Chapter 3: Conquering a Woman’s Heart Through Her Stomach

“Sister Zijin, he…”
Seeing Yang Hao leave in disappointment, the first to speak was actually Ling Xue’er, who had previously had the worst impression of him.
“Don’t mind him, it’s nothing!”
Lin Zijin glanced at Ling Xue’er, already knowing what she was about to say, but didn’t let her continue.
After speaking, Lin Zijin’s gaze lingered on Yang Hao’s back for two seconds, a flicker of inexplicable emotion passing through her eyes, before she closed the door.
Watching Lin Zijin close the door herself, the three who had wanted to say something immediately fell silent.
“Let’s go back and eat.”
Lin Zijin looked at the takeout pizza in Lu Ziqi’s hands and spoke calmly, as if nothing had happened.
The three glanced at each other silently and followed her back.
“Sister Zijin, that person just now…”
In the living room, Ling Xue’er picked up a slice of pizza, hesitating to speak.
Lin Zijin shot her a look and said directly, “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Ling Xue’er playfully stuck out her tongue, then gathered her courage and asked, “Was that person your little fiancé?”
Having asked, Ling Xue’er’s heart thumped nervously.
Meanwhile, Lu Ziqi and Shen Muxi, who were eating pizza, looked up, clearly curious as well.
If Yang Hao were here, he would definitely demand furiously, “Fiancé is fiancé, why add ‘little’? What’s little about him? Have you seen it? If not, don’t make things up, should I…”
Of course, Yang Hao could only think such things; he’d never dare say them in front of Lin Zijin.
Lin Zijin picked up her glass, took a sip of juice, swallowed her pizza, and then replied in a gentle voice, “A fool.”
“A fool?!”
Ling Xue’er and the others didn’t understand why Yang Hao was a fool in Lin Zijin’s eyes.
Nor did they know that as Lin Zijin uttered this judgment, she silently added in her heart, “So am I!”
Still, they sensed something beneath the surface.
Lin Zijin hadn’t denied it.
This realization instantly stoked the flames of gossip within them.
Previously, they vaguely knew Lin Zijin had a childhood fiancé, but hadn’t confirmed it; now, they were certain.
Once a woman’s curiosity is ignited, it’s hard to quench. They wanted to press further, but Lin Zijin’s look shut them down.
Lin Zijin was their captain, and they knew better than to pry into her privacy, so they wisely focused on their pizza.
Yang Hao’s appearance was just a passing episode for them.
They thought that was the end of it, but the next morning, Ling Xue’er saw Yang Hao upstairs again.
At first, she thought she was still groggy, seeing things.
But then, she saw him notice her and wave, startling her.
“Sister Zijin, this is bad, he’s here again.”
“Sister Ziqi, Sister Muxi…”
Ling Xue’er hurriedly drew the curtains and ran off to find Lin Zijin.
As for Yang Hao, who was waving at her, he was speechless.
Was it necessary to close the curtains just because he waved?
It’s not like she wasn’t dressed…
Yang Hao couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
“Thank you, masters. Sorry to trouble you all so early. I’ll give each of you a red envelope in a bit.”
Turning, Yang Hao smiled at the movers handling furniture and computers.
Hearing there’d be red envelopes, the workers were delighted and worked even harder.

Before long,
Lin Zijin, Lu Ziqi, and the others had gathered at Ling Xue’er’s call, peeking through a gap in the curtains, secretly watching Yang Hao’s actions.
“What’s he doing?” Lu Ziqi wondered.
Shen Muxi analyzed thoughtfully, “Looks like he’s moving in.”
“Seems it’s the house next to ours,” Ling Xue’er added.
With one comment each, the three deduced Yang Hao’s purpose.
Understanding his intent, they all turned their gaze—almost unconsciously—toward Lin Zijin, but then quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.
“No point worrying about him. Let’s go back to training.” Having understood the situation, Lin Zijin didn’t join in their idle speculation.
Regarding training, Ling Xue’er and the others didn’t dare slack off, so they quietly shuffled back.
Lin Zijin glanced again at Yang Hao, who was outside directing, her expression unchanged.
Two hours later,
Yang Hao looked at his new home with satisfaction.
Sitting in his living room, Yang Hao gazed forward—he could see Lin Zijin’s house. But seeing all the windows covered by curtains, his face darkened.
It’s broad daylight, not night. Was it necessary?
It’s not like there are bad people…
After setting up the furniture and computer, Yang Hao didn’t linger. He grabbed his phone and keys and left.
An hour later, Yang Hao returned; the fridge and kitchen were now stocked with fresh ingredients.
Cooking!
That was Yang Hao’s task for now.
Yang Hao remembered his mother once said, to win a woman’s heart, one must first win her stomach.
He found his mother’s advice very reasonable, so before college, he often followed her into the kitchen, guided by her encouragement.
What frustrated Yang Hao was that his mother’s wisdom didn’t seem to apply to herself, as his father never cooked or entered the kitchen.
The kitchen here was fully equipped; nothing needed to be added.
Soon, delicious aromas wafted from the kitchen, gradually spreading around.
Yang Hao’s new place was very close to Lin Zijin’s house, and the smell of his cooking naturally drifted over. The women next door, in the midst of training, noticed as well.
“Who’s cooking? It smells amazing!”
Ling Xue’er sniffed the air, touched her stomach with a bitter face, and whispered, “Sister Ziqi, I’m hungry.”
“Didn’t you just finish a box of chips?” Lu Ziqi rolled her eyes, checked the time—it was nearly noon—and said, “Let’s order some takeout later.”
“I don’t want takeout…”
Ling Xue’er’s face fell.
Normally, she’d be thrilled at Lu Ziqi’s suggestion, but today, after smelling that inviting aroma from outside, she suddenly wasn’t interested in takeout.
Time ticked by until noon, and their morning training ended; one by one, they came downstairs.
“Ding dong!”
Just as they settled onto the sofa in the living room, the doorbell rang.
“Sister Ziqi, is that the takeout?”
“No way, I just placed the order. It can’t be that fast,” Lu Ziqi said, puzzled.
Usually, even the fastest takeout would take at least half an hour.
While they wondered, Shen Muxi went to open the door.
“It’s you?”
Upon opening, Shen Muxi saw Yang Hao from yesterday.
“Hello, you haven’t eaten yet, right? I brought you some food.” Yang Hao stood at the door, holding a lunch box, greeting Shen Muxi with a sunny smile.
The meal Yang Hao prepared was, of course, meant for Lin Zijin, but he’d made more than just one portion.
Yang Hao understood deeply: to win someone over, start by winning the favor of those close to them; recruit them, then corrupt…
This theory was something Yang Hao had cobbled together back in elementary school to deal with a little boss in the higher grades.
Of course, “dragging Lin Zijin down” was a misapplied metaphor—he wasn’t a villain. But to marry Lin Zijin, he had to win over her friends first. With the support of these three beauties, how could his plan fail?
Naturally, Yang Hao prepared not just four servings, but five.
Why?
Obviously, he had to eat too!
Having lunch with Lin Zijin was the first step to getting close to her.
“Sister Muxi, is the takeout here? Why is it you?”
Just as Yang Hao was filled with hope for the future, Ling Xue’er came out, stunned to see him at the door.
Damn!
Yang Hao’s face darkened.
Why couldn’t it be him?
Still, Yang Hao remembered his purpose; no matter how frustrated he felt, he kept his warm smile.
“I brought you food,”
Yang Hao explained gently.
Although the three beauties living with Lin Zijin had “stolen” his bride, Yang Hao felt he shouldn’t treat them as enemies.
Their relationship should be allies.
From yesterday to now, Yang Hao had focused his efforts in this direction.
But,
It seemed the two before him didn’t see it that way; no matter what he said, they wouldn’t let him in.
Even more infuriating, Ling Xue’er told him they had already ordered takeout.
Damn!
How could takeout taste better than his cooking?
How could takeout be healthier?
Nonsense…
Actually, Ling Xue’er was tempted by what Yang Hao held, since she realized the aroma from his lunch box was exactly the same as what she’d smelled earlier.
But because of Lin Zijin, Ling Xue’er could only swallow her saliva quietly.
Without Zijin’s permission, she dared not let Yang Hao in.
“Give it here.”
Just as Ling Xue’er was torn with indecision, a melodious voice sounded beside her like a gift from heaven.
Seeing Lin Zijin appear, Yang Hao’s face lit up, and he wanted to bring the lunch box inside, but Lin Zijin blocked him, showing no intention of letting him in.
“This sort of heavy work should be mine—how could I let you…” Yang Hao smiled awkwardly, hoping his thick skin would let him slip past, but meeting Lin Zijin’s gaze, his voice faltered.
So, Yang Hao, defeated, could only hand over the lunch box to Lin Zijin.
“You can leave now.”
What?
Hearing Lin Zijin, Yang Hao almost thought he’d misheard.
But when he saw her mercilessly close the door, not even showing him her back, he realized how cruel the world could be.

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PS:
Author: This kind of man brings shame to us all. After I finish kneeling on the keyboard, mopping the floor, cooking, washing the laundry, and apply for two yuan from my wife, I’ll take the bus over and beat him up—
(Almost forgot, my keyboard’s mechanical, Cherry brand… kneeling on it really hurts!
Yes, I’m showing off!
Damn, don’t throw rotten eggs~~)