Du Xixi tilted her head, her tone very serious: "That's me!"
This tone, this expression, successfully made Chen Yin choke on his own saliva. He coughed while casting her a reproachful look, but after a moment's thought, he laughed again.
Isn't Du Xixi just like someone else's child? Heir to the Imperial Chef Family, nurtured by numerous elders, she excelled in her studies from a young age, graduated from a prestigious school, and her culinary skills were unmatched, even comparable to the legendary chefs of old.
At least in Chen Yin's impression, no parent wouldn't envy the Du Family for having such an obedient, sensible, and outstanding child like Du Xixi.
With this little interlude, the originally heavy atmosphere lightened up. Chen Yin sat on the large section of the seat next to Du Xixi and softly said: "Xixi, do you want to come to the Imperial Palace to stay with me for a few days? The scenery is quite nice."
"No, I want to go home and make something delicious." Du Xixi naturally refused. Scenery never held much allure for her; researching cuisine made her happier.
Chen Yin's eyes lit up with an idea: "Speaking of which, I've prepared a lot of good ingredients for you. Want to check out the Imperial Kitchen?"
"The Imperial Kitchen?" Du Xixi finally showed some interest and got up to walk outside, telling him and Rob to quickly lead the way for her.
Rob closely followed behind Du Xixi, protecting her. Chen Yin also strode up, speaking in an amused tone: "What are you thinking? It's just bigger than an ordinary kitchen, with some specially cultivated ingredients from me."
Chen Yin's specially cultivated ingredients were naturally similar to the little piggies Du Xixi had been receiving these days. Unlike the Star Era's Insect Clan, they were genuine Blue Star products.
"Is that so... By the way, is there anything you want to eat?"
"Will you cook whatever I want to eat?"
"Depends on my mood!"
"You..."
"Hmm? Any objections?"
"...No objections, just watch where you're going!"
Earlier, just Rob leading Du Xixi through the Imperial Palace caused an uproar, with a heap of rumors and gossip spreading through the palace.
Now, not only was Rob by Du Xixi's side, but even Chen Yin was carefully protecting her, which made it seem like he was very concerned about her. As a result, those rumors and gossip intensified, and as Du Xixi and the others passed a corner with Rob, they even overheard some of it.
"Have you heard? Today, His Majesty's Qing Mei came to the palace and is about to become the Queen!" One guard, dressed as such, was whispering gossip to his brother, thinking he was being discreet.
The guard's brother nodded, his expression very excited: "Not only did I hear, I happened to see it. Sir Rob personally escorted her! The relationship is solid!"
"Hehe, do you think our Majesty..." The guard was speaking excitedly but suddenly saw the two of them and a robot standing not far away, quietly watching him and his brother.
The guard's brother, seeing him fall silent mid-sentence, followed his stiff gaze behind him, and then...his gaze stiffened too.
Guard: Anxiety attack!
Guard's brother: Iron mental block! Anxiety attack!
Du Xixi touched her nose, seeing Chen Yin's face change from green to red, couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Who would've thought she'd have a day of eavesdropping on her own gossip, and with Chen Yin to boot!
Chen Yin looked at her helplessly, motioning for the two guards, who were trembling and anticipating their doom, to leave. Then he said: "Sigh, who would've thought my first scandal would be with my own sister."
"I didn't think my first scandal would be with my own brother either!" Du Xixi raised her hand to pat his shoulder, "Why don't you come forward and clarify?"
Chen Yin was just about to agree but suddenly thought of something, his eyes lighting up, and he instead said: "No rush, let's wait a bit."
Du Xixi looked at him puzzled, not understanding why the slightly troubled Chen Yin suddenly became so eager. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Chen Yin chuckle mischievously: "I received a military report from the border, that guy Ke Lian will return at the latest by tomorrow afternoon! By then, he'll definitely come to see me in the palace first."
"..."
Du Xixi wasn't sure whether to be happy for Ke Lian's return or sad for him finding out he's "wearing a green hat."
"Take it easy. He's now married to me. If we have marital discord, what if he domestic abuses me?" Du Xixi pretended to stomp on him, but he nimbly dodged, "He dares! I'll beat him to death!"
Du Xixi smiled at him, looking until Chen Yin waved his hand in surrender: "Okay, okay, I'll send someone to clarify it right away. I promise the rumor will disappear before he returns! The gossip will disappear!"
Du Xixi finally nodded with a haughty huff: "That's more like it..."
Chen Yin continued to lead Du Xixi forward with heavy steps, secretly wiping away tears in his heart, and his face also showing great sorrow.
Sigh, the little sister got married, and her elbow turned outward... The sister who used to obediently call him brother will now belong to someone else...