Before she could even finish stammering, the Zhong family's invitation arrived.
Manager Chu came running over quickly, waving a red invitation card in his hand as he ran.
"Young masters, the Zhong family has sent an invitation, saying they will send someone to pick you up tomorrow!"
Qin Luo took the post and opened it to read it. Wu Hua jumped for joy.
"Yo-ho! Time for the feast! Time for the feast!"
Qin Luo closed the post, pouring some cold water on it.
"The Zhong family is in a bit of trouble lately, so it's uncertain whether we'll even get a meal! Even if we do, you'd better be careful!"
Wu Hua's cheering little hand was still raised above her head, but she lowered her head in disappointment.
"Okay! I understand!"
Seeing that he was obedient, Qin Luo didn't say anything more.
Seeing its pitiful appearance, Steward Chu picked it up and asked it...
"Young Master, is it because the food at the auction house is not good? Is that why you want to go to the Zhong family's banquet?"
Wu Hua gave her a "you're so stupid" look.
"Uncle, are you stupid? How can eating someone else's food be the same as eating your own? Free food is always the best!"
Manager Chu suddenly understood. Such a young age and such a shrewd and calculating mind. No wonder he is Yuan Lao’s grandson. He is a business prodigy!
He gave Wu Hua a thumbs-up and praised, "Young Master is intelligent!"
Wu Hua raised her little head: "Of course!"
Subsequently, one dared to praise and the other dared to agree, and the two engaged in mutual flattery for a long time.
It went on for so long that even Qin Luo couldn't stand it anymore.
"Hey! You two, that's enough. Let's think together what gifts we should bring to the Zhong family tomorrow. After all, with the little one's appetite, it wouldn't be good for us to go empty-handed!"
Manager Chu was about to tell them not to worry, that he would prepare the gifts himself.
Then Wu Hua took out a handful of pearls and an ancient book from his small cloth bag.
"Luo Luo, take these! Give the pearls to Madam Zhong; they suit her perfectly! Zhong Xiaoyou loves reading, so a classical book would be just right for him!"
Qin Luo had no objections and thought it was a good idea.
Steward Chu, standing to the side, grew anxious, wishing he could immediately rush forward and snatch everything from Wu Hua's hands.
"My young master, do you know how much these things are worth? Madam Zhong and Young Master Zhong are so worried about how they'll reciprocate. I'll prepare some normal gifts for you to take with you. You should put these valuables away quickly!"
Wu Hua thought about it and felt that what he said made a lot of sense, so she put everything into her small cloth bag.
"Alright then, I'll trouble you to prepare it, Uncle!"
After bowing to him, Steward Chu turned around and began preparing the gifts.
Early the next day
Qin Luo, Wu Hua, and Steward Chu boarded the carriage sent by the Zhong family to pick them up.
As soon as the carriage arrived at the gate of the Zhong residence, they saw Madam Zhong and Zhong Xiaoyou, along with several servants, standing at the gate waiting for them!
The three of them got off the carriage, and Wu Hua, with her short legs, pounced on Zhong Xiaoyou.
"Good brother, I've arrived! I've come to your house for a feast. Have you prepared lots of delicious food? I'll probably eat it all!"
Qin Luo was speechless. Behind his back, he kept calling him Zhong Xiaoyou, but when they met, he was all "good brother." He had really been corrupted by Fanxing.
Zhong Xiaoyou was amused by him and burst into laughter.
"Yes! The cook has prepared a lot of delicious food today, just waiting for you to arrive!"
Wu Hua was overjoyed upon hearing this and couldn't wait to rush to their dining table!
Madam Zhong also warmly greeted Qin Luo and Steward Chu.
"It is an honor to have such distinguished guests here. Please come inside!"
Qin Luo exchanged a few polite words with Steward Chu, then followed her into the mansion, with Zhong Xiaoyou carrying Wu Hua close behind.
The group chatted happily, while Wu Hua nestled in Zhong Xiaoyou's arms, enjoying snacks and tea.
Suddenly, its little nose twitched, and it looked up towards the door.
Qin Luo noticed its movement and followed its gaze.
A little while later, a boy of about ten years old ran in from outside.
He was taken aback when he saw Wu Hua being held in Zhong Xiaoyou's arms.
Then, he quickly walked towards Zhong Xiaoyou.
"Brother, who is it?"
Zhong Xiaoyou did not answer his question, knowing he had returned.
My unreliable father and his capricious concubine must be back too.
Although he was unhappy inside, he didn't show it on his face.
He fed Wu Hua water while scolding the little boy.
"Can't you see there are guests here? How can you behave like this? Where have you been these past few days? Don't you know everyone in the manor is worried about you?"
The little boy didn't care about being scolded; instead, his eyes shone as he stared at Zhong Xiaoyou.
"Really? My brother is worried about me too?"
Zhong Xiaoyou did not answer him, but got up, put Wu Hua down, and then introduced her to the others.
"This is my younger brother, Zhong Xiaoyun!"
The group nodded to Zhong Xiaoyun in a gesture of goodwill.
Then, Zhong Xiaoyou introduced Qin Luo and the others to Zhong Xiaoyun.
No sooner had the introductions been finished than Master Zhong and Aunt Deng appeared.
When Master Zhong saw Qin Luo and Wu Hua, he went up to greet them with a big smile.
"You two young masters are truly rare guests! Welcome, welcome!"
Then, their gaze turned to Zhong Xiaoyou and Madam Zhong.
"Why didn't you tell me you had guests? I look so disheveled and unkempt! It's so rude of me!"
Aunt Deng immediately chimed in.
"That's right, they're just trying to embarrass the master!"
The two of them were exchanging sarcastic and insincere remarks, and Zhong Xiaoyou thought that since there were guests present, he could just bear with it.
But the two showed no sign of backing down, and he simply couldn't hold back any longer.
"Enough! You should all think about how to make up for the shortfall in my mother's dowry! You still have two and a half days!"
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