Chapter 22

In the afternoon, Ninja School let out.

Among the moments of the day, none is happier than this.

Lian Ye gathered his things, preparing to go home for a meal.

At that moment, a group of people appeared, blocking Lian Ye's path.

Yuanfei Rizhan, Uchiha Jing, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, and others came up to Lian Ye.

Their demeanor seemed like they were looking for trouble...

Seeing this, Lian Ye frowned slightly.

【Could this bunch possibly want to beat me up?】

Lian Ye calmly increased the distance between himself and the few people.

If they made any move, Lian Ye would flee immediately.

Faced with the few people's encirclement, he truly had no way out.

If he didn't run, he could only get beaten...

Lian Ye overthought it; the group simply wanted to invite him to eat together, nothing more.

"Lian Yejun, want to go eat barbecue together?" Yuanfei Rizhan asked.

Hearing that, Lian Ye finally realized.

Turns out they weren't looking for trouble...

"Lian Yejun, I know a place with great barbecue," Uchiha Jing chimed in.

Facing their invitation, Lian Ye shook his head and said, "Sorry, I still need to go home to cook; I don't have time to go out with you."

He knew without thinking that Qianshou Feijian, that old brat, was surely waiting at home for him to return and cook.

Lian Ye felt helpless about that.

He had completely become Qianshou Feijian's cook.

Hearing that, they didn't insist; after saying goodbye to Lian Ye at the school gate, they left together.

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Qianshou Feijian Residence.

"Uncle, are the ingredients bought?" Lian Ye asked.

Hearing that, Qianshou Feijian set down his documents and said, "You don't need to cook today; we're going to eat at big brother's place."

"Got it."

Lian Ye was also happy to have some free time; today's training was indeed tiring, so not having to cook was better.

After taking a bath, he followed Qianshou Feijian to Hashirama's residence.

One tall, one short, the two figures walked side by side through Senju Clan Land.

"Kid, how did you do at school today?" Qianshou Feijian suddenly asked.

"In practical training, I fought Yuanfei Rizhan to a draw." Lian Ye answered truthfully.

As the founder of the Ninja School, that old brat could not possibly miss any of my movements there.

Haven't you noticed that the Class A homeroom teachers are all from the Senju Clan?

Lian Ye guessed that Qianshou Feijian's question could have two possible meanings...

The first is simply making small talk for no reason.

The second is to test whether I would conceal the truth.

The first is fine; the second is a bit terrifying upon reflection.

This shows that even after a year of getting along, Qianshou Feijian still harbors suspicions toward him...

Qianshou Feijian nodded knowingly and did not ask further.

Lian Ye looked at Qianshou Feijian, hoping to read something on his face, but got nothing.

Qianshou Feijian is usually cautious and rarely shows his inner thoughts.

If Lian Ye could easily discern his thoughts, then he wouldn't be Qianshou Feijian.

Soon, the two arrived at their destination.

Hashirama Residence.

"Uncle Hashirama."

Lian Ye greeted Hashirama in the courtyard.

"Big brother." Qianshou Feijian also gave a greeting.

"Haha, Xiao Lian Ye, you've finally come."

Hashirama warmly approached Lian Ye, not even glancing at Qianshou Feijian beside him, and said, "I haven't tasted your cooking in ages; could you show us a hand today?"

Qianshou Feijian was left aside by the big brother, his face dark.

"Big brother, did you summon us just for this?"

He was saying that the reason big brother suddenly called them over for a meal was clearly to scheme like this...

"Haha, Xiao Lian Ye's cooking is too good; not having eaten it for a while, I'm practically starving." Hashirama chuckled.

Lian Ye looked at Qianshou Feijian, his expression seeming to say: 【Didn't you say we weren't cooking today?】

Qianshou Feijian turned his head, pretending not to see Lian Ye's expression.

"Xiao Lian Ye, can you? Please!" Hashirama pleaded, palms together.

"Big brother, you're being rude!" Qianshou Feijian scolded.

After all, he's the Hokage of Konoha Village, yet for a single meal he's stooped to this—truly embarrassing!

Hashirama ignored Feijian, looking pitifully at Lian Ye.

Lian Ye somewhat couldn't stand Senju Hashirama's gaze, "I know, Uncle Hashirama."

Upon hearing that, Senju Hashirama immediately broke into a smile, "Haha, thanks for your hard work, Xiao Lian Ye."

No way, Lian Ye's cooking skills are really too good.

He had eaten it once before, and couldn't forget it for a long time.

So every once in a while he'd find an excuse to have Lian Ye come over to cook.

Lian Ye headed to the kitchen; he'd been here more than once or twice, very familiar with the way.

After Lian Ye left, Qianshou Feijian couldn't hold back any longer.

"Big brother, you... how could you do this!"

He really didn't expect that his own older brother, just for a meal, would even lose face.

"Feijian, what you said is wrong." Senju Hashirama said with a resentful look, "Unlike you, Mito Clan and I can eat Xiao Lian Ye's cooking every day."

Upon hearing that, Qianshou Feijian's mouth corners slightly rose, arms crossed, looking pleased.

Although Lian Ye is a little devil of the Uchiha, his cooking skills are truly impeccable.

Qianshou Feijian can tolerate living together with Lian Ye largely because he's been conquered by Lian Ye's superb cooking skills.

"Feijian, how about this: let Xiao Lian Ye stay at my place for a few days?" Senju Hashirama said with an expectant look.

"No way, big brother!" Qianshou Feijian refused without hesitation.

"Feijian, how could you do this..." Senju Hashirama had a very heartbroken look.

Qianshou Feijian understood his own older brother very well, wouldn't fall for that, and said coldly, "Big brother, just give it up, Uchiha Lianye is mine!"

After saying that, Qianshou Feijian immediately froze.

"What did I just say?!"

Really hard to imagine that such heaven-defying remarks would come from Qianshou Feijian's mouth.

"Big brother, don't misunderstand..."

He hurriedly explained, but his mind went blank, stammering for a long time, still unable to make sense.

In his mind kept replaying that phrase: 【Lian Ye is mine...】

Senju Hashirama looked at Feijian's flustered state and revealed an auntie smile.

"Feijian, you don't need to explain, I understand..."

As he had previously expected, Feijian and Xiao Lian Ye have already formed a bond.

Believe it or not, within a few years Lian Ye will be able to change Feijian's view of the Uchiha.

"Big brother, you don't understand! Moreover... wipe that disgusted look off your face!" Qianshou Feijian shouted, face flushed.

Also unknown whether the flushed face is from shyness or anger.

"Haha, I understand, I understand..."

"Shut up, you really don't understand!"

"Feijian, you're being harsh on me again..."

"..."

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Kitchen.

"Xiao Lian Ye, you've finally come." Xuanwo Mizuto smiled, pointing at the ingredients on the table: "The vegetables are already washed."

"Mizuto Ayi, thanks for your hard work."

After saying that, Lian Ye started cooking.

Xuanwo Mizuto helped on the side, earnestly learning Lian Ye's stir-fry technique.

Since Lian Ye occasionally comes here to cook, she also learned a lot from it, and her cooking skills have greatly improved.