Lu Baohong returned to his lodging with a gloomy expression.
It was truly suffocating to be cooped up in this dilapidated stronghold!
But if they didn't endure this confinement, they wouldn't even have a place to stay!
Someone beside Lu Baohong asked, "Should we send people to keep an eye on Xie Jiang?"
Lu Baohong's face grew even more displeased. "Luo Zhongtong warned us not to wander around the stronghold."
If they encountered the ignorant villagers from the East Village, it would cause trouble again.
He, Lu Baohong, had been reduced to bowing his head to these rustic villagers!
~
As the sun reached its zenith, Xie Jiang still hadn't returned. Xu Hengyan went into the kitchen himself, intending to prepare lunch first.
However, while he could manage to stew a chicken soup, he was at a loss on how to stir-fry, cook rice, or make pancakes.
As he was worrying over the ingredients in the kitchen, Xu Hengyan heard movement outside. It was the voices of Xie Jiang and Luo Shou, along with two others.
They were finally back.
Xu Hengyan let out a silent sigh of relief and walked out of the kitchen.
Seeing what the four of them were carrying, Xu Hengyan was a little surprised. "Did you go hunting in the forest?"
Luo Shou was carrying two fish that had already been cleaned. Xiao Hu was carrying a hind leg of a wild boar and several wild pheasants. Dong Zi was carrying two wild rabbits that were still struggling.
Xie Jiang placed a basket of wild vegetables on the table. "The hunters were people from the West Village. Aren't the people from the West Village very hospitable? These are all gifts from them."
"..."
Luo Shou and his companions exchanged glances.
They needed to learn the art of speaking from Young Master Xie.
Xu Hengyan immediately understood. "You snatched them from them?"
"..."
Luo Shou and his companions secretly exchanged another look.
Young Master Xu understood Young Master Xie so well.
Xie Jiang, without a blush or a pant, said, "They really gave them. They insisted on giving them, and wouldn't let us leave if we didn't accept."
Xu Hengyan nodded, indicating his understanding.
Did they dare not give? Xie the Demon was here. If they didn't hand over the goods, could they leave?
In the sunniest spot of the courtyard, freshly washed clothes were hung on bamboo poles, clean and fluttering in the wind.
Xie Jiang glanced at the drying clothes, then at Xu Hengyan, his gaze like that of a doting wife.
Xu Hengyan felt a little unnerved.
He had a feeling she might be harboring some improper thoughts again.
"Yan Yan, you've worked hard. Rest for a while. I'll make lunch."
After Xie Jiang said this considerately, he rummaged through the basket of wild vegetables and took out two polished bamboo tubes, even shaking them specifically at Xu Hengyan.
Seeing the two bamboo tubes, Xu Hengyan was instantly flooded with memories unique to them. The two exchanged a knowing smile.
Xu Hengyan stepped forward and took the bamboo tubes.
Xie Jiang carried the basket towards the kitchen.
Luo Shou followed behind with the fish. As he passed Xu Hengyan, he cheerfully swung the fish and said, "We cleaned them by the river, so we don't have to waste water washing them when we get back."
Xu Hengyan nodded at him.
"Is there still water in the缸? Do you need us to fetch more?" Dong Zi asked, mustering his courage.
After spending the morning with Xie Jiang, Dong Zi and Xiao Hu had become bolder and dared to speak to Xu Hengyan.
"The 缸 is already full. There's no need to trouble you for now."
Xu Hengyan could basically guess how Xie Jiang had won the hearts of the three young men.
The conflict between the East and West Villages was so deep it was almost unbearable, and there were likely constant frictions between the younger generation.
They probably fought often, openly and secretly, but this was likely the first time they fought so heartily and won so brilliantly.
Especially when the opponent had tricked themselves, had to swallow their pride and blood, suffered a great loss, and couldn't even report it properly.
They had vented their anger and didn't have to bear any consequences.
Xu Hengyan chuckled, shaking his head as he walked to the shade of the tree.
She had the nerve to lead a group of half-grown kids in bullying, but she didn't seem to feel any shame. She didn't even know how to write the word "shame."
Xu Hengyan picked up the water jar on the stone table, poured some water into the bamboo cups, and then held them in his hands, turning and examining them with a smile.
The cut edges of the bamboo tubes had been finely polished, making them very smooth with no burrs.
A simple but lively and cute little figure was carved on the tube. Next to the little figure were two characters – Yan Yan.
Xu Hengyan picked up the other bamboo tube. It also had a little figure carved on it, and at the bottom of the little figure were two characters – Xie Xie.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the postures of the two little figures were different. One was upright and proper, while the other had a furrowed brow, exuding an arrogance that seemed to leap from the bamboo tube.
Xu Hengyan couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Even the most ordinary things became interesting in her hands.
Xu Hengyan held the two bamboo cups, unable to put them down.
Luo Shou and Xiao Hu came out after putting down the ingredients. The kitchen was too narrow to accommodate so many people.
Dong Zi stayed inside to help with the fire.
Luo Shou was overjoyed.
He had asked if he could stay for lunch, and Young Master Xie had agreed. He would get to eat food made by Young Master Xie's own hands!
Luo Shou had never eaten food cooked by Xie Jiang before, but that didn't stop his blind admiration.
Whether it tasted good or not was secondary; the important thing was that it was made by Young Master Xie!
Luo Shou ran to sit in front of Xu Hengyan. "Young Master Xie has so many people serving him, and he actually knows how to cook?"
Xu Hengyan said faintly, "Xiao Xie is skilled in cooking."
Xiao Hu brought two stools into the house and sat next to Luo Shou, not daring to get too close to Xu Hengyan.
Luo Shou's smile hadn't faded since he entered the small courtyard. He hugged one of his legs, rubbing it while unable to contain his silly joy.
When their eyes met with Xiao Hu's, they both grinned broadly, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.
Luo Shou secretly glanced at Xu Hengyan several times, a stomach full of words surging to his lips, but he didn't know if he should say them to Xu Hengyan.
Xu Hengyan sensed it and asked, "Did you have a good time?"
"We beat up that turtle Luo Dahai today, and all of Luo Dahai's lackeys. Not a single one was left standing; we beat them until their teeth were scattered everywhere."
As soon as Xu Hengyan spoke, it was as if a seal was lifted from Luo Shou's lips. Luo Shou could no longer hold back.
"Luo Zhongtong's son?"
Xu Hengyan's gaze had never left the two bamboo tubes in his hands. Hearing Luo Shou's words, he slightly let go of the smile at the corner of his lips and glanced at him.
"Uh... yes."
Luo Shou no longer wanted to ask how Xu Hengyan knew. Although everyone only had one head, the gap between brains was quite significant.
"We beat him until he was crying for his mother and father! He was the one who insisted on gambling with us. Even if he died of anger, he could only accept his fate. If he didn't keep his word and slapped himself, how could he ever show his face in the stronghold again! Young Master Xu, you should have seen how pathetic Luo Dahai looked, Hahahaha... He's too embarrassed to even mention this. If he went back to complain to his father, his father would beat him to death..."
Luo Shou started talking and couldn't stop. The more he spoke, the more excited he became. He stood up, placed a foot on the stool, and crossed his arms, laughing heartily.
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