Chapter 51: You Really Made a Fool of Yourself Today

Qiao Xuehua looked at Qiao Sheng, the meaning obvious.

He calls that being shy?

Qiao Sheng immediately shifted the blame: "Ligouzi said so."

Shi Lin: "?"

What did he say? What exactly did he say?

Unconsciously, he has already tacitly accepted that he is the Ligouzi Qiao Sheng mentioned.

Qiao Sheng said with a cheerful smile, "Alright, let's drop this. It's rare for us all to gather for a meal; let's dig in!"

"Then I won't be polite."

An Jiu's gaze fell on the bowl and thought it was a bit small; he went to fetch a larger bowl, filled it to the brim with rice, and sat down beside Shi Lin.

"What are you all watching me do? Eat yourselves. My appetite is average today, so I'll eat a little less."

An Jiu didn't wait for their words; after quickly scraping the dishes Qiao Sheng had given, he began eating the rice in his bowl.

Eating so much.

He even said he'd eat less.

If he eats a lot, how much would that be?

Qiao Sheng felt fortunate that he had cooked extra rice today; otherwise lunch might not have been enough for everyone.

Shi Lin really couldn't bear to watch.

An Jiu praised Qiao Sheng while eating, spouting endless compliments for free, almost lifting her to the heavens.

Shi Lin couldn't hold back.

"Can you shut up!"

"Alright."

After saying that, An Jiu truly fell silent and earnestly tackled the food; he was the last to finish, eating only the rice but clearing all the remaining dishes, not leaving a drop of broth.

"Wash the dishes!"

Shi Lin said to An Jiu.

He ate so much; washing the dishes is his duty.

An Jiu got up and started cleaning up.

Qiao Hushui opened his mouth and said, "You're a guest; how can we let you clean? We'll take care of it."

He said that, and together with Lan Yue Niang and the others, helped Qiao Sheng clean up.

More people, more strength.

It didn't take long before everything was tidied.

Qiao Hushui and the others stayed with Qiao Sheng for about two quarter‑hours before heading back.

They had just taken their first steps away.

Shi Lin then gave An Jiu a kick: "You really embarrassed yourself today; if you keep this up, I won't take you with me when I go out!"

An Jiu pouted in grievance.

Qiao Sheng stopped meddling in their affairs, and spoke up, "Young master Shi, didn't you say you'd leave after lunch?"

"You're in such a hurry to send me off?"

Shi Lin's inexplicable irritation.

Qiao Sheng said neither fast nor slow, "No, why would you think that? I'm only worried you won't find a place to stay tonight; wandering a bit makes it easier to find lodging, right?"

Is she, together with him, just doing it for their benefit?

Shi Lin hummed, walked up to Xiao Shitou, crouched, and said, "Xiao Shitou, are you really not coming with uncle? Uncle's house has lots of tasty and fun things, you know."

Xiao Shitou shook his head without any hesitation.

Shi Lin felt a bit frustrated; what's good about his mother? She's not pretty, looks fierce, and only the food she makes is passable.

An Jiu said from the side, "Master, after all these years of mother‑son living together, you split them up the moment you speak; it would be a miracle if they'd still be willing. How about this: take them all back to the Imperial Capital."

"That way."

Then he could, with or without business, go over there to mooch meals.

His idea.

Shi Lin, of course, could not be unaware; he gave him a blank stare and said, "You're dreaming!"

Even thinking about it is impossible?

He doesn't want to, yet he insists.

An Jiu turned his gaze to Qiao Sheng and said, "Miss Qiao, let me formally introduce myself. I'm An Jiu, seventeen this year, a little over seven feet tall. I can do everything except what I don't know. I don't mind if you have a son; if you're willing, I'll marry you."

(End of chapter)