The Overnight Chosen Wife: Darling, Kiss Me Deeper

Luna's gaze met with Ruby's, and the former smiled. "Are you puzzled? I looked you up." 

Ruby frowned. Why did these sisters like looking her up? Even so, she didn't want to create trouble for herself so she shut her mouth. 

Knowing what she was thinking, Luna explained, "That was long ago, when I realized that you were trying to get close to my sister despite being Ji Feifei's friend. Of course, I'm not going to let people of questionable character near my sister." 

Lanni shot a look at her sister. "Enough, Luna. It's a joyous occasion." Although what she was saying was right, Ruby must be feeling awkward so everything they said might sound like they were reprimanding her. 

"Fine, fine. Let's go to the kitchen then." 

"I'll go on your behalf." Xingyu immediately offered. Before anyone could call him out for being unfair, he pointed out, "My wife cannot handle such dangerous things as fire and knives in her condition. Please excuse us." 

The other men could only bite their tongues, wishing they could substitute their women. 

As they racked their brains for excuses, Xiehan beat them to it. "Excuse me, my girlfriend is delicate, so I will substitute her." 

Lanni smiled sweetly. 

Everyone was speechless. 

"What kind of excuse is that?!" Xingyu had no words to describe his friend's excuse. Could it be that there was no better excuse so he resorted to using this? 

Just as they racked their brains for words to use to rebut him, Lin Jian spoke up and declared, "Ruby can't go to the kitchen. She is so precious, who will bear the blame if she got injured? Neil Chan will kick my butt." 

He pretended to be pitiful and Ruby looked at him gratefully. She wouldn't have to make a fool out of herself anymore. But did Lin Jian know how to cook? 

" Well…" Cedric started.

"Don't you dare!" Cheng Yu stared him down before he could get another word out. Substitute her? Was he trying to embarrass her?! 

The whole room roared in laughter. 

Cedric remained silent, inwardly sobbing on his own after being shouted at. 

In the end, Xiehan, Cheng Yu, Xingyu and Lin Jian made their way to the kitchen. The others were curious, so they followed them, using "cheering their partners on" as an excuse. They stood to one side and watched as the contestants decided what to cook. 

After a long battle of thoughts, Xingyu decided to deep fry chicken thighs, Cheng Yu chose to cook what she was best at, sweet and sour pork ribs, while Xiehan chose to cook mushroom pasta, and the remaining meat dishes. 

"Let Lin Jian cook the vegetables." Cheng Yu said, kindly choosing the easiest option for him. 

Lin Jian looked at him gratefully and rolled up his sleeves. "I got this!" 

Even so, Lanni giggled at the side. Could he really do it? 

Cedric thought he had been spared until Xingyu jeered at him. "Are you going to sit aside with the women and let your princess cook?" 

Cheng Yu tilted her head and glared at him. "Shut up. How does that concern you?" 

"I'm just saying!" Xingyu shrugged innocently. 

Cheng Yu shot him a warning look. Despite his feigned innocence, she knew what he was thinking. He must know that she was good in the kitchen so what he said was his lame attempt at eliminating a competitor. Ignoring him, she picked up an apron from the stack that had been brought over by the housekeeper, then draped it over her dress. Tying her hair into a bun, she washed her hands and started preparing the ingredients. 

… 

One hour later. 

It was finally time to decide the winner. All the bystanders were to have a taste of all the dishes then vote for the person they thought cooked the best dish. 

Lanni went first. She deliberately tasted everything else first before tasting Xiehan's mushroom pasta as the finale. Her expression brightened up. "As expected! My baby is the best cook in the world." 

Xiehan proudly patted her shoulder. "I wouldn't disappoint you."

"What nonsense are you saying? Have you ever tasted fried chicken that's this delicious?" Luna immediately countered, having just taken a bite of Xingyu's dish. 

Lanni rolled her eyes at her. "What's so good about it? He used an air fryer!" Lanni called out the unfairness. 

"That's because I didn't want it to contain any extra oil. I don't need to spell out the reason, do I?" Xingyu looked over at Lanni smugly. 

While the two argued, Ruby spoke up after tasting Lin Jian's pickled radishes. "Obviously, my Jian is the winner." 

Lin Jian tensed up then hid his face to smile. He was overjoyed that someone had considered him the winner despite his lack of expertise in the kitchen, but what felt more special was what she had called him. 'My Jian', she said? 

Ruby seemed to have realized what she had just said and her face flushed crimson. She wanted to say something to redeem herself but knowing that it would only serve to further deepen the misunderstanding, she coughed and served herself more vegetables. 

Everyone who was preparing to pick on Lin Jian for doing nothing but stir-frying a few vegetables and bringing ready-made pickled vegetables onto the dining table, but they didn't dare to ruin the magical moment. 

Cedric frowned when he tasted everyone's cooking. "What's the point of this contest? Everyone knows that Yu cooks best." 

He was not wrong, there really was no point in the whole contest because for something as vague as cooking skills, everyone would choose their own partner as the winner out of love—and survival instinct. 

After enjoying their feast, everyone started feeling lazy. They had already been exhausted from having travelled from B City.

When she felt sleepy, Luna snuggled to Xingyu and fell asleep against his shoulder. 

With a doting smile, he took her in his arms gently. "My wife is sleepy, so we will make a move first. Excuse us." 

"Go, go. Don't flaunt your love to us now." Cheng Yu pressed a hand against her chest like her single soul had been wounded. 

When she saw her friend's reaction, Lanni turned her head from the game she was playing on her phone and looked at Cedric, then Cheng Yu. "Why would you still be acting like a single girl when there is a man right beside you, one who likes you?" 

Cheng Yu froze, then she turned aggressive as cracked her knuckles, shooting daggers in Lanni's direction. "Come here! I promise I won't kill you!" 

"Xiehan, help!" Lanni climbed onto the couch that Xiehan was sitting on and clung to him like her life was in danger. 

The man, who was chatting casually with Lin Jian, held his girlfriend and glared daggers at Cheng Yu. 

The latter retreated mournfully. "Fine. You have someone to protect you, so you can tease me all you want." 

Lanni made a funny face at her and dunked into Xiehan's arms. 

At the side, Ruby watched what was happening with a listless smile. She was not jealous of Lanni for being doted on by Xiehan, but if only her brother could acknowledge her.. . Even if he didn't love her a tenth of how much he loved Lanni, she would be happy if they were on good terms. 

Xiehan felt her gaze on him and looked over. She smiled gently, then tapped Lin Jian and whispered something to him. 

Xiehan was thunderstruck. That smile… Why did it look like his mother's? 

As soon as the thought registered itself, he shook it off. It must be because of what Lanni teasingly said about him acting like a protective brother to Ruby, that he was now starting to have bizarre hallucinations. 

At that moment, Lanni rubbed her eyes and shifted in his arms. Knowing that she must be sleepy, he stood up and took her hand. "We will go up now." 

Cheng Yu knew that she would soon be left alone with Cedric so she fled. "I woke up early today so I have to catch on some sleep." 

Lanni, Xiehan, Ruby and Lin Jian all laughed at Cedric yet again. Just as he was looking forward to spending some alone time with her, she had taken flight even before his plan could come into action. 

… 

Xiehan put Lanni to sleep and was just about to join her when his phone rang. To avoid disturbing her sleep, he stepped out to pick the call at the mezzanine. 

He was just done speaking when the door beside the master bedroom opened. He looked over to see Ruby, wearing a long, silk nightgown. She smiled when she saw him. "Xiehan?" 

He looked at her, his expression unknowingly turning gentle. "You're not sleeping. Are you having trouble falling asleep in an unfamiliar room?" 

Ruby was stunned. This was the first time he was not ignoring her. Knowing that she would have wasted this chance if he walked out on her, she decided to go straight to the point. "I have something important to tell you." 

This was not the first time she was saying this, so Xiehan frowned slightly.. "Go ahead."