After Cheng Su shouted, Qi Taiguo also looked over, and his eyes narrowed the moment he saw Ning Ge.
Ning Ge was covered in dirt, with a broken tree branch and a leaf on his head, and his shirt was filthy, stained with some yellow and who-knows-what powder. There was also a tear at the waist, and on his arms were several fresh bloodstains. It was unclear whether he had fallen into a pit or been involved in some sort of scuffle.
"Did you get into a fight with someone?" Cheng Su pointed at his face and asked.
Ning Ge looked down at himself, walked in, sat down, and said with a grin, "I went to climb Water Chestnut Mountain."
"What did you go there for?" Qi Taiguo asked casually.
Ning Ge shrugged and said, "Didn’t I get robbed there? As the saying goes, ’You get back on your feet where you fell down.’ I had several hundred yuan in my bag, so I thought I might find it again, to help with your food expenses, so you wouldn’t say I’m freeloading."
Cheng Su’s eyes widened, "Are you insane! Would a robber return the money he stole from you? You’re being way too naive!"
Qi Taiguo looked at him with a doubtful expression, clearly not believing him.
"I was just trying my luck," said Ning Ge with a sheepish smile. "Looks like my luck wasn’t so great. I didn’t run into those guys. Maybe Regimental Commander Mai had the police arrest them. Ah, there goes my money, down the drain."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Su scoffed, "Why didn’t they hang you up on the tree instead?"
Tangling with brutal thugs was akin to seeking death, and yet he was still talking about bad luck; his audacity knew no bounds.
Ning Ge shrugged again, saying, "Let’s drop it; I’m starving to death."
"Don’t you dare move!" Cheng Su stopped him, shouting, "You’re filthy; go wash your face before you come to eat."
"Women are such a hassle, making a big deal out of having a meal," Ning Ge griped as he put down his chopsticks and went into the bathroom.
Cheng Su rolled her eyes at him and said to Qi Taiguo, "The food has gotten cold; I’ll go and reheat it."
Qi Taiguo saw her carry the dishes into the kitchen, then he went to the bathroom and leaned against the door, watching Ning Ge wash his face.
"I have no idea what you’re up to or where you’ve been, but if you’re going to leave or stay, you have to say something, so your sister-in-law doesn’t worry about you," Qi Taiguo said dispassionately.
Ning Ge paused as he splashed water on his face, looked up with a mischievous grin, and said, "Big brother, you must be joking? My sister-in-law, worrying about me? I think she can’t wait for me to be gone for good!"
"She’s a kind woman. Whatever you do is fine, but don’t bring trouble from outside back to her. If I find out, I won’t let you off, not even if you’re an official’s child," Qi Taiguo said coldly, his voice carrying an indescribable warning and threat.
Ning Ge held his gaze with Qi Taiguo for a long while before breaking into a smile, "Big brother gets really scary when serious, you’ve totally frightened me," Qi Taiguo snorted.
"Alright, alright, if you don’t like me, big brother, I’ll leave," Ning Ge said, raising his hands, "How about I leave in a few days? You said it yourself, my sister-in-law is kind to me. Her little restaurant is so busy, she can barely keep up. If I run off now, I’d be a real jerk. I should at least wait until she has enough staff before leaving, shouldn’t I?"
"Up to you," Qi Taiguo said, his eyes catching a glimpse of Cheng Su and he left the bathroom.
"Ning Ge, take off your shirt and soak it in water; I’ll sew it for you after you wash it," Cheng Su called from outside.
Ning Ge grabbed a towel, pressing it on his wet face, a glint of cunning shining in his eyes, mixed with a touch of warmth.