Chapter 10 No one noticed the fleeting undercurrent between Ming Huai and Lin Zhimeng. Ming Huai glanced at her, then calmly looked away, moving to sit aside with a cup of tea in hand, joining the conversation. Lin Zhimeng was twenty-one this year; with her sweet appearance, she had always cultivated the image of the girl-next-door. Discovered through a talent show and signed by Haiyu Entertainment, her career had flourished. Relying on this persona, she had garnered quite a fanbase since her debut. Last year, she collaborated with Zhao Manman on a television drama; their off-screen relationship remained unclear, but judging by current appearances, it seemed quite cordial. Senior figures in the entertainment industry like Wang Lun were all amiable and took great care of younger colleagues. Across numerous episodes, whenever new guests appeared, they offered guidance and support—especially toward someone like Lin Zhimeng, who appeared so obedient and well-behaved.

Sipping jasmine tea, Ming Huai watched Lin Zhimeng's act of feigned innocence through a veil of steam with indifference. He truly admired how convincingly this woman could pretend, so naturally that she had everyone completely charmed. Once the guests were properly attended to, Chen Jun finally remembered he needed to cook. Naturally taking Qu Mei's hand, he joked, "Oh dear, looks like I'm heading into the kitchen again. Who among you can lend a hand?"

Chen Jun's remark was mostly in jest. Among those present, Ming Huai knew a little about cooking, but his skills paled in comparison to Chen Jun's. As for the others, after glancing around, Ming Huai figured only Ji Tingqian could prepare truly delicious meals. Just as Ming Huai thought this, Ji Tingqian spoke up. His features remained stern, yet the slight upward curve of his lips softened them somewhat.

"Teacher Chen, I'll cook today."

"You can cook?" Qu Mei asked, surprised.

Ji Tingqian nodded, though some present still doubted him.

At that moment, Lin Zhimeng approached Ji Tingqian, familiarly touching his shoulder. She smiled sweetly, "Brother Ji really can cook. Once, when I visited his film set, I happened to taste a dish he made—it was exceptionally delicious."

Ji Tingqian's brows furrowed slightly; he clearly wished to avoid excessive contact with Lin Zhimeng. Ming Huai quietly observed everything, his fingers slightly curled, an inexplicable emotion brewing in his eyes, his entire aura sinking further. Anyone else praising Ji Tingqian's culinary skills would have been fine, but coming from someone like Lin Zhimeng, who harbored feelings for Ji Tingqian, it provoked Ming Huai's particular disdain. It felt as though a treasure he had carefully guarded for years was now being coveted by another. Ming Huai was displeased, suffocated by frustration, yet given his current identity and position, he couldn't reveal even a hint of dissatisfaction, let alone indulge in secretly acting petulant toward Ji Tingqian like a spoiled child. Since the program began recording, Chen Jun had always been the one cooking. The task sounded easy but proved extraordinarily difficult in practice. With Ji Tingqian taking over today, Chen Jun felt utterly relieved, exclaiming how effortless it was, almost uncomfortably so.

Lin Zhimeng entered first to put things away. To ensure dinner would be ready soon, everyone divided the tasks. Several people took small stools and sat in different corners of the courtyard: Qu Mei and Chen Jun sat together, Wang Lun and Fu Hairong occupied one side, while Zhao Manman, who always liked sticking close to Ming Huai, joined him beside the well to wash cabbage and bamboo shoots. At times like these, not every location had a cameraman following. After Qu Mei's arrival, compared to the young couple whose ambiguous chemistry relied entirely on post-production editing, the director preferred capturing genuine displays of affection from the older generation. Ming Huai welcomed this arrangement; without cameras watching, at least he didn't need to constantly wear a mask. But before Ming Huai could relax his expression, Zhao Manman率先 pulled a long face. She reached up and switched off the microphone clipped to her chest.

Ming Huai paused briefly, then did the same, sensing Zhao Manman was about to say something important.

"That Lin Zhimeng—I absolutely despise her."

Zhao Manman's face brimmed with disgust; her words and emotions were so blunt that one could only wonder just how much she hated Lin Zhimeng.Ming Huai had always appreciated Zhao Manman's straightforwardness, but faced with her words now, he found himself torn between laughter and helplessness.

"Manman, we're out in the open."

Zhao Manman yanked off a bamboo shoot leaf with force, gritting her teeth as she said, "Even out here, I still hate her—especially that act of hers, pretending to be so innocent. Just look how long she made us wait; she must have been putting on airs all day long. It's disgusting."

Ming Huai couldn't help but laugh aloud. Unexpectedly, they had reached an unspoken agreement. His peripheral vision caught Ji Tingqian, and suddenly, a childish impulse surged within him.

"I don't like her either," Ming Huai said, though it was hardly appropriate.

Yet after speaking those words, he felt a wave of relief, his earlier gloom significantly lifted. After putting things away, Lin Zhimeng took a shower. By the time she emerged, all the dishes were already prepared. Sitting at the table, she exclaimed in surprise, "So fast! And it looks delicious!"

While saying this last part, her gaze clearly lingered on Ji Tingqian. Then she added regretfully, "I didn't help much at all."

At that moment, Ming Huai and Zhao Manman arrived with bowls and chopsticks, catching every word Lin Zhimeng had spoken. Ming Huai felt nothing particular, but Zhao Manman, who perhaps truly had some conflict with Lin Zhimeng, immediately whispered under her breath, "Drama queen, hypocrite, disgusting."

With that, she switched on her microphone, instantly transforming her expression into one of warm affection as she greeted Lin Zhimeng. In a flash, they were close sisters again. Ming Huai, having witnessed the entire scene, couldn't hold back his laughter. This laugh drew the attention of Ji Tingqian, who was sitting not far away. He asked Ming Huai what he was laughing about. Ming Huai shook his head, replying cheerfully that he was simply happy. Ji Tingqian looked at Ming Huai, finding him truly incomprehensible—happy one moment, sad the next, all without any apparent reason. Throughout the meal, everyone praised Ji Tingqian's cooking profusely. Ming Huai offered only a couple of compliments but ended up eating an extra bowl of rice, stopping only when his small belly was so full he could eat no more. After showering that evening, Ming Huai found himself unable to sleep. The production team had wrapped up early these past few days; it was only ten-thirty.

Estimating that Aunt Chen wouldn't be asleep yet, Ming Huai walked out into the courtyard to call her and ask about Dudu's condition. After ending the call, he turned around and hadn't taken two steps before seeing Lin Zhimeng approaching him. Ming Huai had no desire to speak further with her and tried to walk around her, but Lin Zhimeng blocked his path.

"Why the rush? Off to climb into someone's bed again?" Lin Zhimeng asked with a hint of mockery.

Ming Huai chuckled lightly.

"Yes, going to climb into Ji Tingqian's bed."

"You…"

Lin Zhimeng glared fiercely at Ming Huai, then sneered, "As if Ji Tingqian would even want you?"

Ming Huai remained unperturbed. He scoffed, "If he doesn't want me, does that mean he wants you?"

Ming Huai moved to walk past her, but Lin Zhimeng followed two steps, shouting furiously, "You've got some nerve! Weren't you just kept by President Xu not long ago? You sure switch benefactors quickly."

If one wanted to understand just how bad Ming Huai's reputation had become, looking at Lin Zhimeng provided considerable insight. Initially, when unpleasant rumors about him began circulating, he would offer some defense. But after hearing them repeated so often, he grew unwilling to explain himself further to outsiders. In Ming Huai's view, whatever others said hardly mattered. Behind him, Lin Zhimeng continued spewing unbearable words, yet Ming Huai never slowed his pace. Turning the corner, however, he unexpectedly collided with a broad chest. Ming Huai looked up hesitantly to find Ji Tingqian gazing down at him, his eyes dark and profound.