Chapter 107: Celebrity Anchor Invitational Tournament

“Forget it, I won’t ask anymore!”

Seeing Yang Hao’s expression, Ling Xue’er realized she wouldn’t get anything out of him and decided not to press further.

No longer curious, Ling Xue’er took the food box from his hands and gave him a sweet smile.

Yang Hao was preoccupied, his mind troubled, and not in the mood to appreciate Ling Xue’er’s cuteness at that moment.

Of course, Yang Hao was well aware that Ling Xue’er’s kindness toward him was entirely due to the delicious food she held.

For a foodie, nothing was more tempting than good food.

“Wait, Brother Huoyou, here—this is for you!”

Just as Yang Hao was about to leave, Ling Xue’er called out and handed him something.

Staring at the car keys in his hand, Yang Hao was momentarily stunned.

“Hehe, don’t you often go to the market and supermarket to buy things? Now that you have a car, it’ll be even more convenient for you,” Ling Xue’er explained with a playful smile, noticing his expression.

Glancing furtively behind her and seeing no sign of Lin Ziqin, Ling Xue’er lowered her voice in a whisper, “This is Sister Ziqi’s car, but the keys were given to me by Sister Ziqin to give to you. She didn’t want us to tell you, so you mustn’t say I told you, or I’d be in big trouble.”

“Got it!”

After a moment’s thought, Yang Hao understood Ling Xue’er’s meaning.

Suddenly, everything clicked.

If Lin Ziqin hadn’t been paying special attention to him, how else would she have known he took taxis every day? Why would she have specifically asked Ling Xue’er to deliver car keys to him?

It seemed Lin Ziqin’s anger was a facade; she was probably just shy. Usually reserved and rarely proactive, her sudden gesture that day must have been because she felt too embarrassed to face him directly.

With that thought, Yang Hao felt a surge of delight.

These past few days, Lin Ziqin had been avoiding him, which left him frustrated, but now, not only was he not upset, he felt a faint thrill.

“Well... Brother Huoyou, I’m telling you this in secret. I’m risking a lot here, you see...”

Still basking in his joy, Yang Hao heard Ling Xue’er’s words and immediately knew what she was thinking. Generously, he said, “Next time you want to eat something, just say it.”

Hearing that, Ling Xue’er’s face lit up with a radiant smile, unable to hide the joy, like a child who had just won a grand prize.

Seeing her like this, Yang Hao couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

He hadn’t expected this special agent Ling to be so diligent!

All the effort Yang Hao had put into “training” her wasn’t in vain—she was truly a promising talent.

Actually, “winning over” Ling Xue’er wasn’t difficult; it was like feeding a cat—just give her treats every day.

“Oh, Brother Huoyou, there’s one more thing.”

Just as a satisfied Yang Hao was about to leave, Ling Xue’er called him back.

Turning around, Yang Hao gave her a helpless glance and said, “Xiaoxue, can you just say everything at once?”

“It’s Sister Ziqin who asked me to inquire,” Ling Xue’er stuck out her tongue playfully, a little embarrassed.

The moment Lin Ziqin’s name was mentioned, Yang Hao’s expression changed noticeably. Ling Xue’er, noticing this obvious shift, felt a bit speechless.

If you’re going to treat me differently, can you at least not make it so obvious? It’s a blow to my pride.

Despite her silent complaint, Ling Xue’er obediently said, “Sister Ziqin wants to know if you’re free tomorrow afternoon.”

“Something going on?” Yang Hao asked, curious.

“Well, there’s an online Chicken Dinner tournament tomorrow afternoon, and Sister Ziqin will be participating,” Ling Xue’er replied.

“The celebrity streamer invitational?”

Yang Hao was taken aback. He knew about the event but didn’t expect Lin Ziqin to join.

He remembered that Lin Ziqin usually wasn’t interested in such things.

But then, as if a realization struck him, Yang Hao suddenly smiled knowingly.

So that was it!

Soon after, Yang Hao left feeling satisfied, while Ling Xue’er carried the food box inside.

“Sister Ziqin, dinner’s ready!”

Placing the dishes on the table, Ling Xue’er called upstairs.

Before long, Lin Ziqin, who had been hiding and avoiding being seen, came down.

As she descended the stairs, Lin Ziqin glanced toward the door, seeing that Yang Hao had already left, and quietly exhaled in relief.

Seeing this youthful side of Lin Ziqin, Lu Ziqi and Shen Muxi exchanged knowing smiles downstairs, while Ling Xue’er playfully stuck out her tongue.

At the dining table.

Ling Xue’er was savoring a piece of rib she had just put into her mouth, relishing the exquisite taste, her face glowing with satisfaction.

Such flavor—only a chef from a star-rated hotel could possibly create this.

If she didn’t know Yang Hao, she might have thought he had been a chef at a hotel before.

Compared to Ling Xue’er’s full focus on the food, Lin Ziqin seemed somewhat distracted. She picked up a slice of lotus root, and just as she put it into her bowl, she suddenly looked at Ling Xue’er and asked, “What did he say?”

Lin Ziqin’s sudden question caught Ling Xue’er and the others a bit off guard.

“What do you mean, what did he say?”

Still immersed in her enjoyment of the food, Ling Xue’er looked up, puzzled.

Lin Ziqin’s face stiffened, and her gaze fixed intently on Ling Xue’er.

“Oh, Brother Huoyou said he’s ready anytime,” Ling Xue’er finally caught on to what Lin Ziqin had asked.

Hearing this, Lin Ziqin quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Though she knew Yang Hao probably wouldn’t refuse, she worried that her recent coldness toward him might have upset him.

Reassured by Ling Xue’er’s confirmation, Lin Ziqin felt much more at ease.

Amid the tacit understanding shared by the other three, Lin Ziqin quietly ate, her mood clearly improved from before.

...

After returning home, Yang Hao immediately turned on his computer and found the page for the celebrity streamer invitational.

The moment he entered, a pop-up appeared inviting viewers to guess the “mystery guest.” Unsurprisingly, Lin Ziqin was likely among those mystery guests.

He had heard about the online Chicken Dinner tournament before but hadn’t paid much attention, thinking Lin Ziqin wouldn’t participate.

When the list of invited streamers was announced a few days ago, Yang Hao had glanced through it out of curiosity but hadn’t seen Lin Ziqin's name.

He never expected Lin Ziqin to be one of the so-called mystery guests, and the organizers only revealed this little piece of information the day before the competition.

If it weren’t for Ling Xue’er, Yang Hao might still be in the dark.

The suspense was so well-maintained that even Yang Hao had to admire the planners—they deserved a thumbs up.

However,

Yang Hao had no idea that Lin Ziqin had long received the invitation but hadn’t responded until just a couple of days ago when she suddenly accepted.

The organizers were both surprised and delighted by this.

If one looked closely, part of this was due to Yang Hao’s influence—otherwise, Lin Ziqin might never have agreed.

Perhaps even Yang Hao himself wouldn’t have guessed this.

After reading through the event details and rules, Yang Hao now had a comprehensive understanding of the upcoming invitational tomorrow.