Chapter 272: The Pillar Is About to Be Doomed

Lian Ye, how did you think of inviting me to eat?

At the Qianshou Feijian Residence, Xuanwo Mizuto entered the kitchen, looked at the busy Lian Ye, and asked with a smile.

You should know that except on holidays, Lian Ye rarely invites her to his home for a meal; usually Lian Ye goes to her house to cook.

She probably guessed that Lian Ye had something to announce…

"Aunt Mizuto, you're here," Lian Ye greeted with a smile. "Please sit in the living room for a while; the dishes will be ready soon."

"Alright, thank you for your effort, Lian Ye."

Xuanwo Mizuto originally wanted to help as an assistant, but upon seeing Orochimaru and Zilaoye busy in the kitchen, gave up the idea.

These two kids are really well-behaved.

When she saw her own granddaughter sitting on the sofa playing with a cat, she sighed helplessly, thinking that without comparison there is no harm.

Gangshou, that girl is really getting lazier.

"Xiaogang, aren't you going to help Uncle Lianye?" Xuanwo Mizuto chided.

"Grandma, I don't need to help because today I'm the one washing the dishes," Gangshou explained.

Eating for free here at Lian Ye's place is not allowed; even if Second Grandfather comes, they must honestly wash the dishes.

In Uncle Lianye's words—enjoying delicious food and still not wanting to wash the dishes, where is such a good thing?

He's a cook, not a waiter; he can't be made to do everything.

The Three Little Ones have already developed a clear division of labor here at Lian Ye's: some help as assistants, some wash the dishes.

Gangshou just ran to fetch Grandma, handing the dishwashing task over to her.

"So that's how it is. Looks like I wrongly blamed you," Xuanwo Mizuto chuckled, covering his mouth.

I didn't expect Lian Ye to be quite experienced in educating children.

In the future, when Xiaogang graduates from Ninja Academy, she could tell Feijian to have Lian Ye serve as her Team Leader Teacher.

Lian Ye is in charge of cooking, while Zilaoye and Orochimaru are responsible for carrying the finished dishes out.

As time passed, the table became laden with abundant dishes.

The kitchen filled with enticing aromas, and Lian Ye plated the final dish.

Zilaoye rose onto tiptoes to take the steaming miso soup, and carefully walked toward the dining table.

Orochimaru carefully observed each step of Lian Ye's cooking, still openly engaging in covert learning, a glint of brilliance flashing in his eyes.

He seemed to have successfully copied the Tempura dish and plans to try it at home.

The dining table remained filled with assorted dishes: crystal-clear sushi neatly arranged, Grilled Fish emitting an alluring char aroma, colorful mixed vegetables, and various other dishes.

The Three Little Ones saw this and their mouths watered; today's meal was richer than any before.

"Lian Ye, thank you for your hard work," Xuanwo Mizuto said softly.

"Aunt Mizuto, don't mention it," Lian Ye took off his apron and sat down.

Gangshou and Zilaoye eagerly grabbed their chopsticks, eyes fixed on the food.

"I'm about to dig in," the Three Little Ones said in unison, their excitement unmistakable.

Zilaoye wolfed down sushi, his cheeks puffed like a hamster.

Orochimaru elegantly lifted a piece of fish meat and savored it.

Gangshou focused on sweets, one hand holding a red bean daifuku, the other reaching for the dumplings on the plate.

Lian Ye couldn't help feeling a pang of hurt; he wanted to keep those sweets for a midnight snack.

From Gangshou's stance, she seemed intent on eating all the sweets.

He was careless; had he known, he would have saved some for a private snack.

"Uncle Lianye, why aren't you eating?" Gangshou asked, puzzled while munching sweets.

"Hmm, I'll eat now," Lian Ye forced a faint smile.

Orochimaru glanced at the sweets in Gangshou's hand, then at Lian Ye's forced smile, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

But he made no comment, silently lowering his head to eat.

Some things, even when known, must be pretended unknown. This was something Lian Ye had once told Orochimaru.

Obviously, he had taken it to heart.

Xuanwo Mizuto watched the whole scene, his face ever smiling.

The dining table exuded a warm atmosphere, cutlery clinking crisply, and the Three Little Ones' satisfied exclamations occasionally rose.

Lian Ye, seeing everyone nearly finished, set down his chopsticks and said, "Actually… I have something to tell you all. I'm planning to leave the Village for half a year."

He invited a few people over for a meal today precisely to tell them about his departure, so they wouldn't worry pointlessly about not seeing him.

As soon as Lian Ye's words fell, the table fell silent, only the crisp clink of chopsticks against the bowl edges remaining.

Zilaoye's mouth opened wide, and the shrimp he had just picked up fell back onto the plate with a "pop".

"Half a year?" he couldn't help asking, "Lord Lian Ye, where are you going?"

Orochimaru's chopsticks hovered in midair, his golden vertical pupils narrowing slightly.

He slowly set down his chopsticks, his voice deeper than usual, "Lord Lian Ye, are you… going on a mission?"

Delicate fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the teacup as he pondered the reason for Lord Lian Ye's sudden departure.

Gangshou froze in place, feeling the sweets in her hand suddenly lose their sweetness.

Uncle Lianye leaving for half a year would mean she loses six chances to enjoy his cooking?!

No way, she can't let Uncle Lianye go; that's her long-term meal ticket!

Xuanwo Mizuto gracefully set down the soup bowl, his brows flickering with a barely perceptible frown before quickly returning to a gentle smile.

"Why so sudden? Is it Feijian's arrangement?"

If it's Feijian's arrangement, she could go discuss it with Feijian.

"Having stayed in the Village for a while, I want to go out and see," Lian Ye said with a smile. "I plan to travel for six months."

Xuanwo Mizuto let out a sigh of relief; she had thought Lian Ye was going on a mission, but it turned out he just wanted to go out and relax…

"Take care on the road."

"Got it, Mizuto Ayi."

"When are you planning to leave the Village?"

"I'll leave in two days, and also go visit someone I'm familiar with."

"Hmm, it's time to see him; remember to greet him for me and give him more time to be with his family," Xuanwo Mizuto said with a faint smile.

"But to Lian Ye, her smile seemed a bit unsettling."

"The person they were talking about just now was, of course, Senju Hashirama. That guy's Fake Death lasted five years and he only returned once, which had long made Xuanwo Mizuto resentful."

"I'll remind him," Lian Ye said, a little flushed, feeling that Uncle Hashirama was about to be doomed.

"The Three Little Ones listened to Lian Ye and Mizuto's conversation with a bewildered expression, completely clueless about what they were talking about?"

"Orochimaru wore a thoughtful look, pondering who the person Lian Ye wanted to see was."

"It seems that Lord Mizuto also knows…"

"Unfortunately, even if he racked his brain, he couldn't figure out that person's identity."

"Someplace in Ninja World."

"Achoo—"

"Senju Hashirama suddenly sneezed, and suddenly felt a chill down his spine, a vague sense of foreboding."

"…"

"…"

"ps: Hehehe, three chapters again today, ying ying ying…"