Hu Da and his team saw Hu Li following Hua's father out, unsure of what they were doing. For Hu Li's safety, they followed at a distance in their car. When they reached the place, they were dumbfounded.

While buying groceries, Hua's father didn't forget to tell Hu Li about the benefits of each vegetable, how to select them, and then how to cook them in the kitchen.

Walking along, Hu Li learned a lot. Hu Da and his team almost went up to pull Hu Li away. Their master was becoming more and more like a domestic man. The contrast was too great for them to accept.

Back at Muyun Pavilion, Hua Yan was already busy in the basement with the raw materials. She discovered that when she used her X-ray ability, her mental energy flowed like a spring, continuously. She felt that the X-ray ability had become a part of her body, as natural as tasting delicious food with her tongue, seeing different sceneries with her eyes, and hearing myriad sounds with her ears.

Curious, she picked up the dragon and phoenix jade pendant around her neck and was shocked to find it was even more spiritual than when the monk who divined gave it to her. Inside, it flowed with a viscous jade fluid like honey, with three colors circulating repeatedly.

"No wonder I haven't felt any discomfort after frequently using the X-ray ability. It's all thanks to you." Hua Yan kissed the dragon and phoenix jade pendant happily and continued to inspect other raw materials. Previously, she couldn't use the X-ray ability for long, so she only sensed whether there was jade aura in the raw materials bought from Myanmar. She didn't know their internal condition. Today was the perfect time to examine them carefully.

When Hua's father and Hu Li returned and asked Nanny Chang where Hua Yan was, they learned she was in the basement again. Hua's father smiled and said, "Xiaoyan wants to add a few innovative jadeite jewelry pieces to Muyun Pavilion. She's been busy with this for the past few days."

"She indeed has a remarkable talent for jadeite raw materials."

"Yes, I have to admit that about the girl... Actually, to make excellent dishes, you need to handle the ingredients yourself."

"Your insight is unique."

"That girl's ideas are even more unique. Alright, let's get started."

Hua's father was cleaning the fish while keeping an eye on Hu Li chopping vegetables. He handled the knife with skill, fingers bent, slicing swiftly and evenly on the peeled potatoes. In no time, the whole potato was turned into thin slices. "Not bad, young man."

"Thank you for your compliment. But I think your fish slicing skills are even more impressive, quick and precise!"

Hu Li laughed heartily, "If you want, you can become like this too. See the scars on my hand? They are the price I've paid."

"The road is long and arduous," Hu Li said seriously, making Hua's father laugh. Hua's father said happily, "Yes, your words are very accurate."

The two men laughed together. At this time, Nanny Chang, who was watching the shop on the first floor, came up hurriedly.

"Master, a Mr. Shangguan Ning is downstairs. Should I invite him up?"

Hua's father glanced at Hu Li and said, "Let him come up."

Hu Li's face remained calm, but he disliked Shangguan Ning. It was his first time visiting Hua's father, yet Shangguan Ning showed up too. Shangguan Ning soon arrived, holding a bouquet of fresh red roses. Hua's father invited Shangguan Ning to sit, and Hu Li smiled, taking the flowers from him and putting them in a vase. He served tea and snacks, going through the motions of hospitality smoothly.

His familiar actions and domestic demeanor made him seem like a part of the family. Hua's father noticed everything but said nothing.

However, Shangguan Ning felt uneasy. Hu Li was a strong rival in his affections. Originally confident, he now felt less assured after seeing Hu Li. "So Mr. Hu is here too. It seems I run into you everywhere. May I know what you do for a living?"

"I'll hold a press conference in a few days. You'll get a more comprehensive understanding then." Hu Li wiped his hands on his apron and said to Hua's father and Shangguan Ning, "You two chat, I'll get back to the kitchen."

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Hua's father nodded, and Shangguan Ning, both surprised and impressed, watched a man go into the kitchen, a scene he had never imagined. "Is Xiaoyan not home today?"

"She is. She's in the basement organizing some things. If you have something important, you can ask Nanny Chang to call her up."

"No, I was just passing by. I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave." Shangguan Ning smiled. With Hu Li here, he decided to find another opportunity to see Hua Yan.

Hua's father smiled and didn't urge him to stay, seeing him out. As they walked, Shangguan Ning couldn't help but ask, "Is Mr. Hu a relative of yours?"

Hua's father smiled and said, "No, he's not a relative."

Shangguan Ning paused and said, "To be honest, I investigated Mr. Hu but found nothing. His background seems very deep."

"Thank you for the heads-up. Please visit often," Hua's father replied. He had guessed that Hu Li was not ordinary, but it was surprising that even someone with Shangguan Ning's background couldn't find out anything about Hu Li. It was fortunate that Hua's father learned this after having some interaction with Hu Li; otherwise, he might have been resistant or distrustful of him.

Hua's father understood this himself but entered the kitchen quite angrily, saying to Hu Li, "If you marry Xiaoyan, you must live in Haibin City."

Hu Li, who was frying potato chips, was stunned by Hua's father's sudden words. He looked at the angry Hua's father in confusion and quickly nodded and promised, "Yes, absolutely."

"That's more like it." With a sigh of relief, Hua's father began grilling fish slices. Hu Li, noticing that Hua's father was no longer angry, attributed his earlier reaction to Shangguan Ning. He disliked Shangguan Ning even more now.

"Be sure to remove that black intestine along the shrimp's spine, or the shrimp will taste muddy. Yes, just like that, gently pull it out, and it will be clean. Good job, young man!"

"For boiled shrimp, just enough water to cover a joint of the shrimp is enough?"

"That's right. Not too much or too little water. This way, the shrimp will be fragrant and tender, with a chewy texture and juicy taste. Xiaoyan loves shrimp cooked this way."

When Hua Yan finished organizing the jadeite raw materials for Lao Yang to cut, she went upstairs and passed by the kitchen. She saw Hu Li carefully tasting the soup with a ladle. After tasting it himself, he served a ladle to Hua's father, who nodded in approval and patted Hu Li's shoulder in praise. Hu Li's expression at that moment was like a kindergarten child receiving a gold star, cute and endearing.

Hua Yan took out her phone and quickly captured Hu Li's expression. She then tiptoed away, not disturbing the two men seriously cooking, and went to her bedroom to shower.

While she was drying her hair, Hu Li suddenly knocked and entered. He took the towel from her and gently helped dry her wet hair. Hua Yan sat back in the chair, enjoying it, and began calling Lao Yang. "Hey, Lao Yang, are you in Haibin City now?"

"You finally remembered to call me. When are you going to pick up your first-class merit medal? You didn't come when it was awarded, and now that I've brought it back for you, you're not in a hurry to take it. Others are eagerly waiting for such a medal, but you don't seem to care. I mean..."

"Stop! Lao Yang, I just asked you one question, and you rambled on. In my mind, you're still a young and handsome guy, but now I'm wondering if you're going through menopause. That medal isn't going anywhere. Why should I be in a rush? Or are you just jealous of me?"

"You little rascal, be careful you won't find a husband with that sharp tongue."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but..."

"Oh? So, you have a boyfriend already? Who is it? Tell me. You know, even your love life needs organizational approval."

"Please, old Joe said I was free to do whatever besides tasks. You're just pretending to be a big shot. But I'll let you meet him when there's a chance."

Lao Yang laughed heartily, "That sounds more like it. I care so much for you, after all."

"So, are you in Haibin City now?"

"Of course, we won big this time, and I've left the rest to Old Joe to handle. Right now, I'm sipping tea in a rocking chair, looking after my little jade shop."

"That's perfect. Tomorrow, help me cut some raw materials," Hua Yan said happily.

"I knew it. You never call unless you need something... Alright, I'll cut them tomorrow. Bring some good ones and let me see something impressive."

"Deal. We're having a feast at home. Do you want to come?"

"I'd rather not. My life is important."

After hanging up, Hu Li curiously asked Hua Yan, "Why does it seem like he wants to come but is afraid to?"

"Because my dad is Lao Yang's nemesis. My dad always finds him annoying and glares at him whenever they meet."

"I see," Hu Li said while gently running his fingers through Hua Yan's hair. "You know Cheng Yunqi was released, right?"

"Oh? Who has such power? I heard from Lao Yang that this matter is very serious, and even central leaders are cautious about it."

Hu Li pondered for a moment and said, "It's unclear at the moment. The other party seems very powerful."

"Tigers lurking in hidden places. It seems the Cheng family's fortunes aren't over yet."

"I know you don't want me to help you deal with the Cheng family, but I believe you can achieve your goal on your own. The younger generation of the Cheng family is too impulsive, and their mistakes will keep appearing."

"Yes, you're right. But could it be Shangguan Ning who helped Cheng Yunqi?"

"No, Shangguan Ning only visited Cheng Yunqi once under the supervision of the guards. He didn't do anything to help her."

"This guy is pretty heartless."

"Actually, he's quite loyal and righteous."

Hua Yan turned to Hu Li and said, "Aren't you at odds with him? Why are you speaking up for him now?"

"I'm just stating the facts. There's no need to hide it. Of course, I still dislike him. As long as he doesn't give up on you, I won't be able to stand him."