Chapter 230: Gathering Information

Three people sat down; Shen Ningmu gave a glance, and the servant quickly brought two plates of sliced fruit platter, one placed for Mu Youyu, one placed among Mu Xi and the three people.

They also turned the dishes to face Mu Youyu.

There were pineapple pork ribs, braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, oil-braised large shrimp, lobster, steamed sea bass, braised lion's head meatballs, beef stewed with potatoes, a whole chicken…… and so on, plus Mu Youyu's recent favorite, tomato scrambled eggs.

Color, fragrance, and flavor were all excellent, making people's appetites surge.

Before dessert could be served, Shen Ningmu didn't rush to start the meal; instead, she actively turned to Mu Xin sitting beside her, her face beaming with a smile, her tone very warm:

"Ah Xin, Auntie wants to ask you properly: how's work at your company lately? Is it going smoothly? You, so young, already so capable—making a name for yourself in Y Guo, and even more glorious back home! Truly, the younger generation is formidable."

As she spoke, she didn't forget to lightly jab Jiang Su beside her with her elbow, the hint in her gaze couldn't be more obvious.

Jiang Su immediately understood, quickly put down his tea cup, and echoed: "Yeah, yeah, look at our A Jin, same age as you, yet lazy……"

As soon as the word "lazy" slipped out, Jiang Su felt Shen Ningmu secretly pinch his arm hard.

Jiang Su winced in pain, quickly corrected himself, smiling: "Look, our A Jin admires you! He constantly mentions at home how impressive Brother Xin is."

Jiang Liangjin heard that, helplessly glanced at his father, then turned to look at Mu Youyu, seeing her lowering her head to poke the grapes in her plate, he reached out to peel them for her.

Mu Xin set down his sparkling water, lifted his gaze to the two of them, his ice-blue eyes calm, his tone light yet polite: "Thank you, uncle and aunt, for your concern; I'm just lucky to have caught a good opportunity."

He usually doesn't like to linger on pleasantries, but for Mu Youyu's sake he endured and replied with a few sentences.

Qing An, knowing his nature, rarely saw him like this, watched with interest, staying silent.

Upon hearing that, Shen Ningmu's eyes brightened even more, and she hurriedly asked: "Surely it must be tough? At your age, other kids are still reaching out to their parents for money, busy chasing idols and playing games! You're already able to stand on your own! By the way, is there anything in your company that needs help?"

Her words were half genuine praise, half an attempt to probe Mu Xin's background, after all, he could be a future "in-law"; knowing more never hurts.

Jiang Su nodded repeatedly beside them, clearly also eager to know the answer: "Uncle Jiang knows some people in the business world; he might be able to help."

As he spoke, he rubbed his tea cup, as if pondering what to say, and also as if sending a signal to Shen Ningmu.

Everyone else noticed their obvious probing intent, couldn't help but turn their gazes to Mu Xin, and even the air seemed to quiet a little.

Just as Mu Xin was about to respond, Shen Ningmu immediately interjected, her smile warmer: "Well, the domestic market has great potential; if you have any ideas, uncle and aunt will surely help you make connections."

Mu Xin grunted a few times, "Thanks for your concern, uncle and aunt, but I don't need anything for now."

Shen Ningmu continued: "By the way, what kind of talent is on your team? Are they homegrown or poached? Any management difficulties?"

Mu Youyu was still eating fruit, listening to the two exchange questions one after another around Mu Xin, and couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth.

She knew her brother's temperament too well; these formalities, he probably didn't want to deal with them.

Sure enough, Mu Xin merely shook his head lightly: "Our own people, no problems."

After saying that, he lifted his sparkling water in front of him and took a sip, clearly not wanting to continue the topic.

Shen Ningmu still wanted to say more, but Jiang Liangjin interrupted her unobtrusively: "Mom, let's eat, I'm hungry."

Mu Youyu chimed in: "Yeah, yeah, Auntie, my stomach's growling; I was busy with the opening ceremony this morning and didn't have time to eat much."

Shen Ningmu glanced at her son, then at Mu Youyu gazing hopefully at her, and reluctantly gave up, smiling and chiding: "You kid, all you think about is food! But you can't let our A You go hungry."

Saying that, she rose and headed to the kitchen, intending to check how the desserts Mu Youyu liked were turning out.

Before leaving, she didn't forget to give Jiang Su a look, meaning for him to continue gathering information.

Jiang Su cleared his throat, about to speak to find a new topic, when a sudden sound from beside him interrupted him.

"Uncle Jiang, this tea is nice, what variety is it?" Song Lujing held up his tea cup, leaned over to sniff, and asked curiously.

He obviously noticed Mu Xin's impatience and deliberately changed the subject.

Upon hearing about tea, Jiang Su's eyes lit up instantly, the earlier embarrassment vanished, and he replied enthusiastically: "This is……"

"Amazing!" Song Lujing exclaimed exaggeratedly, "It's mellow on the palate, with a lingering sweetness, far better than what my brother keeps!"

These words hit Jiang Su's sweet spot; he immediately opened up, talking about brewing techniques, his eyebrows dancing with excitement.

Mu Xi and Qing An also occasionally chimed in, and the atmosphere instantly livened up.

Mu Youyu chewed the grapes in her mouth, watching Jiang Su speak with fervor, and thought to herself: Tea is just bitter, what's there to talk about?

Mu Xin let out a slight sigh of relief, turned his head to Mu Youyu beside him, and a hint of helpless smile flickered in his eyes.

Mu Youyu gave a hum, picked up a grape and shoved it into his hand, then pointed to the fruit platter on the table, signaling him to eat more.

Mu Xin, helpless, began peeling grapes for her.

Jiang Liangjin sat beside Mu Youyu, the smile at the corner of his mouth never ceasing.

He reached for another grape, peeled it, and brought it to her lips; Mu Youyu opened her mouth and took it in.

Mu Xi and Song Lujing saw the sister loved eating, also started peeling; Qing An secretly ate from their bowls, almost eating one for each peeled.

Mu Xi had another grape snatched from her hand, and finally couldn't take it: "You're not going to eat rice?"

Qing An hehe-laughed, snatched another grape from Song Lujing's hand, "To whet the appetite."

"……"

Mu Youyu paid no attention to them, only being fed by Jiang Liangjin and Mu Xin.

Not long after, Shen Ningmu entered with the servant carrying dessert.

The silky strawberry pudding was drizzled with bright red jam, lying in a white porcelain bowl, gently wobbling, its QQ texture endearing.

The taro sago pudding and taro ice cream mochi wrapped in thick taro filling, topped with tiny balls and sago, soft, sweet, and fragrant—biting into them bursts with filling.

Plus various small cakes—matcha, chocolate, taro, blueberry—each so delicious they made people drool.

"Time to eat, time to eat!" Shen Ningmu called out with a smile, personally placing the desserts in front of Mu Youyu: "All are A You's favorites, go ahead and try!"

Everyone else, aside from Mu Xin and Mu Youyu not being picky eaters…… basically ate whatever they thought was tasty.

However, Mu Xin and Mu Youyu basically share the same taste; seeing the table full of dishes and desserts they liked, a hint of satisfaction flickered in their eyes.

The group didn't stand on ceremony, exchanged a few polite remarks, then started eating heartily.