Chapter 26: From now on, you call the shots.
"Just because he likes spicy, should I accommodate him? I don't want to see such spicy dishes when I'm eating."
Song Jing, pointing at a bowl of spicy diced chicken, had a stormy expression in his eyes.
As Nan Yi approached, he was met with nothing more than a cold glance.
"Auntie, you may leave now."
The maid at the dining table was relatively new. Uncertain of the hierarchy, she didn't know whose orders to prioritize.
Even when Nan Yi told her to leave, she hesitated, casting a worried glance at Song Jing and remained still.
Nan Yi frowned at Song Jing's nonchalant demeanor at the table, feeling somewhat irritated.
"Don't worry, Auntie. You can leave. No one will blame you."
The maid remained apprehensive, but eventually stepped away from the dining area.
As she departed, Nan Yi noticed the unease on her face.
Nan Yi had been surrounded by a strong alpha pheromone. Song Jing, sitting next to him, snapped his chopsticks against his bowl, producing a harsh sound.
Nan Yi gave him a cold sidelong glance, continuing to pick at the dish of spicy chicken dices that seemed to irritate Song Jing.
"What are you showing off for? Sooner or later, Shen will grow tired of you."
Nan Yi continued to eat his chicken without acknowledging Song Jing.
Even if he could retort, he wouldn't bother arguing with Song Jing.
Coincidentally, Yan An and He Yu Shen entered together.
Yan An immediately called out to Song Jing upon seeing him.
"Little Jing, you started eating without waiting for me."
Song Jing momentarily stiffened at Nan Yi's disdainful look, but then responded with a bright smile.
Nan Yi disregarded him entirely.
Hypocrite.
"Brother Yan, you're here!" Song Jing exclaimed, rising to his feet.
Nan Yi glanced at the duo and then stood up, moving towards He Yu Shen.
The usually stoic alpha paused in surprise.
Had the omega become so audacious and direct, dropping the push-pull games?
He Yu Shen continued to gaze at Nan Yi with bewilderment.
He took out his phone, tapped a message, and then handed it over.
[Can we avoid spicy food on the dining table?]
"Hmm?" He Yu Shen's brow slightly furrowed.
Nan didn't want the aunt to feel bad just for making a dish for him.
Since Song Jing is acting so high and mighty, let the person he cares about most reject him then.
"There's no rule; if you want to eat it, ask the aunt to make it," He Yu Shen said, looking down at the well-behaved Nan Yi.
"Ah, Mr. Nan, let Brother Shen and Brother Yan eat first."
A hint of urgency flashed across Song Jing's face after hearing He Yu Shen's words.
"Oh, by the way, Brother Shen, since neither of us eat spicy food, I asked the aunt not to make it."
"But I didn't expect... Mr. Nan likes it, so there might be a slight misunderstanding."
Song Jing spoke a string of words in a row, he sure knows how to fabricate lies.
Nan Yi admired that he could lie without even blushing.
"It's alright; you didn't do it on purpose," Yan An said.
Nan Yi gave the two a cold glance.
Handing the phone back to He Yu Shen.
[No, Song Jing was scolding the aunt. Even after she explained that I love spicy food, he still blamed her for making this spicy chicken dish and said he never wanted to see spicy food again.]
He Yu Shen raised an eyebrow: "Really?"
The little one has learned to tattle.
Nan Yi tilted his head slightly up to look at him and nodded.
"You like spicy food?"
He Yu Shen drew out his words as he brushed past where Nan Yi sat.
Nan Yi: ............
Who asked you to show this! Do you only know these few words?
"Little sister-in-law likes spicy food? Considering your clear skin, doesn't eating spicy cause breakouts?"
Yan An sat across from He Yu Shen, wearing a playful smile as he looked at Nan Yi.
"Brother Shen said not to call her sister-in-law," Song Jing muttered discontentedly.
"He didn't correct it, did he?" Yan An glanced at the silent He Yu Shen, speaking dismissively.
Song Jing also looked over, seeing He Yu Shen remain silent and his gaze at Nan Yi showed a hint of displeasure.
Uninterested in their mundane conversation, Nan Yi once again extended his phone to He Yushen.
This time, the message bore a hint of impatience.
[Can we or can we not have spicy dishes in the future? Song Jing scolded the maid earlier. I believe she's innocent. No worker deserves such treatment, perhaps we should compensate her.]
This was the first time the omega had sought his intervention, a rare sight indeed.
"Whether we have it or not is up to you. I don't eat spicy food either. As for the maid, give her an extra month's salary."
He Yushen lazily responded after reading Nan Yi's message.
"And there's the matter of Song Jing." His gaze shifted slightly to Song Jing.
"What is it, Brother Shen?" Song Jing looked on with a feigned innocent expression.
"When I'm not around, Nan Yi has the final say in household matters. And don't be overly harsh with the maids in the future."
After He Yushen's words, Song Jing's smile became noticeably strained.
Satisfied, Nan Yi settled back into his seat, resuming his unfinished meal.
The dining table fell silent for a few moments.
Yan An glanced at a visibly irritated Song Jing and added a piece of meat to his bowl.
"Song Jing, you're turning twenty next week. What would you like as a birthday gift?"
Annoyed, Song Jing pushed the added meat to the side of his bowl, murmuring discontentedly, "Whatever."
"How about a day out on a yacht for your birthday?"
Yan An looked at Song Jing with doting eyes, a hint of barely concealed anticipation in them.
Song Jing's brow furrowed slightly. "No need. I've discussed with Brother Shen; we'll celebrate at home."
Yan An paused, glancing at Nan Yi, who was quietly eating, and hesitated to continue.
"I hope it won't disturb sister-in-law."
Yan An whispered.
Song Jing's chopsticks poked at the rice in his bowl, clearly displeased.
Nan Yi didn't even look up. It wasn't his mansion after all, but Song Jing's. It had nothing to do with him.
"As long as the party ends early, it's fine."
He Yushen, who had been mostly quiet, commented casually.
Fortunately, the meal was brief. After dining, Yan An joined He Yu Shen in the study, likely discussing work matters.
Nan Yi, on the other hand, went upstairs to continue his comic drawing.
Due to his recent heat period, he had not updated his comic in a while, and readers were starting to demand new content.
Even though the requests weren't numerous, Nan Yi was still delighted.
Disliking Song Jing, Nan Yi depicted him as an abstract villain in his comic.
So engrossed in his work and the rare surge of inspiration, Nan Yi lost track of time. When He Yu Shen entered the room, he was still fervently sketching away.
"A comic?"
The sudden voice from behind startled him, causing his heart to race.
"You not only enjoy comics but can draw them too?"
He Yu Shen's gaze shifted to the screen, landing on the villain's vivid green hair, holding back a chuckle.
Why did only this antagonist have such an eccentric style?
Regaining his senses, Nan Yi quickly covered the screen, relieved that He Yu Shen hadn't seen the short text or the character's name.
"It's getting late, get some sleep, or you might not wake up in time to make breakfast for me."
Not overly concerned, He Yu Shen headed to the bathroom.
Seizing the opportunity while He Yu Shen showered, Nan Yi hurriedly stowed away his things and feigned sleep in bed.