The staff arrived to deliver fresh meat cuts of chicken, pork, lamb and beef. There were also fresh corn and vegetables like eggplants, zucchini, bell peppers and mushrooms. All of these were for grilling.
The four brothers started grilling the meat, the corn and the vegetables themselves, while the staff only assisted them by washing, seasoning, and skewering.
Jin Liwei blocked Iris' attempt to help out with the grilling. What if she got burned? He would end up murdering the grill.
Seeing her desire to help, Lin Yehan suggested that she mix the leafy vegetable salad in the bowl instead. She happily went to work.
Finally, the food was ready and they began eating. Everything was delicious, especially since they were all fresh from the farm.
While eating, Iris listened to the brothers chatting happily about good times.
'It must be nice to have a group of best friends,' she thought.
She realized that she didn't have any friends, except for Dom and her own staff at home. However, they were her employees and as such, could not really defy her even in just a joking manner like friends sometimes do. She got along with them but at the end of the day, their employer-employee relationship limited the level of their friendship.
"What's wrong?" Jin Liwei asked, noticing the lonely expression in her eyes.
She shook her head.
She was quiet for a few moments. He waited patiently.
"I'm just a little envious that you have such great friends," she finally said in a soft voice, barely audible. "I don't have any."
His chest constricted after hearing her words. He immediately pulled her in a tight embrace, kissing her head, and rubbing her back.
"Listen to me. I'm your lover and I'll also be your friend."
She smiled at him. "Thank you."
Yu Mo: "Okay, okay. That's enough lovey-dovey. Xiao Xiu, Teacher is hurt! We see each other twice every week and yet you still don't consider me as your friend? Ah! I'm heartbroken!"
Wang Yingjie: "Xiulan, I already consider you as a friend. I hope you don't mind."
Lin Yehan: "That's right. You're someone important to our Third Brother, so that means that you're also important to us. You are now our sister and we are your brothers. From now on, we're friends."
Iris blinked and took a deep breath. Her chest suddenly felt tight.
"Thank you," she said, smiling brightly at them.
The four men momentarily stopped breathing as they were blinded by her beautiful smile.
Jin Liwei frowned slightly and blocked his brothers' view with his body. Then he stood up.
"Let's take a walk," he suddenly announced, offering his hand to her.
"Okay." She placed her hand over his and let him pull her up.
"Good idea!" Yu Mo exclaimed and also stood up.
Jin Liwei glared at him.
Lin Yehan pulled his Fourth Brother back down to his seat and knocked on his head. "Learn to read the atmosphere."
"Let the lovers enjoy some alone time," Wang Yingjie added.
The three men watched the couple walk away in their matching outfits and dark aviator sunglasses. The two held hands and frequently kissed each other as they strolled by the lakeshore.
"Is it just me or Xiulan looks familiar?" Wang Yingjie suddenly commented.
Lin Yehan: "Yeah. I have a feeling I've seen her somewhere before."
Yu Mo: "Of course you've seen her before. She's a celebrity."
Lin Yehan: "Ah, what? Is there a celebrity named Long Xiulan?"
Wang Yingjie: "A celebrity named Long…wait. Oh!"
Yu Mo: "Now you recognize her?"
Wang Yingjie: "Yes."
Lin Yehan: "What? Tell me."
Yu Mo: "Yup! The very one."
Lin Yehan: "Iris Long who? Iris…sounds familiar. Huh? Wait. That doesn't sound right. Don't tell me she's Iris Long, that scandalous starlet?"
Yu Mo: "Eldest Bro, not too loud! What if Third Bro hears you? You wanna die?"
Wang Yingjie: "Hmm…"
Lin Yehan: "No way. You're kidding me. Third Brother hooked up with that Iris Long? Didn't she used to chase after Little Chonglin before? There are even rumours of their affair and even her getting pregnant. And now she's hooked up with Third Brother? What is he thinking? Is he insane?"
Yu Mo: "Aiya…I've known Xiao Xiu for quite a while now since I've been teaching her Systema. I can confidently say that she's not at all like what the rumours say about her. She's such a serious and elegant lady that I even fell for her a little, but I can tell that she has no interest in me. And I follow a strict code of ethics not to pursue my students. Don't tell Third Bro or he'll kill me."
Lin Yehan: "I heard that she was comatose for a year?"
Yu Mo: "Yeah. In fact, one of the reasons why she wanted to learn Systema is to strengthen her body because it became too weak after the coma. And indeed, when we just started our classes back then, she tired so easily that she would almost faint. But what's amazing was she never quit. She's actually one of my best students. I only need to show her something once and she'd be able to do it."
Lin Yehan: "I think that their relationship is too suspicious. I know for a fact that Third Brother used to have her monitored because of Little Chonglin. I don't understand why she and Third Brother suddenly became lovers. If I had known that she's that Iris Long, I wouldn't have been this welcoming to her. She better not have any bad intentions. Even if Third Brother hates me, I will destroy her."