Now that the decision to open the restaurant was made, Chen Mo and Ning Wan discussed the specifics during the meal.

As the saying goes, if you haven't eaten pork, surely you've seen a pig run. Besides, Chen Mo had run a bar before and had a forward-thinking vision, which to Ning Wan was like a dimensional blow.

Especially the various marketing strategies proposed by Chen Mo, which were unheard of by Ning Wan, who was amazed at how business could be conducted this way.

Perhaps it was the spiciness, or something else, that made Ning Wan's face turn slightly red. She sneaked a glance at Chen Mo, feeling curious about him for the first time.

The steamy heat mingled with the fragrance of the hotpot, rich and full, awakening dormant taste buds, making it impossible to stop reaching for more food.

The warmth also dispelled the winter chill. Yi Shiyin was the first to shed her outer robe, revealing a white cotton outfit underneath. Though her figure was petite, in the snug fit of the cotton clothes, she still exuded a youthful liveliness.

Han Anniang and Xia Zhiqing chatted about household affairs, with Yi Shiyin occasionally interjecting with humorous comments to enliven the atmosphere.

Liang Xue and Song Min remained silent, their heads down, eating steadily with satisfaction.

Chen Mo continued to discuss the restaurant business with Ning Wan.

The sounds of laughter and clattering of bowls and chopsticks wafted out with the white steam.

With more talking, Ning Wan gradually became part of the family atmosphere. Perhaps it got truly warm; she took off her outer jacket to reveal an elegantly fitted light-gold dress, revealing two jade-white rounded protective symbols that were even more pristine and smooth than the white jade bracelet on Xia Zhiqing's wrist.

Instinctively, Chen Mo's gaze swept over.

Ning Wan felt it and instinctively glanced at Chen Mo. Their eyes met; one pretended to look calm and clear, the other slightly flustered.

"He... he's looking at me again." Ning Wan quickly averted her gaze, her face blooming with a light blush.

The mature, shy allure of the young woman was the most captivating, especially paired with that mature and voluptuous figure...

Chen Mo suddenly felt electrified, sat up straighter, shook his leg, and then picked up a piece of tripe to dip it, trying to cover his embarrassment.

Han Anniang sat right beside Chen Mo, and while talking with Xia Zhiqing, she didn't notice the little interactions between the two. As for Ning Wan's blushing face, just look at Liang Xue's; eating with such a flushed face from the steamy hotpot.

However, Xia Zhining noticed, frowned slightly, and kicked Chen Mo under the table, though her expression remained unchanged.

Chen Mo lightly furrowed his brows, not arguing with Xia Zhining.

But Xia Zhining didn't stop. Instead, she took off her embroidered shoes, her silk-socked delicate foot moved over to rub Chen Mo's calf, trying to embarrass him.

But for Chen Mo, wasn't this more of a reward than a punishment? He let Xia Zhining rub away, finding it rather enjoyable, while joining in the conversation between Han Anniang and Xia Zhiqing.

Xia Zhining had long legs. Seeing Chen Mo unaffected, she gently bit her lip, her delicate foot slid along Chen Mo's calf, climbing up, ultimately resting on his thigh.

"Plop..." The sudden itch made Chen Mo loosen his grip on a piece of tripe, making it fall back into the hotpot.

Chen Mo's starry eyes widened, looking toward Xia Zhining.

"Mo Lang, what's wrong?" Xia Zhiqing, sitting beside Xia Zhining, thought Chen Mo's gaze was directed at her.

"..."

Chen Mo didn't mention Xia Zhining's antics under the table, simply saying, "Zhiqing, there's an oil stain on your clothes, be careful."

"Huh?" Xia Zhiqing looked down and indeed saw a chestnut-sized oil stain on her lapel, which stood out sharply against her white clothing. She quickly leaned back, took out a handkerchief, and began to wipe the area, which presented a pleasing picture.

Meanwhile, Xia Zhining became even bolder instead of stopping.

Chen Mo frowned slightly, surprised at Xia Zhining's audacity.

With the whole family present, she actually dared to tease him under the table.

Chen Mo still pretended not to care, and when Xia Zhining continued her mischievous behavior, he immediately reached out to grab her delicate foot.

Xia Zhining's body stiffened instantly, unable to draw her foot back as Chen Mo held onto it tightly, unable to move without being noticed by others.

Xia Zhining glared at Chen Mo, hoping he'd release her, but he instead pulled off her silk sock, sniffing exaggeratedly, saying, "Hmm, what's this smell?"

"Smell?" hearing this, Han Anniang and the others paused and sniffed, puzzled, "I don't smell anything."

"Don't you smell it? It seems like foot odor." Chen Mo looked at Xia Zhining.

Xia Zhining's face turned instantly red, and to prevent others from noticing anything peculiar, she quickly said, "Why are you looking at me? You already know whether my feet smell, you've kissed them before."

As soon as these words left her mouth, the faces of the ladies all turned red.

Especially Ning Wan, who seemed to discover some shocking gossip, incredulous, silently thinking it peculiar that Chen Mo had such a preference.

Xia Zhining continued to struggle, squirming, inwardly cursing Chen Mo, the scoundrel who dared claim her feet smelled, vowing never to let him kiss them again.

"Zhining, what's wrong? Sit properly, why are you squirming?" Xia Zhiqing asked.

"Just a bit itchy."

With that, Xia Zhining glared at Chen Mo, signaling him to let go.

Yet, the latter not only didn't let go but began to play with it on his leg.

Furious, Xia Zhining almost threw her chopsticks at Chen Mo's face.

Luckily, she thought quickly, pretending to drop her chopsticks on the ground, bending to pick them up, which finally made Chen Mo let go.

Her bare foot now snug in the embroidered shoe, so cold in the chilly weather, was very uncomfortable. Xia Zhining dared not say anything aloud, biting her tongue, like an angry little tiger cub. The fatty pork she ate seemed to be Chen Mo's meat.

No, she had to get her revenge.

Xia Zhining's eyes rolled around, and suddenly she had an idea.

At the table, she seriously picked food from the hot pot to eat.

Under the table, she used the other foot wearing silk socks to reach out towards Ning Wan.

That's right, it was Ning Wan.

A mischievous thought arose in Xia Zhining's heart.

She quickly brushed Ning Wan's calf, then quickly withdrew, and then brushed against Chen Mo's leg, finally putting on her embroidered shoes.

At the same time, both Ning Wan and Chen Mo's expressions changed slightly.

Especially Ning Wan, when she realized her calf had been brushed, she was startled at first, thinking it was an accidental touch, but seeing Chen Mo's expression change slightly, her heart rippled.

"It was him..." Ning Wan's cheeks flushed.

But given her current situation, what could she do? She could only pretend not to know.

Xia Zhining noticed Ning Wan didn't react and hesitated for a moment.

After waiting a while, Xia Zhining secretly brushed Ning Wan's calf again, but this time she moved up a bit.

Then, following the same pattern, she touched Chen Mo again.

Chen Mo's expression slightly froze, thinking, "Little rogue, let's see how I deal with you tonight."

After deciding he'd handle Xia Zhining tonight, Chen Mo let her have her way for now.

Ning Wan glanced over, now certain that it was Chen Mo's little mischief, her heart pounded from both tension and a thrill similar to stealing... Her neck and earlobes blushed red.

Xia Zhining saw Ning Wan's reaction but kept quiet, slightly raising an eyebrow.

In Xia Zhining's plan, Ning Wan would mistake Chen Mo for teasing her, then stand up and shout that Chen Mo was being a rogue, making him embarrassed; thus, Xia Zhining's goal would be achieved.

Unexpectedly, Ning Wan actually endured it.

"Could it be she isn't stimulated enough?"

Xia Zhining gritted her teeth, waited a little while, and then made another move—no, made another foot effort.

She reached out again towards Ning Wan.

And this time, she brushed Ning Wan's thigh, even drawing a circle with her big toe, then quickly withdrew; if Ning Wan discovered it was her foot, she would be exposed.

Ning Wan suddenly sat up straight, her legs clamped together. Those pink lips, having eaten the hot pot, looked even more red and tempting under the light.

Her heart pounded wildly, biting her chopsticks, not daring to look into Chen Mo's eyes.

"He really is interested in my body; this time... can't he hold back anymore?"

Ning Wan's mind was in turmoil; noticing Chen Mo's gaze sweeping over, she quickly turned her head, biting her chopsticks to pretend to eat, easing her embarrassment.

"Aunt Ning, are you okay?" Chen Mo noticed Ning Wan's odd expression and couldn't help asking.

Liang Xue turned her head to look and noticed it too, putting down her chopsticks, holding Ning Wan's shoulder, concerned, "Aunt Ning, are you feeling unwell?"

"Could it be that you ate too much spicy food, and now your stomach hurts?" Yi Shiyin interjected.

"Ah... yes, it's indeed a bit too spicy."

Ning Wan replied, inwardly complaining about Chen Mo: "What, don't you know what's going on yourself, and you're still asking..."

Only Xia Zhining's eyes widened.

No way, and she still didn't blow up.

Xia Zhining glanced at Ning Wan, thinking, "Could she also have thoughts about that scoundrel?

She is Aunt Liang's concubine, that's just too shameless..."

Xia Zhining decided to try once more.

If Ning Wan still didn't stand up to scold Chen Mo, that would mean she harbored some feelings too.

Soon, she reached out with her foot again, keeping an eye on Ning Wan to prevent her from noticing, then took advantage of Ning Wan picking food to launch an assault.

This time, she directly attacked a key defense point and quickly withdrew, aiming for a guerrilla tactic.

"Plop..."

Ning Wan was so shocked that her chopsticks fell onto the table, her face flushed red enough to drip water.

"He... he actually touched there... this is too much." Ning Wan was about to bite her lips.

At that moment, Ning Wan's mind was a stormy sea.

"Aunt Ning, are you really okay?" Liang Xue, seeing Ning Wan like this, became worried again.

"I think I might... feel a bit unwell. You guys keep eating, I'll go downstairs." Fearful of Chen Mo's more aggressive actions, Ning Wan decided to slip away.

"Xue'Er, help Aunt Ning downstairs to rest." Chen Mo said.

Liang Xue nodded.

Xia Zhining widened her eyes, watching Ning Wan's retreating figure, feeling both surprised and amused for a moment.

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