When everyone was halfway through their meal, Zhang Xiaoniu arrived, looking expectantly at Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen knew exactly what this glutton was thinking. She put down her chopsticks, took a bowl, filled it with wontons for Zhang Xiaoniu, sat down next to Gu Sinian, and began to eat with gusto. He had joined later, but he was the last to put down his chopsticks along with everyone else.
"Young Master, Zhenzhen's cooking is good, isn't it? Better than the chefs in our manor," Zhang Xiaoniu said, wiping his mouth with pride. "I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry Zhenzhen in the future and get to eat her cooking every day. No, I must freeload a few more meals before Zhenzhen gets married. Once she's married, this opportunity will be gone."
Qi Zhenzhen glared at Zhang Xiaoniu. This boy spoke too carelessly; if he didn't change this habit, he would suffer in the future.
Gu Sinian spoke slowly, "Xiaoniu, Miss Qi is a young lady. You cannot bring your ways from the training grounds to her. If others overhear what you've said, it will be bad for Miss Qi, and people will look down on her."
Although Zhang Xiaoniu was sometimes reckless, he was not stupid. After Gu Sinian's words, he immediately stopped his playful demeanor and nodded solemnly, "Your subordinate understands."
"Thank you for the hospitality, Miss Qi. Xiaoniu and I are going out for a stroll. By the way, may we bring Qi Yi along? It's not good for him to be confined to his room studying dead books. At his age, he's full of energy. Moreover, if he intends to pursue the imperial examinations, he cannot only know about books. The imperial examinations in Da Feng include a section on people's livelihood. Him living in the countryside now is an opportunity. Once he goes to a better academy, he won't have this chance," Gu Sinian said to Qi Zhenzhen in a tone of consultation.
For Qi Yi's benefit, and to further familiarize Qi Yi with Gu Sinian, how could Qi Zhenzhen refuse such a good thing?
"Will it cause trouble for Your Young Master?"
Gu Sinian shook his head, "It's fine. Qi Yi is a sensible boy."
Zhang Xiaoniu beckoned Qi Yi to go out, but Gu Sinian stopped him. He didn't say anything, just swept his gaze over the table. Zhang Xiaoniu slapped his forehead, "I forgot, I forgot. I'll clean up right away."
"Your Young Master, the important matters come first. I can clean up these bowls and chopsticks."
"It won't take long," Gu Sinian paused. "Besides, Miss Qi got up before dawn to busy herself. She's worked very hard."
For some reason, Qi Zhenzhen heard a hint of concern in these plain words.
Qi Yi also went to help. After Yun Shi finished eating, she returned to her room. Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian were sitting opposite each other at the table, their gazes meeting.
Gu Sinian had phoenix eyes, with a slight upward tilt at the corners. His dark eyes were deep, like a vortex, making him unreadable. Unexpectedly, Qi Zhenzhen fell into them, staring blankly at the person before her. Gu Sinian usually had a calm expression, but at this moment, if someone were nearby, they would surely notice the slight upturn of his lips and the gentleness on his face.
"Your Young Master? I've finished washing up, shall we go?" Zhang Xiaoniu's voice suddenly rang out. Qi Zhenzhen hastily withdrew her gaze, lowered her head, and didn't even get to see Gu Sinian's expression.
Gu Sinian's smile deepened. He had seen astonishment in the little girl's eyes just now, a pure astonishment without any ulterior motives. Her flustered appearance was even more amusing, much more so than when she was serious.
"Zhenzhen, I'd like to eat noodles at noon," Gu Sinian said as he walked to the door, pausing his steps, his voice neither too high nor too low.
Qi Zhenzhen responded, and only after a while did she realize that Gu Sinian had called her Zhenzhen, not Miss Qi. Had they become this familiar? Also, why had she been so weak just now? He was good-looking, but not to the extent of being stunned. She had seen handsome men before; at most, she would fawn over them afterward. Why was she so out of sorts in front of Gu Sinian?
Gu Sinian probably hadn't noticed her losing her composure, had he? If he had, what would he think of her? Would he mistake her for having feelings for him? Or think of her as an unsophisticated country girl?
The more Qi Zhenzhen thought about it, the more agitated she became. Yet, the more agitated she was, the clearer the scene of her staring blankly at Gu Sinian became, and she was caught in endless turmoil.
"Zhenzhen? What are you spacing out about?"
Yu Shi had arrived a while ago. Seeing Qi Zhenzhen shaking her head and sighing, she seemed very different from her usual self.
"Aunt? When did you get here?"
"I've been here for a while. Tell me, Aunt, what troubles you?"
Qi Zhenzhen smiled awkwardly. She was too embarrassed to say that she had stared blankly at someone because they were good-looking.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about the noodle stall. Aunt, you go ahead and be busy. I'll go discuss it further with Sister Ruixue."
After speaking, Qi Zhenzhen went to Lin Ruixue's room. Yu Shi smiled and shook her head, then called for people to work. She didn't believe the girl was thinking about the noodle stall. However, young girls at this age had their own thoughts. If she didn't say anything, she couldn't force her to talk.
Arriving in Lin Ruixue's room, Qi Zhenzhen had already composed herself and was indeed discussing the noodle stall with Lin Ruixue.
"Sister Ruixue, it's not easy for women to do business outside. My mother and brother are here, and I can't accompany you. So, I was thinking of asking Brother Zhang Er to do it for me," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Brother Zhang Er is capable and skilled. With him and you together, I won't have to worry about you being bullied outside. Also, someone strong is needed for kneading dough. Instead of hiring someone in the county town, it's better to have him go. Knowing him well makes him trustworthy."
The tall figure flashed in her mind, and Lin Ruixue hesitated, feeling it was a bit inappropriate.
Aunt Lin, on the other hand, felt it was a good idea. She smiled and said, "In my opinion, you shouldn't be the one to run the noodle stall. The county town is far, and you're alone. If anything happens, who will look after you? Zhenzhen's idea is thoughtful. Er Niu is steady and reliable. With him there, he can handle many things. Don't refuse. If you do, Mother won't agree to you going to the county town either."
What else could Lin Ruixue say? She could only nod in agreement.
"Alright, then I'll ask him to go to the county town first to take a look. If there's a shop, it's naturally better than setting up a stall outside," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Also, we need to solve the accommodation issue. Finding a place to live is not easy. If we don't scout around in advance, you might have to sleep on the streets when you get there."
Lin Ruixue hadn't considered these issues. Hearing Qi Zhenzhen say this now, she realized that things were not as simple as she had imagined.
After finishing this matter, Qi Zhenzhen stretched and said, "Then Sister Ruixue, you rest well. I'll go out and have a look."
Aunt Lin also followed Qi Zhenzhen out and quietly pulled her aside, her expression mysterious.