Chapter 1678

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "This is gentlemanly manners; in my previous world it was commonplace."

He took off his apron, came to sit opposite Qin Yutong, and produced knife and fork like a magic trick—not that Hu Xiaotian was slavishly admiring foreign ways, wanting to move the beauty's heart; first conquering the beauty's stomach is also a good approach. Hu Xiaotian's cooking could only be described as so-so, so he could only seek victory through ingenuity, making a table of dishes Qin Yutong had never eaten, letting her experience Western charm. As for these knife and fork, they were still made for him by Zong Tang.

Qin Yutong looked at the knife and fork before her; even a talented lady could be stumped at times—where were the chopsticks? She bit her cherry lips somewhat reservedly, really not knowing how to use these strange utensils.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Eating isn't only doable with chopsticks; you can also use knife and fork. I'll teach you: left hand holds fork, right hand holds knife." Wanting to display his erudition and depth, he must pick something obscure; Qin Yutong, though immensely talented, had zero knowledge of Western cuisine, so Hu Xiaotian, a half-bottle-of-vinegar Western chef, was in her eyes a lofty existence.

It must be admitted, the Western feast Hu Xiaotian painstakingly prepared today really tasted good, especially for Qin Yutong, who had never eaten Western food before; everything was so novel—originally dishes could be made this way. She was quick-witted, and after a short while she had mastered the knife and fork, elegantly cutting a small piece of steak and sending it to her cherry-small mouth; after tasting, she smiled: "Really didn't expect you to also be a cooking master."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Able to handle the hall, enter the kitchen, enter the bedroom—I'm an all-around good man." In this world besides professional chefs, men rarely take the initiative to cook.

Qin Yutong inwardly sighed, this guy really can't help boasting. He hadn't even finished a sentence of praise before he was out of breath; she whispered: "What cuisine is this?"

Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed, not understanding anymore? You still thought it was the Eight Great Cuisines? He shamelessly said: "It's my own creation, the Hu school of cuisine!"

Although Qin Yutong didn't believe it in her heart, she had never eaten such dishes before and could not find a reason to refute. She softly said: "It's delicious."

Receiving the beauty's praise, Hu Xiaotian beamed with delight.

Qin Yutong said: "How about you tell me about your past world."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, picking out some different things to tell Qin Yutong; this guy originally had excellent eloquence, a silver tongue, and today everything he said were novelties Qin Yutong had never heard, leaving her stunned.

Until this guy's mouth went dry from speaking, he stopped. He lifted his tea and drank a few sips.

Qin Yutong, still wanting more, said: "Continue, the matter of the airplane hasn't been finished yet."

Hu Xiaotian said: "My throat is sore, anyway we have plenty of time; why not we two hold a candlelit night talk tonight."

Qin Yutong's pretty face flushed; how could she not know this guy was up to something again? She said indifferently: "Who would hold a candlelit night talk with you."

Hu Xiaotian wore a wicked smile: "I just suggest, look at how strong your thirst for knowledge is; otherwise I wouldn't bother wasting so many words on you."

Qin Yutong sighed: "If those extraterrestrial visitors' technology truly surpasses that of the world you came from, then even if the Central Plains states joined forces they could not possibly be a match for them."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Today is the first day of the lunar new year. Let's not talk about these heavy topics; instead, let's drink heartily, eat meat in big chunks, and get drunk until we rest."

The next day at noon Xia Zhangming arrived in Yongdu; he had come specially to fetch Hu Xiaotian back. Hu Xiaotian originally wanted Qin Yutong to return with him to Dongliang Jun, but Qin Yutong decided to delay her return a bit; although Yongdu's epidemic had temporarily been brought under control, there was no guarantee it wouldn't flare up again, so Qin Yutong wanted to confirm the epidemic posed no hindrance before she could leave peacefully; besides, the Shennong Society had reopened, and this place needed people to hold the fort. Qin Yutong and the Shennong Society's Liu Changsheng were friends across generations; the Shennong Society was Liu Changsheng's life's work, so she naturally had an obligation to help revive it.

Dongliang Jun and Yongdu were completely different scenes; when Hu Xiaotian returned here it was already the third day of the lunar new year, the city was filled with festive New Year atmosphere, streets hung with red decorations and lanterns, firecrackers sounded everywhere, every household was full of joy.

Before Xia Zhangming returned to Yongdu to fetch Hu Xiaotian, everyone already knew the lord would be returning soon; when Hu Xiaotian returned to his manor he discovered many people waiting for him inside.

What delighted Hu Xiaotian was that Liang Yinghao and Zhan Peng had also returned from Huoshao City; under Fang Fang's careful care, Zhan Peng recovered quickly, although his strength had not yet returned to its former peak, he could already move about freely. On the contrary, Long Xi Yue and Weisa were not in the manor; originally it was because Zhuge Guanqi's wife Hong Lingxue had just given birth, and the two went to accompany her.

Xiong Tianba, Gao Yuan, and other capable aides of Hu Xiaotian were also waiting at his home; Yu Tianxing, because he was currently stationed in Xingzhou, could not leave even for the New Year; Li Yongfu then garrisoned Wuxing Jun; Chang Fanqi garrisoned Dongluo Cang; Zhao Wusheng and Wang Baxi then led the deployment of the entire Yunze and its surrounding water systems from Bijinshan.

Upon hearing that Hu Xiaotian had returned safely, everyone rushed out to greet him in a fluster.

Hu Xiaotian took out the red packets he had prepared earlier and distributed them one by one; coming before Zhan Peng, he vigorously patted Zhan Peng's arm and laughed: "My iron-boned Zhan elder brother is back again."

Zhan Peng laughed: "I've been lazy for so long; if I don't come back I'm afraid the lord will have forgotten me!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "How could I forget? Bonds forged in hardship are unforgettable for life!" He firmly gripped Zhan Peng's both hands.

From behind came a hearty female voice: "If you two are so in tune, why not just stay together till old age, never parting."

Hu Xiaotian turned to see Huo Shengnan in golden helmet and armor riding a pure white lion-horse arrive behind him; he laughed loudly: "Shengnan, you're jealous!"

Huo Shengnan laughed: "Naturally I'm jealous; two big men in broad daylight shoulder-to-shoulder, being lovey-dovey, looking at me makes my skin crawl."

Hu Xiaotian walked over, reached out his hand as if to help Huo Shengnan dismount, but the instant he took her hand, he instead swept her up in his arms; Huo Shengnan let out a startled cry, her pretty face flushing crimson—this after all was in public, and Hu Xiaotian this fellow never distinguishes occasions when causing a ruckus.

Huo Shengnan said with a flushed face: "Put me down, put me down!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "I treat Elder Brother Zhan differently from you; at least Elder Brother Zhan can't help me bear children."

Upon saying this, everyone burst into laughter.

Huo Shengnan beat his chest twice, then Hu Xiaotian set her down; the usually open-minded Huo Shengnan, now in front of everyone, couldn't help but feel a little unable to hold her head up; her heart was both shy and delighted, she only said she was going to change clothes, then hurriedly fled into the manor.

Xiong Tianba and Gao Yuan, these two juniors, came before Hu Xiaotian and kowtowed.

Hu Xiaotian had them rise, greeted everyone to sit inside the manor; Liang Yinghao laughed: "The lord has just arrived; we should also let the lord rest properly, then tonight we'll give the lord a welcome feast to wash away the dust." He was older among the crowd, more versed in worldly affairs, naturally understood that Hu Xiaotian's arrival was precisely the time for kin to gather; as subordinates they must not steal the host's limelight, nor spoil others' good deeds; everyone came to their senses, each one bidding farewell to Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian did not retain them; they agreed to meet tonight at Li Mingcheng's manor for a meal; Dongliang Jun's governor Li Mingcheng had not come yet, already preparing a banquet at home solely to give Hu Xiaotian a welcome.

Seeing everyone off, Hu Xiaotian entered the manor, came to Huo Shengnan's residence courtyard, saw the courtyard empty, came to the door, lightly knocked, and heard Huo Shengnan's voice say: "Come in!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly, pushed the door open and entered.

Yet he saw Huo Shengnan had already taken off her armor, changed into red attire, the room steaming with heat; originally at this moment she had already had people prepare hot water, this was specially prepared for Hu Xiaotian; Huo Shengnan stepped forward, closed the door, and coquettishly said: "My lord, having journeyed far and endured wind and dust, both body and mind are weary; allow this servant to help you undress and bathe."

Hu Xiaotian had never seen General Huo behave like this before; in a daze it felt like entering a role-playing game, General Huo became a maiden servant, delighting Hu Xiaotian to open his mouth wide, revealing a mouth of snow-white even teeth, like a wolf, a lecherous wolf. He said: "Such things have always been Weisa's job; how could I embarrass General Huo by troubling her."

Huo Shengnan extended a finger to press against his chest: "How? Do you think my hands are too rough? Do you think I'm not as gentle and considerate as your Weisa, that my service isn't as comfortable as hers?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head like a rattle-drum: "No, absolutely not! I just feel overwhelmed by the favor."

Huo Shengnan laughed: "Then just obey and let someone serve you once."

Hu Xiaotian gazed at her pair of soft hands: "General Huo's hands are those that grasp a spear; letting you help me scrub would be overkill."

Huo Shengnan's willow brows rose, her phoenix eyes widened: "Quick! Take off your clothes!"

When Hu Xiaotian crawled out of the bathtub dripping wet, Huo Shengnan's hair was disheveled, she languidly leaned against the tub, her red garment half slipped, her legs laid out, her beautiful eyes half-open half-closed, biting her cherry lips she said: "You truly are the evil star in my fate." Her voice was moist and soft, almost as if water could be wrung out; originally I thought this fellow, having returned from a long journey, should be exhausted, and I kindly prepared hot water to wash away his fatigue, but I never expected him not only to show no trace of fatigue, but to be even more vigorous than before; even the brave and skilled General Huo was tossed about by him, losing helmet and armor, repeatedly begging for mercy.

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe laugh, changed into clean clothes, came to Huo Shengnan's side, lowered his head, and lightly kissed her pretty face: "I'm going to visit Mr. Zhuge; do you want to come along?"

Huo Shengnan shook her head: "Having been tossed by you until I'm half-dead, I need to rest properly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then you rest well; I'll go and come back quickly."

Two updates delivered, seek Monthly Ticket support! (To be continued~^~)