this time. After dinner, Uncle will take you out to play. Whatever you like, Uncle will buy it for you, okay?"
"Okay, Uncle," Nannan shouted happily.
Shui Xiang said, "No, you can't."
"What can't be done? I think it's perfectly fine. Nannan, would you like Uncle to hold you?" Li Yang said with a smile, extending an arm.
Nannan immediately nodded and nestled into his arms, "Uncle, I want a Barbie doll, a really big one, is that okay?"
"Our Nannan is so cute, of course, it's okay," Li Yang said happily.
Shui Xiang gave him a sideways glance, her cheeks flushing slightly. What did he mean by "our Nannan"?
Wasn't he being too presumptuous?
Watching the three of them together, looking like a family of three, the wrinkles on Shui Xiang's father's old face couldn't help but reveal a happy smile. He chuckled and said, "Mr. Li, thank you for taking care of my daughter. This old man has prepared some of my signature dishes. I don't know if they suit your taste, but I hope you won't dislike them later."
"Uncle, where did you get that idea? It's quite embarrassing for you to cook. If I were to dislike it, I wouldn't even be considered human, and even things would feel ashamed to see me," Li Yang said with a smile.
Shui Xiang's father burst into laughter, "Hahaha, Mr. Li, you're very eloquent. Come, let's go upstairs to eat."
"Alright, Uncle, please go ahead."
"You first."
Everyone soon arrived in the room's living area. Looking at the table full of delicious food, Li Yang felt a sense of familiarity.
As the saying goes, when family sits together, the lamplight is warm, and the most heartwarming thing is the human touch of everyday life. And the most human touch of everyday life is when the whole family gathers at the dining table, eating the dishes they've cooked.
"It smells so good, Uncle. Seeing this table full of dishes makes me miss my parents."
"Mr. Li, there's no need to miss them. From now on, consider this your home, and we are your family," Shui Xiang's father said quickly.
Seeing his genuine affection for his family, he became even more eager for Li Yang to become his son-in-law. He quickly gave Shui Xiang a look, "Daughter, why aren't you serving Mr. Li?"
"Ah?" Shui Xiang was stunned for a moment, then took Nannan from Li Yang's arms. "Li Yang, please sit down quickly."
"Nannan, can you eat by yourself?"
"Yes, Mommy," Nannan, being remarkably sensible, nodded and sat down properly.
After Li Yang sat down, Shui Xiang's father said again, "Daughter, quickly pour wine and serve dishes to Mr. Li. He's made a special trip to our home as a guest. Don't neglect him."
"Got it, Dad." Shui Xiang knew exactly what her father meant. She looked at Li Yang, her face blushing, and poured him a glass of wine. "Thank you for gracing our home with your presence for dinner tonight."
"Sister Shui, you're too polite," Li Yang said with a smile, serving her a dish. "Don't just focus on serving me; you should eat too."
"Thank you."
"See, you're being polite to me again," Li Yang said with a smile.
Shui Xiang's father watched them, his desire for Li Yang to be his son-in-law growing stronger. After eating a little, he picked up Nannan and went out. "Mr. Li, I apologize, but I suddenly remembered an old friend has an important dinner engagement that I must attend."
"You all eat slowly. Nannan and I are leaving."
"Dad?" Shui Xiang was surprised.
Before she could say anything, she saw her father already leaving with Nannan, and the door was closed.
Suddenly, only Li Yang and Shui Xiang, a man and a woman, were left in the room.
The atmosphere immediately became intimate.
The air seemed to carry a special scent. Shui Xiang said nervously, "I'm sorry, Li Yang. My dad is a bit forgetful and has neglected you. Let me serve you dishes."
"Sister Shui, Uncle isn't forgetful; he's intentionally pushing you towards me, isn't he?" Li Yang put down his chopsticks and reached out to cup her delicate chin, smiling.