Chapter 42: The Devilish Junzhu's Daily Life of Slacking Off Chapter 42: Three Cobblers

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

In the days that followed, Qianqian attended classes for two full days straight. Every day when school let out, Yan Xiner would arrive at the school gate on time to welcome Qianqian after class; on the other side, Ai Chun likewise came every day on schedule, waiting for Ai Jiao to finish a day of learning. Time flew by, and the long-awaited holiday finally arrived.

That afternoon, the last class happened to be a martial arts class full of vitality and challenge. In the classroom, the students were all fully focused on their training, completing the various tasks assigned by the tutor.

After class ended, Qianqian, Yan Xiner, Ai Chun, and Ai Jiao, these few little friends, sat together in a circle, enthusiastically discussing their plans for playing the next day.

However, although everyone expressed their own opinions and discussed heatedly for a while, they were ultimately unable to reach a consensus or come to a definite conclusion.

Just then, the clever and adorable Qianqian had a sudden inspiration and said, "Ai Jiao, tomorrow morning I plan to go to your house to play with Qi Xi, and then we can discuss the subsequent itinerary properly! You have Eldest Brother Ai wait for us at home tomorrow, and we'll study together how to spend the day after tomorrow."

Hearing this, Ai Jiao nodded without hesitation and cheerfully replied, "Alright, this little matter is on me!"

The next morning at dawn, just as daybreak had broken and the sun was still stretching lazily behind the clouds, Qianqian had already crawled out of her warm quilt, unable to wait any longer.

She quickly finished washing up, enjoyed a delicious breakfast, carefully dressed and adorned herself, then happily boarded the luxurious carriage that had long been prepared, heading straight for Qi Xi's house.

At the same time, Qi Xi had also been busy since early morning. She tidied herself up cleanly and beautifully, waiting at home with great anticipation for Qianqian's arrival. Not long after, a clear and pleasant sound of horse hooves came from far to near, stopping in front of Qi Xi's house.

It turned out to be the carriage Qianqian was riding that had arrived. Qianqian then set off with Qi Xi toward Ai Jiao's house; not long after, the two arrived, and Ai Jiao had already been waiting early at the gate. Only to see the carriage door slowly open, two adorable little dolls dressed in pink clothes lightly got off the carriage, as charming and lovely as flowers blooming in spring.

Ai Jiao anxiously pulled the two of them, running all the way toward Ai Chun's courtyard. Before even stepping into the courtyard gate, they saw from afar Ai Chun directing the servants to busily prepare various foods: fresh fruits dripping with dew, fragrant tea, and exquisite and delicious pastries—clearly they had been waiting early for these little guests to arrive.

When the three entered the courtyard together chatting and laughing, Ai Chun had already been waiting there for a long time. They sat around an exquisitely carved round table, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant. Ai Jiao enthusiastically proposed, "How about we go fishing together?" However, before her words even fell, Qi Xi shook her head repeatedly and said coquettishly, "Aiya, where is there a boy inviting a girl to go fishing? How boring."

Ai Jiao scratched his head, thought for a moment, then said, "How about we go to the teahouse to listen to storytelling?" Who knew Qianqian instead pouted her little mouth and muttered, "We've been to the teahouse several times already, not a bit of novelty."

Ai Jiao sighed helplessly and continued to offer ideas: "How about we go to the temple to take a walk?" This time it was Ai Chun's turn to show difficulty, hesitantly replying, "A place of Buddhist importance, I'm afraid it's not very suitable..." For a moment, Ai Jiao was actually at a loss for words, not knowing what to do.

Seeing this, Ai Jiao simply stopped speaking, silently muttering in his heart that this group of people was truly hard to serve. Just as he remained silent, Qi Xi's eyes suddenly lit up and she shouted excitedly, "How about we go on a spring outing! Bring delicious snacks, and find a place where flowers bloom like brocade."

As soon as this proposal was made, it immediately received everyone's unanimous response. "Good idea!" Qianqian clapped her hands in praise upon hearing it, and Ai Chun also hurriedly nodded in agreement, a smile of anticipation on his face. Even Ai Jiao, who had been somewhat discouraged, now became spirited, raising both hands high to show complete approval. Immediately after, Qianqian eagerly added, "In a while we'll go out to buy things needed for the spring outing."

After everyone had properly arranged tomorrow's activities, they were happily about to go out.

The sun hung high, and before they knew it, it was already noon. Ai Chun enthusiastically invited everyone to stay at home for a meal. Qianqian initially looked shy, feeling it was somewhat embarrassing to impose, but Ai Jiao immediately said, "My mother specially instructed the kitchen to prepare delicious dishes today! There's sweet and sour fish, crystal clear shuijing zhuoti, fragrant braised shrimp, tender and juicy crab roe lion's head, and refreshing cold-mixed spring bamboo shoots..."

Ai Jiao rattled off the dish names nonstop, and before she finished speaking, Qianqian beside her was already drooling, no longer able to care about restraint, and quickly nodded in agreement, deciding to enjoy this sumptuous lunch at the Ai family home.

Just then, a servant hurried over and reported to Ai Chun that the meal was ready, and the master and mistress were waiting in the shantang for everyone to take their seats. So, everyone went to the shantang together in high spirits.

Ai Chun entered the shantang first, shouting loudly, "Father, Mother!" Ai Jiao following behind also called out crisply. Then Qianqian and Qi Xi walked over hand in hand, greeting in unison, "Uncle Ai, Auntie Ai!"

Ai Jiao's mother was the legitimate daughter of General Zhenbei; her boudoir name was Guo Lanxin. When she was given this name, it was hoped she would possess the beautiful qualities of a heart as fragrant as orchids, growing up to be a gentle and refined woman.

Unfortunately, things went against expectations; her personality had nothing to do with her name. As a result, when Ai Jiao drew that picture of maternal kindness and filial piety, Guo Lanxin saw two little girls walking in together and her heart melted instantly. What she wanted most in this life was a daughter, but unfortunately she bore two sons.

So upon seeing Qianqian and Qi Xi for the first time, she liked them to no end, especially when the two little girls called out "Pretty Auntie" in their sweet voices. Guo Lanxin's heart melted, and she hurriedly stood up to greet everyone to sit down. Looking at the two little girls, she was itching to hold them ("What adorable little girls, I really want to hug them, but how should I open my mouth? Aiya, so worrisome"). Guo Lanxin said enthusiastically, "Come, come, come, sit down quickly, by no means be polite! Today our kitchen specially prepared several signature dishes; come taste them!"

Qianqian beside her obediently replied, "Alright, thank you, Pretty Auntie!" Immediately after, Qi Xi also sweetly said, "Thank you, Pretty Auntie!"

At this moment, Ai Sheng smiled and said to everyone, "Everyone, eat to your heart's content, by no means be reserved; treat this place as your own home." Hearing this, Qianqian and Qi Xi responded in unison, "Thank you, Lord Ai!"