Su Xiaolu was not sleepy at first, but now that the blanket was covered, she did not want to move.
It didn’t take her long to fall asleep.
After Su Xiaoling went out, she told her family that Su Xiaolu fell asleep. Everyone tacitly did not disturb Su Xiaolu and let her sleep.
Old Wu’s eyes were filled with heartache as he said to Su Xiaoling, “The girl has worked hard recently. Make some delicious food for her to nourish her body tonight.”
Su Xiaoling nodded. “Don’t worry, Uncle-Master.”
Su Xiaoling asked Old Wu, “Uncle-Master, is there anything you want to eat?”
Old Wu thought of Su Xiaoling’s culinary skills and couldn’t help but feel a little greedy. He said, “Then make me a braised duck in soy sauce. Anything else is fine.”
Su Xiaoling nodded.
Old Wu had nothing to say, so he went back next door.
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao smiled. Su Sanlang said, “Third Sister, just tell us. Your mother and I will help you.”
Su Xiaoling smiled embarrassedly and nodded.
She was in charge of the household now. Her father and mother were her assistants most of the time.
The family grew richer by the day. They ate well every day and were willing to part with their chickens, ducks, and fish. They often bought what they needed and lacked nothing.
Su Xiaoling went all out to cook.
Sweet and sour fish, spicy and crispy fish scales, and all kinds of delicious dishes.
Some body-nourishing medicinal cuisine supplemented with home-grown sauerkraut and pickles.
She would also take some of the recipes to work with the restaurant.
Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng would either read books or exercise after school.
And she and her parents mainly helped with the cooking and storefront business.
When Su Xiaolu woke up, it was already dusk.
She stretched and got out of bed. A fragrance came from the kitchen, and Su Xiaolu went straight to the kitchen.
“Father, Mother, Sister—I’m hungry.”
Su Xiaolu entered the kitchen and walked to Madam Zhao’s side. She hugged Madam Zhao’s waist and wheedled.
Madam Zhao smiled when she heard her voice. She reached out and touched Su Xiaolu’s hair. “I knew you would be hungry when you woke up. I prepared this for you.”
Su Sanlang had already brought over a bowl filled with hot chicken soup. In the bowl were Su Xiaolu’s favorite chicken wings.
“Xiaolu, come and eat. Your third sister stewed it. There’s even ginseng in it. It’s very fragrant and nourishing.”
Su Sanlang said gently. He placed a bowl of soup with meat on the table beside him and asked Su Xiaolu to sit down and eat.
Su Xiaoling was cutting vegetables. She smiled and said, “Eat quickly. If you’re done eating, I’ll fill it up again.”
Her family’s warm concern made her heart feel sweet.
She went to the table and sat down. She took a small spoon and sipped her soup.
When the hot soup entered her stomach, Su Xiaolu narrowed her eyes in bliss. “It’s so delicious. Boohoo… It’s so delicious. I can’t wait to swallow my tongue.”
These few days, when walking with Master to pick herbs on the mountain path, neither master nor disciple had good culinary skills. When dealing with their stomachs, they ate half-cooked food.
Both master and disciple said nothing about it.
A few bites to cope with; they wouldn’t starve anyway, so they’d both lost weight in the last few days.
Now that she was eating the familiar food, she felt that it was the best.
Seeing Su Xiaolu smile, Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao also smiled.
Su Xiaoling smiled and continued to cut the vegetables. She had only made a few of Su Xiaolu’s favorite dishes today.
Su Xiaolu ate a bowl of meat soup and stopped eating.
She said, “Father, mother, I’m not eating anymore. Otherwise, I won’t be able to eat later. I still have something to give Master. I’ll go find him.”
Su Sanlang nodded slightly. “Go. Dinner is in a quarter of an hour. Call your two masters.”
Su Xiaolu nodded and turned to leave the kitchen.
Next door, Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng were both practicing martial arts.
Seeing Su Xiaolu, they smiled and said, “Xiaolu is awake.”
Su Xiaolu nodded and smiled at the three of them. “Big Brother, Second Brother, Brother Zhou Heng.”
“Continue practicing. I’ll look for Master.”
Su Xiaolu walked towards the main house.
She went outside the house and knocked.
In the house, Old Wu said, “Girl, come in.”
Su Xiaolu pushed the door open and closed it.
Old Wu and Gui You were playing chess. Su Xiaolu walked over obediently and took out the box containing the Ghost Orchid fruit and placed it beside Old Wu.
Old Wu frowned and said, “Girl, take a look. Which step should Master take?”
Old Man Wu and Gui You played Chinese chess.
It seemed that this was a new round. Many situations did not open up, but Old Wu was still anxious and did not dare to move casually.
Gui You’s expression was calm, as if he would not change his expression even if Mount Tai collapsed.
Su Xiaolu looked at the chessboard. She knew how to play Chinese chess too. Many memories were triggered. She knew how to play Chinese chess, but she didn’t know what level Gui You was at.
Old Wu’s hand landed on the cannon, then watched Gui You as he slowly moved the cannon.
Gui You’s expression was bland as he quickly moved his horse.
Old Wu immediately used the cannon to hit the pawn, while Gui You used the horse to get the cannon with a calm expression.
Old Wu immediately regretted it. “Wait, wait, wait. I didn’t see it clearly just now. I don’t want to take this step, when did you go up? I didn’t even see you. You must have taken another step behind my back!”
Gui You drummed his fingers on the table. “Old man, I just walked up. Don’t go back on your word, girl. Come and show us. You’ll be the middleman.”
Su Xiaolu was watching seriously and thinking about how to play. She did not expect the old man’s chess skills to be so bad and he liked to go back on his words. If Gui You wanted her to be the referee, wouldn’t she be roasted on the fire?
There were her masters everywhere. Who should she listen to?
Retreat, retreat.
Su Xiaolu immediately smiled and said, “Master Gui You, I haven’t sparred with Big Brother in a long time. My hands are a little itchy. You and my master can take your time. I’ll leave first.”
With that, Su Xiaolu hurriedly left.
When she closed the door, she heard Old Wu say shamelessly again, “Wait, wait… I was seeing things just now. I went the wrong way…”
Su Xiaolu exhaled. Fortunately, she left quickly.
Su Xiaolu took out her sword and said to Su Chong, “Brother, catch.”
Su Chong flipped down from the pile and caught the sword thrown by Su Xiaolu. Su Xiaolu had already charged over, and Su Chong retreated to dodge.
Su Hua and Zhou Heng also stopped and retreated to a corner to watch the two of them fight.
From time to time, Old Wu’s regretful voice could be heard from inside the house.
And Gui You’s calm words, “Old man, look carefully this time.”
Su Hua and Zhou Heng could not help but laugh.
Gui You and Old Wu were a generation apart in age, but the two of them had a deep relationship. The two of them spoke very little, but they were unusually compatible.
Just Old Wu or Gui You here, the people they knew and saw were only ordinary elders.
Now it was different. This feeling was more like a confidant and a close friend.
Zhou Heng looked at Su Hua beside him and said softly, “Ah Hua, why do you think Mr. Wu and Mr. Gui You are on good terms?”
Su Hua’s lips curved slightly. “I can’t think of anything, but I guess it would be interesting.”
