Chapter 220: What

In front of the dessert shop.

Lian Ye is carrying two large bags full of packaged sweets—SanseMangzi, Matcha Daifuku, mung bean cake, and butter cake—all neatly placed in delicate boxes.

He had just tasted all these sweets; they were extremely delicious, so he packed them to eat at home later and also to bring some to Gangshou.

Children should still eat fewer sweets, otherwise they easily get cavities.

Especially since Gangshou is still young, in a crucial growth period, she must not eat too many sweets, lest her development suffer.

When he gets back, he'll just give Gangshou a piece of butter cake; the rest he'll have to finish himself.

Thus the happy decision was made, hoping that the girl Gangshou would understand his good intentions.

He's doing this for her good…

As for using Gangshou as a shield?

No, that doesn't exist at all!

Lian Ye's original intention was simply to bring some sweets back for Gangshou, but after buying them he remembered that children should eat fewer sweets.

Indeed, he was careless and didn't consider Gangshou's age.

Adhering to the principle of valuing food, he is forced to consume all these sweets himself.

Xiaochun Zhuanqin saw Lian Ye holding three large bags of sweets and thought it was too cumbersome for him alone, wanting to help lighten the load.

She leaned over, smiling, and reached out: "Lian Yejun, shall I carry a bag for you?"

If she didn't help, Lian Ye's current state would greatly affect the upcoming shopping.

Both hands are already holding things, leaving no free hand at all.

Upon hearing that, Lian Ye immediately, cautiously tucked the bag behind him: "No need, I can carry it myself."

Lian Ye worries that Xiaochun might use this as an excuse to sneakily eat the sweets he bought.

These sweets weren't many to begin with; if Xiaochun also steals them, what will he have to eat when he gets home?

Damn it, if you want to eat them, get them yourself!

"Sigh—why?" Xiaochun Zhuanqin asked, looking bewildered.

She's clearly being kind; why is Lian Yejun so nervous?

That expression makes it seem like he has ulterior motives…

Zhi Cun Tuan Cang glanced at Xiaochun's puzzled look, then at the bag Lian Ye kept by his side, and finally withdrew his gaze, already knowing everything in his heart.

Lian Ye this guy is worried that Xiaochun intends to snatch his sweets.

Although he wants to speak up, under Lian Ye's intimidating authority, he can only pretend not to know anything.

Lian Ye glanced at Xiaochun and explained, "I just think… one should take one's own things oneself."

He certainly wouldn't say he's worried Xiaochun might steal the sweets.

Yuanfei Rizhan hooked Lian Ye's neck from behind, grinning wickedly: "Lian Ye, you're not afraid Xiaochun will steal and eat them, are you?"

"Right, Lian Yejun, you're not unwilling to share the sweets with us, are you?" Uchiha Jing joined in the banter.

Lian Ye's body suddenly stiffened, having been hit on the spot, but he refused to admit it.

"Don't talk nonsense, they're just some sweets," Lian Ye laughed, "If you want to eat, feel free to take them."

His words were merely a polite pretense, hoping those guys wouldn't actually come for them…

"Hahaha, really?" Yuanfei Rizhan chuckled, "Give me a piece of butter cake."

Saying that, he reached to slip his hand into the packaging bag.

Lian Ye quickly pulled away, turning his face aside: "These were bought for that girl Gangshou; if you want to eat, buy your own."

"Oh~ so that's it," Yuanfei Rizhan realized, winking at the few people nearby.

Xiaochun Zhuanqin's mouth twitched slightly upward, discovering that Lian Yejun also has such a cute side.

Uchiha Jing smiled, realizing that Lian Yejun also likes sweets.

Sure enough, just as he had expected.

Zhi Cun Tuan Cang turned his face away, snorting coldly in his heart, 'What am I supposed to do?'

I haven't said a word; the innately evil Uchiha, don't think you can cause me trouble!

As long as he stays silent, Lian Ye has no chance to pick a fight!

Mito Menyan gently nudged the mirror frame, pretending nothing happened.

He didn't know Lian Ye liked sweets; these sweets were all bought for Gangshou…

Hmm, that's right, exactly!

Lian Ye: "……"

He always feels these guys know something, yet he has no evidence to prove it.

……

Barbecue Restaurant, evening.

Six people sat around the sizzling grill, the aroma of meat filling the air.

"The last time we gathered for barbecue was back at Ninja School," Yuanfei Rizhan said nostalgically.

Back then, the group ate at this very barbecue place; Xiaochun wasn't there, and Nara Motoya and Hinata Yuki were present.

"Yeah, time flies," Uchiha Jing reflected.

Back then they were just kids; who could have imagined that many years would pass in the blink of an eye…

The plate before Lian Ye was piled with perfectly grilled beef tongue and pork belly, yet he ate absentmindedly, occasionally glancing at the darkening sky outside the window.

For some reason, he constantly felt he'd forgotten something.

It made him lose any appetite for the meal now.

What important thing did he actually forget?

"Lian Yejun, why aren't you eating?" Xiaochun Zhuanqin noticed the dazed Lian Ye and asked curiously.

Zhi Cun Tuan Cang gave him a glance; ever since the afternoon this guy had become restless, not knowing exactly what had happened.

"Is the barbecue not to your taste?" Yuanfei Rizhan asked.

Feeling the gazes of everyone, Lian Ye came to his senses and explained, "I think I've forgotten something, but I just can't recall it."

Before recalling that matter, he didn't even have an appetite for a meal.

The few of them looked at each other and each set down their chopsticks.

"Forgot something?"

They seemed to know what Lian Ye had forgotten…

"Lian Yejun, it's mealtime now," Uchiha Jing guessed, "Is Teacher Feijian still waiting for you to deliver the food?"

When they were on the Battlefield, they often saw Lian Ye cooking for the teacher.

If he hadn't gone out to play, at this hour Lian Ye should be at home cooking, right?

Lian Ye's hand twitched sharply, and the chopsticks nearly fell to the floor.

Finally figured out what he had forgotten!

He still hasn't delivered dinner to that kid Qianshou Feijian today.

"You eat first; I have something to attend to, so I'm leaving," Lian Ye sprang up from his chair, grabbed the dessert beside him, and left the Barbecue Restaurant.

Damn, he actually forgot the most important thing.

I wonder if that kid is starving?

If he's hungry, he'll probably find something to eat… right?

Yuanfei Rizhan and the others watched Lian Ye's hurried retreat and, simultaneously, broke into smiles.

"Lian Yejun, how filial you are."

"Who says it's not?"

Hokage Office.

"Gurururu—"

Qianshou Feijian's stomach, for who knows which time, let out a protest sound, and he slowly set down the unfinished documents in his hand.

He looked out at the sky, now completely dark, and noted that usually at this hour Lian Ye would have already delivered the food.

"What's up with this kid?"