Chapter 113 — The Question of Ownership Over the Spicy Hot Pot

“Let’s go back,” Lin Xiaowen said, trying to keep her expression calm as she set down her chopsticks and stood up. At the same moment, Cheng Yishu spotted Su Nian and Lin Xiaowen.

The impatience on Cheng Yishu’s face softened instantly as he headed straight for the spicy hotpot stall.

“Hey, what a coincidence!” Cheng Yishu feigned surprise, glancing at Su Nian and subtly signaling to him. But Su Nian turned away coldly, ignoring him.

“Since you don’t want to leave, then I’ll go back on my own,” Lin Xiaowen said, noticing Su Nian remained still. She spoke and began to walk away.

Cheng Yishu wasn’t about to let her go that easily. He grabbed Lin Xiaowen’s hand gently but urgently.

“Don’t go yet! I... I need to talk to you!”

Lin Xiaowen, who hadn’t so much as glanced at Cheng Yishu before, pulled her hand free with a faint expression.

“I have nothing to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything.”

With a quick move, Cheng Yishu blocked her path and continued, his voice nearly pleading, “Just listen to me, okay?”

“Wow! Spicy hotpot? My favorite!” An’an, arriving a few steps behind, plopped down on the stool Lin Xiaowen had just vacated. She eyed the bowl of spicy hotpot—originally Lin Xiaowen’s but untouched—with eager hunger.

Su Nian instinctively shifted away, trying to put as much distance between himself and An’an as possible. After all, few people liked such an unpleasant character.

“Why aren’t you guys eating?” An’an looked at the other three with a puzzled expression. “If no one’s eating, I’m not going to be polite!”

Normally, getting to eat something like this was a rare treat, and now that she had the chance, she wasn’t about to miss it.

Seeing An’an pick up her chopsticks, clearly ready to dig in with enthusiasm, a sudden fury flared within Lin Xiaowen, growing rapidly.

She shoved Cheng Yishu aside without warning. Cheng Yishu was caught off guard, stunned, as Lin Xiaowen grabbed the chopsticks from An’an’s hand, her brows furrowed coldly.

“You’re in the wrong place. This seat is mine, this bowl of spicy hotpot is mine. Why do you think you can just sit down and start eating as you please?”

An’an’s hand was empty; a strip of kelp was just centimeters from her mouth... such a pity.

She smacked her lips and swallowed before adjusting her expression.

Turning to look up at the girl, whom she had met briefly during the day and found utterly unremarkable even upon a second glance, An’an couldn’t help but wonder how Cheng Yishu could be interested in someone so plain.

“How strange.”

“Why don’t you get up quickly? If you want to eat, can’t you buy your own?” Cheng Yishu stood behind Lin Xiaowen, gritting his teeth as he spoke to An’an.

But An’an was unmoved; she sat up straighter, looking perfectly entitled.

“Who said this seat was yours? And who said this bowl of spicy hotpot was yours? If I’m the first to put chopsticks in and take a bite, then it’s mine!”

Arrogant and uncouth!

Those eight words flashed immediately through Lin Xiaowen’s mind.

“Besides, did you pay for it? I’m about to pay now, so it’s even more mine!”

An’an waved her phone with a triumphant smile, making Lin Xiaowen more furious.

“Even if I didn’t pay, I ordered this spicy hotpot. The owner made it according to my preferences. Do you think it would suit your taste?”

Lin Xiaowen’s eyes practically blazed as she seriously debated the ownership of the spicy hotpot with An’an.

An’an’s fair hand propped up her chin, as if genuinely pondering, before she said softly,

“That doesn’t matter. Whether it suits me or not, I’ll just try it. If it’s bad, I’ll throw it away!”

“You—”

Lin Xiaowen suddenly found herself tongue-tied, forgetting whether she was arguing about the spicy hotpot or something else entirely.

“Can you stop causing trouble? Walk away right now. I don’t need your plans anymore. Just go.”

As the two girls faced off, Cheng Yishu broke out in a cold sweat, afraid An’an might anger Lin Xiaowen so much she’d storm off.

Su Nian, however, sensed something and remained composed, tilting his head to see how things would unfold.

The commotion soon caught the attention of the not-so-busy shop owner, who cheerfully stepped over.

“Friends here? What will you have? Please, have a seat.”

“No worries, she’s not eating. I’ll pay for this bowl of spicy hotpot!” An’an smiled sweetly at the owner, her adorable grin momentarily surprising him.

“Who says I’m not eating? Give it back!” Lin Xiaowen, feeling stifled, sat back down and picked up the spicy hotpot that was rightfully hers.

An’an clapped her hands, satisfied, and looked at the owner.

“Then please make two more bowls just like these. Oh, Yishu, are you eating or not?”

Calling Cheng Yishu with that syrupy sweetness made him frown in discomfort.

Just as he was about to refuse, he realized sitting down might be the only chance to talk to Lin Xiaowen. So...

“I’ll eat, I’ll eat.”

Cheng Yishu quickly pulled over a stool and sat opposite Lin Xiaowen. The small square table was now full.

“Boss, could you please make two more bowls exactly like these?” An’an giggled as she gave the order.

“Sure thing! Coming right up!” the owner responded enthusiastically, leaving the four exchanging awkward glances.

The atmosphere was tense and strange. Su Nian cleared his throat softly, pushed his bowl toward Cheng Yishu, and kindly broke the silence:

“Here, this one’s for you. Can you handle spicy food?”

Cheng Yishu, eyes fixed on Lin Xiaowen’s face, didn’t even glance at Su Nian as he replied,

“No problem.”

“Phew... I heard you can really take sour flavors. But the chili here is super spicy. Are you sure you’re okay?” Su Nian asked, seeking confirmation.

“That won’t do. Yishu can’t eat spicy—it’ll ruin his voice. He still has to sing!” An’an pouted, pushing the bowl of fiery spicy hotpot back toward Su Nian.

“Oh, really? That’s unfortunate.”

Su Nian shook his head, pulled out his chopsticks, and sighed.

“Xiaowen’s family is from Chengdu—spicy food is a must.”

“I can eat spicy!” Cheng Yishu finally absorbed Su Nian’s hint and grabbed the bowl of red-hot spicy hotpot, into which Su Nian had already plunged his chopsticks.

But as soon as Cheng Yishu’s eyes fully took in the steaming, fiery bowl, he suddenly fell silent.

“What’s wrong? You want to eat it?” Su Nian smirked, teasing him.

“Y-yeah...” Cheng Yishu’s voice was a little unnatural as he glanced at Lin Xiaowen, who ignored him and continued chewing on strips of kelp with determination.

“Don’t force it. This isn’t a game. If you ruin your voice, you won’t be able to perform anymore. That’d be a huge loss—a singer like you,” Su Nian said, fanning the flames.

“Nonsense!”

Cheng Yishu made up his mind, snatched the chopsticks from Su Nian’s hand, frowned, and prepared to dig in.

“Hey, Cheng Yishu!” An’an caught his hand just in time, looking serious.

“This isn’t a joke. Don’t be foolish.”

As someone also rising in the entertainment circle, a promising new star skilled in singing and dancing, An’an knew all too well what it meant to lose one’s voice.