Chapter 154: You

An Jiu had been craving the food Qiao Sheng makes for a while; he had planned to go to her for a meal once the mission was over, but he ran into her at the dock instead.

He didn't go over right away; instead, he slicked his hair with his own saliva before heading over.

An Yi: "……"

What's wrong with An Jiu today?

He, who never liked grooming his hair, actually used saliva…

He was somewhat disgusted by An Jiu.

An Jiu sprang behind Qiao Sheng, walked up and called, "Qiao Sheng…"

"An Jiu, long time no see—what brings you here?"

Qiao Sheng smiled and greeted him.

An Jiu whispered, "Weren't you supposed to help your friend? Our master told us about this, so I was the first to raise my hand and say I'd come, and then An Yi and I came here."

So that's how it is.

Shi Lin is still a two‑faced fellow.

He said he wouldn't help her, yet he still did.

Qiao Sheng looked at An Jiu and said, "An Jiu, thank your master for me. When your mission is finished, come to my restaurant for a meal; I won't charge you."

"Alright!"

An Jiu realized Qiao Sheng was thanking them.

He sent Qiao Sheng back, then sprang over to An Yi's side.

An Yi, seeing An Jiu's smile narrow into a slit, said, "You can't possibly be falling for Qiao Sheng, can you?"

This Qiao Sheng isn't even good‑looking.

Why does our master treat her so differently from An Jiu?

An Jiu, of course, didn't know what An Yi was thinking; he gave him a cold glance and said, "How could I? I'm happy because it won't be long before I can eat her dishes."

So that's how it is.

An Yi still admits that Qiao Sheng's dishes are delicious.

He also likes the food she makes.

The next afternoon.

Not long after Qiao Sheng and the others finished lunch, Zhang Qiao entered the shop and called, "Lianhua…"

"Qiao'er, you're here…"

Qiao Sheng greeted her.

Zhang Qiao seized Qiao Sheng's hand and said, "Lianhua, thank you, thank you for your help; the matter has been settled. The Town Magistrate sentenced Sun Mao to a month in prison, thirty lashes, and ordered him to pay us twenty taels of silver."

How does she know it was her help?

Qiao Sheng called Zhang Qiao to the back courtyard to talk.

They chatted for a while.

Qiao Sheng finally figured out what had happened; it turned out An Jiu had told her.

"Qiao'er, you don't need to thank me again; you're my friend, I'm not helping you to help someone else. Though the matter is settled, you should still be cautious in whatever you do. I'm not sure whether that Sun Mao will cause any more trouble. If he does, you must tell me."

"Okay!"

Zhang Qiao nodded, repaid the twenty taels of silver she had borrowed to Qiao Sheng, and then produced twenty cash coins.

"Lianhua, I…"

Qiao Sheng interrupted Zhang Qiao, saying, "Qiao'er, I know what you want to say; I won't take any extra money. I'm not a moneylender, I can't charge you interest."

She insisted on refusing.

Zhang Qiao had to take it back.

She thought about what she had said earlier.

She also wondered how much it would cost to treat Sun Shuisheng's leg.

Qiao Sheng said to Zhang Qiao, "Qiao'er, if you're free this afternoon, come to my place; I'll teach you a dish, and then you can set up a stall to earn money."

"Lianhua, you've helped me enough."

Zhang Qiao felt embarrassed.

Qiao Sheng said with a bright smile, "Did you forget you've also helped us a lot? My life is good now, and I hope yours will be good too."

(End of chapter)