In and Out of the Kitchen, Cat and Mouse, Another Chicken-Stealing by the Head Maid...

Dead end, technique, breakthrough, suppression...

Muted, deduction, banned...

Ye Cheng: "..."

In the living room, all that could be heard was the clink of chopsticks. The silence was suffocating. Even Ye Cheng looked like he had been burned out, slumped in his seat with an "I'm cooked" look on his face.

His gaze was vacant, staring at the bowl in front of him.

He never saw it coming. Not in a million years. He had cursed people out for years without ever losing his touch, and yet today, he had finally tripped up.

Not only had his stamina points been deducted, but his account had also been banned. Unbelievable. What a f---ing joke...

Ye Cheng got angry and then got over it. Between being a pushover and being furious, he chose to stew in silent frustration, and... that's how he ended up in this state.

Four people, each eating their own food, with an unusual lack of conversation.

Xia Tongxin had wanted to speak up several times, but seeing that the atmosphere seemed a bit off, she held back, instead pouting and kicking her legs back and forth in annoyance.

Ugh, this is so boring. When are we going to talk? Why is nobody saying anything?!

The turning point came when the young lady reached for her chopsticks again.

The meal was nothing new—three of them shared a set of dishes, while Shen Qinghan had her own separate portion in front of her. They were all miniature versions, prepared in advance by Ye Cheng.

After having eaten at the Shen residence before, he knew the drill: everything the young lady ate was served in her own separate set.

Same for the dishes. To keep her from being picky and skipping out, Ye Cheng had even set up a small side kitchen just for her.

Shen Qinghan took small, dainty bites of the food in front of her. A contemplative hint sparkled in her otherwise calm gaze. After a moment, she picked up a prawn from her plate and placed it gently into Ye Cheng's bowl.

Ye Cheng: "???"

Head Maid: "???"

A question mark popped up over both their heads simultaneously. Their eyes were filled with confusion, and the same bizarre thought crossed their minds... what's this about?

Voluntarily serving food to someone? That didn't fit Shen Qinghan's character at all.

"Even though I don't know how your account got banned, the phone is in my possession, so I'm partially responsible for the lack of oversight. After we eat, I'll help you get it back."

Shen Qinghan spoke while chewing her rice in small bites.

Ye Cheng: "..."

Young lady, are you serious? You're going to play with me?

The thing is... the account is gone! It probably won't be back until next week, and besides, is you carrying me actually a good idea?

He had figured it out long ago: the young lady was a total black hole at games, and she was the type who was both terrible and stubbornly kept playing. He just never knew why it hadn't been obvious before.

But now he had seen it with his own eyes. Even the most flawless person could have their flaws, like the young lady having terrible luck with draws, worse than Dahuang, or her questionable game skills in general.

"Um... Young lady, I think there's no real need for that..." Ye Cheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Sure, his account had been banned, but he still had one trick up his sleeve: appeal to the fair and just Officer Di for a review and get his stamina points back.

He had a way with scripting. He could jam his way through the system's review process, but the problem was... he had already janked his way through once. If the young lady kept pushing her luck, there was no doubt they would take him down again.

That's double punishment—once isn't enough, we need to go for a second?!

Shen Qinghan set down her bowl and chopsticks and stared at Ye Cheng without a word.

Ye Cheng: "..."

The cold sweat on Ye Cheng's forehead began to pile up... Oh no. Looks like the young lady is about to go the hard way!

But the expected act of force didn't come. Shen Qinghan kept looking at Ye Cheng for a while, then silently picked up her chopsticks and put another serving of food in his bowl.

Then she stared at him.

Ye Cheng: "..."

So... this is bribery?

Does this mean he can finally take advantage of the situation and push his luck?

The young lady actually has a soft spot after all? This is amazing! If he doesn't push it now, he'll never get this chance again. Miss this window and regret it forever!

With that thought, Ye Cheng immediately put on a "cold" face and let out a dismissive sneer: "Not necessary!"

Boom!

"Young lady, hurry up and eat. We'll get online together and win all night tonight!!!" Ye Cheng's eyes were overflowing with sunshine and positivity, his face instantly looking more composed.

Head Maid: "..."

Understanding the value of timing, it was clear that Ye Cheng was a man of practicality.

Pushing the envelope didn't work on the young lady. Eat or don't—your choice. But before you decide to decline, you'd better also decide where you want to be buried!

And just like that, Ye Cheng's first attempt at overstepping his bounds ended before it ever really began; two taps from her were enough to instantly improve his appetite.

His back stopped aching. His legs stopped hurting. The depression was gone. He became the most smiley ultracool lucky star in the whole universe, and it was all genuine!

Of course. Absolutely genuine. Definitely not because his instep was throbbing in pain!

Shen Qinghan let out a light snort, with a clear hint of smug pride. Beneath the table, her foot stayed planted on top of Ye Cheng's, with no intention of lifting it.

Head Maid: "..."

Back to eating.

Shen Qinghan's appetite was notably better today. She managed to finish almost everything from the special smaller dishes Ye Cheng had made, looking a bit like she still wanted more.

"You made this?" Shen Qinghan asked, looking at Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng was busy fighting Xia Tongxin over a squid tentacle, and when he heard Shen Qinghan's question, he paused just a second too long—during which the squid strand got snatched away by Xia Tongxin!

"Tehehe~~~ Cheng, going against me? You're still too young. Go home and practice for a few more years!"

Xia Tongxin's face was the picture of a bratty little rascal who just got away with mischief.

After delivering that line, she popped the smuggled squid into her mouth in one go, chewing noisily with pure glee, her eyes nearly squinting into wavy lines.

So tasty! Like super super tasty! Way better than the chefs back home! Even better than Xiaxia's...

Ye Cheng: "..."

Piece of sh—...

"Yeah. So? Young lady, aren't I a great cook?" Ye Cheng raised an eyebrow and composed his face again, sliding comfortably into the skin of a smug, middle-aged-looking sleazeball.

Shen Qinghan: "..."

Originally... she had genuinely wanted to compliment Ye Cheng. But seeing him acting so self-congratulating, she suddenly changed her mind.

"Above average."

Slap!

Having said that, she stepped squarely onto his other foot. Oh, right—the first foot was already occupied, so this one was for the other. To be fair, it was pretty soft and made for a decent massage.

Ye Cheng: "..."

Keep being stubborn, missy.

Ye Cheng picked another piece of crisped tempura and shoved it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully: "Great stuff. No wonder they call me a genius!"

Head Maid: "..."

Shen Qinghan: "..."

Not being modest in the slightest, and thoroughly full of himself—that was Ye Cheng in a nutshell.

Dinner wrapped up quickly, and Ye Cheng and the Head Maid began clearing the mess, tidying the table, and washing the dishes. Back in the living room, only Shen Qinghan and Xia Tongxin remained.

The two of them sat there, staring at each other like a pair of dead fish.

Xia Tongxin had learned her lesson this time—she avoided looking in Shen Qinghan's direction, plopping herself down on the sofa with her tablet to play a game. Still farming, as usual.

The match started almost immediately.

"Our tower is under attack! Requesting backup!"

"Are these idiots blind? Can't they see we need help? We're about to die!"

Before five minutes had even passed in the match, Xia Tongxin, who had seemed so carefree moments earlier, completely lost her cool. She started spewing demonic mutterings while her face flushed with frustration—though they were mostly just insults.

But they were insults like "dummy," "moron," "big dumb pig." Words so harmless that listening to them actually felt kind of satisfying.

It was a good thing Xia Tongxin didn't have her microphone on, because otherwise her teammates would've been pumped up—this wasn't scolding at all; this was a reward. Well, of course... only for people with certain particular tastes.

A legitimately arrogant little shrimp loli—who wouldn't love that?

Across from Xia Tongxin, the young miss sat on the couch, "studying hard" to get stronger, and she furrowed her brow. "You're too loud."

Xia Tongxin was already red-hot with rage by now, going on a relentless rant and completely oblivious to Shen Qinghan's voice.

"Stupid pig, big stupid pig, they're all morons, dumb as rocks..."

Shen Qinghan: "..."

Silently, Shen Qinghan cranked up her own phone's volume. Not by much, really. Just to one hundred percent.

Xia Tongxin, still in the middle of her ranting session, suddenly felt a powerful blast of music slam into her ears in the most violent way possible.

"To get stronger, charge up your wallet—gotta drop eighty grand..."

Xia Tongxin: "???"

"What are you doing?! That's so loud it's affecting other people! How rude!" Xia Tongxin's neck and face flushed red, and she roared back at Shen Qinghan like an angry chihuahua.

Shen Qinghan raised an elegant eyebrow.

She was rude?

Affecting others?

"Those words should be directed at yourself. And besides, I already warned you. Your voice was too loud, so I turned it up." Shen Qinghan frowned, her expression darkening.

"Nope, don't care, don't care—you're the rude one, you!" Xia Tongxin kept sticking out her tongue, going "bleh bleh bleh."

Shen Qinghan: "..."

Shifting the blame and throwing all logic out the window—Xia Tongxin might not be the smartest, but when it came to arguing, she had real intuition. When you argue, you don't bother with logic. Once things have escalated, your goal isn't to convince the other person; it's to tell them what a piece of garbage they are...

That was a natural talent, and Xia Tongxin had it. Ye Cheng was a top-tier player at it too; from his very first argument, he knew he was a genius at fighting... Ah, the thrill of battle.

Xia Tongxin had now resorted to full-on tantrum mode, throwing all reason to the wind. Shen Qinghan silently stood up, deciding to teach this blonde little imp with no manners a lesson.

"What are you doing?! I'm warning you, don't come near me! I'm not scared of you... Help, Xiaxia!!!"

She was brave for two seconds—couldn't even make it to a third—before Xia Tongxin instantly cracked and started shrieking, scrambling off the couch and booking it.

Shen Qinghan chased her around the living room... Oh, right, I think Tom and Jerry referenced this exact scene once.

In the kitchen.

The door was shut. And as a nice touch, the Head Maid had even locked it and frosted the glass, so no one outside could see what was going on in there.

The Head Maid began her next little scheme.

First, close the distance between them. For example... start with palm reading.

"Give me your hand."

"Why, Xiaxia?" Ye Cheng blinked, but still extended his hand.

"Palm..." The Head Maid paused. her starting point was palm reading—she needed the palm side, not the back of his hand!

Ye Cheng blinked again. "What's the difference?"

Head Maid: "..."

The Head Maid huffed, set down the plate she'd been washing, forcibly flipped Ye Cheng's hand over, and began examining it seriously, putting on a thoughtful expression.

"Xiaxia, you know how to read palms?"

"Mhm, a little." The Head Maid nodded.

Ye Cheng's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence! I know a thing or two about it too!"

Head Maid: "???"

You do?

If you do, how am I supposed to scam you later?