Chapter 197 The Ruthless Patriarch 6 (2/2)

However, up close, she seems even more beautiful when she smiles.

It is not a meticulously crafted beauty, but carries a pure vitality, like a warm, dancing flame.

It was completely different from his world, which was full of calculations and trade-offs.

This stark contrast, at this moment, drew his gaze like a magnet, stirring a subtle emotion within him that he himself was unaware of.

"I can eat spicy food."

"It's a good thing that you're not picky about food; you're easy to feed."

His reply sounded calm, with a hint of unintentional teasing at the end, but his gaze had already returned to the road ahead.

Even he himself didn't realize that his tone had subtly softened, even becoming somewhat intimate.

This feeling was both strange and natural, which surprised him and deeply attracted him.

"Um."

Zi Xi didn't understand the deeper meaning and took it as a compliment.

"I mostly eat work meals, either simple meals or business meals."

After a brief silence, Pei Mozhi seemed to have opened a floodgate of words and continued speaking.

This is actually inconsistent with his usual style of being sparing with words and not speaking nonsense.

"But I occasionally seek out some authentic old shops in my spare time,"

He paused, a voice inside him asking: Why did I tell her all this?

"I like dishes where the natural flavor of the ingredients is prominent, such as a good clear broth beef hot pot, or fresh sashimi."

But he continued speaking, and after he finished, he paused slightly.

He has no particular preference for food, but values ​​efficiency and occasion more, and never mentions his preferences to others.

This unusual urge to share made him feel somewhat...bizarre.

It was even a little awkward for some reason?

Who asked him?

Zi Xi blinked and subconsciously glanced around the car. There was no one else there.

But so this is what Pei Mozhi likes?

It sounds like... they get along quite well.

"I'm saying all this to let you know that we're going to eat the spicy hot pot you wanted today. I hope Miss Zhao can make time to eat what I want to eat with me next time, okay?"

Pei Mozhi's voice rang out again, seemingly with a hint of barely perceptible laughter, as if he were trying to make amends for his proactive explanation.

He also tried to steer the conversation back under control, using the promise of a future invitation to mask the subtle unease caused by his uninvited sharing.

"A meal buddy? Sure."

Zi Xi nodded, which was considered an acceptance.

"Mr. Pei, what hobbies do you have besides work?"

Then, out of a sense of courtesy, she hesitated for a moment and asked.

She had already asked the question when she realized she shouldn't have, as she found it hard to imagine Pei Mozhi sprawled on the sofa playing video games.

"Mostly gyms and fencing venues."

Pei Mozhi admitted that this answer was very much in line with his public persona.

"As for movies, I haven't been to the cinema in a long time. I occasionally watch documentaries or old movies at home. Games... are too much of a waste of time."

He paused for a moment, then added.

From childhood to adulthood, his schedule was always precise down to the minute; pure enjoyment was almost a luxury for him and seemed meaningless.

Thinking about it this way, he has nothing but money, isn't he too boring?

"The world is so big, and there are so many delicious foods to explore."

Zi Xi sighed, her tone noticeably lighter and her eyes brightening when food was mentioned.

Pei Mozhi listened quietly without interrupting her.