Golden Branch

Wang Heng: ...Ugh! So pitiful!

She didn't know what Lou Yu said to Zheng Chi, but she could guess.

After all, she had been a victim too.

A little bully is a little bully. Even if he pretends to be a steady and good boy now, he cannot change his domineering nature.

However, Wang Heng was only pitiful for a short while, and after that, Wang Heng was gone.

She would not comfort Zheng Chi, nor would she help Zheng Chi attack Lou Yu.

She is not smart, but she has a keen intuition and can feel Zheng Chi's rejection and vigilance towards her.

She is not stupid either, she can tell the difference between relatives and strangers.

For Wang Heng, Lou Yu is her closest and most trustworthy friend.

Zheng Chi...I'm sorry!

Besides, Lou Yu is much better now and will not harm others on his own initiative.

As long as the other party doesn't provoke him, he doesn't bother to pay attention.

The reason why Lou Yu targeted Zheng Chi must be that Zheng Chi or someone close to Zheng Chi touched a nerve in Lou Yu's heart.

Wang Heng silently put down her chopsticks. Uh, there was always the sound of vomiting in her ears, which really affected her appetite.

Lou Yu caught a glimpse of Wang Heng's little movement from the corner of his eye and frowned slightly: Damn, he overestimated Zheng Chi's self-control ability.

I thought she would be so angry that she would cry like last time.

Unexpectedly, she started to retch, which made the fat girl unable to eat.

Lou Yu did not blame himself for playing a prank on others, but instead put the blame on Zheng Chi.

Silently, Lou Yu made another note of the Zheng family in his little notebook!

Zheng Chi, who was disliked by Lou Yu for "lack of self-control", was actually trying his best to control himself and endure!

She didn't spit out what she had just eaten, but just retched.

It was extremely disgusting, but he had to suppress it forcibly. It was so painful that Zheng Chi's tears came out.

"Achi! Are you okay? Blame me, it's all my fault!"

After Lou Yu finished taking notes, he started performing again.

He looked annoyed, and while apologizing, he also did not forget to defend himself: "Just now I was worried that if I told you the truth, you wouldn't like it!"

"...Actually, Ah Chi, even though this thing looks dirty, it's actually very clean!"

What Lou Yu said was absolutely true.

Although he looked down on Wang Mian, he was convinced of her abilities.

She came from a humble background, but her manners were more refined than those of the aristocratic families.

Especially when it comes to food, be meticulous and clean.

To put it bluntly, if the things were not handled well enough, Lou Yu would not allow them to be served to the fat girl.

If the fat girl can eat it, then naturally everyone else can too.

Zheng Chi's face was pale, with tears in the corners of his eyes, and he looked very pitiful.

Wang Heng was soft-hearted after all. Although she did not help Zheng Chi openly, she still gently pushed the teacup in front of her.

Zheng Chi: ...

I was laughed at by the fat girl Wang Jiu.

As a lady from an aristocratic family, her appearance and manners are engraved in her bones.

Even if you are frightened or humiliated, you must not lose your composure.

But she started to vomit in public!

This is only slightly better than crying loudly and becoming incontinent.

Wang Jiu had seen her ugly behavior. How could she compete with Wang Jiu in the future?

Feeling ashamed and annoyed, Zheng Chi still picked up the teacup.

Her stomach was still churning, and she could no longer suppress it with her own control, so she had to use external force.

Zheng Chi gulped down two big mouthfuls, not noticing that this tea was different from what she drank before. She just wanted to calm down as soon as possible.

The tea soup is clear and slightly bitter, but it is just enough to suppress the sour and smelly smell caused by dry retching.

call!

Zheng Chi finally returned to normal.

Seeing this, Lou Yu did not continue to disgust her.

Disgusting or something, killing eight hundred enemies and losing a thousand fat girls.

Lou Yu himself didn't care, but he couldn't delay the fat girl's meal.

"Achi, are you feeling better?"

"It's all my fault. I wanted to let you try the signature dish of our best restaurant in Hedong, but I forgot that this dish is too novel and not everyone may like it!"

Lou Yu apologized sincerely again and demonstrated his guilt through practical actions.

He waved his hand and the clever guy hurried over.

"Take all this away!"

Lou Yu drew a circle on the table with his hand and gave orders in a deep voice.

The waiter was stunned for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Excuse me, young master, are you dissatisfied with the dishes?"

"If you think the taste is not good or there is something missing, please tell us directly. We will make it again according to your taste!"

The guys service attitude was very good.

In other words, he was very discerning. Although Lou Yu and the other three were young, they were dressed exquisitely and had extraordinary demeanor.

At first glance, you can tell that this is a nobleman from a wealthy family.

Although my restaurant has a strong background, I cannot be arrogant just because I have a backer.

The shopkeeper said that when treating guests, one must be attentive, considerate, respectful and polite.

"The food is delicious, but my sister can't get used to it!"

Lou Yu was quite satisfied with the waiter's performance. He nodded reservedly and started ordering food again.

This time, what was ordered was not stir-fried dishes, but traditional mainstream delicacies of the Dayu Dynasty such as Jinlingzhi (roasted lamb), Qibaotang (camel hoof soup), Cherry Biluo, and Hubing.

Zheng Chi pursed his lips, and the gloom on his face slowly faded away.

Because the dishes Lou Yu ordered again were enough to express his apology—

Not to mention anything else, just the seven-treasure soup is extremely precious.

"One bowl of this soup is worth a thousand pieces of gold; it's called the Seven Treasures Soup."

Camels are rare to begin with, and using only camel hooves as food is even rarer.

Even a small portion is worth a lot of money.

Without worrying about being laughed at, Zheng Chi said that he had only seen it in his ancestors' notes and had never eaten it.

too expensive!

The Zheng family can’t afford luxury!

"Cousin, that's too wasteful!"

Thinking of the price of Qibao Soup, Zheng Chi felt a little embarrassed.

A small portion was worth a hundred coins, so Lou Yu ordered three at once.

Zheng Chi roughly estimated that this meal alone would cost several hundred strings of cash.

Her monthly allowance at home was only ten strings of cash.

This is because she is the most favored. Zheng Shisan and other concubines only receive six strings of cash as monthly allowance, which they may not receive on time or in full!

If we add in the signature dishes that Lou Yu ordered earlier, the three of them today could eat up several years' worth of Zheng Chi and the sisters' monthly allowance!

Although money cannot represent everything, the fact that Lou Yu was willing to spend so much money because of her anger can at least prove his attitude!

The anger and resentment that Zheng Chi had just felt because of being bullied disappeared in an instant.

She felt a little embarrassed and whispered, "I'm not very hungry either, let's just eat something!"

Lou Yu: ...I don’t care whether you are hungry or not!

I'm afraid the fat girl will be hungry!

Besides, I have already ordered the dishes and the waiter has gone to the kitchen. Wouldn’t it be too fake to say “just eat something” at this time?

"It doesn't matter!"

Lou Yu was too lazy to keep acting, so he didn't continue to say polite words like "Since it's an apology, it can't be 'casual'".

……

"You're still not cunning enough!"

"It's necessary to pretend, but also to act as a complete set."

On the second floor, a man in apricot-colored Hu clothing was still watching from above.

He focused his attention on the little boy Lou Yu.

His eyes, micro-expressions, etc. were all captured accurately.

Curling the corners of his lips, the man in apricot-colored Hu clothing commented softly.

In his opinion, it was rare for Lou Yu, a ten-year-old child, to be so scheming.

But, it's not enough!

After all, Lou Yu's identity is unusual.

In other words, Lou Yu is still extremely valuable to the man in the apricot-colored Hu clothing.

He came to Hedong this time just for Lou Yu.

"Sir, Lou Dalang is still young and without any elders to guide him, so naturally he is not very thoughtful in his actions!"

The man in black understood what his master meant and murmured in agreement.

“…” The apricot-colored man didn’t say anything else, only a glint flashed in his eyes.

……

"Ajiu, eat some preserved fruit first!"

Lou Yu was worried that Wang Heng would be hungry, so he took out a paper bag from his sleeve pocket.

Ever since becoming close friends with Wang Heng, Lou Yu has developed the habit of carrying snacks with him.

When he goes out, if he sees freshly baked Hu pancakes, freshly baked snacks, or some fresh fruits, he will buy some.

"We have a new chef from the Southern Territory who's great at making preserved fruits. Here are some peaches, try them!"

As he spoke, Lou Yu opened the paper package.

He asked someone to bring a kettle, rinsed his hands, wiped them clean, picked up a piece, and fed it to Wang Heng's mouth.

Wang Heng's eyes sparkled, and like a baby bird being fed, she opened her mouth and ate it directly.

"Cousin! Jiu Niang! You—" They are too close.

Zheng Chi's expression was somewhat solemn.

Just now, Lou Yu also fed Wang Heng food.

But, basically people use chopsticks or spoons.

Isn’t it inappropriate to use your hands directly like this?

Lou Yu and Wang Heng are indeed not very old, but they are both over seven years old.

They are not blood siblings, yet they are so close——

After hearing Zheng Chi's words, Lou Yu remembered that there was an annoying bean sprout next to him.

A sinister look flashed across his eyes, but when he turned his head and looked at Zheng Chi, only tenderness remained in his deep eyes: "Achi, these preserved fruits are too sweet, I'm afraid you can't get used to them!"

So, don’t covet it!

He specially asked a chef from the south to make this dish for the fat girl.

Lou Yu really wanted to use food to trick Zheng Chi, but he was reluctant to use the delicacies that were exclusively for the fat girl as bait.

Only the fat girl can eat these preserved fruits, not even Wang Mian, let alone a mere bean sprout!

Zheng Chi: ...I really don’t eat overly sweet food!

However, she had a strong premonition that her cousin from the Lou family didn't give it to her, not because he was worried that she wouldn't be able to get used to it, but because he was unwilling to give it to her.

Not wanting to eat and the other party refusing to give it to you are definitely two different concepts.

Having always been the one favored, Zheng Chi suddenly found out that he was not Lou Yu's favorite. He felt lost and angry, but he couldn't vent.

After all, Lou Yu was doing this for her own good.

Zheng Chi: ...

The little hands hidden in the sleeves clenched tightly.

Zheng Chi became increasingly jealous and fearful of Wang Heng!

……

Wang Heng ate a few pieces of preserved fruit, and then the waiter started serving the dishes.

A plate of cherry biro with bright red filling and a dish of steaming hot Hu pancakes.

There is also golden roasted lamb.

Finally, the highlight is the Seven Treasures Soup.

The dishes were exquisite, with rich colors and aromas. Even Zheng Chi, who didn't care much for food, felt a little hungry.

"Achi, please!"

Lou Yu did not forget his intention to "apologize" and politely asked Zheng Chi to move first.

Zheng Chi was secretly satisfied when she saw that Lou Yu finally put her first, and she gave Wang Heng a subtle look.

Wang Heng ignored it. As a foodie, she didn't care about anything else when the delicious food was in front of her.

Zheng Chi: ...you're such a glutton! No wonder you're so fat!

His boastful look was ignored, and Zheng Chi cursed inwardly.

She politely said to Lou Yu: "Brother, please!"

Zheng Chi and Lou Yu were both a little surprised by the word "brother".

Lou Yu was instinctively disgusted, and the term "brother" was exclusive to fat girls.

If someone else shouted it out, he would feel uncomfortable.

Also, what is Zheng Chi?

How can she be worthy of calling a cousin who is a member of the Eighth Route Army "brother"?

Zheng Chi was a little embarrassed and annoyed, and she didn't know what was wrong with her.

For some unknown reason, she imitated Wang Heng's tone and called out "Brother".

However, Zheng Chi was still a little excited. How would his cousin react?

Does he like it?

Even if he doesn't like it or is not used to it, my cousin probably won't say it directly.

In aristocratic families, everyone is used to being euphemistic and roundabout.

Even if you are unhappy, you will not show it in public.

Because once it is exposed, it will lead to a falling out.

Noble people are not so simple and crude, but are used to "leaving a way out when doing things".

Fortunately, Wang Mian was not present and could not hear Zheng Chi’s thoughts, otherwise, she would definitely refute him: Sister, the person you are talking about is a normal person.

Lou Yu is not normal, he is a fucking little pervert!

"Cousin, what did you call me just now?"

Lou Yu turned his head and the warm smile on his lips disappeared.

He glanced at Zheng Chi coldly, with a look of displeasure and a hint of warning in it. Zheng Chi felt a chill down his spine.

Zheng Chi didn't react for a moment.

It took her a while to realize that Lou Yu didn't like her calling him "brother".

In order to "remind" her, Lou Yu changed his previous name of "Achi" and called her cousin directly.

Zheng Chi understood that Lou Yu was being lenient. If he didn't understand or didn't know what was going on, he would just say, "Don't call me brother! You don't deserve it!"

"Cousin, it's nothing!"

Zheng Chi hurried to remedy the situation.

The coldness in Lou Yu's eyes finally disappeared, replaced by warmth. "If it's nothing, then eat it quickly!"

"By the way, try this roasted lamb with some Hu pancakes, it's quite delicious."

Lou Yu resumed his gentle elder brother's behavior and began to invite Zheng Chi to dinner.

When Zheng Chi saw him like this, he almost doubted that the coldness just now was just an illusion.

And Lou Yu’s subsequent performance further confirmed this point: his cousin is not scary, he takes good care of himself.

Because during the entire meal that followed, Lou Yu did not continue to feed Wang Heng, but instead kept picking up food for her and gently urged her to eat more.

Seeing that Wang Jiu was thrown aside by his cousin and only took care of himself, Zheng Chi couldn't help feeling proud.

She was so proud that she didn't notice that she was full.

Zheng Chi had probably never eaten so much in his nearly ten years of life: three or four lamb chops, a whole Hu pancake, and a bowl of camel hoof soup.

Oh my god, it's like a sheep is stuffed in a bird's stomach.

But Lou Yu was still persuading him: "Achi, have another cherry biro... Look, Ajiu has already eaten it..."