dognovel Chapter 37 You'll just have to wait and coax people.
Chapter 37 You'll just have to wait and coax people.
When Zheng Daoxun pushed open the door, he heard the sound of running water coming from the direction of the room.
Huang Lizhi was standing in front of the sink, wearing his black apron with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and washing lettuce leaves one by one.
She noticed the noise at the door, her wet hand unconsciously tugging at a stray hair by her ear, and whispered, "Oppa, you're back?"
Zheng Daoxun responded, changed into slippers and went inside. He immediately noticed the pile of opened snack wrappers on the coffee table, and only then did he look at Ya Xian, who was sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed and her eyes glued to the TV.
Ya Xian didn't even greet him. She glanced at the entrance with her peripheral vision, then quickly looked away, as if Zheng Daoxun didn't exist.
Zheng Daoxun probably knew what she was angry about. Before he could enjoy a few days of peace and quiet, he started bringing his female colleague and her sister home.
He wisely refrained from provoking her and placed the wine he was carrying on the dining table.
Huang Lizhi put the washed lettuce into the drain basket, gestured towards the sofa with his chin, and said in a low voice, "Ya Xian was nagging for a while, saying that you brought a stranger home without discussing it with her beforehand."
Jung Do-hoon took the apron from Hwang Ye-ji and gave a helpless smirk:
"I hadn't originally planned to invite her, but she insisted on bringing her sister to meet Ya-Hsien."
After reading the message from Jung Do-hoon, Hwang Ye-ji knew about Bang Ji-min's background and could understand Bang Ji-soo's anxiety as a close friend. So, he just glanced at Ya-hyun with a hint of helplessness:
"After all, Ya-Hsien is still young, it's normal for her to be immature..."
"It's not exactly small anymore... Yeji."
"Um?"
"Ya-Xian has injured her foot recently and can't exercise. Try to buy her fewer snacks, otherwise she'll have trouble controlling her weight."
Huang Lizhi shrugged innocently. She hadn't actually bought much; it was just that Ya Xian ate too much and finished three days' worth in one day.
Of course, there might also be an element of anger he felt towards Jung Do-hoon, which led him to eat snacks to vent his frustration.
It's often said that teamwork makes the dream work, and this is certainly true in the kitchen.
Jung Do-hoon was in charge of cooking, while Hwang Ye-ji assisted him by handing him plates, washing side dishes, and adjusting the heat.
However, Hwang Ye-ji still had a strange feeling—Jung Do-hoon seemed to be very used to ordering Hwang Ye-ji around when cooking. Did he know her too well?
It's hard to say whether this feeling is good or bad. Being understood is certainly a good thing, but...
It's too natural, which makes it seem a little strange.
Although Ya-Hsien insisted on eating hot pot to make those two from Busan suffer from the spiciness, Hwang Li-Ji thankfully remained sober.
She sent Jung Do-hoon a message asking for a recipe, and Jung Do-hoon replied with a list, which Hwang Ye-ji then bought.
In his previous life, when Zheng Daoxun was stationed in many countries, foreign communication was a basic professional skill, but his mastery of local cuisines was also a skill he was proud of.
Many complex negotiations can only progress to a certain point at the formal meeting table, and the final consensus is often reached over dinner parties.
This is his work habit, and it can be considered a kind of soft power for him as a diplomat.
When the Fang sisters arrived, the aroma from the kitchen had already filled the entire living room.
The doorbell rang three times.
"I'll open it." Huang Lizhi wiped his hands, walked to the entrance, and opened the door.
Two women stood at the door, both tall with oval faces and delicate features.
The younger one looked timid, with her shoulders hunched, wearing a loose black T-shirt and her hair casually tied in a low ponytail; while her older sister was much calmer, carrying a bottle of red wine.
Fang Zhixiu glanced at the woman who opened the door and paused for a moment.
She recognized the face—it was Hwang Li-chi from ITZY, a true senior to Fang Zhi-wen.
Fang Zhixiu subconsciously took half a step back and looked up at the house number.
"Section Chief Fang, you've come to the right place." Zheng Daoxun's voice came from inside the house. He came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly roasted meat, nodded towards the door, and said, "Come in, don't stand in the doorway."
Fang Zhixiu tugged at her sister's wrist, and the two changed into slippers and came in.
Fang Zhiwen followed behind her, head down, and greeted Zheng Daoxun and Huang Lizhi in a soft voice, her gaze lingering on the sofa.
Zheng Yaxian ignored the two of them, and simply watched TV while hugging a pillow and crossing her injured leg.
Actually, Fang Zhiwen isn't particularly shy—if she's just having dinner with her friend's colleagues, she'll quietly be a good girl.
But Unnie said that her colleague's younger sister is Jung Ah-hyun, the winner of YG's Babymonster competition, who will debut this year.
Zheng Yaxian's completely unfriendly attitude put Fang Zhiwen under a lot of pressure.
"Go and chat with Ya-Hsien. You're about the same age, so you should have things in common."
Fang Zhiwen was urged by her close friend to go inside, but her steps became increasingly heavy.
Jung Do-hoon peeked out from the kitchen and saw Fang Zhimin standing there, clutching the hem of her black T-shirt with both hands, unsure of where to look.
Ah, he knew Ya Xian wouldn't give the guests a good look.
Jung Do-hoon specially came out and said gently to Fang Zhi-wen:
"Chi-min, just make yourself at home. Don't feel awkward."
Upon hearing this, the girl on the sofa perked up her ears alertly.
"Inside……"
How could I possibly treat this place like my own home? Fang Zhiwen bit her lip and, under everyone's gaze, slowly moved to Ya Xian's side, timidly sitting on the armrest of the sofa: "Hello, Ya Xian..."
Ya Xian hugged the cushion, shifted her gaze from the TV screen, and glanced at Fang Zhiwen without making a sound.
"Hello..." The voice was weak.
She originally planned to ignore Fang Zhiwen, but then she thought that if she kept a cold face the whole time, how could she turn around and throw a tantrum or act cute towards Zheng Daoxun?
After all, she's her colleague's younger sister, so she should be more sensible.
As for some scores, we'll settle them with Mr. Zheng later.
"Do you want some potato chips? Yeji unnie bought them."
Fang Zhixiu helped bring out the last dish from the kitchen and noticed the two girls chatting slowly on the sofa, which brought her some comfort.
Ya-Hsien must have many tricks up her sleeve to debut as number one. Even if my younger sister learns just one or two of them, it will be beneficial.
But Huang Lizhi, standing beside her, looked somewhat worried.
This is so unusual. Ya Xian's attitude has completely changed. I wonder what big move she's planning.
Hopefully... everything will be alright for Zheng Daoxun tonight. I guess after he sees the outsiders off, he'll have to think about how to comfort his sister.
Forget it, never mind... Anyway... all she has to do is be "one of us," help with everything from entertaining the Fang sisters to creating a festive atmosphere. In her opinion, she has at least successfully completed this task.
As for Jung Do-hoon, good luck to you!
Hwang Ye-ji looked at Jung Do-hoon, who was washing his hands in the kitchen, and silently prayed for him for a moment, then said nothing more.
Meanwhile, in a villa two blocks away, Bae Soo-ji absentmindedly finished her dinner and turned on her phone.
Why hasn't he replied yet...?
"Dad, I'll take Dezy for a walk today. It's been a long time since I took him out for a walk."