Chapter 360

The disciple of the prestigious elder entered the kitchen just to make sweet osmanthus cake, which startled all the disciples on the entire first floor.
Even the Grand Elder has sent someone over to inquire whether this osmanthus cake is really intended as a gift for the Master.
Mysterious Immortal came gracefully just to join in the fun and witness Shen Shuqing's culinary skills.
Staring at the neatly arranged osmanthus cake in the plate, it looked cute and delicate, and Yaoxian's eyes lit up. Subconsciously, she wanted to pick up the osmanthus cake, disregarding her image, but she was afraid of being scolded by Senior Shuqing. She could only endure the temptation and forcibly shifted her gaze away from the osmanthus cake and onto the busy figure of Shuqing in front:
"Shuqing Senior Brother, I never expected you to have such skill."
Shenshuqing occupied a place, appearing out of place in the kitchen.
Fingers with distinct joints gently kneaded the flour into a ball, then carefully sprinkled it with osmanthus powder and powdered sugar.
Previously, he had already steamed two trays of osmanthus cakes, but he was afraid that the little girl would not have enough to eat, so he prepared to make some more.
Hearing this, without turning his head, he replied, "She likes it." And he started making them.
Upon hearing Shen Shuqing's words, Yao Xian's expression froze for a moment, and her usually lively eyes flashed with a touch of disappointment. She then listlessly stared at the osmanthus cake placed on the table.
Secretly thought:
- It doesn't seem to be very delicious.
But why does she still want to try it?
Thinking in her heart, Yaoxian's mood couldn't help but become even more depressed, "Senior Shuqing, can I taste the osmanthus cake you're eating?"
"Yes?"
Shen Shuqing turned around and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Suddenly, the other chefs in the kitchen also curiously stared at Yaoxian.
Unexpectedly, with so many eyes staring straight at her, Yaoxian instantly felt uncomfortable all over. She unconsciously took a step back and looked confused, "Did I say something wrong? Why are you all looking at me like this?"
This makes her feel very flustered.
Shen Shuqing paused for a moment, shook her head seriously and said, "You can choose any osmanthus cake you like, Junior Sister You Xian." After a pause, he added, "Reciprocity in gift-giving."
Yao Xian understood.
His meaning is to thank himself for giving him the red bean cake earlier.
Reciprocity.
Yao Xian suppressed the slight uneasiness in her heart, bent her brows and eyes, and jokingly said, "Shu Qing senior brother, if I take away this osmanthus cake, won't the little girl have anything to eat?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Yaoxian knew that she had said something wrong. Unconsciously, she looked towards Shenshuqing and met his calm and unruffled gaze. His brows and eyes were gentle as he said, "Yaoxian junior sister doesn't need to worry, I will take care of her."
"That's right."
Yaoxian nodded awkwardly and felt even more embarrassed.
As long as Shuqing Senior Brother is here, how can the little girl worry about not being able to eat osmanthus cake?
"The two osmanthus cakes on the table, Yaoxian Junior Sister can take them back."
Just as Yao Xian was feeling troubled, she suddenly heard Shen Shuqing's gentle voice: "After all, when she comes back, this osmanthus cake will have gone cold, and it won't taste good anymore."
Yao Xian: "......" So she only deserves to eat cold osmanthus cake!??
My heart is really broken.
I can't believe Shu Qing is like this, that's why he generously let me take two shelves of osmanthus cake.
It's really saddening her.
But Yao Xian also can't refuse Shu Qing's intention, so she nodded and said, "Thank you very much, Shu Qing senior."
Shen Shuqing didn't mind this trivial matter, after all, Yao Xian had helped him a lot before, and she also had a sweet tooth, so it was fine for her to eat some osmanthus cake.
That's what he thought, but Yao Xian was still tense all over, not even daring to take a deep breath. After hesitating for a while, Yao Xian finally dared to speak, "Senior Brother Shuqing, should I take these two trays of osmanthus cakes back first?"
"Understood."
After all, Fairy Xiaoxian Junior Sister is a bit noisy.
If she doesn't leave soon, she might disturb him from concentrating on making osmanthus cake.
The little girl has always liked sweets. When she comes back and sees it, she will definitely be very happy and throw herself into her arms, then she will softly use her tone to act spoiled towards him, clamoring to eat more pieces of osmanthus cake.
Whenever she thought of that scene, Shen Shuqing couldn't help but smile, and her actions became even more serious and meticulous.
-
However, Shen Shuqing, who had a lingering attachment to the little girl, did not plan to return to Lingxian Gate for now.
After leaving the village chief's house, Shen Shuju pulled Fang Yuchao in the direction of the bamboo house.
Not far ahead is the bamboo house, and a few more steps will pass by the courtyard of Mrs. Wang's house.
Still remembering the route, the little girl suddenly stopped. She tilted her head slightly, gazing intensely at Feng Yu, who was walking beside her. With a hopeful smile on her face, she said, "Feng gege, do you think I can go and see Aunt Wang first?"
“？”
Hearing this, Feng Yu lowered his eyes, and a hint of confusion flashed in his pitch-black eyes, as if he was asking her: Who is Mrs. Wang?
Shen Shu nodded in understanding, her expression slightly suspicious: "Feng ge, don't you remember Mrs. Wang?"
"How long has it been? How could you forget so easily?"
The little girl stared at him with wide eyes, accusingly.
Feng Yu couldn't help but fall silent.
As for the people in the village, he didn't have the leisure to memorize their appearances or features.
After all, there is no need.
He only needs someone to clean his bamboo house, there is no need for any other troubles.
Seeing that Feng Yu was still silent, the little girl felt that his memory was getting worse and worse.
"Feng, brother, you..."
Shen Shuju carefully considered and spoke to Feng Yu in a tone used to coax children: "If you don't remember, it's okay. I remember it, that's enough. Mrs. Wang is nice. Even if you don't speak, I won't let you starve here."
“？？？”
Suddenly, Fung Yu heard the little girl say a series of words and was puzzled, not understanding the meaning behind her words.
His thin lips twitched, and his gaze remained deep as he looked at her. If one looked closely, they could still perceive a faint smile in his eyes. "Niuniu, did you misunderstand something?"
"...I didn't think of anything."
Shen Shuju looked even more puzzled than him.
Feng Yu: "Don't overthink it."
"......Oh."
Clearly, she was so obedient, how could she be thinking randomly?
She was still thinking about asking Aunt Wang to save a chicken leg for him!
After a few steps, the two of them had already arrived at Wang Da Niang's doorstep.
Rarely do strangers come and go in the village, even if they accidentally stumble upon it, they wouldn't be able to find this side's small road.
Of course, except for Shen Shuju, who is exceptionally lucky.
At this moment, Mrs. Wang is feeding the chickens in the chicken coop.
Since the young master left, the village has become even more peaceful and harmonious. The villagers do not argue or fight, and occasionally gather together to chat.
"Wang Danni?"
Suddenly, a sweet and charming voice was heard. Wang Danni, who had her back to the door, was momentarily stunned. After all, there were no young girls in the village.
"Wang Danni?"
This soft voice sounds a bit familiar.
Wang Dama slowly turned around, and the first thing that caught the eye was the gilded robe, followed by the extremely familiar skull mask.
She was stunned for a moment and asked, somewhat uncertainly, "You're back, young master!?"
Before Feng Yu could even answer, Shen Shuji inexplicably ignored her completely and pretended to clear her throat repeatedly, trying to draw attention to herself. Feng Yu unconsciously glanced at the young girl and couldn't help but feel helpless. He discreetly curved his lips.
"Who are you...?"
Madam Wang finally noticed the presence of the young girl, but for a moment, she couldn't figure out who it was standing in front of her. However, upon closer inspection, she found her somewhat familiar: "Strange, why do I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, little girl?"
"Ah... Wang Auntie, don’t you remember me?"
The little girl couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. She never imagined that she would be the only one who remembered Wang Auntie, while Wang Auntie had long forgotten about herself, which felt heart-wrenching just thinking about it.
Shu Shushu did not expect that when she came to the village, she was injured and wore simple and dirty clothes, which is quite different from her current appearance. It would be difficult for Wang Dama to recognize her at first glance.
Mrs. Wang subconsciously glanced at the young master and asked cautiously, "Miss, should I remember you?"
As soon as the voice fell, Feng Yu suddenly bent slightly.
Shen Shuju, who saw someone's small movement inadvertently: "......"
Oh!
Want to cry.
It was her own wishful thinking, self-made sentimentality!
No longer want to continue the mute conversation with Wang Danni. The once confident little girl suddenly became dejected, with watery eyes and a hint of grievance, saying, "Wang Danni, it's me, NiuNiu."
"Niu Niu" were the two words she emphasized heavily.
Aunty Wang: "...I remembered, I remembered."
Shen Shu Shu, feeling wronged, said, "That's good."
Looking at the little girl's pitiful appearance, someone who didn't know would think she had suffered a great deal of bullying. Aunty Wang rarely felt a bit guilty, completely ignoring the young man standing by her side.
Afraid that the little girl might suddenly drop her gold beans, Aunt Wang smiled and deliberately changed the subject, saying, "Niuniu, have you made up your mind to come and live here?"
But Shen Shushu's expression was still gloomy. Her gaze suddenly fell on the old mother hen in the chicken coop. She hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but speak up, "Aunt Wang, I want to drink the chicken soup you made."
Wang Dangniang was stunned and followed her gaze, and suddenly saw her own chicken coop. She paused for a moment and said, "Okay, since Niu Niu wants to drink it, I will make her some old mother chicken soup, how about that?"
“Hmm hmm!”
Shen Shuju nodded busily and smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Mrs. Wang."
She had tasted Mrs. Wang's cooking before, and it was so delicious that she couldn't forget it.
She thought she would never have the chance to drink Mrs. Wang's homemade chicken soup again in her life, but unexpectedly someone suddenly brought her back to the village.
Mrs. Wang was in a hurry to make soup, so she didn't bring them over to the bamboo house. Luckily, Shen Shuju also didn't forget where the bamboo house was.
Feng Yu stepped forward and opened the bamboo door, but no dust floated in. Not even a hint of mildew smell was detected.
The bamboo house is clean and doesn't look like it hasn't been inhabited for a long time. On the desk near the window, a vibrant young bamboo branch is deliberately placed.
Shen Shushu entered first and looked around the room, couldn't help but praise, "I didn't expect that even after being away for so long, the bamboo house is still well-maintained."
With a tilt of her head, she stared intently at Feng Yu and curiously asked, "Brother Feng, did you pay the workers for cleaning the bamboo house?"
After all, Aunt Wang and the others worked so hard, they deserve to be compensated for their efforts. I shouldn't have asked Aunt Wang to make soup.
It's making Wang Danniang tired again.
"Sigh."
"Nuinui, don't think too much."
With just one glance, Feng Yu knew what the little girl was thinking in her head. The whole village belongs to him, so why should he pay wages?
Naturally, he wouldn't be honest with the little girl about this.
But...
Feng Yu agreed with her words: "Paid."
"That's good, that's good."
Shen Shuju also didn't think about probing the truth of this statement. She believed that Feng Yu would never deceive her.
She stood outside for a while, then she lifted her foot and walked towards the room inside. The room was also neatly arranged, even the bedding had a hint of sunshine, probably because it was often taken outside to be aired.
In the bamboo house, everything was prepared too well, leaving Shen Shuju suddenly idle. She climbed onto the soft couch and lay there for a while, but then began to feel restless. She couldn't help but stare at Feng Yu and asked, "Feng Gege, how do you think I should go chop firewood?"
Feng Yu, who was accustomed to painting on the table by the window, suddenly heard the little girl's words. Caught off guard, a large puddle of ink fell on the paper, spreading outwards like it forcefully tore the picture in half.
The little girl didn't notice the commotion here, instead she chattered on, "Or I can go to Aunt Wang's and get some vegetables, then cook myself?"
"But I need some meat dishes to go with it, I wonder if the village head has any..."
"Niu Niu."
A deep voice suddenly sounded from above, causing Shen Shu Shu to shudder all over, instinctively looking up, but accidentally knocking into Feng Yu's chin.
"Huh?"
Shen Shuju's eyes widened, and she quickly leaned back, almost overturning the entire soft stool. The little girl's heart skipped a beat, and when she tried to steady herself, it was already too late—
Little did he know, luckily Zhang Yu quickly supported her and swiftly restrained her in his arms.
Zhang Yu's gaze had been following the young girl all along, only noticing something wrong with her at this moment. He reached out in a timely manner, calmly and securely holding her in his arms. He lowered his eyes, and the softness between his brows seemed as if it could make people immerse themselves in it.
His chin rested on her shoulder, and between their breaths was the sweet scent of her body. His heart instantly calmed down, and after a while, he realized that the little girl in his arms had also regained her composure. Then he slowly spoke:
"Nini, are you afraid?"
Shen Shuju shrank her head, knowing that she was being unruly, she didn't dare to speak up for herself. She slightly poked her head out and earnestly said, "Feng Gege, I'm not afraid. I promise there won't be a next time, okay? Please don't be angry, alright?"
With a slight tilt of his head, Feng Yuyi's pitch-black eyes reflected the adorable and lovely face of the little girl. He loosened his grip and casually glanced at her, saying, "Alright, I will temporarily trust your words."
"If there is another time..."
"I dare not, I dare not."