Chapter 157: I Snuck Out to Eat

"What's wrong?" Han Yangting looked at Bai Shuruo and asked, "Are you sick?"

"Of course not, it's just... I'm feeling a bit guilty." Bai Shuruo laughed.

Having spent so long with him, she knew his eyes were sharp at reading people and could discern her joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, so she figured she might as well admit it first.

"Ruoruo is feeling guilty? Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Bai Shuruo said playfully, "To tell you the truth, I've been sneaking out to eat behind your back."

"Sneaking out to eat?" Han Yangting's expression turned serious. "Ruoruo, you mustn't make jokes like that."

"I really have been sneaking out to eat behind your back," Bai Shuruo said. "There's a breakfast shop over on Hebei Road. The breakfast there is a Fengcheng specialty. I like their rice noodle rolls, so these past few days after I got to work, I went and had an extra portion."

Han Yangting looked at Bai Shuruo, his deep gaze unreadable as to what he was thinking. He only asked, "Are the rice noodle rolls there that good?"

"How about I take you to try them tomorrow?" Bai Shuruo asked.

"Alright," Han Yangting said.

"Then let's tell the house not to make breakfast for us tomorrow; we'll go out and eat breakfast together."

"Fine," Han Yangting said.

The atmosphere at the Han Family dinner table had been tense for the past few days.

Today was no exception.

Han Dongbei took the initiative to speak about his situation.

"I spoke with Meng Ze and asked him if he wanted money or something else. He said he didn't want anything. I think the boy is quite honest and isn't after money; the one after money is his maternal grandfather."

Ye Caiyue let out a cold snort and ignored him.

Han Yangting ate in silence.

Han Dongbei couldn't help but look at Bai Shuruo, hoping she would say a fair word.

In the past, Bai Shuruo would certainly have stood on Han Yangting's side and ignored Han Dongbei.

However, she spoke up for Meng Ze this evening: "Meng Ze is indeed a kind person."

As soon as Bai Shuruo finished speaking, Han Dongbei said to Ye Caiyue, "Look, Ruoruo wouldn't lie. Meng Ze really isn't a bad kid, and he also promised he wouldn't come to compete with Yangting for anything."

Ye Caiyue said crossly, "If you want to acknowledge that child, then go ahead and acknowledge him. Why are you telling me all this?"

"I hope you can understand me; after all, I will eventually have to see him."

"If I forbid you from seeing him, will you listen to me?" Ye Caiyue asked.

"This... it depends on the person. I think Meng Ze is fine."

"Then why are you saying all this? Han Dongbei, whatever you want to do in the future, just go do it. I won't stop you, nor will I manage you. While you're in this house, it's best if you stay far away like before and don't wander in front of me."

Ye Caiyue put down her chopsticks and left.

Han Dongbei sighed silently, then also put down his chopsticks.

Han Yangting and Bai Shuruo were still eating.

Han Yangting's expression was also unpleasant, but Bai Shuruo acted as if she didn't see it and continued eating her own meal.

The next day.

Han Yangting followed Bai Shuruo to that breakfast shop on Hebei Road as expected.

Back when she was tailing Yan Guoan, Bai Shuruo had already figured out the situation in that area. There was indeed a breakfast shop nearby that sold rice noodle rolls, and she had even come here to eat once before.

Upon entering the shop, she greeted the owner warmly: "Morning, Uncle. Give me two portions of egg rice noodle rolls, add corn."

The uncle at the entrance saw that Bai Shuruo was pretty and warm-hearted, so regardless of whether he remembered her or not, he said happily, "Coming right up!"

When the rice noodle rolls were ready and brought over, the uncle said familiarly, "Are you heading to work after eating, pretty lady?"

"Yes, I'll be heading to work in a bit."

Seeing that Bai Shuruo was quite familiar with the owner, Han Yangting didn't suspect anything.

He watched Bai Shuruo eating the rice noodle rolls and said, "If you like rice noodle rolls, have the family cook learn how to make them for you."

"No need," Bai Shuruo said. "These rice noodle rolls have to be made with stone-ground rice to be delicious. If you make the cook get up early every day to grind rice just to make one portion of rolls, it's quite pitiful."

"Isn't that the cook's responsibility?" Han Yangting said. "It's better than you coming out every day and wasting your work time. Think about how much you could get done and how much money you could earn in the time you spend coming out here."

Bai Shuruo lowered her head and said, "Brother Han, what you say seems to make sense too."

Han Yangting smiled and ruffled her hair.

Bai Shuruo ate her rice noodle rolls and added, "Brother Han, I... I'm a little homesick."

Han Yangting said, "So, you weren't craving rice noodle rolls, but rather wanting to go home?"

"I suppose so," Bai Shuruo said. "I miss my sister and my younger brother. It's been so long since I went back to see them, and it just feels wrong. Also, my college classmates are hoping I'll go back for a reunion."

"Then when do you plan to go back? Shall I accompany you?" Han Yangting had finished eating and took a tissue to wipe his mouth.

"Maybe not. I want to go back by myself. The company is so busy right now, and with this... Meng Ze matter at home, I feel like Mom and Dad need your guidance, so it's better if I go back alone."

Han Yangting had no choice but to say, "Fine, then take care of yourself on the way back."

At noon, Bai Shuruo didn't go up to eat with Han Yangting, but instead treated Meng Ze to takeout.

She called Meng Ze into her office.

Looking at the table full of good food, Meng Ze couldn't help but tease, "Vice President Bai is showing uncalled-for courtesy; surely there isn't some conspiracy, is there?"

Bai Shuruo smiled and said, "What kind of conspiracy do you think I could have? Poisoning you to death?"

"I dare say you wouldn't," Meng Ze picked up his chopsticks and started eating. "Thanks for the treat, Vice President Bai."

Bai Shuruo said, "Judging by my father-in-law's tone, he seems to like you quite a bit. He's determined to acknowledge you as his son despite everyone's objections, and he even wants to give you all his savings."

Meng Ze asked, "Is Vice President Bai here to probe my intentions?"

"Why would I probe your intentions? I just want to tell you that apart from your biological father, no one else likes you or wants you to enter the doors of the Han Family. You can acknowledge your father, but wanting to be entered into the Han Family genealogy is impossible."

Meng Ze sneered: "As if I care?"

"You should care. You have suffered so much bitterness and endured so much hardship since you were small; you should snatch back what belongs to you. Even if you can't snatch it back, you should destroy it," Bai Shuruo said.

Meng Ze stared blankly at Bai Shuruo, and after a while asked: "Are you serious? You're not mocking me?"

"Why would I mock you? I am simply looking at the problem from your perspective."

Meng Ze couldn't help but ask: "Have you been abused in the Han Family? Or is the mother-in-law bullying you? Forcing you to have a son? Otherwise, why would you incite me to do this? Bai Vice President, this is not your style."