NOVEL WEB Chapter 966 Bet?
966 Bet?
Alix stared at the board of the restaurant which read Natsukashi.
It was Nana's flagship restaurant which she had built with her own hands and which was now run by her children, Jian and Nuo.
She glanced at Jinhai, whose gaze held softness and warmth. Even after more than twenty years had passed by, his love and pride for Natsukashi remained as strong and firm as an immovable mountain. The place built by Nana always held a special place in his heart.
For some unknown reason, Alix couldn't tear her gaze away from that tender expression filled with immense love.
She leaned closer to Jin, whispering to him, "Are you sure I should be here?"
Jin looked puzzled. "Why shouldn't you be?"
She couldn't answer that question.
"Plus, it's Mom's restaurant. Why would we have lunch at any other restaurant? Even if it's four hours away from wherever he is, Dad would still choose to eat here."
"...He really loves Mrs. Liu."
Jin stared at her. "That is a gross understatement. Really doesn't cut it out. He is crazy for her. Let's not get into understanding the depths of his love. It's a bottomless pit."
A shocked gasp echoed as they walked in.
"My dearest little brotheeeeeeeer!"
Jian bolted like lightning and crushed Jin in his hug. "Jin is hereeeee!!!"
Alix stumbled a few steps back, her eyes slightly widening.
What is wrong with him? Why is he excited like he is meeting some long-lost brother?
"Hmphfff!!" Jin felt smothered in his tight embrace and violently pushed him away.
"Stay away from me!"
"Brothers are supposed to be super close and tight knit with each other!"
"That doesn't include you and Bro Nian!"
Jian burst into tears. "Dad, did you just hear what he said? My little brother is drifting away from me!"
Jinhai didn't bother. Instead, he looked around the restaurant, trying to find somebody else.
"Dad!"
Nuo came running with a bright grin and jumped straight into her father's arms. Jinhai's gaze softened and glistened at the same time.
He patted her head. "Nuo."
Jian clutched his chest. "Jin, did you just see what I saw? Do you see the garden blooming around Dad's head?"
He grimaced. "Doesn't that happen like always? Say something new."
Jian cried. "Dad! Your handsome son is here too. Where is my hug!?"
He ignored his son's cries and smiled at Nuo. "How is my Nuo doing?"
She grinned. "Super happy now that you are here~"
"Is Siying keeping you happy?"
Jin rolled his eyes.
There he goes again.
"As always~ Don't worry, Dad. The Han family is super adorable!"
Jinhai's gaze unnoticeably fell.
Han Zhiyuan is not that adorable…
"You should still come home as much as possible. As much as possible," he emphasized the last part.
She smiled. "Of course! I miss my super super adorable Dad too!"
He beamed.
I am twice the adorable compared to Han Zhiyuan.
Jin and Jian could practically read his thoughts through his eyes.
"Oh Alix is here too!" Nuo brightened.
"Hello…" she politely smiled, albeit a little stiffly.
"Oh, what happened to your forehead?"
"Apparently, the Liu Corps doors are very sturdy," she sneered at Jin's direction.
Jin's brow twitched.
She blinked. "You were at the Liu Corps today?"
"Liu Jin has loaned me some space at his office for my work."
"Shut up!"
Jinhai said, "Nuo should join us for lunch too."
Jian raised his hand. "Me too! Me too!"
"You will be cooking, so get busy. Cook a good feast for us."
"..."
"D-Dad, do you hear the sound of something breaking?" He sniffled.
"No."
"..."
They took a corner table and Nuo immediately entered gossip mode, leaning towards Alix.
"So, so, how did you convince Jin to allow you to work at Liu Corps? Isn't he like super grumpy?"
"Sis, I am not grumpy…"
"Sshh! Let Alix talk."
Alix eyed Jinhai once and tried to be calm in his presence.
She cleared her throat. "He is grumpy but also a gentleman. He felt very bad for being unable to drop me home last night from the bar. So he compensated by fulfilling my wish."
"Bar? What bar? Which bar?" She rapidly blinked.
"We were in a bar together last evening after the gallery exhibition was over."
She gave a short gist of what happened last night.
Nuo was speechless. "You were able to drag him into a bar? How did you achieve that feat?"
"It's actually the other way around."
Jin scoffed. "Excuse me? I wanted to hang out by myself but you invited yourself."
Alix smiled. "Indirect ways of using sarcasm is your method of inviting somebody for a drink is what I have come to realize."
His gaze darkened. "Don't taint my name. As if I will do something so childish."
"You should be a little honest with yourself," she sneered. "Lately, you have been lying quite often. I have a very, very fresh example of it with me right now."
He sneered back. "I think you need another bump on your forehead to fix your delusions."
"I am sure your forehead can do the trick."
Jin broke into a light sweat.
Don't you expose me!
"Aaand here comes the feast!" Jian grinned, trolleying in a sea of delicious food items starting from soup to appetizing lobster curry.
Jian invited himself and joined them for lunch. "Eat up! Your handsome and talented head chef has cooked everything after all~"
Jin thought that Alix wouldn't be able to handle the lobster curry as it was one of the spiciest items on the menu. So, he served her the dish quite generously. Even Nuo felt the chilli burning her throat from that serving.
"Aye, Aye, my dearest little brother, you are pouring a bit too much," Jian sweated. "Just because you can eat that much doesn't mean-"
"It's her first time at Natsukashi. She should eat without any reservations," Jin smirked.
Alix arched her brow at the piping hot and spicy curry before her. Her lips curled into a smile.
"First, the shots and now the curry. You always are in such a mood for losing, aren't you Liu Jin?"
He scoffed. "Not everybody can handle our menu's lobster curry, okay?"
She sneered. "Wanna bet?"