Huo Xing’Er didn’t voice her doubts, keeping them to herself.
Xiaosuisui nestled in her arms, chattering excitedly about her recent exploits.
"I went to save Zhao Fei; the people from Li’s Pharmacy beat him up so badly!"
Upon hearing these words, everyone turned their gaze towards the young man in front of them.
He kept his head lowered, clearly lacking confidence, his posture slumped as if he couldn’t straighten up.
"Don’t be scared, we won’t blame you."
Huo Xing’Er offered Zhao Fei an understanding smile.
Zhao Fei jerked his head up, looking at her in disbelief.
Huo Xing’Er, however, asked him a question.
"Can you explain what Suisui just said? From the look on your faces, it seems as if this isn’t your first meeting!"
Huo Xing’Er’s question was exactly what everyone else was wondering.
"I... I first met my benefactor a few days before the Double Ninth Festival. My younger sister had been injured by a horse, and she saved my sister!"
"Are you the little beggar from the City God Temple?"
Before Zhao Fei could finish, Zhu Xiuxiu interjected, causing him to immediately lower his head. He was just a little beggar; he felt he had no right to converse with these nobles.
"I... I don’t beg anymore," Zhao Fei said quietly.
Zhu Xiuxiu nodded. "I know you no longer beg. I meant, are you the little beggar Xiaosuisui and Xie Pan’Er met at the City God Temple some time ago?"
Zhao Fei looked up in disbelief and said with apprehension, "You... you actually know me!"
"Of course. Not only do I know you, but everyone here does. You said you’re no longer begging, and you seem to be doing well. Have you found some work? It looks like you’ve become self-reliant!" Zhu Xiuxiu asked him curiously, clearly very interested.
Seeing Zhu Xiuxiu so interested in the young man, Ji Youcheng, who wore a veil, stiffened, an extremely uncomfortable aura emanating from him.
"We should have lunch now. Let’s go to the Zhiwei Restaurant first!" Huo Xing’Er’s lips curled slightly. She glanced subtly at Ji Youcheng, effectively interrupting the conversation between Zhu Xiuxiu and Zhao Fei.
"Lunch, lunch!" Xiaosuisui immediately clapped her hands, exclaiming joyfully.
"Suisui’s hungry, Zhao Fei’s hungry too."
Hearing this, Huo Xing’Er said, "Then let him join us at the Zhiwei Restaurant too!"
Can I also go to the Zhiwei Restaurant?
This pretty boy going to my Zhiwei Restaurant? In his dreams! Ji Youcheng fumed internally.
"That... the Zhiwei Restaurant doesn’t..." Zhao Fei began.
"Yes, yes! Zhao Fei will go to the Zhiwei Restaurant with us!" Xiaosuisui clapped her hands, cheering excitedly.
I actually can’t refuse! Ji Youcheng thought.
"Alright, alright! Let’s go to the Zhiwei Restaurant to eat."
Hearing Xiaosuisui say she was hungry, Old Madam Ji’s heart ached for her. She had thought of countless reproaches for her little darling, but upon seeing her, she couldn’t bring herself to utter any of them. All such thoughts were completely replaced by concern for her empty stomach.
The group headed towards the Zhiwei Restaurant and met Xie Pan’Er on the way.
Xie Pan’Er was talking with a thin, frail-looking young man, her eyes slightly moist.
"Pretty Sister!" From a distance, Xiaosuisui called out to her. Xie Pan’Er quickly wiped the corners of her eyes, turned to smile at them, and then hurried over.
Her older brother, Xie Si, followed behind her, carrying two oil-paper packages.
"Greetings, Old Madam, Your Highness the Princess, Ladies, Young Master," Xie Si and Xie Pan’Er greeted them together.
"I’ve said it before, we’re family. There’s no need for so many formalities." The Old Madam waved her hand, telling them not to be so formal.
"No formalities, Pretty Sister, hug!" Xiaosuisui kicked her short little legs and stretched her arms out to Huo Xing’Er, wanting to be held.
Huo Xing’Er couldn’t refuse her request and quickly took her into her arms.
This made Huo Xing’Er quite exasperated. Pointing at Xiaosuisui’s nose, she said, "You little heartless thing! I carried you all this way, and the moment you see Pan’Er, you completely forget all about me!"