Chapter 086: Provocation and Counterattack

Chapter 086: Provocation and Counterattack

Li Ruobing regretted it.

One second after the shrimp landed in Wu Chen’s bowl, she regretted it. She could see exactly what would come of it. It didn’t even feel like something she would do.

Currying favor with a man? Flaunting herself at another woman?

She wasn’t afraid of Su Qingying, naturally.

But she also knew that after this Wu Chen would start having thoughts about her. He’d find another opening to ask whether she’d fallen for him, and he might well tease and mock her with it.

Li Ruobing would never be a woman who catered to a man or bent to one.

Su Qingying’s head snapped around, and—

Li Ruobing’s expression paused for a beat. Then she smiled at Wu Chen. “Eat. Have plenty.” As she said it, she picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of white-cut chicken, and set it in Su Qingying’s bowl.

“Miss Su, you eat too.” The smile she gave Su Qingying was perfectly natural. She gestured at the table and smiled again. “There’s still so much food. It’ll only go to waste. Both of you should have more. I’m full.”

She had made a mistake, so she moved fast to repair it.

Serving Wu Chen became serving Wu Chen and Su Qingying both.

The strange atmosphere eased at once.

Su Qingying blinked, then seemed to understand something.

“You’re full already, Miss Li? Not a little more?”

“I’m full. Thank you for the meal. You two eat.” Li Ruobing met her eyes as she spoke, then smiled again.

“Plain fare like this hardly counts as hospitality.” Su Qingying looked back at her, smiling. “My husband originally said we’d wait for you and go out to a restaurant. I thought, since you were coming to the home, I might as well cook. The highest form of hospitality is a family meal. You’re our guest, and this is the first time we’ve met in this capacity, so… as long as you’re satisfied, Miss Li.”

Anger flared up in Li Ruobing’s chest.

Because she could feel it. Su Qingying was provoking her.

Coming to the home. Hospitality. A family meal. Guest.

Su Qingying had installed herself squarely in the position of lady of the house. She said it all very naturally—her mind worked at speed—but Li Ruobing caught the deliberation underneath it all the same.

Su Qingying must already have noticed something off about her. She had simply chosen not to say so.

A woman’s intuition was usually a terrifying thing. And the people who understood women best would always be women.

Having said her piece, Su Qingying turned to Wu Chen again and glanced into his bowl. “Honey, why aren’t you eating?”

She picked up her chopsticks and lifted out the shrimp—the one Li Ruobing had just put there—and carried it straight toward Wu Chen’s mouth. Then her hand trembled.

Clack.

The shrimp dropped onto the table first, then bounced to the floor.

“Oh, how clumsy of me. It’s dirty now. Never mind, we won’t have that one.” She scolded herself, then took another shrimp from his bowl—one she had peeled herself, naturally. “Come on, honey, eat. Let me feed you…”

Watching Wu Chen eat the shrimp from her chopsticks, Su Qingying smiled sweetly.

She sucked briefly at the tips of the chopsticks before setting them down, then turned to Li Ruobing with a smile. “You’re really sure you won’t have a little more, Miss Li?”

She was provoking her.

A smiling declaration of ownership without a trace of temper in it. Aimed straight at Li Ruobing.

“I’m truly full. Thank you.” Li Ruobing’s breathing went a shade heavier, and she smiled as well.

The two women looked at each other, and neither of them spoke.

Each could feel the other’s hostility.

Li Ruobing was smiling, but her presence had the feel of a woman who might flip the table at any moment.

“I’m full too. Can’t manage another bite.” Wu Chen spoke up just then, standing and moving to clear the table.

Su Qingying was on her feet immediately, heading him off and taking over. “Honey, don’t clean up. I’ve got it, I’ve got it. I’ll clear the table, I’ll do the dishes. Go sit with Miss Li…