Chapter 582

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

However, just as his foot was about to touch the ground, he suddenly retracted it as if electrocuted, his whole body pressing tightly against the doorframe again, looking somewhat frightened.

Qianqian found it amusing and couldn't help but speak up, "Brother Luo, come in quickly and sit, the meal is ready."

Luo Shun stammered, "Zhen... Zhen..." Before he could finish, Qianqian swiftly interrupted, "Xiao Ding, you go serve the dishes first." Hearing this, Xiao Ding hurriedly acknowledged and turned to leave.

Qianqian looked at Luo Shun, smiled slightly, and reassured him, "Brother Luo, you didn't see wrong, it is indeed Zhenxi General Ouyang Chengren. However, he isn't a ghost, but a living, breathing person. Rest assured, nothing will happen."

However, despite Qianqian's explanation, the fear in Luo Shun's heart did not completely dissipate.

After all, the news of Ouyang Chengren's passing was so major that it naturally reached his ears as well.

At the time, he only lamented that a great hero like Ouyang Chengren had died so young, truly a pity. But now, this hero who should have passed away suddenly appeared before his eyes; how could Luo Shun not feel awe and fear?

He walked trembling with trepidation to the chair beside Qianqian, and just as he was about to sit down, he suddenly felt a strong killing intent rushing at him from across the table.

This killing intent was like a cold wind blowing past, causing his body to tremble involuntarily. Before his brain could react, his body had already moved a step ahead, swiftly sitting down on the chair to the side, putting a seat's distance between himself and Qianqian.

Just as he sat down, Luo Shun felt the cold air around him seemed to have lessened considerably, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief in his heart.

He subconsciously touched the sweat on his forehead, only then discovering that his forehead had long been soaked with sweat.

Seeing this, Qianqian hurriedly explained, "Brother Luo, from now on Ouyang Chengren will be living in this room. He is currently injured and needs to recuperate here for a period of time."

Luo Shun hurriedly agreed, "Okay, okay!" He naturally dared not have any other thoughts; after all, Ouyang Chengren's aura was simply too powerful.

And when Ouyang Chengren heard Qianqian tell Luo Shun that he was here to recuperate, the temperature in the room instantly dropped several degrees.

Luo Shun only felt the cold air around him start to seep out again with a sizzling sound; he couldn't help but rub his arms, and despite wearing quite thick clothes, he still felt terribly cold!

Just then, servants carried dishes in one after another. First to catch the eye was a dish of wine-braised duck, its color enticing, its aroma assaulting the nose; followed by a plate of stir-fried chicken thigh with bamboo shoots, the tender chicken and crisp bamboo shoots paired perfectly; there was also a bowl of shrimp ball and laver soup, steaming hot, making one's mouth water; additionally, there were Dongpo tofu and braised fish, every dish excellent in color, aroma, and taste.

Three people, five dishes — though not considered a feast, it was enough to eat. This was because Qianqian had specifically instructed the servants beforehand that the food only needed to be sufficient, absolutely not extravagant or wasteful.

Qianqian smiled as she picked up a bowl, first ladling a bowl of shrimp ball and laver soup for Ouyang Chengren, then gently passing it to him, saying softly, "You taste this soup, the flavor is very good."

Seeing this, Ouyang Chengren couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in his heart, but his face remained cold as frost; he merely nodded slightly to express thanks. However, his heart had already bloomed like flowers in full bloom, blooming with joy.

Ouyang Chengren elegantly picked up the spoon, scooped a spoonful of soup, blew on it by his mouth, then slowly sent it into his mouth. His movements flowed like clouds and water, very pleasing to the eye. A mouthful of hot soup went down, warmth instantly spreading through his whole body, making him feel incomparably comfortable.

He raised his head, looked at Qianqian, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly, and said softly, "Mm, this soup is very fresh, the taste is indeed not bad."

Qianqian enthusiastically said to Ouyang Chengren, "You taste these few dishes too, see which you like, and I'll have the kitchen make them for you often in the future." Ouyang Chengren did not refuse the dishes Qianqian served him, but accepted them gladly.

However, Qianqian seemed to have forgotten to get serving chopsticks for Ouyang Chengren; this made Luo Shun, sitting opposite, stare with his mouth agape, nearly wide enough to fit an egg.

Qianqian noticed Luo Shun wasn't moving his chopsticks much and hurriedly said caringly, "Brother Luo, eat more! Uncle Wang said you usually don't like eating meat, that won't do. There are no serving chopsticks here, so I won't serve you dishes; you eat yourself, don't be polite at all!" Luo Shun hurriedly nodded, "Okay, okay."

Just then, Luo Shun suddenly realized the interaction between Qianqian and Ouyang Chengren seemed a bit too intimate.

So he hesitated a moment, then spoke up, "Qianqian, between you and Zhen... Young Master Ouyang, is there perhaps some..." The words reached his lips, but he didn't know how to phrase it more appropriately.

Before Luo Shun could figure out what to say, Qianqian had already taken the lead in responding, answering readily, "Mm, that's right, the two of us have privately pledged ourselves to each other for life!"

Qianqian's words were like a heavy bomb, not only causing Ouyang Chengren to be caught off guard and choke on a mouthful of soup, but also making Luo Shun repeat in stuttering shock, "Pri... privately... pledged for life???"

Qianqian smiled and nodded, then looked at Ouyang Chengren with concern, simultaneously reaching out to gently pat his back, saying softly, "Drink slowly, what's the rush?"

Hearing this, Ouyang Chengren raised his head to look at Qianqian, a helpless smile appearing on his face; he slowly set down the teacup in his hand and said, "Words cannot be spoken carelessly; if this spreads, it won't be good for your reputation."

Qianqian, however, didn't mind, retorting, "What I said are all facts, and it won't spread either. Besides, didn't you say you wanted to marry me? I've already agreed; doesn't that amount to the two of us privately pledging ourselves for life?"

Seeing Qianqian so insistent, Ouyang Chengren could not continue arguing, so he fell silent and sat quietly to the side.

At this moment, Luo Shun, who had been sitting to the side, seemed to have understood the conversation between them; he hesitated, then said, "If that's the case, then me living here might not be very convenient, right? Why don't I move out instead."

Qianqian hurriedly waved her hand, saying, "It's fine, I'm leaving after I finish eating, I won't be staying here, I won't disturb you two.

And our matter, I still have to go back and tell my parents. We'll have to wait until everything is settled, and in any case it'll have to wait until after the Spring Imperial Examination ends. So you just stay here and prepare for the exam with peace of mind; you'll stay in the Dongxiang Room, and he won't come over to disturb you."

Although Luo Shun still felt somewhat awkward, when he saw Qianqian so insistent, the hesitation in his heart gradually dissipated.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze inadvertently meeting Ouyang Chengren's, only to see Ouyang Chengren leisurely enjoying the food on his plate, seemingly having no objection to Qianqian's decision.