Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

Just as Mo Jiu was about to say that she had gone to the backyard, Fang Xin came in carrying in a dish that was still steaming hot.

"I figured it was almost time for dinner, so I took the liberty of using the kitchen. I hope the governor doesn't mind?"

When Fang Xin asked the question, her timid gaze glanced slightly at Xiao Lanzhi.

The redness around Xiao Lanzhi's eyes had faded considerably. He smelled the aroma of the dishes and, like a cat seeing a mouse, slowly moved closer, sniffing the air.

Even more eager to try it, Fang Xin put the dish down and said, "Your Excellency, please wait a moment. There are a few more dishes, I will bring them over right away."

"I'll help you!"

Mo Shisan followed Fang Xin into the kitchen, mimicking Xiao Lanzhi's every move.

In just a short while, Fang Xin had prepared a large table of dishes.

Xiao Lanzhi tasted each dish, his eyes showing increasing satisfaction with each bite.

When he realized what was happening, he found several pairs of eyes staring at him. Feeling a little embarrassed, he put down his chopsticks, composed himself, and said in a serious tone:

"As the saying goes, no friendship is formed without a fight. Since the two Miss Fangs are friends with Zi Zhao, then they are also my friends."

Fang Xin said softly, "This humble woman had no intention of offending Your Excellency. It was all unintentional. I am just offering this as a token of my apology. It is a simple meal, and I hope Your Excellency will forgive me."

The word "official" has two mouths, and Fang Xin was afraid of being beheaded. She hadn't lived enough yet; there were still so many delicious foods she hadn't eaten and so many dishes she hadn't cooked herself. Naturally, she would say as many nice things as possible.

Xiao Lanzhi clenched his fist, straightened his posture, and coughed lightly, covering his mouth: "Since it was all a misunderstanding and we've cleared things up, I... I certainly won't pursue the matter. I'm also quite hungry, so why don't we have a meal first?"

He glanced at Fang Yu with a calm gaze, then at Fang Xin: "Ladies, please don't be shy, please sit down together."

Fang Xin didn't have the guts. She clasped her hands together and looked at Fang Yu nervously.

Fang Yu pulled her down to sit, held her hand, and calmly comforted her, "It's alright. The governor's word is his bond, so he won't pursue the matter any further. Let's eat first."

With Fang Yu's comfort, Fang Xin's fear lessened considerably.

From an angle that Fang Xin couldn't see, Xiao Jingqi put a piece of meat into Fang Yu's bowl.

Fang Yu pursed her lips slightly and ate the piece of meat.

Xiao Lanzhi was so engrossed in eating that he didn't even notice the flirtatious glances exchanged between Xiao Jingqi and Fang Yu.

Fang Xin's hand holding the chopsticks froze in mid-air, motionless. She was watching Xiao Lanzhi, who was wolfing down his food, eating in an unseemly manner, and the dishes on the table were visibly decreasing.

"Plop!~"

A loud swallowing sound came from the side, immediately attracting the attention of the group. Mo Shisan awkwardly lowered his head and swallowed hard.

Xiao Lanzhi hadn't even swallowed the food in her mouth when she turned back to him and instructed, "Don't stand up yet, eat with us, this food is absolutely delicious."

Although Xiao Lanzhi had spoken, Mo Shisan still didn't dare to sit down. Instead, he carefully looked at Xiao Jingqi, suppressing his saliva.

Xiao Jingqi's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Sit down and eat."

Mo Shisan excitedly pulled Mo Jiu to eat with him.

In fact, Xiao Lanzhi and Mo Shisan ate the entire meal; the others just watched them enjoy it immensely.

Fang Xin was quite surprised by the way she swallowed. She leaned close to Fang Yu's ear and whispered, "Sister, why does this governor look like he hasn't eaten?"

Fang Yu smiled and said, "That's because of your superb cooking skills. Otherwise, why would even the governor, who lives a life of luxury, be so eager to eat your dishes?"

Fang Xin nodded in satisfaction and happily helped Xiao Lanzhi pick up some food: "My lord, this is delicious, please eat more."

The way the master and servant were eating was simply too unsightly. Fang Yu put down her chopsticks and walked towards the door, with Xiao Jingqi following closely behind. Once they reached the outside of the courtyard, he asked, "Miss Fang, is something on your mind?"

"No." She shook her head: "Xin'er caused a big trouble again today. Fortunately, Lord Xiao didn't hold it against her. When the restaurant opens in a couple of days, we will reserve a table for Lord Xiao. Please be sure to come and support us."

"Okay." After agreeing, Xiao Jingqi's expression was a little strange, and his tone was a little worried: "The murderer from before has not been caught yet, so you should be careful when you are on your own."

Fang Yu's eyes shone brightly. He had intended to beckon Fang Xin with his finger, but Fang Xin's voice suddenly came from behind him, startling Fang Yu so much that his heart skipped a beat.

"Sister, it's getting late, let's go back first."

Fang Yu subtly withdrew her hand, turned around, and smiled sweetly: "Okay."

Xiao Jingqi also subconsciously put his hands behind his back, his face a little stiff, but more than that, he was still unsatisfied.

Fang Xin didn't notice anything unusual between the two. She nodded to Xiao Jingqi and left with Fang Yu.

The two sisters went back to the grocery store to buy more seasonings before returning home.

The date has been set; we'll open the day after tomorrow.

On the way back to Xishan Village, Fang Xin patted her chest and tightened her grip on Fang Yu's arm, looking a little pitiful: "Sister, I got into trouble again today. Luckily, Lord Xiao was here, otherwise my head would definitely be gone."

Fang Yu was still thinking about how Xiao Jingqi was nervous and jealous at the governor's mansion, which was even more adorable and interesting than when he was shy.

Fang Xin talked for a long time, but Fang Yu didn't react. All that could be seen was a faint smile on Fang Yu's lips.

"Sis." Fang Xin nudged her again. "Sis, what are you thinking about? Why are you laughing so happily?"

"Ah...it's okay, let's go home first."

Back home, Fang Xin was still a little sullen. She scolded herself in her heart for always getting into trouble.

She gradually increased the speed of her movements while washing the clothes.

"hiss--"

She didn't control her strength well, and her hand slipped, her fingertips hitting the washboard. She quickly covered them and blew on them, but the impact was quite hard, leaving a small cut.

Fu Ju came down from the roof, his tone concerned and a little anxious: "How did you get hurt?"

Fang Xin was still blowing on her sleeve: "It's nothing, I just bumped into it by accident."

Fu Ju pulled her to sit down beside him and took out medicine from his bosom to apply to her.

"hiss-"

The medicine powder stung a little as it penetrated the wound, and Fang Xin couldn't help but hiss out.

Fu Ju subconsciously softened his movements and gently blew on her to reduce her pain.

His profile exudes a cool and aloof air, yet it makes people want to get closer to him.

Fang Xin rested her cheek on her hand as she watched him carefully apply medicine and bandage her wounds. He was very gentle, unlike the quiet and reserved person she usually was.

Li entered from the front yard. Just as she stepped her left foot across the threshold and was about to speak, she saw the two people in the yard, especially Fang Xin's gaze towards Fu Ju, which was filled with light.

Although she didn't know Fu Zi's identity, during the time they spent together, Li Shi always treated Fu Zi as a junior, based on their ages.

Although this child doesn't talk much, he always has a faint smile on his face when he's with Xin'er.

Looking at her own daughter, Li, being an experienced woman, didn't disturb the two of them and turned to leave.