CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 184: WILL YOU STAY?

Mr. Yun, who had grown three sizes fatter in the study, contentedly drank the rose dew that Tian Xinhua had just drawn from the well. With each sip, he sighed in satisfaction, barely stopping short of smacking his lips. Tian Xinhua watched, grimacing; to think he once mistook this man for the respectable Uncle He?

How was this man at all like Uncle He? Even their once-similar appearances were now nearly ruined. Fat destroys everything, doesn’t it? With the way he’s eating now, where’s the slightest hint of an immortal’s elegance?

"Not bad, I didn’t expect Ah Nan to have such a talent. The taste is truly good. Xinhua, why don’t you see if there are any other novel delicacies in ’Dream of the Red Chamber’? Gather some and let Ah Nan study them?"

Mr. Yun, having drunk his fill, had a burst of inspiration. "I remember there’s a famous eggplant dish in there, and now is the perfect time for eggplants. How about letting Ah Nan research how to prepare eggplants?"

"Aren’t you afraid of eating so much that you can’t even walk? Look at your figure now, your belly is sticking out!"

Tian Xinhua said coolly, inwardly scoffing. Who would make Ah Nan work at home? Yet here, you treat her like a little maid at your beck and call, and now you want her to cook eggplants too? What a lovely thought!

Mr. Yun looked down at his slightly plump belly and smiled contentedly. "It’s pretty good, though it could use a bit more meat. It seems that the food prepared by the little Ah Nan is truly nourishing!"

Tian Xinhua was at a loss for words, choked by such shamelessness. After struggling for a moment, he could only grunt in response. He had never seen anyone so thick-skinned, but he also knew that this old fox genuinely liked Ah Nan, otherwise, he wouldn’t have silently watched Tian Sisi work all this time.

"Well, you only have a few days left to enjoy it. In a few days, we’ll be heading back. Even if you crave it, you’ll have no chance to eat it, old man!" Tian Xinhua took a bit of schadenfreude pleasure in the thought.

Mr. Yun glanced at Tian Xinhua dismissively. What an unadorable brat. The little girl is much better; even when she’s angry, she wouldn’t speak harsh words to upset an old man like me.

"You’re really going? Haven’t you seriously considered my previous suggestion?"

Tian Xinhua hesitated for a while, torn. He was well aware of the enormous temptation behind Mr. Yun’s words. If he could really stay behind, even if he learned just a fraction of Mr. Yun’s abilities, his life would not be wasted.

But he couldn’t bear it; staying would mean separating from Ah Nan, her family, and her friends. The thought of not seeing Ah Nan and the others again filled him with sadness, not to mention he still needed to help Ah Nan brew wine and earn money!

Mr. Yun noticed the expression on Tian Xinhua’s face and snorted coldly. "Already knows the pains of young love at such a young age, eh? Have you not considered that if you don’t learn proper skills now, how will you protect Ah Nan in the future? With your current half-baked skills?"

Mr. Yun was well aware of what Tian Xinhua was thinking and deliberately provoked him, chuckling to himself, yet also a bit envious. The romance of growing up together and innocent childhood companionship was truly wonderful, something he unfortunately had never experienced, alas!

Mr. Yun added another remark, "Ah Nan is the He Family’s sole heir. The treasures of the He Family can drive people mad at any time, and not everyone is as kind-hearted as this old man, you know!"

Seeing Tian Xinhua’s increasingly troubled expression, Mr. Yun held back his laughter and delivered another heavy hit. "Plus, Ah Nan is growing up so beautifully. She’ll surely be a beauty that could topple cities and nations. Beauty and treasures, either could lead to crimes! Ah, if Ah Nan doesn’t have someone powerful to protect her, who knows what fate lies ahead? Think about all those historical beauties!"

"I understand your intentions, and on behalf of Ah Nan, I thank you!"

Tian Xinhua bowed reverently, his face heavy with concern. He understood Mr. Yun’s kind intention. Carrying a valuable treasure and possessing a beauty that could overthrow cities, each aspect alone could plunge Ah Nan into a dire predicament. He had been too naive, thinking that by staying by Ah Nan’s side, he could protect her. But if he were just a nobody, what could he use to protect Ah Nan?

"Sir, I will stay. But I need to inform my family first." Having grasped Mr. Yun’s intention, Tian Xinhua became extremely respectful.

"Mm, and mention it to that little girl too, so she won’t complain later that this old man has lured her little suitor away."

"Sir, please don’t say such things. Ah Nan is my sister," Tian Xinhua’s face blushed, but his heart felt like a deer bouncing around, a mix of joy and worry that he couldn’t quite understand.

"She’s a sister, a dear sister, haha! Xinhua, I tell you, when looking for a little wife, you have to be quick, ruthless, and precise. Otherwise, someone else might get there before you. Chengsi, that lad, has been keeping close watch!"

Mr. Yun maliciously stirred trouble, intent on watching the excitement. Upon hearing He Chengsi’s name, Tian Xinhua felt a tight twinge in his chest. Even though he hadn’t sorted out his feelings, he just didn’t want He Chengsi contending with him for Ah Nan.

Tian Xinhua’s brows furrowed. If he stayed in Beijing, wouldn’t that just play into the hands of that dolt, He Chengsi?

"Sir, Grandpa Luo seems quite fond of He Chengsi. Why don’t we let Chengsi stay as well and learn from Grandpa Luo’s remarkable skills?"

Mr. Yun looked at Tian Xinhua with a half-smile, while Tian Xinhua maintained a composed expression, appearing completely selfless and considerate of He Chengsi.

Mr. Yun laughed heartily. Not bad, his old eyes were still sharp, randomly picking out a sly fox. He neither agreed nor disagreed and waved Tian Xinhua away to organize the recipes of a few dishes from ’Dream of the Red Chamber’; he was still waiting to enjoy them!

Tian Sisi heard Tian Xinhua say that Cloud Fox wanted to eat the eggplant dish from ’Dream of the Red Chamber’ that involved forty-eight steps, and she immediately pouted.

"Brother Xinhua, that fox only knows how to bully me. Look how rough my hands have become, all because of the work these past few days."

Tian Sisi extended her still delicate little hand for Tian Xinhua to see. Looking at the plump, tender hand in front of him, Tian Xinhua suddenly remembered Mr. Yun’s words about a little wife, and his face flushed red.

"Brother Xinhua, what’s wrong? Are you sick?" Tian Sisi reached out to touch Tian Xinhua’s forehead, but it wasn’t hot at all.

Feeling her soft, warm hand on his skin, Tian Xinhua felt uncomfortable all over. He wished Sisi’s hand would stay there, and yet, he also wanted her to remove it quickly. Tian Xinhua wondered why he was feeling this way since previously there was no issue when he and Ah Nan used to bicker. What was happening today?

It was all because Mr. Yun was blabbering nonsense today. If it weren’t for those strange words he kept saying, how could he have such wild thoughts?

"It’s nothing. It’s just the heat. If Ah Nan doesn’t want to do it, then nevermind. Mr. Yun won’t miss that eggplant dish anyway." Tian Xinhua certainly didn’t want Tian Sisi to go through the trouble and immediately suggested she not bother.

"Never mind, considering his old age, I’ll just put in the hard work and look into it. Brother Xinhua, tell Mr. Yun this is the only dish I will prepare. Don’t let him come up with any more fancy ideas next time."

Tian Sisi wouldn’t admit that she also wanted to eat that eggplant dish. She looked as if she was bestowing a favor, which made Tian Xinhua unable to resist pinching her cheek, earning a glare, but then Tian Xinhua also felt relieved. This was the way he and Ah Nan should interact, after all. That Mr. Yun really talks nonsense.