Chapter 156: Open and Covert Struggles

"Come on, before we officially tuck in, I’d like to propose a toast. Let’s thank our generous benefactor for tonight’s meal, and his better half!" Yu Xin said, raising the beverage cup in her hand.

It was no secret that Qin Jingchen had made a substantial additional investment in the production team. Those around them knew it implicitly, and Qin Jingchen picked up his glass with graceful composure.

"Thank you to my wife for helping us find such abundant ingredients. You’ve worked hard."

As Qin Jingchen spoke, he turned to look at the person beside him, but Su Wanning felt nothing but embarrassment.

"Alright, alright, everyone contributed to today’s meal. Come on, let’s eat!"

Su Wanning raised her glass, and the group erupted in laughter. Sitting to the side, Yin Shanshan appeared completely transparent, as if she didn't exist at all. Everyone had contributed to today’s dinner except for her and Fang Wei.

Thinking this, Yin Shanshan couldn't help but glance at Xiaotian, who was sitting next to Fang Wei. If it weren't for that child disrupting her plans for the evening, things wouldn't have turned out this way, and Su Wanning wouldn't have stolen all the limelight.

"Sister Su, I suggest you don't be modest. Everyone has seen your contributions along the way. You did the most work today, and you’ve helped me a lot too!" Tian Boyu suddenly raised his glass, proposing a toast to Su Wanning for no apparent reason.

"What’s this about?" Su Wanning asked, though she raised her glass to clink with his anyway. Tian Boyu immediately downed his drink.

Just then, Qin Jingchen, sitting beside Su Wanning, suddenly put down his chopsticks and drew a sharp breath, instantly drawing her attention.

Su Wanning turned to look at him immediately. Seeing Qin Jingchen frowning slightly with an expression of pain, she hurriedly asked, "What’s wrong? Is your wound hurting again?"

Qin Jingchen nodded slightly. "I’m not sure, but it feels a bit cold after applying the herbal medicine."

Su Wanning was speechless. "The herbs contain cooling and detoxifying ingredients, so of course it will feel cool."

Nearby, Niannian quickly cracked open the crab shell in front of her and didn't forget to quip, "Daddy, in the future, if there are any dangerous activities like this, you should just stay home and rest. My brother, Mom, and I will go do them!"

Qin Jingchen: "..."

Su Wanning stifled a laugh and rewarded her daughter by placing a shrimp on her plate.

"Why do you say that, Niannian?" Yu Xin asked curiously.

Niannian, with a look of absolute certainty, trotted out the same argument about Qin Jingchen’s advanced age.

"Because Daddy is old, and he’s prone to tripping and getting hurt when he goes out."

The people around them looked as if they wanted to laugh but didn't dare, except for Su Wanning, who had no such reservations.

"Niannian, you're right. It really isn't easy for your father to come along and join the show with his old, brittle bones."

Su Wanning silently delivered the final blow.

At this moment, Qin Jingchen remained silent, though he cast a somewhat resentful look at his daughter. If it weren't for his daughter, he wouldn't have been injured, yet now...

The assistant watching the live stream behind the screen was secretly breaking into a cold sweat. They really were a family; if anyone in the company dared to speak to President Qin like that, they wouldn't even know how they were kicked out of the industry the next day.

Yet now, Qin Jingchen didn't say a word, and actually thoughtfully added food to his wife and daughter's plates.

Su Wanning was focused on tackling the crab on her plate. She had never been fond of seafood, but tonight’s fresh hairy crabs were prepared in the simplest steamed way. They smelled fresh and sweet, without any of the fishy odor usually associated with seafood.

It was rare for Su Wanning to have such an appetite, but the biggest problem was that she rarely ate seafood and had no idea how to dismantle such complex structures; she didn't even know which parts were inedible.

In particular, the production team had inexplicably decided to provide a set of "eight crab tools" on their table. Looking at the delicate yet complicated utensils, Su Wanning felt a headache coming on.

Just as she was struggling to open the crab shell, a pair of hands suddenly reached over and took the plate from in front of her.

"I’ll help you."

Qin Jingchen moved Su Wanning’s plate in front of himself. He picked up the tools, and to Su Wanning’s surprise, the instruments seemed to come alive in his hands. He tapped here and pinched there, and before long, even the tender meat inside the crab legs had been extracted perfectly and piled onto the plate, while the shells remained remarkably intact.

Watching Qin Jingchen handle the crab was like watching art; his movements were elegant and precise. He wasn't slow, yet he didn't make a single mistake.

Before long, a pile of intact crab meat was placed before Su Wanning.

"Wow, President Qin is so thoughtful." Yu Xin said, her voice filled with exaggerated envy.

Tian Boyu sat to the side, pressing his lips together tightly, watching as Su Wanning ate the spoonful of crab meat.

After chewing for a moment, the tender meat was gone. Although it was delicious, she felt a bit unsatisfied.

The next second, a large shrimp was placed on her plate—courtesy of Tian Boyu. She looked up in surprise to see him smiling slightly at her.

"Sister Su, this shrimp is also very fresh and sweet. Try it."

"Really? Let me taste it!"

Seeing the shrimp was as long as her hand, Su Wanning was immediately intrigued. Only meat like this felt satisfying!

She excitedly put down her spoon and began peeling the shell. Qin Jingchen, who had been waiting for Su Wanning’s praise, was suddenly blindsided by Tian Boyu. He frowned, his sharp gaze shooting toward the opposite side.

Tian Boyu looked away nonchalantly, as if he hadn't noticed anything, and picked up another large shrimp. This time, he peeled off the shell before placing the meat on Su Wanning’s plate.

Soon, Su Wanning ate the shrimp. The meat was firmer than the crab, which suited her taste even better. She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

"This is delicious! You guys should try it!"

Seeing her praise, a smile appeared on Tian Boyu’s face. Beside him, Yu Xin glanced at him, frowning slightly with a look of concern in her eyes.

The next second, Yu Xin saw Tian Boyu pick up another large shrimp and begin peeling it. Soon, a piece of shrimp meat was in his hand. Just as it was about to land on Su Wanning's plate, Yu Xin quickly interjected.

"Hey, I see you're pretty fast at peeling shrimp. Why don't you let me try that one!"