Chapter 233: Fighting for Favor (1)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Lu Miao turned around and opened the door, but her expression froze when she saw the person outside.
“Aunt Shen, why are you here?” she asked.
Shen Qinghe smiled and replied, “Why? Don’t you welcome me?”
“No, of course not.” Lu Miao took the bags from Shen Qinghe’s hands and entered the house together with her.
Hearing noises coming from the kitchen, Shen Qinghe asked curiously, “I thought Auntie Xiu had returned to her hometown. Who’s in the kitchen?”
Her sons were not known for their culinary skills. As long as the kitchen didn’t explode, it was considered a success.
“It’s Lu Yinan,” Lu Miao answered.
“Lu family’s?” Shen Qinghe furrowed her brows slightly.
She did have some impression of Lu family’s two sons, but they had been away for so long that she rarely saw them after they grew up, and she didn’t really know them well.
“Yes,” Lu Miao nodded.
Shen Qinghe pulled her aside and whispered, “Did he threaten you to bring him here?”
Considering the current relationship between Lu Miao and the Lu family, it wasn’t unreasonable for Shen Qinghe to suspect this.
Lu Miao couldn’t help but find this situation both amusing and frustrating. Maybe she really needed to perform a scene in front of Shen Qinghe to convince her that she was no longer weak and vulnerable.
“No, it was my decision to bring him here. He’s different from the others in the Lu family,” Lu Miao explained.
Shen Qinghe was finally relieved, “As long as you know your limits.”
After sorting out the items she brought and putting them in the refrigerator,
Shen Qinghe took out two sachets from her pocket and handed them to Lu Miao.
Seeing the familiar red and yellow sachets, Lu Miao blinked.
Weren’t these the charms she sold online? Even the outer sachets were the ones she bought in bulk from a website.
Shen Qinßhe smiled and explained, “The old ladv heard that your place was
flooded and thought it might have offended the Water God. She originally wanted to invite a Feng Shui master to take a look, but there’s been no news from Lin’s family.
So, she went through great lengths to buy these peace and protection charms from someone else. When she learned that you came back and were living here again, she urged me to bring them to you.”
Bought at a high price?
If Shen Qinghe considered the price high, it must have been a significant amount.
Buying things from others at a higher price and then giving them as gifts— wasn’t the profit going to the middleman?
However, Lu Miao gave the sachets a squeeze in her hand. Since she didn’t need them, she could sell them again and make some money!
Unaware of Lu Miao’s thoughts on making money, Shen Qinghe, thinking she didn’t want the gifts due to the previous unpleasantness, said, “Regardless of whether it offended the Water God or not, these charms from the Feng Shui master are surely effective. It’s good to keep a protective charm with you.” “Mhm,” Lu Miao replied, putting the sachets away.
“Before I left, I tasted some of the soup and dishes made for you. Don’t worry, they’re safe to eat,” Shen Qinghe whispered to her ear.
Lu Miao couldn’t help but smile. Even if the old lady did want to harm her, poisoning her like that would be too obvious.
Still, she appreciated Shen Qinghe’s concern and replied, “Thank you, Aunt
Shen.”
“No need to thank me. I brought these things over for her because I genuinely believe they’ll be useful for you. Don’t feel pressured about it. Just take what you need and do as you see fit,” Shen Qinghe patted her hand.
She didn’t know why the old lady suddenly changed her attitude towards Lu Miao.
However, Shen Qinghe had no intention of whitewashing things for the old lady. After all, the previous unpleasantness was real.
She wouldn’t try to make Lu Miao forgive her using that as leverage.
Shen Qinghe asked about Lu Miao’s recent situation and reminded her to seek help if needed before finally leaving without overstaying her welcome.
During dinner, Gu Shiyan returned home on time.
Lu Yinan had prepared four dishes, and while he wasn’t sure about the taste, they looked presentable.
Shen Qinghe had also sent some dishes, so the dining table was filled with various items.
Lu Yinan intentionally placed the dish he made in front of Lu Miao.
Seeing his expectant expression, Lu Miao reluctantly took a bite and was surprised to find it quite good.
“Not bad, you seem to have a talent for cooking,” she remarked.
“As long as you like it. From now on, I’ll take charge of cooking at home,” Lu Yinan proudly declared.
Hearing Lu Miao’s high praise for Lu Yinan, Gu Jinxi lowered his head in silence while eating.
A talent for cooking?
Gu Shiyan picked up a chopstick to taste it and then scooped a bowl of ribs soup sent by Shen Qinghe to Lu Miao, saying, “Those dishes might be a bit heavy for the evening. Have something lighter.”
Lu Miao naturally accepted the soup and took a few sips before putting it down.
Lu Yinan sat next to them, observing how they passed dishes back and forth like it was a well-rehearsed routine. It was evident that this wasn’t their first time doing so.
He was surprised at how quickly Lu Miao had become dependent on Gu Shiyan. Mr Gu were indeed extraordinary.
“It was my first time cooking today, so I didn’t have much experience. I’ll study more at home in the next few days,” Lu Yinan said.
“Just order takeout instead. Your injury is still under treatment, so it’s better to use your hands less,” Gu Shiyan suggested.
Lu Miao suddenly thought of something and turned to Gu Shiyan, saying, “Since Auntie Xiu has been away for so long with no news, ask someone to find out if there’s anything wrong at her home or if they need any help.”
“Alright,” Gu Shiyan replied in a warm tone. He then picked up a pair of public chopsticks and gently picked a piece of stir-fried shrimp for Lu Miao.
Lu Miao took it and ate it.
The dinner table unexpectedly fell quiet. Lu Miao found it strange and turned to look at Gu Jinxi, who was silently eating.
She directly scooped a large spoonful of shrimp and put it into his bowl.
Gu Jinxi looked up and saw it was her. His eyes brightened, and he said, “Thank you, Sister-in-law.”
Seeing Lu Miao scoop another spoonful for Lu Yinan, he pursed his lips and lowered his head again.
After dinner, Gu Jinxi took the initiative to clean up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
When he came out of the kitchen, Lu Miao was attentively applying medicine to Lu Yinan’s injured hand.
His injury couldn’t be frequently treated with acupuncture, but the ointment needed to be changed every day.
Gu Jinxi couldn’t help but feel annoyed. This guy had only been here for a day, yet he was occupying Sister-in-law’s attention so blatantly.
Should he let it continue like this?
Gu Jinxi imagined a scenario where the third party succeeded in becoming the main partner, then kicked the neglected wife and younger brother out of the house—a melodramatic plot—and couldn’t help but shudder.
He approached them deliberately and said, “Sister-in-law, I’ve finished cleaning the dishes.”
Then, he looked at Lu Miao expectantly, seeking praise.
Without even lifting her head, Lu Miao casually said, “Oh, go upstairs and do your homework.”
Gu Jinxi felt instantly dejected.
Lu Yinan’s lips curved as he glanced at him.
Gu Jinxi glared at him angrily, turned around, and went upstairs in frustration.
Lu Miao turned her head and saw his annoyed figure, feeling bewildered.
Such erratic emotions—was this what adolescence was like?