Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 39

“Aiya! President Qiao, you’re finally here. We were worried you wouldn’t do us the honor of having a meal at our place. Please don’t mind the simple fare we’re offering; please come in quickly!” Xiao Mo pulled the door open and greeted her with a mix of warmth and self-effacement.

Qiao Bo’er stood with her hands clasped over her designer bag, her posture graceful, and her smile a rare, gentle one. “President Xiao, your hospitality is too great to refuse, and since President Su personally cooked, how could it be simple fare? I hope I haven’t disturbed everyone?”

“This is definitely not a disturbance, we should be thanking you for doing us the honor of visiting our humble home. Come in quickly, take a seat, have some tea, and rest for a while.”

After a brief exchange of polite greetings, Qiao Bo’er naturally walked into the living room.

Ling Xi, carrying a heavy load of fruit, stood stiffly like her wallet had been drained of its spirit, motionless.

While Qiao Bo’er was entering the room, Xiao Mo pinched her arm and hissed a reminder, “Don’t look half-dead. Hurry up and come in to greet the guest.”

Before Ling Xi could retort, Xiao Mo took the fruit from her hands and launched into a loud reprimand: “Ling Xi, you really don’t know any better. We invited President Qiao to have a simple meal at home, why did you let her spend money on a gift?”

He then turned to Qiao Bo’er, his face changing like a magic trick, immediately smiling like an obsequious follower: “President Qiao, you’re too kind! This great fruit must be expensive, and we won’t be able to finish so much. I’ll make a fruit platter for you to taste later.”

Xiao Mo completely ignored Ling Xi’s aggrieved expression and directly attributed the cost of the host gift to Qiao Bo’er.

Ling Xi had suffering she couldn’t speak of, her mouth open, unable to utter a decent rebuttal for a long time. In the end, she could only swallow her anger and let the matter drop.

If she had a metal basin in her arms, she could give everyone present a show of bawling and filling the basin with hot tears.

Qiao Bo’er sat with her back straight, hands resting on her thighs, and her feet crossed to the side, exhibiting flawless feminine etiquette. She waved to Ling Xi, her speech also elegant and poised: “Ling Xi, come sit here.”

Ling Xi inflated her nostrils and looked at Qiao Bo’er with a face full of question marks. Separated by a coffee table, she immediately started a confrontation: “Oh, oh, oh, why are you putting on an act? Is this performance for me or for them? You certainly don’t use this tone with me normally.”

Ling Xi showed Qiao Bo’er no respect, but the ‘crazy woman’ didn’t seem angry, though the smile on her face became slightly darker: “Come sit.”

That three-word phrase carried a chilling, powerful aura, entirely due to Qiao Bo’er’s formidable presence, causing Ling Xi to involuntarily shiver. As if under a spell, she could only walk over and sit down next to Qiao Bo’er.

Qiao Bo’er knew Ling Xi hadn’t recovered from the sting of losing money. She decided to rub salt into the wound and fan the flames: “Look at you, all stingy and pathetic. It’s just a few dollars for some fruit, and you’re still sulking?”

“I’m not as petty as you make me out to be,” Ling Xi muttered unhappily, but because she was genuinely heartbroken over her wallet, her words lacked any conviction.

Qiao Bo’er looked around at the living room’s decor, changing the subject at an opportune moment: “Is this Xiao Mo’s house, or Su Yunjin’s house?”

At this question, Ling Xi went into her mischievous mode again, her eyes darting around as she spoke nonsense: “This… this is their future wedding home.”

“So they are a couple. I didn’t realize you people at Xiao Yun Xi were so good at ‘internal consumption.’”

“Psh, what internal consumption! They’ve been together since college. But Yunjin says a happy and fulfilling family must have a stable financial foundation, so the wedding has been postponed again and again.”

Ling Xi deliberately drew out the sound of “postponed again and again,” and Qiao Bo’er raised an eyebrow, looking at her quirky expression, immediately seeing through her little trick: “So what are you trying to say?”

“Of course, I’m asking the wealthy CEO Qiao, who sits on hundreds of millions, to be merciful. When we discuss the compensation, give me some face. Don’t keep saying ‘millions and millions’—how vulgar! For the sake of the young couple being able to have a son and a daughter sooner, consider it an act of charity…”

“I didn’t realize the perpetually grumpy Vice Professor Ling could also say such nice things. Since you want to save face so much, the money issue is very easy to discuss. I can divide the compensation into three parts. I’ll grant them a favor and waive their portion. As for you… not a penny less.”

Qiao Bo’er showed generosity while still maintaining an uncompromising stance, at least toward Ling Xi. She was relentlessly targeting her, one move after another. In summary: the matter of messing with you is not settled yet.

“This blatant double standard is too much!”

Ling Xi was indignant. Why should others get off scot-free while she was subjected to such meticulous calculation?

“Is it a double standard? At least Xiao Mo and Su Yunjin don’t make my liver ache from anger, but you do. Therefore, you must be punished by me.”

“Business is business, private is private. If you don’t bully me, I won’t act recklessly.”

“That won’t do either. I still vividly remember the slap you gave me when I think about it…”

“Here we go, here we go, bringing up old scores! Didn’t that happen because you kissed me for no reason first? That was self-defense!”

Ling Xi was unwilling to concede, and Qiao Bo’er was relentless. The two of them sat on the sofa, engaging in their routine verbal sparring, and as they argued, they became completely absorbed.

“It’s a no-go anyway. I will calculate your debt very clearly. That is, until you agree to be my girlfriend. Besides, having me spoil you with good food and drink, is it so bad to be my girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend? Look at us, we argue all day long. Either you’re bullying me, or I’m making you mad. Can we possibly be good together?”

Qiao Bo’er had laid her cards on the table, yet the idiot still showed defiance and refused to yield. If they weren’t guests in someone else’s home, she would pin Ling Xi down on the sofa and settle the matter right there!

Xiao Mo, carrying the fruit platter, was cheerfully about to walk into the living room.

Hearing their conversation, he immediately retreated two steps and pressed his back against the wall to eavesdrop. He distinctly heard Qiao Bo’er say ‘girlfriend,’ and the smile on Xiao Mo’s face instantly vanished.

Su Yunjin walked into the dining room with the freshly cooked dishes. Seeing Xiao Mo’s solemn expression, she quietly approached him without making a fuss: “What are you eavesdropping on?”

Xiao Mo clenched his jaw, holding the fruit platter, and replied coldly: “Listening to them bicker.”

“What’s so rare about bickering that you have to eavesdrop?” Su Yunjin rolled her eyes at him, thinking Xiao Mo had heard some earth-shattering news.

“I knew that Qiao Bo’er wasn’t up to any good. Turns out she’s after Ling Xi.”

“What do you mean?”

“She just said she wants Ling Xi to be her girlfriend.”

Xiao Mo’s words hit Su Yunjin like a bolt of lightning. The hand that was setting down the bowls and chopsticks paused. Those long-forgotten memories began to peel away and piece together from the depths of her mind, causing a throbbing pain in her nerves.

Putting the bowl down heavily, Su Yunjin voiced her immediate and firm objection: “Are we going to let Ling Xi go down that old path again? I absolutely do not agree to this.”

“Don’t panic yet. I heard with my own ears that Ling Xi didn’t agree. Let’s just wait and see for now.”

Xiao Mo was a typical pacifist who liked to think positively about everything. Su Yunjin was not pleased.

She took off her apron and glared at Xiao Mo, giving him a cold look: “Wait and see? Do we have to wait until Ling Xi is harmed and ends up in the hospital again?”

“Don’t always assume the worst. The doctor said her condition is stable now; it’s not as serious as you think. But you did remind me, I should take her for a follow-up check-up at the hospital when we have time.”

“Anyway, Ling Xi’s emotional life must be our priority. You’re practically her older brother; as an elder, you need to watch over her more closely… Qiao Bo’er clearly isn’t an easy person to deal with. Ling Xi might refuse verbally, but that doesn’t mean she won’t give in to persistent effort! Humph, I’m going to deal with this Qiao Bo’er.”

After making her threat, Su Yunjin signaled to Xiao Mo with her eyes: “Go, tell them dinner is ready.”

…

On the table were four cold appetizers—spicy brine, cold mix, and small pickled vegetables—none were missing. The main courses covered all the bases—sea, land, and air—plus a pot of medicinal pigeon soup that had been simmering all afternoon. The spread was no different from a big family reunion dinner during the New Year.

It was a bit of a waste for Su Yunjin to only open a coffee shop; this full table of dishes was easily on par with outside Michelin-starred chefs.

Ling Xi stood by the table, practically drooling. As she helped pull out a chair for Qiao Bo’er, she spoke effusively: “Please sit, please sit. You absolutely must try Yunjin’s cooking. Xiao Mo and I only survive to this day by mooching meals off her.”

Qiao Bo’er’s eyes were only on Ling Xi, with almost zero interest in other things. If Ling Xi said it was good, then it was good.

Turning her gaze to Su Yunjin, who was sitting in the host’s seat, she offered a timely compliment: “I can see that President Su is an excellent chef. This table of dishes looks appealing in color, aroma, and taste. I’m already hungry.”

Xiao Mo, uncorking the red wine, took Ling Xi’s cue and joked: “President Qiao, please eat more later. There aren’t many people who can get Yunjin to serve up all her best dishes. Ling Xi and I are only able to feast thanks to you.”

The atmosphere was very harmonious. Ling Xi and Xiao Mo had completely become Su Yunjin’s hype-men, blowing powerful rainbow-fart compliments.

Only Su Yunjin herself remained silent for a long time. Qiao Bo’er immediately noticed this unusual attitude. However, she couldn’t guess what the other person was thinking and could only try to probe her intentions through conversation.

Seated, Qiao Bo’er’s look toward Su Yunjin was subtle. The two exchanged glances, giving the illusion of a subtle, unspoken confrontation between masters.

Ling Xi didn’t care about any of that. She picked up her chopsticks, ready to grab a piece of braised pork, but Xiao Mo hit her hand with the tip of his chopsticks: “Tsk, the guest hasn’t even started eating, why are you so impatient?”

“We’re eating at home, why bother with so many rules?” Ling Xi pouted unhappily, rubbing her smacked hand.

In the silent tension, Su Yunjin was the first to raise the decanted red wine glass: “Welcome, President Qiao, to our home. I toast this glass to you.”

“Thank you all for your hospitality.” Qiao Bo’er also raised her glass. The two smiled at each other, their gazes heavy with unspoken challenges.

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