The spring sunshine was bright and gentle. In the Tang family kitchen, which was filled with the rich aroma of cooking, Tang Ning quickly scooped up the cooked dumplings from the pot and put them into a plate on the side. Soon, carrying the plate in one hand and soy sauce, vinegar and other condiments in the other, she left the kitchen and came to the yard.
Tang Ning put down what she was holding on the table in the courtyard, stood on tiptoe and looked towards the kitchen roof. At the same time, she shouted, "Little Taoist, come down and eat dumplings. It's okay if it can't be fixed. I'll pay someone to come and take a look in a few days. Don't stay up there, it's too dangerous."
As soon as Tang Ning finished speaking, Yu Ming's little head popped out from under the eaves, looking extremely embarrassed and ashamed.
When Yuming arrived, Tang's mother had already run out because of the argument that morning and hadn't returned yet. Tang Ning didn't even need the system's location tracking to know that she must be at the mahjong table again.
Tang Ruo and Tang Jun are both of school age. Even though Tang Ruo repeatedly asked to stay home with her, Tang Ning coaxed and tricked her into going to school. She would probably eat lunch at school and wouldn't come back.
So, only Tang Ning and Sister Lan remained in the huge Tang family. However, Sister Lan had to go home at noon to cook for her husband and children. In the end, she only helped Tang Ning wrap most of the dumplings, and after briefly meeting the little Taoist priest, she hurriedly left.
Before leaving, he mentioned the leak in the kitchen to Tang Ning. Tang Ning had just agreed to call someone to fix it as soon as possible. As soon as Sister Lan left, Yu Ming, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed for eating and drinking for free, volunteered to go up and fix it. He even said that he had fixed the broken roof of the Taoist temple. Before Tang Ning could even nod, he stepped on the wall and whooshed to the roof, where he has been staying ever since.
Just then, Tang Ning, who had finally spotted Yu Ming, quickly waved and said, "Come down quickly, do you want me to get you a ladder? The dumplings will get cold and won't taste good if you don't eat them soon..."
The words "not tasty" were a fatal flaw for Yu Ming. When he saw Tang Ning turn around as if to look for a ladder, he hurriedly jumped down from the roof.
Tang Ning was stunned by the swift and graceful movements. "You...you're amazing! I never knew before that there really were people who knew those legendary martial arts, like before, whoosh, they were up there, and whoosh, they were down there..."
As Tang Ning spoke, she gestured with her hands, her face full of surprise. Yu Ming was so embarrassed by her praise that he was about to scratch his head when Tang Ning quickly stopped him.
"Wait a moment!"
Upon hearing Tang Ning's voice to stop him, Yu Ming's hand froze in mid-air. He then stared blankly as Tang Ning took out a white handkerchief from her shirt pocket and gently wiped his hair.
The woman's faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils, and the young Taoist priest, who had never had such intimate contact with a woman before, blushed instantly.
Although he had met Tang Yin before, when he arrived, she was already crying her eyes out, even wiping her snot on his clothes. Although he was a young Taoist priest who grew up in a Taoist temple, he was also a clean-loving young Taoist priest. At that time, he almost, really almost threw Tang Yin down the road.
It's nothing like...it's not like this at all...
I suddenly feel a bit hot. Is he... wearing too many clothes?
Hmm, next time the weather is nice, he should wear less clothing; it's tiring to wash clothes.
Having convinced himself of this strange reason, Yu Ming's face gradually flushed, but his heart faithfully recorded his feelings for Tang Ning.
Yuming's current favorability rating: 45.
At this moment, Tang Ning finally finished wiping the dirt off his hair, laid it out in front of him, and said with a smile, "Look at you, you're not careful either, there's even spider web on your head, and here, here... never mind, sit here for a while, I'll go get you some water and a bar of soap, you can wash yourself properly."
After speaking, Tang Ning turned around and walked towards the kitchen.
After Yuming washed his hands, he sat down at the table and looked at the steaming, plump white dumplings on the plate. Before he could even eat them, he noticed that Tang Ning, who was sitting opposite him, was just resting her chin on her hand and didn't seem to be picking up her chopsticks to eat.
He immediately put down his chopsticks, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Why...why aren't you eating?"
"Me? I'm not hungry. I ate late and a lot this morning. I already ate two dumplings when they came out of the pot, and now my stomach is so full I can't eat anything else..."
Tang Ning explained with a smile.
"But……"
"Coo coo coo coo".
Before Yuming could get anything out of his mouth, his stomach started growling again.
Tang Ning immediately pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing. This little Taoist priest was just too easily embarrassed. If she laughed again, he was afraid he wouldn't even dare to eat dumplings.
"Alright, no more buts, hurry up and eat. I cooked a lot, there's more if this isn't enough."
As she spoke, Tang Ning reached out and pushed the plate towards Yu Ming.
Looking at the dumplings, Yu Ming swallowed hard, then looked at Tang Ning earnestly and promised, "Xiao Dao... I will definitely help you fix the roof. I can fix it. There was just not enough time. I won't eat your dumplings for nothing."
"Yes, I believe you."
Tang Ning nodded seriously as well.
Seeing her like this, Yuming finally felt at ease and started eating the dumplings.
It can only be said that the little Taoist priest was probably starving. He probably swallowed a dumpling in a hurry without even chewing it twice. Tang Ning was really afraid that he would choke, so she quickly poured a cup of hot water and placed it next to him. Seeing that there were fewer and fewer dumplings, she ladled out another bowl.
Watching Tang Ning's busy figure, Yu Ming suddenly felt his eyes sting.
Since his master passed away, no one had ever treated him so well.
Although life on the mountain was tough, he could at least eat his fill by growing his own vegetables and sweet potatoes. But now that he's down the mountain, he's only had two full meals in all these days, and both were paid for by this Miss Tang Ning.
The people down the mountain were all wicked; they lied to him, bullied him, and even ganged up on him. When he fought back, he was expelled from the party.
The more Yuming thought about it, the more he felt he might as well stay on the mountain alone.
But no, he still had to follow his master's instructions and take care of his tribulations.
Thinking about this, Yuming felt a little sad.
However, this slight sadness was immediately forgotten by Yu Ming when Tang Ning brought him a small dessert she had casually made called steamed milk.
Putting aside everything else, Tang Ning really does a great job with her steamed milk dessert. It's because the younger kids in my family loved eating this when we were little!
At that moment, Yu Ming's favorability towards her rose to 50 at an astonishing speed, and it even showed signs of continuing to climb higher.
So, you like sweets?
Tang Ning smiled as she watched Yu Ming eat the stewed milk, a few specks of white paste on the edge of his mouth. When they first met, Yu Ming presented himself to her as a handsome, aloof, and otherworldly master, but now he seemed strangely cute and innocent.
Yu Ming finished the steamed milk in one go, and as soon as he looked up, he met Tang Ning's smiling eyes, which were filled with dappled sunlight.
He lowered his head immediately after just one glance.
Here we go again, here we go again...
Is he sick because he feels inexplicably hot and a little dizzy?
While Tang Ning wasn't paying attention, Yu Ming secretly took his pulse under the table. He was fine, except for his heartbeat being a little strangely fast. He could catch a cold but didn't have a fever. So what was going on?
Yu Ming, who had been praised by his master since childhood as a rare genius in the Daoist sect and who learned everything very quickly, was plunged into confusion for the first time in his life.
Just then, Tang Ning's voice rang out, "How are you? Are you full? If you're not full, there are no more dumplings, but we still have noodles at home. I'll make you another bowl."
Upon hearing that he had eaten all the dumplings Tang Ning had made, Yu Ming's face immediately turned red.
"Am I...am I eating too much?"
"No, besides, I already said I'd treat you to a meal. How can I treat you to a meal if I don't make sure you're full?"
Tang Ning explained with a smile.
The simple-minded Yuming was almost immediately convinced by Tang Ning.
"Then I... I'll fix the roof for you right now, and I can do anything around the house, like chopping wood or jumping into the water..."
Hearing this, Tang Ning, who was tidying up the table, looked at him with amusement. "No need, no need at all. It's too unsafe for you to stand on the roof like that. It's best not to fix it."
"It's alright, I'm used to it. I've even climbed dangerous peaks with my bare hands to collect herbs before!"
Yu Ming boasted, and then, perhaps fearing that Tang Ning wouldn't even let him fix the roof, he hurriedly jumped onto the roof and continued working.
After working for about an hour, Yu Ming, his face covered in dust, jumped down with bright eyes, "I've fixed the roof..."
"Really? You're amazing!"
"Hehe, is there any water? Can I go wash up?"
"I'll give it to you..."
"No need, this can press out water, right? I can do it myself..."
As he spoke, Yuming pressed the water himself and began washing quickly.
Tang Ning, who was sitting at the table drinking flower tea, took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him, "Little Taoist priest, I always hear you talking about mountains. Which mountain did you come from? Are you looking for someone? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No need, I've already found the person..."
"Why are you being starved even after we found someone? Have you barely eaten anything since you came down the mountain?"
“I…I have a bigger appetite than most people, so…”
Having washed the dust off his hands and face, Yu Ming stood beside Tang Ning like a child who had done something wrong, and said this with great embarrassment.
"Really? Hmm..."
Tang Ning stroked her chin and thought for a moment before offering her suggestion, "How about this? You can come find me if you get hungry in the future. I'm usually home, so if you come to me, I can at least make sure you have something to eat..."
"no!"
"If I say it's okay, then it's okay, just a few more days..."
At this point, Tang Ning pursed her lips and a sweet smile curved her lips. "I might be getting engaged, and I probably won't be staying in Haicheng anymore. How about this, you go to Lidu. You should know Lidu, right? I'll put in a good word with the people there and find you a job there. I can at least provide you with food. How does that sound?"
Tang Ning's suggestion can be said to have taken all aspects into consideration for Yu Ming.
After hearing her words, Yu Ming stared at her blankly for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so good to me?"
"Um?"
Tang Ning was momentarily taken aback by the question, then chuckled.
"Really? Maybe it's because I find your appearance somewhat pleasing, little Taoist priest? I don't know why, but I feel like I've seen you somewhere before..."
Tang Ning made a pointed remark.
Have you seen it before?
Yu Ming frowned in confusion. His memory was usually excellent, so why did he have no recollection of it at all?
The young Taoist priest left.
They left before the Tang family members returned.
Yuming's current favorability rating: 60.
It's barely passable, but it's good enough.
As the young Taoist priest left, it quickly grew dark.
The twins, Tang Ruo and Tang Jun, were the first to return, followed by Tang's mother, and finally Tang Yin.
Almost immediately upon seeing Tang Yin, Tang's mother, who had been sitting on the sofa with a gloomy face and ignoring everyone, darkened even further.
"Yinyin, come upstairs with me!"
She didn't even give Tang Yin a chance to greet the other three before dragging Tang Yin, whose smile was barely contained, upstairs.
The two didn't even leave their room for dinner. Tang Jun was curious and wanted to gossip with them, but Tang Ruo hit him on the head with her chopsticks and immediately shut him up.
At night, Tang Ning, who was alone in her room, heard a knock on her door. She turned around and said "Come in," and saw Tang Yin standing in front of her door. Apart from her slightly red eyes, there was no other trace of her redness.
Seeing Tang Yin like this, Tang Ning could only sigh in her heart that her mother was really biased.
After all, if it were her or Tang Ruo who didn't come home at night, she would never help cover it up like she does now, or even let it slide. It would definitely cause a huge uproar, and she might even ruin their reputations.
When it was Tang Yin, nothing happened to her.
It's really...
"Big sister..."
Seeing that Tang Ning was just looking at her without saying anything, Tang Yin couldn't help but call out to her.
"Is there something you need?"
"Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong? When did we sisters become so distant?"
When did you become so clueless?
Tang Ning mentally retorted to her, then walked over from the window, smiling without saying a word.
"I realized it's been a long time since I've had a proper chat with my sister. Since we're both free today, I thought I'd talk to you for a bit..."
Tang Ning just sat on the sofa, not saying a word, her face clearly saying "I'll just watch you perform quietly."
An awkward silence filled the room.
But Tang Ruo seemed completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. She closed the door, sat down next to Tang Ning, and affectionately took her arm, saying to herself, "Sister, I've been having some troubles lately, and I really don't know what to do, so I came to talk to you..."
Then Tang Ning heard her describe, under the guise of distress but actually boasting, the events between her and Lu Chen over the past few days.
"...So, sister, what do you think? Should I say yes to him? He's leaving soon..."
"You already have the answer in your heart, don't you?"
Upon hearing Tang Ning's answer, Tang Yin suddenly raised her head and looked into her clear eyes, feeling as if she could see through all of Tang Ning's shameful schemes and scheming.
This caused Tang Yin to suddenly lower her head, bite her lip hard, and a flash of resentment crossed her eyes.
"Sister, you've really changed a lot. Now, if I do something wrong, I feel like you won't forgive me. Honestly, if I ever do something that makes you very angry, will you forgive me?"
Tang Yin suddenly raised her head and looked directly at Tang Ning, her eyes flashing with a questioning light.
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning lowered her head and stared at her for a long while, "That depends on what it is..."
After saying that, she saw Tang Yin's face stiffen, so she immediately laughed and reached out to ruffle Tang Yin's hair. "Sister was just joking. You are my sister. Although now... no matter what you do, I will forgive you."
"real?"
Tang Yin's eyes lit up instantly, "Sister, you're so kind!"
"And what about you?"
Just then, Tang Ning's question followed.
"What?"
"Let me ask you this: if I do something that makes you unhappy, will you forgive me unconditionally?"
Hearing this, Tang Yin, who believed she was destined to marry Lu Chen and become the high and mighty young marshal's wife, and that even if Tang Ning really married that cripple Xu Sinian, it wouldn't affect her at all, immediately smiled confidently and said solemnly, "Of course I will, you're my sister. If you don't believe me, I can swear, if I can't keep my word..."
Since things had already gone this far, Tang Yin thought Tang Ning would at least try to stop her, but to her surprise, the other party just smiled and let her make the vow.
In the end, she could only grit her teeth and say a few words of vows: if she couldn't keep them, she would never be happy, would be poor and destitute, would be plagued by serious illness, and would live the rest of her life in despair and pain.
"good."
Tang Ning gently patted Tang Yin's head.
Putting everything else aside, when it comes to setting ambitious goals, Tang Yin is definitely born from Tang's mother.
One said he would beg for food on the streets, while the other said he would be seriously ill and destitute.
This flag that's been raised must not fall! Even if it does, Tang Ning will kindly help to put it back up again.
Who can blame her for being portrayed as beautiful inside and out!
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