Reborn with the ability to read minds, I became a heartthrob.

Although it's unclear what Zhou Liwan meant by those words, it's evident that she didn't have any good feelings towards Chen Jinghuai.

Shen Nanzhou was relieved and said with a smile, "Let's go, I'll take you to eat first."

Zhou Liwan smiled sweetly, exuding a carefree and relaxed vibe: "Okay."

Shen Nanzhou took Zhou Liwan to a private restaurant serving Jiangnan cuisine. The interior decoration was very characteristic of the Jiangnan water towns, with a layout resembling four waterways returning to the hall, and numerous decorations in elegant colors.

After sitting down, it really did feel like dining in a water town.

Zhou Liwan looked around with curiosity: "I didn't expect my uncle to bring me to eat Jiangnan cuisine. I don't think you've ever been there before, so why do you like such light flavors?"

Shen Nanzhou lowered his eyes and slowly washed the two's tableware with boiling water, his voice gentle and soft: "My birth mother is from Jiangnan, I think it's probably a genetic trait."

Zhou Liwan paused awkwardly, unsure of what to say for a moment. She could only take her bowl and plate and change the subject: "Thank you, Uncle. You're so thoughtful. Whoever marries you will be very happy."

Shen Nanzhou smiled and said, "Is that so? I just wonder which family will marry their daughter to me."

The somewhat pessimistic tone made Zhou Liwan's heart ache, and she immediately comforted him, "There aren't many men as outstanding as your uncle who are good enough for you, but we are outstanding, so we can take our time to choose."

Shen Nanzhou chuckled lightly: "Okay, then I'll take my time choosing. But you absolutely cannot go to Chen Jinghuai's birthday party!"

Zhou Liwan lowered her head, feeling a headache coming on, and brushed it off.

That evening, Zhou Liwan went to Zhou Jianguo's study, pretending to have already reflected on her actions, and said with remorse, "Father, I was too impulsive before, and I must have hurt my sister's feelings. I'm off tomorrow and I'm going to make something to eat. Why don't you invite my sister to the villa?"

Zhou Jianguo took off his glasses, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he was satisfied with the harmony of his family.

He immediately nodded: "That's good, it's kind of you to think of that, I'll make the arrangements."

Zhou Liwan nodded shyly, then said softly, "Then I won't disturb Father's work any longer. I'll go back and rest first."

Zhou Jianguo nodded and raised his hand in acknowledgment.

Even after Zhou Liwan lay down on the bed, the corners of her mouth remained turned up. Zhou Qingya, Zhou Qingya.

You're trying to get back at me, aren't you? I'd like to know how you'll react when your wish is thwarted.

The next morning, Zhou Liwan was busy in the kitchen.

Although the Zhou family has a nanny, Zhou Liwan often enjoys making some desserts herself, and she really enjoys the process.

When Zhou Qingya arrived, Zhou Liwan immediately put down what she was doing and went to greet her: "Sister, you're here. Come on, have a seat. Don't be shy, make yourself at home. Don't be reserved."

On the surface, he was very polite, but what he said made Zhou Qingya grit her teeth. However, Zhou Jianguo was drinking tea and reading the newspaper not far away, so she couldn't lose her temper.

She could only force a stiff smile and reply, "I will, thank you, sister."

Zhou Liwan pulled Zhou Qingya to sit on the sofa: "Sit here for a while, my freshly baked cookies will be ready soon, just wait a little longer."

After saying that, she hurriedly ran back to the kitchen, the air filled with the strong aroma of butter.

The maids were cleaning the house in an orderly manner, and Zhou Qingya slowly relaxed in the quiet atmosphere.

Soon, they discovered that the girl's bag, which she hadn't casually tossed aside, contained a white invitation card with the words "Chen Jinghuai's Birthday Banquet" clearly written on it.

Zhou Qingya's heart pounded with excitement. She swallowed hard, then looked around to make sure no one was watching her.

He quickly stuffed the invitation into his bag.

After everything happened last night, she made sure again that no one had seen her actions before she slowly felt relieved.

Feeling guilty, Zhou Qingya politely rolled up her sleeves and headed towards the kitchen: "Sister, is there anything I can help you with?"

I hope she won't immediately notice I took the invitation. I'd better just stick close to her to avoid living in constant fear.

Zhou Liwan's smile grew wider and wider.

I didn't expect the other party to take the bait so quickly. They were incredibly stupid, eagerly digging their own grave.

Zhou Liwan pretended not to know anything. "Ding!" The oven made a sound.

She immediately put on thick gloves and exclaimed "Wow!" as she pulled out the cutely shaped cookies from inside.

A wave of sweet heat washed over her, instantly immersing her in a world of bliss.

After arranging the dishes, Zhou Liwan took them to Zhou Jianguo to try first, and then asked the servants to brew several cups of strong tea.

The morning tea time was one of the few times that the Zhou family had enjoyed harmony in recent years.

Zhou Jianguo put away the newspaper, picked up his teacup, and sipped it carefully before pretending to be the patriarch: "I sent your grandmother back to her hometown to recuperate a few days ago, and it's been several months now. Plus, your grandfather will be back from abroad soon, so she'll be coming back too."

Zhou Liwan's eyes, lowered as she drank her tea, were pitch black and utterly devoid of any emotion.

The atmosphere in the garden suddenly became much quieter. Finally, he slowly spoke up: "Since Father has made the decision, then make the arrangements. There's no need to consult me."

Zhou Jianguo put down his teacup and sneered, "This isn't a discussion, it's just an announcement. I'm still the head of this household."

He didn't say anything more blunt. She had been living a somewhat confused life for a while, but he still felt it was necessary to remind her.

Ultimately, he's the one who calls the shots in this family.

Zhou Liwan ultimately said nothing, but the contempt and disdain in her eyes were already impossible to hide.

Zhou Qingya, who was standing to the side, had already noticed something amiss and was about to burst into hiding her schadenfreude.

This trip to the villa was quite fruitful. First, I successfully obtained the invitation from the Chen family, and second, I witnessed Zhou Liwan getting the short end of the stick.

This is absolutely gratifying.

Zhou Qingya ate a cookie and looked at Zhou Liwan: "Sister's cookies are really delicious. I bet Grandma will miss your cooking when she comes back."

Zhou Liwan lowered her eyes and smiled, saying slowly, "Yes, maybe Grandma will like it."

The meaningless gathering quickly came to an end, and Zhou Liwan returned to her room with a cold face and dialed Yao Ruofu's number.

The call was answered quickly: "You still remember me? I thought you'd forgotten me since you hadn't called me in so long."

Hearing the sweet voice on the other end, the knot in my heart finally untied a little: "Isn't this me personally calling to confess my sins?"

"Hmph, who knows if you've come to me with any good news!"

Zhou Liwan deliberately used a pretentious tone to whet the other person's appetite: "I was originally planning to take you to see a good show, but since you miss me so much, then forget it, hmph."

Yao Ruofu immediately fawned and admitted her weakness: "Oh, you've misunderstood me. How could I be such a heartless person? You've really misunderstood."

Zhou Liwan said with amusement, "Really?"

The person on the other end quickly replied, "Of course! Tell me quickly, what's the good show?"

Zhou Liwan said, "Come with me to the Chen family on Tuesday for Chen Jinghuai's birthday banquet. You'll see the show then, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"