Chapter 293

The snow-white floral patterns on that skirt hem swayed rhythmically with her light steps, like butterflies dancing gracefully.

The tassels on her head were like twinkling stars in the night sky, shaking with her movements and emitting crisp, pleasant sounds. Such a lively figure and elegant bearing made her seem like a fairy who had walked out of a scroll painting, exuding captivating charm.

Looking again at that face, cherry-like small and exquisite lips were red without rouge, slightly upturned as if they could hook one's soul; curved willow-leaf brows were like two new moons hanging on a fair jade-like face, adding gentleness and grace;

Her high, straight nose bridge was elegant, like a peak among undulating mountains, drawing the eye; her skin was even more delicate, smooth, and white as snow, as if carved from mutton-fat white jade, making one involuntarily feel pity and affection.

One glance told that she had only lightly applied powder, wearing light makeup, but this just-right makeup was like adding flowers to brocade, setting off her already outstanding appearance as even more enchanting and moving. For a moment, even the widely experienced Liu Yi was stunned into a daze.

Just then, Yan Shuang'er entered the room with measured lotus steps. She first smiled lightly, then spoke slowly with a hint of apology: "Truly letting Young Master Liu see a joke; my family's younger sister has always been unrestrained, accustomed to being free and undisciplined."

Hearing this, Liu Yi hurriedly returned to his senses and replied with a smile: "Young Miss Yan's innocent, lively, and adorable temperament is very good; Liu truly likes it."

Finished speaking, he enthusiastically beckoned: "Miss Shuang'er, please sit quickly!" Yan Shuang'er softly replied "Many thanks," then walked to Qianqian's side with myriad grace and slowly sat down. Two empty seats separated her from Liu Yi; this maintained a certain distance yet would not appear overly estranged.

Seeing this, Liu Yi immediately instructed the waiting servant boy to call the shop waiter over. Not long after, a clever shop waiter walked in quickly holding a menu, his face beaming: "Honored guests, come look at our shop's menu, guaranteed to satisfy!"

As his voice fell, he respectfully handed the menu to Liu Yi. Liu Yi took the menu, then turned and handed it to Yan Shuang'er, smiling: "Miss Shuang'er, please look first and see which dishes you like to eat?"

Yan Shuang'er lightly waved her hand and said with a smile: "Young Master Liu, you order; we can eat anything, there's nothing we particularly avoid." Her gentle voice was like a spring breeze brushing the face.

Liu Yi again extended the menu forward and said sincerely: "Miss Shuang'er, please still take a look. After all, Liu truly doesn't know what dishes the two young misses like, fearing I might order something not to your taste." His gaze revealed a trace of concern and caution.

Just as the two were mutually declining, Qianqian stepped forward quickly, unhesitatingly snatched the menu from Liu Yi's hand, and said crisply: "If you won't order, then let the two of us order!" Finished speaking, she pulled Qi Xi along to start studying the menu.

Qi Xi felt in her heart this was somewhat improper, but seeing the menu already in Qianqian's hands and she had already swiftly ordered two dishes, she said nothing more, only silently leaned over and carefully flipped through the menu together with Qianqian, selecting favored dishes.

And for Yan Shuang'er, as a sister-control, no matter what action Qianqian took, in her eyes it was all incomparably correct. At this moment, seeing her younger sister so lively and proactive, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve into a doting smile.

However, Liu Yi standing to the side, the expression on his face in an instant showed a barely perceptible crack. However, this anomaly lasted only an extremely brief instant, then quickly returned to normal.

Yan Shuang'er looked at Liu Yi with a hint of apology and said softly: "Young Master Liu, truly sorry; this younger sister of mine was spoiled at home, her words and deeds may have been somewhat rude, please be forbearing."

Liu Yi hurriedly replied: "No matter, no matter; a young miss so genuine and straightforward is truly rare and precious, very good, very good."

Speaking, he also gave Yan Shuang'er a reassuring smile. Qianqian was seen slightly furrowing her brows, her gaze fixed intently on the thick menu in her hand, as if to engrave every dish deeply into her mind.

Simultaneously, Qi Xi sitting to the side appeared somewhat absent-minded; her pair of bright large eyes from time to time glanced toward Yan Shuang'er and Liu Yi opposite, as if observing something.

Time passed minute by second; not long after, Qianqian had actually already ordered seven or eight dishes complete in color, aroma, and taste.

She raised her head with a hint of shyness, looked at Liu Yi beside her, and said softly: "Elder Brother, Qianqian has never tasted these dishes before, so wanted to try them all, accidentally ordered a bit too many, truly sorry."

Hearing this, Liu Yi hurriedly smiled and replied: "Doesn't matter, as long as it lets Qianqian eat happily and satisfied! Let's go with this for now; if later it's not enough, we'll add more."

Hearing these words, the shop waiter standing by immediately beamed and responded: "Alright, honored guests please wait a moment, this little one will go notify the kitchen to prepare the dishes!" Finished speaking, he turned and hurriedly left.

At this time, to break the slightly awkward atmosphere on site, Yan Shuang'er took the lead to speak, trying to find a suitable topic to converse with everyone.

However, at this time Liu Yi in his heart was secretly calculating just how much money those dishes Qianqian ordered would ultimately cost. Thinking of this, his heart was dripping blood.

Therefore, when Yan Shuang'er spoke to him, he had no mind to listen carefully, only perfunctorily replied offhandedly, answering irrelevantly.

Clever as Yan Shuang'er, she naturally soon detected Liu Yi's anomaly. She couldn't help but secretly ponder: Could it be this Young Master Liu has not the slightest interest in me? If so, then better hurry and finish this meal and return home.

Just as everyone harbored their own thoughts, a sound of footsteps came from far to near; it turned out the shop waiter came running up in a fluster, holding a tray with both hands.

"Guest, your dishes are here!" With the shop waiter's resounding call, dish after dish of fragrant delicacies were placed on the table in turn.

Seeing the food served, Qianqian instantly became excited; she uninhibitedly picked up her chopsticks and impatiently tasted one of the dishes. Not only that, she also very thoughtfully picked some dishes for Qi Xi beside her and put them in her bowl.

And Yan Shuang'er, as a woman raised in a deep boudoir, paid utmost attention to her own image. She was seen lightly parting her vermilion lips, chewing slowly and swallowing slowly, every mouthful eaten with utmost refinement and elegance, every gesture displaying the bearing of a noble lady.

Liu Yi to the side stared fixedly at Yan Shuang'er, his heart secretly pondering: Such a beautiful and moving woman, if able to marry her, future children would surely also be outstanding in appearance.

After all he deeply knew his own looks were truly ordinary and plain; if he could marry such a flower-like jade-like beauty, that would truly be blessings cultivated in a past life!