Chapter 157

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Protagonist:

Lu Feng

"Hello, may I ask what brings you here?"

Lu Feng smiled and greeted the father and daughter at the door.

From the clothing and bearing of this father-daughter pair, he guessed they should also be property owners here.

Since they're neighbors, there will inevitably be frequent dealings in the future.

He knew the people living here were no ordinary folks, but Lu Feng didn't act restrained because of it, conducting himself with neither servility nor arrogance.

After the gate opened, Lin Yiming couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment upon seeing Lu Feng.

Yunding Huating Villa isn't a place just anyone can afford; the housing prices here aren't just the ceiling of Jiang City, they're extremely high even nationwide.

The No. 8 Courtyard next door had been vacant for a long time; when he came back the night before last he discovered the lights on next door, only then learning someone had already moved in.

He originally thought anyone able to live here would probably be some famous big shot in Jiangcheng's business circles.

Even if not some veteran tycoon, they should at least be one of those newly-rich capitalists he was fairly familiar with.

He never expected that coming over to look today, a young man would actually be living here.

This young man looked about twenty-something, with clear, fresh features, but he didn't seem to have seen him in their circles.

He couldn't help but grow curious about Lu Feng in his heart — just who was this young man, to be able to afford such an expensive place?

But he hadn't forgotten the purpose of this visit, so he set aside this curiosity and doubt for the time being.

"Hello, I'm the property owner of the neighboring No. 9 Courtyard."

Lin Yiming spoke somewhat awkwardly, then introduced: "This is my daughter Lin Xi; just now she smelled the aroma of cooking from your place and wanted to come take a look."

As Lin Yiming spoke his introduction, Lu Feng's gaze fell on Lin Xi in his arms, and his heart couldn't help but clench.

This little girl... isn't she way too thin?

Her arms were so thin there was barely any flesh visible, not far from skin and bones, and a few faint needle marks could still be seen on the back of her hand.

"Your daughter... is she sick?"

Lu Feng looked at Lin Xi's frail appearance and couldn't help asking.

"Yes."

Lin Yiming sighed, a trace of worry appearing on his resolute face, his voice also growing low: "The doctor says it's anorexia; it's been several months, she can't eat anything down, she's entirely sustained by nutrient IVs."

Anorexia?

Lu Feng stared blankly for a moment; he had heard of this illness.

No wonder this little girl looks so fragile.

It's just that such a cute little girl has come down with this kind of illness — it really makes one's heart ache to see.

Thinking of this, Lu Feng proactively stepped aside, smiling as he invited the two outside the door: "Don't stand at the door, come in and talk."

Lin Yiming originally felt his sudden visit was a bit rash; he didn't expect Lu Feng to be so polite.

He couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment, hurriedly said "sorry to disturb," then carried Lin Xi inside.

"Dad, put me down."

Upon entering, Lin Xi in Lin Yiming's arms gently struggled.

Lin Yiming carefully set her down; the moment Lin Xi's feet touched the ground, she pulled away from Lin Yiming's hand and step by step shuffled toward the kitchen.

The kitchen is on the counter; the tomato beef brisket in the pot was still bubbling with a gurgle-gurgle, rich aroma drilling out through the lid's cracks, the air filled with the mellow depth of beef brisket and the sweet-sour fragrance of tomato.

"Big Brother, what yummy thing are you making?"

Lin Xi lay prone beside the stove, tilting her little face up to look at Lu Feng, asking with a face full of longing.

Lu Feng walked over, with a worried-looking Lin Yiming following behind him; he smiled and said to Lin Xi: "What's stewing in the pot is tomato beef brisket; I'm just preparing to make noodles, having tomato beef brisket noodles for lunch."

He looked at the expectant expression on Lin Xi's face and couldn't help but feel some doubt in his heart.

This little girl really has anorexia?

But the expression on her face, how does it look no different from the diners coming to my own shop?

Lu Feng crouched down, looking at Lin Xi and tentatively asked: "You... want to have a portion to taste?"

Lin Xi blinked, casting her gaze toward Lin Yiming behind Lu Feng, and timidly asked: "Dad... can I have a taste? Big Brother's cooking smells so good, I want to eat."

Hearing his daughter's words, Lin Yiming's body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Ever since his daughter fell ill, let alone eating, even smelling food would make her unable to hold back vomiting.

Just now his daughter reacted to this aroma — that alone could be called a miracle; now she actually wants to taste?

Lin Yiming only felt his voice trembling a bit: "Xi Xi, you really want to eat?"

"Mm-hm! Want to!" Lin Xi nodded vigorously.

Lin Yiming took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the surging excitement in his heart, looked at Lu Feng and said with a face full of sincerity: "Young man, how much for a meal at your place? Name a figure, I'll transfer it to you right now!"

"No need, it's just a meal."

Lu Feng stood up, smiling and waving his hand, then turned and walked to the operation counter, saying to Lin Xi: "Little sister, you and your dad go sit and wait a bit; I'll be done very soon."

"Mm! Thank you, Big Brother!"

Lin Xi nodded happily, obediently walking to Lin Yiming's side and taking his hand.

Lin Yiming nodded to Lu Feng with a heart full of gratitude, leading his daughter to the living room sofa to sit down.

After sitting down, Lin Xi clenched her little hands into fists on her knees, her body leaning slightly toward the kitchen, eyes unblinking as they stared at Lu Feng's busy figure, her face written full of anticipation.

Lin Yiming sat beside her, palms nervously sweating; watching his daughter's demeanor, a thread of hope couldn't help but ignite in his heart.

He touched Lin Xi's little head and said softly to his daughter: "Xi Xi, Daddy's going to make a phone call, stay here and be good, don't run around."

Lin Xi agreed without turning her head, her eyes still fixed on Lu Feng in the kitchen.

Lin Yiming walked to the villa's balcony and took out his mobile phone from his pocket.

He took a deep breath and dialed Zhou Zhengbang's number, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed.

"Hello, Manager Lin?"

Zhou Zhengbang had just come out of the hospital canteen, and upon seeing Lin Yiming's mobile phone number, he thought something bad had happened to Lin Xi's condition again, with a hint of worry in his tone: "Is Xi Xi feeling uncomfortable again?"

"Director Zhou!"

Lin Yiming's voice couldn't help but tremble, his tone full of unbelievable excitement: "Xi Xi just now... said she wanted to eat something!"

Zhou Zhengbang on the other end of the phone was stunned, his footsteps stopped, and then he asked the mobile phone in disbelief: "What did you say?"