Chapter 167 I Want to Pinch Your Face

"Really not enough. At school, you can eat…"

"Ah—!"

Before Ye Fan could finish his sentence, a sudden scream escaped his lips, cutting his words off abruptly.

This sudden development left Ye Xian and Lan Xi momentarily stunned. Then, as if realizing what had happened, faint smiles rose in their eyes.

Ning Xi smiled softly and politely nodded at Ye Xian. "Auntie, don't listen to Ye Fan's nonsense. One piece is enough for me."

After speaking, she glanced at Ye Fan with an expression full of warning.

Ye Fan: "…"

Alright, that was careless of me!

As time passed, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively. Ye Xian and Lan Xi seemed like old friends who had reconnected, chatting more and more enthusiastically.

After finishing their meal, the two even decided to go shopping together.

Seeing this, Ning Xi asked softly, "Mom, if you and Aunt Ye are going shopping, what about me?"

"You?"

Lan Xi smiled gently, her gaze naturally falling on Ye Fan. "You can go home with Ye Fan. After shopping, I'll come to pick you up."

"But…"

"It's decided!"

"…"

Hearing his future mother-in-law's arrangement, Ye Fan couldn't help grinning widely.

However, before he could be happy for even a few seconds, he noticed his mother's subtle actions.

Ye Xian coughed lightly, first glancing at the dishes on the table and then casually glancing toward the door. Her intention was unmistakable.

Go pay the bill!

Ye Fan, of course, understood what his mother was implying. He smiled bitterly in his heart.

After going shopping with Ning Xi last week, he had less than 30,000 yuan left. Even adding the 100,000 yuan his mother gave him today, he had just under 130,000 yuan in total.

But this meal… no matter how he looked at it, it was worth more than that.

Ye Fan wasn't exaggerating. Although there were many dishes whose names he didn't even know, the ingredients alone screamed extravagance.

Last week, he had eaten here—a modest eight dishes and one soup—and when he inquired about the cost, the waiter vaguely mentioned a figure: over 100,000 yuan…

And now, there were more than twenty dishes. How much would this cost?

Ninety-nine percent likely, he couldn't afford it!

Since that was the case, he figured he might as well stay seated and finish his meal quietly.

As for his mother's signals?

He decided to ignore them.

Feigning confusion, Ye Fan laughed awkwardly. "There's still so much food left. Xiao Xi, come, eat more."

As he spoke, he began piling food onto Ning Xi's plate.

In the blink of an eye, her bowl became a small mountain of food. Startled, she quickly moved her bowl aside and whispered, "What are you doing? I-I…"

"You're not full yet. Don't try to fool me."

Ye Fan had noticed earlier that Ning Xi had only eaten a single piece of sweet-and-sour ribs before putting down her chopsticks. He understood her mindset perfectly—she didn't want to appear improper in front of his mother.

Frankly, he was quite happy about it.

Her attitude at least proved how much she cared about his mother. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so cautious.

Ye Fan's voice was low, and Ning Xi relaxed slightly. Yet her eyes carried a hint of pleading as she murmured almost inaudibly, "Brother, big brother, I was wrong, okay? But Auntie is still here. Can't you just…"

"She doesn't mind."

Before Ning Xi could finish her sentence, Ye Fan leaned in close to her ear. The usual faint freshness of his scent was mixed with the soft aroma of roses, subtly quickening her heartbeat.

"Don't be nervous. Just be yourself."

The warm breath near her neck made Ning Xi instinctively pull away. Feeling the gazes of the two mothers across the table, her face flushed crimson in embarrassment.

She gently pushed Ye Fan with her hand. "Y-you… sit properly. Behave."

"Ahem!"

Lan Xi winked at Ye Xian. "Sister, are you full? Why don't we go shopping now?"

"Sounds good."

Although Ye Xian was slightly annoyed at her son's lack of response to her cues, she didn't show it. Hearing Lan Xi's suggestion, she immediately understood and nodded in agreement.

The two of them, perfectly in sync, got up and headed toward the door.

At the doorway, Lan Xi paused and reminded Ye Fan, "Stay with Xiao Xi. Don't bully her, okay?"

"Auntie, don't worry."

"Don't call me Auntie—it makes me sound old. Call me Sister Lan."

"But…"

"Everyone calls me differently. It's fine."

"Alright, Sister Lan."

"Now that's better."

Lan Xi smiled in satisfaction and walked out, pulling along the stunned Ye Xian.

Although Ye Xian had initially been a bit upset, her mood changed instantly. At this moment, she wanted to silently give her son a thumbs-up.

Her son had not only found her a daughter-in-law but had also managed to win over his future mother-in-law?

Impressive!

After they left, only Ye Fan and Ning Xi were left in the private room.

Ye Fan withdrew his gaze, only to meet Ning Xi's glare.

It was more of a cute pout than a glare, with no real malice.

Ning Xi puffed up her cheeks, looking at Ye Fan angrily. "What's wrong with you today?"

"What do you mean, what's wrong?"

Feigning innocence, Ye Fan scratched his head with a look of pure bewilderment.

Ning Xi lightly stomped her foot, her soft voice tinged with frustration. "Still pretending? Just now, in front of Auntie, couldn't you have let me save some face? Girls who eat too much get laughed at."

"What are you thinking? My mom likes you a lot. Why would she laugh at you? You're overthinking this."

Ye Fan raised his hand, intending to touch Ning Xi's cheek. But halfway there, he stopped, remembering their agreement. A sunny smile spread across his face instead.

"Xiao Xi, I want to pinch your face."

"No way."

Ning Xi was fuming.

She was clearly in the middle of scolding him, but Ye Fan had the nerve to bring up pinching her face? This guy was…

Too much!

Ye Fan wasn't discouraged. Thick-skinned, he said, "I really want to pinch it. What if I can't control myself?"

"…"

Ning Xi's face turned visibly red, her chest rising and falling with agitation. Paired with her youthful and beautiful features, she looked both innocent and captivating.

But Ye Fan's gaze remained clear and devoid of any impurity.

"Just one pinch, okay?"

"No."

"I want to."

"No way."

"Be good, and I'll buy you candy."

"…"

Ning Xi was at her wit's end. She had never met someone like this before. She let out a soft humph, crossed her arms, and muttered weakly, "Fine… but you can't pinch too hard."

"I wouldn't dare."

Ye Fan cupped her face with both hands, his eyes filled with a tenderness as vast as the ocean. As he gazed at her delicate, rosy lips, he felt an urge to kiss her. But his strong self-control kept him from acting on it.

Ning Xi's hands clenched tightly, her gaze darting away. She mumbled, "If you're going to pinch… hurry up. I'm still hungry."

"Xiao Xi."

"Hmm?"

"There are many forms of happiness, but you… you're my unique and only happiness."