Chapter 199: Can You Pamper A Child?
Jiang Yichun initially wanted to leave quickly, but noticing the slow sinking of the two men’s gazes and their slowing soup drinking motions, he discerned their intent to leave promptly.
"Sir, we just came for lunch during our lunch break," Wang Luji, probably sensing the chill emanating from Jiang Yichun, explained apologetically.
Wan Minglu gave an inaudible grunt, feeling somewhat nervous himself, silently blaming himself for having invited Wang Luji, thus putting him in trouble as well.
Though he had been at the County Government Office for only a short time, he was aware of who the masked figure was. Nobody knew the family name or the official rank of this masked figure, only knowing that the magistrate, Master Li, acted very respectfully towards him and that, when necessary, all the officers in the yamen had to follow this figure’s commands.
He had become well acquainted with Wang Luji over the past few days, and learned that Wang Luji was already engaged. Subsequently, he referred to Wang Luji as his brother. Wang Luji warned him privately, saying, "In the yamen, we have to obey Master Li’s orders, but the person we must never offend is that gentleman. Otherwise..." Wang Luji made a gesture of slicing his neck.
Moreover, because Jiang Yichun’s mask was terrifying and no one knew what he looked like, it was easy to feel intimidated by him.
Jiang Yichun restrained some of his aura, and said in a frosty voice, "Never mind, you guys just eat."
Bai Ruozhu perked up her ears. Why did it seem like Jiang’s tone wasn’t very friendly? Or was it because he needed to show some authority over his subordinates and so he was acting like this?
After asking Wan Minglu and his companion what they wanted to eat, Bai Ruozhu busied herself, swiftly prepared the hand-grabbed pancakes, filled two bowls of soup, and asked her older brother to deliver them.
Upon noticing Bai Ruozhu didn’t personally deliver the food, Jiang Yichun’s mood unexpectedly lightened slightly, a change he himself hadn’t detected.
After Wan Minglu and Wang Luji had taken a few bites, they forgot all about Jiang Yichun’s intimidation because the food tasted too good, and they both couldn’t help but praise it.
"Sister Ruozhu’s cooking skills are amazing. My sister-in-law will be fortunate when she marries into the family," Wan Minglu praised Bai Ruozhu while glancing at her to observe her reaction.
Wang Luji concurred, "Indeed, these are the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten. I don’t know how you guys managed to come up with them. I’ve never seen such hand-grabbed pancakes before."
Bai Ruozhu smiled in response, giving off an unusually attractive and composed aura akin to a maiden from a rich family, different from the common rural women, whenever she was complimented.
Wan Minglu found himself mesmerized by her, but he quickly blushed and lowered his head to eat a few bites of hand-grabbed pancakes in order to hide his embarrassment. However, he nearly choked on them from eating too quickly and had to drink the bone soup to ease his throat, only to forget it was hot and scorch his tongue.
Wang Luji couldn’t help but laugh out loud, "I didn’t know Minglu was such a foodie. He got his tongue burned just from eating some good food."
Wan Minglu’s face flushed even brighter. Usually, if he made a fool of himself, he’d just laugh it off. But his guilt made it difficult for him to laugh this time.
The Bai family also burst into laughter. Lin Ping’er enthusiastically said, "Minglu, if you like eating this, do come back often. Auntie will treat you!" She then turned to Wang Luji, "Luji, you too. Don’t be a stranger."
Wang Luji quickly refused, "No, no, I came to support your stand, not to mooch off you like Minglu, who’s related to your family. If you treat me, I won’t dare to come anymore."
Wan Minglu also quickly said, "Auntie, I’m now earning monthly wages. I can’t let you treat me. Wouldn’t I be beaten to death by my mother if I go home?"
Everyone knew he was joking and joined in the laughter.
Lin Ping’er didn’t insist and nodded, saying, "Well, thank you both. Later, I’ll refill your soup bowls. You can’t turn that down, right?"
The two of them nodded again and again without too much refusal.
While washing dishes, Mrs. Wang was on the edge of exhaustion. Her eyes were spinning around, looking for an opportunity to speak to Wan Minglu. However, seeing the masked man sitting at the table, she hesitated to come over.
"Minglu, please bring your sister Caiyue to taste our pancakes when you’re free," Mrs. Wang finally took two steps forward, not daring to come too close, and said loudly to Wan Minglu.
Only then did Wan Minglu notice Mrs. Wang’s presence. He got up and said, "Aunt Bai is here too. I didn’t see you just now, my apologies." Although his manners were impeccable, his tone was not as warm towards Mrs. Wang, even showing a slight indifference.
The recent incidents involving the Bai family had been stirring up quite a fuss in the village, and it was impossible for Wan Minglu to not know about them, naturally, causing him to dislike the main room.
My father made me come and help out the second room. You should come and hang out when you’re free and also bring Caiyue over," Mrs. Wang vocalized her enthusiasm, hoping that Wan Minglu and the villagers would know she was assisting the second room and expecting them to give her a share of their proceeds in return. If they didn’t, they’d be treating her poorly in relation to their obligation to the main room.
Wan Minglu, seeming either to not understand Mrs. Wang’s intention or deliberately not wanting to take the hint, said nonchalantly, "Caiyue is at home embroidering her dowry. And it’s not like we’re supposed to meet frequently before we’re married. My Caiyue is very well behaved and definitely wouldn’t come."
Bai Ruozhu chuckled. Whether Wan Minglu intended to or not, he managed to pull Mrs. Wang into this, making her seem like someone who didn’t know the rules.
Mrs. Wang’s face now reddened with anger. She was having such an unlucky day. After running into that old woman in town and getting tricked out of her money, she had to come here and do chores and was being disrespected. Now even a youngster dared to sass her.
She wanted to explode, but remembering Wan Qilao, she swallowed her anger and continued washing the dishes.
Bai Ruozhu smirkly curled her lips. For someone at Mrs. Wang’s level who always tried to take advantage of others, she was certainly not short on humiliating herself.
Soon more customers came and Bai Ruozhu busied herself again. While rolling out dough, frying pancakes, and adding vegetables to them, Little Dengdeng in the cradle nearby suddenly burst into tears.
Bai Ruozhu thought Little Dengdeng had been fed just recently, so had he been woken up by noise and was now throwing a tantrum? As her hands were busy, she was going to have her mother take a look, but her mother had gone to help Mrs. Wang wash dishes, so her hands were dirty.
"You guys go on with your work, I got it! I’ve held my nephew before, don’t worry!" Wan Minglu ran over quickly and cooed at the wailing Little Dengdeng in the cradle, "Dengdeng, let uncle check you out. What seems to be the problem?"
After saying that, he picked up Little Dengdeng and started comforting him, acting rather fatherly.
Unfortunately... Little Dengdeng seemed to be not giving him any face at all and still cried as though he was terribly wronged. With that, Wan Minglu became anxious and found it hard to calm the child down.
"If you don’t know how to soothe a kid, then hand him to me." A cold voice suddenly rose, and before Wan Minglu could react, Little Dengdeng was snatched out of his arms.