Chapter 91: The Most Precious Treasure

It’s the fifth day since Qinger left. I miss her.

After returning from class, Lin Xun sat in the courtyard, looked up at the azure sky, and couldn’t help but sigh.

At the same time, Yaya sat on a small stool, her chubby cheeks puffed out as her little hand gripped a small spoon, poking incessantly at the sausage in her bowl. Even her two little feet had stopped swinging… It was the second day of eating takeout. She really missed Sister Qinger.

Actually, Lin Xun’s cooking wasn’t bad, but… mostly because Luocheng Academy had recently opened an Enlightenment Class, giving Lin Xun many more lessons.

Then, thinking about coming home to wash, cut, and cook vegetables, and then having to wash the dishes after eating…

So, Lin Xun felt that takeout was quite nice.

Besides, this was ancient times; there was no such thing as gutter oil or anything like that. Most street vendors were very honest, and since they were acquaintances from the small streets and alleys, it was naturally very hygienic.

But the taste…

He looked down at the food on the table. How should he put it? The taste wasn’t bad—if it were bad, they wouldn’t be able to stay in business.

It was mainly that his and Yaya’s palates had been spoiled by Qinger.

And seeing how Yaya, who could originally finish two large bowls of rice…

Could now only eat one and a half bowls…

Lin Xun felt a bit guilty.

After all, no matter how much one suffers, the child shouldn’t suffer… “Yaya, how about we cook for ourselves from now on? How about Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings? Or Saliva Chicken?”

“Really?” As soon as Lin Xun finished speaking, Yaya’s eyes lit up, and saliva uncontrollably leaked from the corner of her mouth… However, remembering that Brother Lin seemed very busy lately with many classes every day, she wondered if it would be too hard on him if he had to cook for her as well.

She didn’t want Brother Lin to work so hard… “Brother Lin, it’s okay. Takeout… takeout is fine.”

Yaya said with her little head lowered, but looking at the takeout in her bowl, her large eyes spoke of nothing but expectation and regret.

“Brother Lin, Yaya is full.”

To prevent Brother Lin from noticing her disappointment, Yaya quickly finished her rice and jumped off the table, running toward the courtyard entrance.

“Brother Lin, Yaya is going out to play.”

Watching Yaya’s retreating figure and seeing that she had only eaten one large bowl plus another half bowl of rice, Lin Xun felt even worse.

Lin Xun decided—no more takeout! Otherwise, if he couldn’t even take good care of Yaya, what would he do if he had a daughter in the future?

Actually, if it were a boy… the father and son could still eat takeout… After all, for a boy, if your dad can eat takeout, why can’t you?

“Sister Nongqin~~~”

Just as Lin Xun made up his mind to be a good brother, Yaya’s happy voice came from the courtyard entrance.

Lin Xun looked up and saw that peerless, graceful figure standing at the door.

“Miss Jiang.” Lin Xun stood up and bowed, greeting her. “Miss Jiang, you look well.”

“It is all thanks to the Young Master.” Jiang Nongqin returned the gesture with a bow; her complexion indeed looked much better than before.

The day after Lin Xun rescued Jiang Nongqin, she was taken back to the Spring Breeze Tower to recover by the two women who had visited that day.

Lin Xun had seen those two Cultivators before; they seemed to be Su Ying’s people.

Only then did Lin Xun realize that the Spring Breeze Tower had become a stronghold for the Ten Thousand Demon Sect, or perhaps it had become Su Ying’s stronghold.

However, it didn’t matter to Lin Xun. As long as they didn’t cause trouble or disrupt his peaceful life, anything was fine… “Miss, please come in and sit.” Lin Xun couldn’t very well let her stand outside. “Yaya, don’t close the door.”

He could invite Nong Qin into his home, but the door couldn’t be closed. This was mainly because it would be hard to explain if Qinger asked.

Otherwise, if Qinger found out that Miss Nongqin had visited while she was away on business and he had closed the courtyard door, no explanation would sound right.

Keeping the courtyard door open made him seem much more upright… “I apologize for the intrusion, Young Master.”

Jiang Nongqin walked into the courtyard, but as she glanced back at the wide-open door, a faint sense of disappointment filled her heart.

Usually, when Your Highness did this, it was when Sister Qinger was away from home.

The young girl knew Your Highness did this to protect her reputation; it was a form of consideration.

But she didn’t need this kind of protection, nor did she need this kind of consideration.

In fact, having her reputation “ruined” at the hands of Your Highness was what she wanted to see most.

Just as Jiang Nongqin felt a bit aggrieved, even wishing for a gust of wind to blow the door shut, she accidentally noticed some bowls and chopsticks on the table engraved with a shop’s name.

Eh? Could it be that Sister Qinger hasn’t returned from her business trip yet? Why would Your Highness order takeout?

“Oh, Miss Nongqin might not know.” Noticing Jiang Nongqin’s gaze, Lin Xun explained, “Actually, Qinger did come back, but because the City Lord of Luocheng had some important matters, he took Qinger out again. It’s been a bit busy lately, so I ordered some outside food.”

“I see…” A flash of joy passed through Jiang Nongqin’s eyes. Last time Sister Qinger left, she herself had been forced to enter seclusion.

But now that she had come out of seclusion and Sister Qinger was away again, didn’t that mean she could take care of Your Highness?

Temporarily taking care of Your Highness in Qinger’s stead, being responsible for his nutrition and daily life so he could work better—Sister Qinger should be able to understand, right?

Moreover, Your Highness had saved her life again. Counting it up, he had already saved her twice. Her entire being belonged to Your Highness; surely it was only natural to cook some meals to repay a bit of that kindness?

“If the Young Master does not mind… Nong Qin… Nong Qin can take responsibility for the meals of the Young Master and Yaya.” Her long, slender fingers pinched together under her sleeves as Jiang Nongqin lowered her head, her voice tinged with nervousness.

“Ah, this, Miss Nongqin…”

“The Young Master saved Nong Qin’s life. Had you not, Nong Qin knows not when she would have been carried off by tigers or wolves in the mountains. Nong Qin has no other way to repay you; please, Young Master, do not refuse.”

Interrupting Lin Xun, Nong Qin curtsied, her tone carrying a sense of finality that brooked no refusal.

“…”

Lin Xun wanted to politely decline, but Nong Qin’s reasoning and firm tone left him unsure of what to do for a moment.

Especially when he saw Yaya standing beside Nong Qin, her large eyes sparkling and a little tail swinging incessantly behind her—that expectant look made Lin Xun swallow his words.

“In that case, I shall trouble Miss Nongqin then.” Lin Xun thanked her. She would just be sending over the food and not eating with him, so it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

“Mhm.” Seeing Lin Xun agree, a bright joy flashed in Nong Qin’s eyes.

At this moment, the sun was just setting. The fiery red clouds dyed the entire world, and the small Luo City looked as if it had been lightly kissed by a young girl’s red lips, stained with the color of her lips.

The purest joy sparkled in the girl’s charming eyes.

Simply because he was willing to let her cook for him.

Yet to the girl, it felt as if she had been given the most precious treasure in the world.