This hot pot dinner lasted the whole night, until the sound of the watch outside the government office informed them that it was already midnight.

Another year had passed, stepping into the ninth year of Xuanhe.

If there were to be an end-of-year summary.

This year, Chen Mo expanded his territory, securing a foothold in the Great Song Dynasty, amassing grain supplies, increasing weapon workshops, and establishing commerce with the South...

This year, his power doubled.

He set goals for the new year.

First, to fill the two large granaries built in Linzhou for military supplies.

Second, to ensure that the entire Divine Brave Guard is armored.

Third, to fully equip the horse armor for the Brave Cavalry Guard.

Fourth, to arm half the Divine Brave Guard with Divine Arm Crossbows.

Fifth, to achieve a population growth of 20,000+ in the Three States.

Sixth, to complete the establishment of the Inspector.

Seventh, for the booming business of the restaurant chain to spread across Yu and Lin states.

...

However, Chen Mo's first thought for the new year was to give Xia Zhining a good lesson.

Returning to the Xia Sisters' room, Chen Mo didn't let Xia Zhining wash up, instead directly threw her onto the bed, then drew his sword from the sheath.

While exercising restraint, Chen Mo instructed Xia Zhining to the greatest extent.

Indeed, one cannot be too gentle with Xia Zhining. A bit of violence, and the sentiments from their reunion clearly intensified.

Xia Zhining struggled fiercely, her small clothing slipped to her lotus-like arms, half covering them. While she continuously pounded Chen Mo's shoulder with her fist, her picturesque brows flickered with charm, spilling out threads of whimsy, and she yelled 'bastard'.

Xia Zhiqing, seeing her sister's fierce resistance, originally wanted to intervene, but after a while, she saw her sister stopped struggling.

Allowing Mo Lang to embrace her tightly, her cool, bright face gradually blushed pink, as if heated from a hot spring, spreading from her earlobes to her swan-like neck, a white with hints of red.

Xia Zhining was completely dominated by Chen Mo, beyond control.

In Xia Zhiqing's eyes, it seemed as if he didn't know his limits.

But seeing her sister sing out loud, Xia Zhiqing was slightly relieved, her beautiful eyes narrowed a bit.

Chen Mo interlocked fingers with Xia Zhining, looked at Xia Zhiqing, who seemed idle beside him, and focused for a moment, saying, "Zhiqing, could you fetch some hot water? After I finish teaching her a lesson, let's enjoy a mandarin ducks bath together."

Xia Zhiqing's jade face showed embarrassment and annoyance, knowing this rascal would mess with her later, she softly replied, "Mo Lang, take care of your body."

Chen Mo embraced Xia Zhining's slender, graceful body, eyes twinkling, and said warmly, "It's New Year's, gotta indulge once. When you head out, do call Xue'Er over, I'll help you two get closer."

Xia Zhiqing: "..."

Spending the evening with the two sisters was not enough, he even wanted to call Liang Xue over.

Having been won over by Chen Mo physically and emotionally for almost a year now, Xia Zhiqing was long unable to part from Chen Mo, she cast him a look: "If Xue'Er doesn't come, don't blame me."

With that, Xia Zhiqing left the room, closing the door behind her.

After Xia Zhiqing left, Xia Zhining tightly hugged Chen Mo's neck, her soft cold eyes slightly narrowed, resting her chin on Chen Mo's shoulder, biting her lower lip lightly with pearl-like teeth, annoyed: "You bastard, don't know how to cherish people at all."

"Who told you to cause trouble under the table earlier? Ning Wan and Min'Er were both there, it'd have been embarrassing if they found out." Chen Mo let his thoughts drift for a moment, allowing Xia Zhining a chance to breathe.

"Said the one flirting with Ning Wan, calling her Aunt Ning at every turn, better if it was Aunt Qing." Xia Zhining gave Chen Mo a sideways look, snorted coldly.

"I've told you before, there's nothing between Ning Wan and me, don't overthink it." Chen Mo said.

"Tsk."

Xia Zhining pinched Chen Mo's waist, said: "You've almost got her already and still pretending?"

Recalling the scene during the hot pot, Xia Zhining thought there was no way it was just Ning Wan being shameless; Chen Mo must have "bullied" Ning Wan without her knowing about it before.

Meaning, the two already had a thing going on.

This made Ning Wan keep her peace.

Xia Zhiqing thought of Chen Mo spending fifteen minutes in Ning Wan's room then.

Chen Mo: "???"

He couldn't understand what Xia Zhining meant by this.

"Still pretending!" Xia Zhining heavily clapped Chen Mo's shoulder, already discovered yet pretending, said: "I know about you and Ning Wan."

Saying so, Xia Zhining recounted her earlier probe under the table to Chen Mo.

After listening, Chen Mo felt a mix of anger and amazement rising in him.

No wonder Ning Wan's expression was off earlier.

But if Ning Wan really mistook Xia Zhining's actions as his own, then her reaction suggests that...

Suddenly, Chen Mo's mind was flooded with imagery.

"Bastard..." Sensing Chen Mo's transformation at that moment, Xia Zhining lightly bit Chen Mo's shoulder.

"Don't guess wildly, maybe she knew it was you all along, just didn't want to embarrass you." Chen Mo pursed his lips.

At this moment, the door opened, and two graceful beauties walked in, one after the other, Xia Zhiqing leading and holding Liang Xue's hand, purposely raised her voice: "Mo Lang, Xue'Er is here."

Seeing the scene before her, Liang Xue shyly lowered her head, her face flush with red, her heart fluttering, he…he really knew no shame.

...

Meanwhile.

In the bath barrel, Ning Wan soaked in hot water, her mind repeatedly replaying the earlier actions under the table, her face, with mature grace, glowing red from the bath, radiant as the sunset.

Thinking of the contact on her lower belly, Ning Wan's face turned crimson again, though mentally prepared, she was still startled by the young man's audacity; in front of so many people, he dared to...

Ning Wan's marriage and life with Liang Song were as plain as water.

But Chen Mo's impudence stirred waves in her heart.

She bent over, hugging her knees, dipped her head slowly into the hot water.

...

One night passed.

The next day, Chen Mo went with Ning Wan to Longmen County, to select a site for the first hot pot restaurant. Chen Mo wasn't just talk; once decided, he acted.

Upon seeing Chen Mo again, Ning Wan bit her lip, her face tinged with a blush.

Given that Xia Zhining told Chen Mo everything last night, he should explain to Ning Wan to clear any misunderstandings.

However, Chen Mo did not provide an explanation, merely gave Ning Wan a smile.

Ning Wan blushed further, as if everything unspoken went without saying.

The ninth year of Xuanhe, January the fifteenth.

The first hot pot restaurant opened in Longmen County.

Named Fu Ze Hot Pot.

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