Chapter 25 Little brother, please have some self-respect.

Ning Jinli said, "There are so many ways to cook food: frying, stir-frying, braising, stewing, and simmering. You also need to add seasonings depending on the ingredients and cooking methods. I could talk about it for three days and three nights and still not finish."

A look of pride appeared on her face. Our country is a world-class culinary powerhouse!

The generals were bewildered and asked in confusion, "Isn't cooking just boiling and roasting... how come there are so many ways to cook food?"

Ning Jinli said, "In your era, the only cooking tools available are bronze tripods, earthenware pots, and steamers. Even frying pans haven't appeared yet, so of course you can only boil and roast."

She thought for a moment and then said, "But it's alright, I'll bring you cooking tools and seasonings later so that you and the people can improve your meals."

"Thank you, fairy!" The generals kowtowed on the spot.

"Sigh, I've told you eight hundred times, you don't need to be so polite with me." Ning Jinli was truly helpless.

She couldn't get used to being called a fairy all the time and being worshipped at the drop of a hat.

Xiao Qidi said quietly, "The old village chief said that he will build a temple for you in the future so that the people here can worship you for generations to come."

Ning Jinli exclaimed, "No way! I can't accept that!"

She knew what she was doing.

I am just an ordinary modern person who happened to be able to help the ancient people here.

Besides, he had taken what they gave him and made a fortune.

What merit do I have to deserve their temple and offerings...?

"Little brother, please don't let them build a temple for me. Once we've dealt with the enemy, let's all develop properly. I'll continue to support everyone."

Ning Jinli counted on her fingers and said, "Look, we still need to farm, raise livestock, textiles, and so on. We need to improve the level of agricultural production first, and then we can develop infrastructure, such as medical care, education, science and technology, and so on. There are so many things to do. We can't waste our energy on temples."

She spoke very seriously, her little mouth chattering away.

Xiao Qidi's gaze fell on her face, and he became engrossed in looking at her.

"So, do you understand now?" Ning Jinli said, looking at him with her big eyes.

Xiao Qidi was somewhat taken aback.

I was so focused on watching her that I didn't hear what she said.

“Hmm, I understand roughly,” he touched the tip of his nose. “I will take care of building the temple for you, in the name of the Xuan Kingdom.”

Ning Jinli opened her mouth, but was speechless.

What the hell did he understand?

Oh well, let's take it slow. It's impossible to expect someone from over two thousand years ago to understand so much in such a short time.

She picked up a large bottle of Coke, unscrewed it, and poured it into a disposable cup.

"Little brother, try our drinks."

Xiao Qidi lowered his eyes, staring at the dark brown liquid, and subconsciously pursed his lips.

Is this drinkable?

It's still bubbling; could it be poisonous?

"You don't dare drink it? I'll drink it and show you." Ning Jinli drank it all in one gulp, then burped.

“Fairy, I would like to try it,” a general said.

The others also picked up the disposable cups that Ning Jinli had given them.

They saw the other soldiers drinking, and judging from their expressions, they all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"Okay." Ning Jinli immediately poured them some.

Several generals wiped their mouths and hurriedly downed their drinks in one gulp.

"hiss……"

"What kind of water is this?"

"It's so sweet! But it's prickly in my mouth and on my tongue! The texture is really strange!"

Ning Jinli chuckled and told them that this was called cola.

"You really don't want to give it a try, little brother?" Ning Jinli asked, turning her head.

"Huh? Where is everyone?"

Looking up, I realized that Xiao Qidi had already silently walked away.

That tall and upright figure exuded a sense of loneliness and desolation.

She told the generals to eat and drink at their leisure, and then got up and followed them.

Xiao Qidi walked to a small lake formed by underground water and stood gazing at it.

"What's wrong?" Ning Jinli asked as she approached. "What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Qidi raised his eyes and looked at the layer of broken rocks dozens of feet high in the distance. "I'm wondering why the enemy army of Yu Kingdom suddenly attacked and then suddenly retreated this time."

Ning Jinli said, "Maybe they just attacked whenever they wanted? Because they thought they could crush them with their superior equipment and numbers. As for the retreat, they were definitely scared away by the noise of the explosion."

Xiao Qidi frowned slightly, his thin lips moving slightly, "The latter is possible, but the former doesn't make sense."

"Whether it's conquering cities or fighting between armies, even ordinary generals, unless forced to, will consider how to achieve victory with minimal losses."

“Every soldier under my command, every piece of armor and horse in the army, are important resources that must not be wasted.”

"Moreover, the one who has besieged us this time is the Great General of the Yu Kingdom's border."

"Knowing that the place is cut off from water and food, any general would choose to besiege and wear it down, unless he finds that the food and water are plentiful and besieging is useless, then he will attack."

"Could it be... that they knew something in advance?"

Thinking of this possibility, Xiao Qidi's brows furrowed even more.

If that's the case, either Bayon will attack again soon, or they will increase their forces before launching an attack to be on the safe side.

Neither possibility is a good thing.

"Why don't you stop thinking for a bit and take a break? Even just to catch your breath would be good. Don't push yourself too hard," Ning Jinli advised, noticing his increasingly strange expression as he pondered the situation.

Xiao Qidi was slightly taken aback. "Are you concerned about me?"

Ning Jinli was a little confused. "Of course I'm concerned. Otherwise, why would I say all this?"

"Oh... I see. Are you going to tell me 'Miss Ning, please have some self-respect' again?"

"Alright, alright, I admit I was being nosy. Goodbye."

She turned to run away.

Suddenly, a large hand gripped her wrist tightly.

She glanced down at him and teased, "Little brother, please have some self-respect, okay?"

Xiao Qidi was slightly embarrassed.

He didn't know what happened; he had just suddenly and uncontrollably reached out to try and keep her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ning."

He released his hand and said softly, "No one has ever cared about me like this before."

Ning Jinli asked suspiciously, "You are the king, there must be many people who care about you, right? If you think most of these people are doing it out of necessity, then at least many soldiers here in Linxian Village truly care about you."

Xiao Qidi said, "This is different."

Ning Jinli thought for a moment, "That's right, they are subjects, you are the monarch, so... you also have family, at least your parents..."

Before she could finish speaking, Ning Jinli quickly shut up.

Because she remembered that, according to historical records, Xiao Qidi's parents were not good people.

His childhood and adolescence were very unhappy, and the source of his misfortune was his own parents, which caused his personality to have a sinister and twisted side from a young age...

In that instant.

Ning Jinli suddenly felt a bone-chilling cold envelop her entire body!

It was the middle of the hottest day, and she got goosebumps all over her body!

She was on edge, staring at the water in front of her, not daring to look at Xiao Qidi's expression!

A blurry reflection of Xiao Qidi could be seen on the water's surface, slowly approaching from behind her.

Extreme unease and wild thoughts filled her mind.

It's all over...

If you're not careful, you might bring up something that really bothers you and offend someone!

He wouldn't get angry and drown me, would he?!