Chapter 908 My Friend's Mother
"What's up?"
Ouyang Rong took the lead in asking the question.
Li Wan did not speak immediately, but kept smiling and turned to look at Wu Cui, who was standing by the door.
The latter met her gaze, seemed to understand, and turned to leave.
Before leaving, I glanced at Ouyang Rong.
After watching the strangers leave, Li Wan turned around, her gaze first sweeping over the two unexpected women, Song Zhian and Yu Mili, before she smiled and asked:
"Miss Song and Miss Yu, what brings you to Brother Liang's place?"
Song Zhian spoke before Yu Mili could ramble on:
"Brother Liu invited me to reminisce and have a heart-to-heart talk."
Li Wan seemed to recall what Ouyang Rong had mentioned at dinner that day. She glanced at Ouyang Rong again but didn't ask any more questions.
Instead, it says:
"It just so happens that I came here to ask Brother Liang for help. Brother Liang works in the kitchen. Could you please borrow the stove to help me cook some dishes and make some soup?"
She looked at Ouyang Rong with a somewhat sincere tone:
"Brother Liang's soup-making skills are so good that even the Queen praised them; they are truly exceptional."
Ouyang Rong asked directly:
“I am not qualified to cook at the stove yet, but why does Madam Li want to make soup? Can’t she make soup in the yard at home? Why does she have to come to the dining hall?”
Li Wan smiled and nodded, then looked at the three of them and sighed.
"It's like this, last time Jinghong came back from Zhutang, I felt that he seemed a little unhappy. Brother Aliang was also there at the time. During the meal, I had a little argument with Jinghong, and Brother Aliang should have felt it too."
"Yes, perhaps Young Master Lu is under a lot of pressure. Madam Li, please don't take it to heart."
"As a mother, how could I not care? After all, she is my own flesh and blood, and I would feel sorry for her no matter what."
At this point, Li Wan sighed softly:
"Do you think I sometimes push him too hard, have too high expectations, and put too much pressure on him? This time at Zhutang, he clearly studied under a famous master, one of the best in Zhutang, with a bright future ahead of him, better than all the other young men his age. But Jinghong still feels like he's walking on thin ice, and he can't even be happy when he goes home..."
Although she unconsciously raised her chin slightly, speaking words of praise and boasting, the graceful noblewoman spoke with a sorrowful and forlorn expression.
Halfway through her speech, she wiped the glistening corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, slightly raised her chin, and glanced at Song Zhian and Yu Mili behind Ouyang Rong.
The two women, clearly hearing about Lu Jinghong's situation for the first time in recent days, chimed in.
Song Zhian nodded slightly:
“Young Master Lu is indeed too demanding of himself. Life is not just about cultivation; spending time with family is also important.”
Yu Mili sighed, "It's my fault. I slightly outperformed him in the assessment, putting too much pressure on him. I should have let him have his way."
Li Wan: ...
Ouyang Rong: ...
Song Zhian: ...
"Why are you all looking at me like that...?"
After shaking her head with a sigh, Yu Mili immediately added:
"However, it is already quite impressive that Young Master Lu was able to find one of the top seniors in the Bamboo Hall to become his disciple. I have heard that there are also top-level sword cultivators in the Bamboo Hall who have a 'Peace and Safety' sign hanging on their heads. Although they are not from the Sword Swamp, the Lady still has to show them respect and courtesy."
"That's right, umm."
Li Wan was utterly exasperated by what this young woman surnamed Yu was saying. Her eyes had been twitching from hearing her earlier words, but now, hearing "human speech," she quickly put down her tear-wiping handkerchief and took over the conversation:
"So his mindset isn't good. I would rather he be happier, even if his grades are a little worse and he's under less pressure. We can take it slow, don't you think..."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
"That's right."
Song Zhian said softly:
"The hearts of parents are full of love and concern for their children."
Yu Mili was about to speak when Li Wan interrupted her, not giving her a chance to say anything:
"So I thought I'd personally bring him some good food to treat him properly. He's busy at the Bamboo Hall and won't be back for ten days or half a month. Also, if I can see his teachers or fellow disciples, I can treat them to a meal and express my gratitude for Jinghong's guidance and care these past few days... Oh, right."
Li Wan thought of something and asked casually;
“Brother Sha must be over there too. Perfect, I can meet him and have a meal together.”
Ouyang Rong replied in a muffled voice, "Yes."
Song Zhian asked Li Wan, who had been prepared for everything:
"Does Young Master Lu know about this?"
Li Wan sighed softly:
"He left early that day and didn't have time to say anything, but it was meant to be a surprise for him anyway, so it's better not to tell him yet."
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at the pretty Song Zhian in front of her.
She wasn't sure about her son's temper at first, and wondered if bringing him food to visit would cause him to throw a tantrum. But now, she had a great idea that would definitely make that silly boy feel very proud...
The noblewoman thought to herself.
Ouyang Rong didn't waste any words and said:
"I understand, I appreciate your good intentions, Madam. But could you allow me to go back to the thatched courtyard to cook? I can make a soup, but I don't have the means to cook other dishes, so I'll pass... It's not that I don't want to help, it's just that I'm powerless to do so. I can't use the stove here in the dining hall."
Li Wan smiled and said:
"If I can persuade Madam Sun to lend you a stove, Brother A-Liang, could you cook a couple more of your signature dishes?"
Ouyang Rong looked puzzled: "How did you convince her?"
Li Wan nodded: "I have some savings and I know the rules of the dining hall..."
She didn't explain herself clearly, but Ouyang Rong and Song Zhian understood almost instantly, either remaining silent or nodding impassively.
Only Yu Mili looked confused, glancing around at the expressions of the other three people:
"What do you mean? Why are you all so quiet?"
The three of them didn't explain to her. Ouyang Rong hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a somewhat troubled tone:
"It's not impossible. Since you can help with setting up the stove, then..."
"Then it's settled."
Li Wan's eyebrows immediately lit up with joy, and she quickly made a decision:
"Brother Liang, haven't you always wanted to be the head chef? I could tell from your tone last time. How about this, let Madam Sun lend you the stove for now. After this period, I'll put in a good word for you and see if I can promote you from cook to head chef. Of course, the premise is that Brother Liang's cooking skills are truly outstanding..."
"Money power, huh?" Ouyang Rong glanced at Li Wan, who spoke with confidence.
However, if this approach succeeds, it will indeed solve half of the problem he faced a few days ago. If he can take the opportunity to successfully become the head chef in the dining hall, he can bring out some of his signature dishes to attract the embroiderer...
He has never believed in such empty promises from others. Li Wan is now saying all sorts of nice things to get him to cook, but she is very careful and sets many conditions.
But then he thought, a blessing had just been successfully redeemed, and it might be coming true for Li Wan? Could it really help him get things done?
Besides, if he could borrow a stove from the Sun family, it would be very useful to him these two days, not only for cooking for Li Wan.
Anyway, I won't lose money.
Ouyang Rong nodded almost imperceptibly, and at that moment, the image of a short-legged loli who frequently came here flashed through his mind.
Under the varied gazes of Li Wan, Song Zhian, and Yu Mili, he raised his head, looked around, and his expression was one of reluctance.
"Alright then, we'll talk about promoting him to the rank of cook later... If Madam Li could bring a portion of the meal for Er Gou, that would be even better. I've missed him a bit since I haven't seen him for many days."
Li Wan glanced at Song and Yu out of the corner of her eye, and seeing that they nodded as well, she first spoke enthusiastically to Ouyang Rong:
"That's perfect, Brother Liang. Come with me to deliver food to the bamboo hall. We can also see Er Gou. Besides, Jing Hong will surely be overjoyed to see you old friends visiting..."
At this point, Li Wan seemed to remember something, and immediately turned to Song Zhian and Yu Mili, speaking sincerely:
“Miss Song and Miss Yu, why don’t you all go and take a look together? You are all old friends. If it’s inconvenient for you, Brother Liang and I can wait. We can all find a suitable day together. There’s no rush.”
Song Zhian initially wanted to refuse, but upon hearing the woman's watertight words, she hesitated to speak.
The carefree Miss Yu interjected:
"I can do it. I can take a day off. Just let me know in advance when you're ready."
"Okay, okay."
Li Wan said happily, while her beautiful eyes turned to Song Zhian, looking at her with a smile.
The latter was slightly embarrassed.
Ouyang Rong could sense the atmosphere and didn't interrupt.
Yu Mili, lacking any sense of propriety, looked around and then at Song Zhian, asking a question:
"Sister Song, are you going? We've never been to Zhutang before, we don't know what it's like there..."
Song Zhian pursed her lips and slowly opened her mouth:
"Madam Li, Brother Liu, Mili, how about this: you all prepare yourselves first and leave me alone for now. Set a date, and if I have time, I'll come along, but it's not certain..."
Before Song Zhian could finish speaking, Li Wan immediately nodded;
"Alright, alright, it's settled then. No problem, Miss Song, we'll go whenever you're available."
At this point, Song Zhian nodded somewhat helplessly:
"OK."
So the four of them settled things at the door.
Before long, seeing that it was getting late, they stopped chatting and went their separate ways.
...
The next morning, Ouyang Rong arrived at the dining hall early.
After a short while, as expected, the head cook, Aunt Sun, came looking for him.
"Liu Aliang, come here for a moment."
Ouyang Rong immediately put down his work and silently followed behind Madam Sun.
The two remained silent the entire way.
However, Ouyang Rong could just sense that Sun Shi's gaze was a little strange, but that look was fleeting.
Grandma Sun led him straight to the stove where Grandma Zhu was. The latter pretended not to know Ouyang Rong and looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.
“Sister Zhu, you can lend your stove to Liu Aliang when you have free time... but only if it doesn’t interfere with lunch or dinner.”
Aunt Zhu looked puzzled: "Sister Sun, this..."
Aunt Sun interrupted him sternly, saying:
"Just do as I say. If you're worried, you can watch from the side."
Aunt Zhu glanced at Ouyang Rong behind her, as if remembering something: "Could it be... the Queen..."
Grandma Sun didn't correct her, but waved her hand and said, "Shh, don't spread this around. It's settled then."
After saying this, she led Ouyang Rong away, and on the way, she turned to him and said:
"Prepare whatever ingredients you need yourself, just like Zhu Shi, and don't let it affect the preparation of meals in the dining hall in the morning and evening."
"Um."
Sun glanced at him again.
The two were about to part ways; she had to go and attend to her business.
Before leaving, Madam Sun suddenly asked;
"What is your relationship with that Mrs. Li? Are you very close?"
The air fell silent immediately after he said that.
Ouyang Rong looked up at Madam Sun.
The latter's eyes had a strange look in them, the same kind of look he had just noticed.
Ouyang Rong, with a blank expression, truthfully recounted:
"We're fairly familiar with each other, especially with her son."
Sun asked:
"My friend's mother?"
Just as Ouyang Rong was about to nod, he realized that this statement sounded rather unserious.
He paused, organizing his thoughts:
"They're neighbors, I often go to help them out."
Sun couldn't help but ask:
"Help? Help with what?"
Can you help me solve my problems and alleviate my loneliness?
Before Sun could finish speaking, Ouyang Rong, in a muffled voice, spoke the truth:
“She lives alone, and Brother Lu is not at home. She can’t do some of the rough work, so I occasionally go and lend a hand.”
Sun glanced at his expression and said calmly:
"I heard... her son is doing well at Zhutang, and her family seems to be related to a certain goddess."
Ouyang Rong replied woodenly:
"It seems so, but I'm not sure about the rest."
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun remained silent, giving him a meaningful look.
A moment later, she turned and left.
Ouyang Rong didn't need to ask to understand that in Sun's eyes, he was definitely being kept... kept by the wealthy young woman Li Wan... being taken advantage of by an older man.
Ouyang Rong watched Sun leave, then turned and headed towards Aunt Zhu's stove.
The more you explain, the worse it gets; it's better to play dumb.
However, this misunderstanding also has one advantage: it can make Mrs. Sun give up and stop trying to take advantage of him...
Seeing that no one was watching, Aunt Zhu and Ouyang Rong exchanged a glance and quietly asked:
"How did you manage to win her over, kid?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "It wasn't me, it was someone else who helped."
Aunt Zhu, cracking sunflower seeds, asked curiously:
"Others? Which old flame is it?"
Ouyang Rong: ...
Ignoring her nonsense, Ouyang Rong turned to prepare the ingredients, starting with camellia chicken, an essential ingredient for soup...
However, Ouyang Rong did not use the stove immediately, but gave it to Aunt Zhu. As noon approached, lunch was prepared in full swing.
As for Li Wan, the appointed day had not yet arrived, so Ouyang Rong's early preparation of ingredients was certainly not to cook for Li Wan.
Ouyang Rong continued his work as a cook, patiently waiting for a while.
About fifteen minutes later, the little girl with short legs reappeared at the door.
As always, her skirt was filthy, with wet stains on the hem, as if she had rolled around in some mud puddle. She skipped happily into the cafeteria.
However, she didn't bring a basin of water today. Instead, she held a thin line in her hand, with a familiar big fish dangling from the other end, jumping and struggling on the ground.
With her hands behind her back, Li Shu dragged the fish around between the stoves, like a little lion patrolling its territory.
She would stop every now and then, tiptoe over the edge of the counter, her little nose twitching as she sniffed the food.
Inside the kitchen, almost no one paid any attention to her; everyone was busy with their own things.
But Ouyang Rong had sharp eyes and saw the longing in the little girl's eyes...
(End of this chapter)
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