Chapter 34 Bai Long Exposed

The roast duck was priced at 88, more than enough for Bai Long to handle.

He, the mighty overseas project department administrative director, could not just buy two roast ducks but even take over the entire shop if he wanted to.

It would probably cost him only a few months' salary.

Therefore, trying to curry favor with Bai Long through minor kindnesses was simply a pipe dream. Moreover, his loyalty to Li Zishen was extremely high, no less than that of Chen Xin.

When they reached the parking spot, Bai Long glanced at the shopping bag and then sighed.

Tang Xiaowan looked through the glass and watched him quickly walk toward the back of the car, then turn back in less than a minute, frowning the whole way.

What was he doing, struggling over where to put it?

Of course, it should be in my hands!

Come in quickly, my delicious little roast duck!

Eventually, Bai Long opened the car door and placed the gift box on the front passenger seat.

However, his expression was a bit odd, almost as if he disdained it, even pulling out two wet wipes to clean his not-so-dirty hands.

Tang Xiaowan: "..."

Li Zihan, engrossed in playing video games at that moment, did not notice this scene, or he would have definitely mocked him.

The car slowly started…

The aroma of the roast duck was truly tempting.

Tang Xiaowan was thrilled by the smell, and Bai Long momentarily rolled down the window, possibly feeling it was unsafe, and quickly closed it again—all in less than a minute.

What's the matter, he finds it unpleasant?

Please, how fragrant this smell is!

Tang Xiaowan was already quite hungry, and now she immediately started salivating, wishing she could pounce on it.

When school was out, her room was always stocked by Nanny Chen with snacks, milk, or fruit, refilling them before Tang Xiaowan could even finish.

She had never been hungry.

However, today, before noon dismissal, the snacks Nanny Chen had packed in her bag were already devoured.

She later went to Li Zihan's apartment.

When leaving, she really wanted to take two apples for an afternoon snack, but considering it was her first visit, she felt a bit too embarrassed.

Actually, Li Zishen not only gave Li Zihan double pocket money but also prepaid some for Tang Xiaowan's expenses.

However, there was an agreement beforehand, she could spend the money as she liked, but couldn't have it handed to her.

The reason was simple, they feared she might run off.

Now smelling the roast duck, Tang Xiaowan naturally couldn't resist the temptation and really wanted to eat.

"Is this dinner for today?"

"Not sure."

Tang Xiaowan looked at Bai Long in surprise.

Was he buying it to feed the fish? Surely not, why waste it like that? Really, the rich are capricious!

Tang Xiaowan was just musing about this when she received a message from Li Zihan, [Don't worry, it's definitely prepared for us, Little Black Dragon is cautious, probably because my brother didn't explicitly say so, he didn't dare confirm it's for dinner, afraid of passing the wrong message.]

[What if it's not?]

[It definitely is, if it's not, I'll personally drive back to buy and repay you with two.]

[No need, just convert it to money and give it to me.]

Li Zihan: "..."

Damn, how is she more money-obsessed than my mom?

[Deal, it's settled.]

But after sending the message, he still felt something was off.

Why am I giving her money, making it seem like a bet, yet there's no benefit for me whether I win or lose!

Li Zihan felt like he was at a loss, quickly sent another message to Tang Xiaowan, [Regarding the lodging matter, let's think it over, mutual benefit and all, haha!!!]

[Don't care, figure it out yourself.]

That reply was truly decisive!

Li Zihan immediately felt a sense of being betrayed after crossing the bridge, angrily continuing his game.

…

Li Garden.

People who hadn't seen Tang Xiaowan all day were now sitting in the dining room waiting.

On the large dining table, there was only a cup of chrysanthemum tea.

Li Zishen held the cup, his demeanor cool and detached, and it was impossible to read his mood from his bright phoenix eyes.

Chen Xin hurried over and whispered a few words.

Then he stood straight, waiting.

A fleeting smile crossed Li Zishen's face, "Okay, we'll talk tomorrow. Go and rest for now."

"Yes, Brother Shen."

Half a cup of chrysanthemum tea remained, and Nanny Chen promptly refilled it.

As September arrived, it got dark early.

At this moment, the auxiliary lights in the dining room were turned on one by one by the servants. Li Zishen knew that Tang Xiaowan was about to arrive, so he turned to Nanny Chen, "Go check if the braised pork is ready?"

"10 minutes ago it was ready, it's just simmering in the clay pot now."

"What about the bass?"

"Just put it in to steam; as soon as Young Master Zihan and Xiao Wan arrive, it can be served."

"And that..."

"The lamb chops are ready too, keeping warm in the oven."

"Remember to put extra cilantro in the fern root."

"Don't worry, Shiqi remembers."

Only then did Li Zishen pick up his tea and take another sip.

Nanny Chen had just picked up the pot, ready to pour more tea, when she heard hurried footsteps and Tang Xiaowan's voice.

"Nanny Chen, Nanny Chen..."

Li Zishen: "..."

The first thing she said upon entering wasn't calling for him.

Ah, how ungrateful!

"Nanny Chen, is dinner ready?"

Only after speaking did Tang Xiaowan notice that Li Zishen was also present.

There was a distance between the living room and the dining room, with a huge display cabinet in between filled with antique vases, each very expensive.

Therefore, upon entering, Tang Xiaowan couldn't see Li Zishen; the first person she saw was Nanny Chen.

"It's ready, sit down and relax a moment."

In the meantime, Nanny Chen had already motioned for the others to inform the kitchen.

"Why are you alone? Where is Young Master Zihan?"

"Oh, he's behind, probably arriving soon."

Tang Xiaowan chuckled awkwardly and quickly sat down on the chair Nanny Chen pulled out for her.

Right next to Li Zishen's main seat.

"Brother Li, on the way back just now, Little Black Dragon, oh no, Bai Long he..."

"Are two enough?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaowan immediately perked up.

"Oh, enough, enough, more than enough."

A weight was lifted, it truly was one of the dishes for tonight.

However, pausing for a few seconds, she suddenly thought as Bai Long bought the roasted duck, should she save one for him?

With that thought, she spoke, "Actually, one is enough; otherwise, there won't be room for other dishes. Maybe we should leave one for Bai Long?"

After saying it, she felt it might not have been appropriate.

Just as she was about to add something, Li Zihan looked at her with a smile, "Bai Long doesn't eat duck."

Tang Xiaowan: "..."

Seeing Tang Xiaowan's bewildered face, Li Zishen leaned a bit closer and whispered, "He was chased and bitten by a duck when he was little, so he's scared of ducks and stopped eating them afterward."

After hearing this, Tang Xiaowan's eyes widened with surprise.

Then she burst out laughing.

Seeing the servants coming in to serve the dishes, she quickly composed herself and settled down.

But inside, she still found it quite amusing.

Such a formidable person, afraid of ducks? That's hilarious! No wonder he reacted that way when we mentioned ducks on the road.

Now that she thought about it, everything made sense.

She was still grinning when suddenly Tang Xiaowan started looking around, "Hey! Where is Li Zihan? Why hasn't he arrived yet? Wasn't he just behind me?"

Noticing something was amiss, Nanny Chen hurried towards the living room.

She saw the security standing stiffly outside the door, but there was no sign of Li Zihan.