Mr. Wang realized it was impossible to bring the dog home, so he reluctantly tied its leash to a tree in the yard.

Yu Antong saw the dog's deep blue eyes, looking adorably silly, and couldn't help but pat its head.

The meal was prepared by Yu Antong, hence the strongest scent lingered on him. The Husky wagged and swished its tail around him, almost as if it were a propeller in its excitement.

"It's so adorable." Yu Antong asked Mrs. Wang, "What's its name?"

Mrs. Wang, somewhat regretting her casual naming choice, hesitated, "Its name is... Wang Yingjun."

Yu Antong, trying to suppress his laughter, said with shaking shoulders, "He certainly is handsome," if not for its face twisted by the aroma of meat, eyes wide and mouth open, just like a meme.

Observing its intense craving, Yu Antong stood up, "Let me get some meat to feed it."

"No, no, no!" Mrs. Wang stopped him, "Dogs shouldn't consume salt."

Yu Antong replied, "Is that so? I've never had a dog, so I wasn't aware."

Mr. Wang said, "I'll go home and fetch its dog food."

Mr. Wang was swift and returned to the Xing household shortly. However, Wang Yingjun showed no interest in the food, not even sparing it a glance.

"It's okay; I have a solution," Mrs. Wang said, "May I use your kitchen?"

Mrs. Xing said, "Go ahead."

The two families, being close neighbors, shared a harmonious relationship, so formalities were seldom observed.

Mrs. Wang placed two slices of meat into an empty bowl, rinsed off the sauce in the kitchen, chopped them up finely, and mixed them into Wang Yingjun's dog food.

Yu Antong: "..."

Just two pieces of meat, blended into a big bowl of dog food, it was hardly noticeable. The dog would have to be pretty gullible to fall for it...

"Crunch, munch." Wang Yingjun buried its face deep into the food bowl, gobbling it all up.

Well, it seems the dog is truly naive.

The group went inside to dine, with Yu Antong occasionally glancing out the window.

Xing Lixuan said, "If you like dogs, should we get one too?"

Yu Antong quickly shook his head, "No, no. I'm not sure I could take care of it properly."

Owning a pet is a responsibility. You can't just get one for the novelty or entertainment. If we really decide to have one, we can discuss it in six months.

Xing Lixuan: "Let's enjoy the meal then."

The chicken stewed in a traditional pot over high heat is incomparably tender, not at all dry. The potatoes served alongside have become soft and mushy, having absorbed the rich essence of the meat and sauce.

When eating pot chicken, how could one resist scraping the pot's bottom? The lower half of the flatbread is dipped in the pot's sauce, blending the flavors of both the bread and the dish. The upper half, crisped against the pot, retains the unique dry aroma of baked bread. No matter how much you eat, it's never enough.

Then there's the steaming pork stew with glass noodles. A bite of those translucent noodles soaked in the broth feels chewy and smooth. Occasionally, you get a piece of perfectly stewed pork belly. This fat and lean meat trembles slightly when picked up with chopsticks. A gentle bite releases a burst of meaty juice, leaving one feeling utterly content.

Rich oils and vibrant sauces: the pinnacle of culinary delight.

Accompanied by a few plates of refreshing stir-fried vegetables, everyone's chopsticks moved rapidly, making the meal an enjoyable occasion for all.

During the post-meal conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Wang couldn't stop praising Yu Antong's culinary skills. Mrs. Wang joked about wanting to be his disciple and learn from him, while Mr. Wang inquired if Yu Antong planned to open a restaurant, offering to invest.

Yu Antong chuckled, mentioning he had recently opened three establishments, "You're welcome to visit anytime."

Mrs. Wang playfully elbowed her husband, "With Mr. Xing around, there's no need for your investment."

"Haha, true that!"

Through the conversation, they found out that Mr. Wang manages a large chain of supermarkets. Yu Antong remarked, "We might collaborate in the future."

Intrigued, Mr. Wang asked, "How so?"

Yu Antong explained, "I'm planning to launch my brand, focusing mainly on homemade condiments. Perhaps my products will end up on the shelves of your supermarkets."

He had recently purchased a food processing plant which had been idle. Lately, he had been experimenting with a chili sauce, planning to produce it in bulk as his first product.

Mr. Wang enthusiastically responded, "That sounds promising! Every household uses condiments. Given your culinary expertise, I'm certain your product will be a hit. When it's out, I'll be the first to distribute it."

"Thank you in advance, Mr. Wang," Yu Antong replied, "I've got some samples of the chili sauce I made. I'll give you a few jars to take home."

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"Thank you so much!"

After bidding farewell to the Wang couple, Xing Lixuan and Yu Antong headed back to their city residence. Balancing work and school, it was more convenient than staying in the old house.

Recently, Yu Antong and Grandma Xing had become quite close. As they departed, the old lady fondly said, "Come back next weekend, alright?"

Yu Antong boarded the car, holding a parcel. Seeing this, Xing Lixuan inquired, "What's that?"

"A secret," Yu Antong replied protectively with a teasing tone, "But it's something good."

Xing Lixuan snorted dismissively, choosing not to probe further.

Before bed, Xing Lixuan never missed his gym session. After half an hour, he reduced the treadmill's speed while wiping sweat from his face.

Strange, why is it so quiet today?

Xing Lixuan had grown accustomed to Yu Antong either teasing him during his workouts or laying out a yoga mat, stretching into various extravagant poses. But today, as his session neared its end, there was no sign of Yu Antong.

Wondering what mischief he's about to make now.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. As Xing Lixuan thought of Yu Antong, the door to the gym was pushed open.

A beauty with raven-black hair done up and adorned in a crimson robe gracefully entered.

Yu Antong wore a fiery red dress that ended at the chest, with a sheer shawl draped over him that fell low enough to expose his shoulders. The dress trailed on the floor but was stylishly cut high on one side, revealing glimpses of his porcelain legs as he moved.

Yu Antong had applied makeup and wore a wig. A gilded hairpin with flowing beads decorated his hair, swaying with each step. A fire-red lotus motif graced the center of his forehead, and his upturned eyes were traced with scarlet, his lips a tantalizing shade. He was enchantingly beautiful.

Twirling around, Yu Antong playfully inquired, “Do you find me beautiful, good sir?”

Xing Lixuan nearly stumbled off the treadmill, exclaiming, “What on earth are you up to?”

“It's a costume for a performance,” Yu Antong clarified. “Our school is holding a cultural festival, and our class is presenting a gender-reversed version of 'Journey to the West'."

Switching off the treadmill, Xing Lixuan intoned, “So, which demon or monster are you playing?”

“So annoying!” Yu Antong playfully scolded, “I'm playing the Queen of the Women's Kingdom!”

A smirk tugged at Xing Lixuan's lips: “You'd make a better Scorpion Demon.”

What Queen of the Women's Kingdom could be more bewitching and seductive than this?

This wasn’t actually the costume for the Queen. Yu Antong had decided to order his own costume online, unsatisfied with the quality of the provided school props.

Surprisingly, the online store not only had a wide variety but also recommended a range of alluring, shoulder-revealing demoness outfits.

Imagining himself teasing Xing Lixuan in such an attire was simply thrilling. He promptly made the purchase!

The quality of the attire justified its premium price. The seller thoughtfully included makeup and a wig similar to the model's, and even offered silicone padding for the more adventurous.

"So, you have a thing for femme fatales?" Yu Antong teased, intentionally misinterpreting Xing Lixuan's earlier comment as he snuggled against him, cooing sweetly.

“Big brother~”

Hiding half his face with a sleeve, his eyes sparkled mischievously, lashes fluttering, exuding innocence and allure.

Truly, with brows like distant mountains and eyes as captivating as rippling water.

Xing Lixuan's throat tightened. He pulled Yu Antong close, lifting him slightly so their bodies pressed together.

“Ah! Brother~” Yu Antong exclaimed, feigning shock and then closing his eyes in anticipation of a kiss.

Xing Lixuan's gaze was intense, hungrily taking in every inch of Yu Antong, fixated, yet not making the next move.

Sensing the tension, Yu Antong met Xing Lixuan's deep, inky eyes that seemed to be drawing him into an abyss.

His heart skipped a beat, jestingly he teased, “Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me?”

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