Chapter 30: Chapter 30

C30 – Cooked Quite a Lot

Zhao Yuegu carried Xia Guo back to the courtyard, where she continued to sleep soundly.

“It looks like we won’t be able to do any investigating today. I hope it’s not too much to ask, Brother Yuegu, but could we stay in your courtyard for a couple of days?”

“That’s fine by me.”

Zhao Yuegu’s courtyard was spacious, with plenty of rooms to spare, so accommodating two more guests wasn’t an issue.

Then Sun Ying chimed in with a reminder.

“Dad, don’t you have a lot of things to take care of?”

But Sun’s father dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand.

“It’s nothing urgent.”

“This ancient village, a remnant of the Ming Dynasty, is steeped in history.”

“I’ve always had a passion for such places, so naturally, I want to explore the village thoroughly.”

Sun Ying let out a resigned sigh.

In the end, she could only quietly caution Zhao Yuegu.

“Keep an eye on my dad. Otherwise, he might just walk off with the village’s hidden gems.”

Zhao Yuegu was taken aback that Sun Ying would so candidly betray her father’s intentions.

Their relationship was certainly complex.

Worried that Zhao Yuegu might not grasp the full picture, Sun Ying elaborated.

“It’s like how my brother is with cars; my dad has the same fascination with antiques.”

“This village has an untouched quality, and it’s quite possible that some intact relics are still here.”

“Just make sure to keep a close watch.”

No sooner had Sun Ying finished her warning than she saw Sun’s father dash toward a stool.

“Wow! A stool made of yellow rosewood!”

“Judging by the pattern and design, it’s likely from the late Ming period.”

“Brother Yuegu, I’ve got to have this. How much do you want for it?”

Zhao Yuegu’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

To think his home actually contained an antique…

It was just too bad that he wasn’t well-versed in the value of such items.

Furniture from the late Ming Dynasty could be worth a fortune, for all he knew.

But money was the least of his concerns.

“It’s not for sale.”

“What would I use for meals if I sold it?”

“Brother Yuegu, you’re sitting on a fortune! Do you always use this when you eat?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I can replace it with a whole set of modern furniture, any big brand you like.”

However, Zhao Xueman, or little Xueman as she was known, cried out defiantly.

“Don’t take our stuff, you thief!”

“I’m not giving away anything!”

Zhao Yuegu gently ruffled little Xueman’s hair, signaling her to show some courtesy to their guest.

Sun’s father’s face flushed with embarrassment.

He was a well-known figure throughout Strathmore, and now he was being spoken to like this by a little girl…

It was a true blow to his pride.

“I’m just looking, just looking,” Sun’s father stammered in his defense.

“Perhaps we should prioritize Director Xu’s condition,” Zhao Yuegu suggested, paying no mind to Sun’s father, who clung stubbornly to the stool. He motioned for Zhao Xueman to give her some water, hoping she would come around soon.

After all, it wouldn’t bode well if something serious happened to such a high-ranking official in their village.

Meanwhile, Ma Yabei was far from pleased.

How long had it been since their last encounter, and already two women had been brought back to their place?

And to top it off, the one who had fainted was strikingly beautiful.

“Who are they?” Ma Yabei asked, eyeing Zhao Yuegu with suspicion.

“They’re from the higher-ups, sent to investigate the watermelons,” he explained.

“She just got carsick, threw up quite a bit. It might take her a while to get over it,” he added.

As a journalist, Ma Yabei grasped the situation.

“Don’t worry. Your watermelons are worth the price; there won’t be any trouble,” she reassured him.

“Mmm,” Zhao Yuegu acknowledged, genuinely comforted by Ma Yabei’s words.

Sun Ying, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

“I feel like my love life ended before it even had a chance to start,” she lamented.

“Why is Goddess Yabei in his house, even helping with his child?”

“How can I ever compare to Goddess Yabei?”

Sun Ying felt like she was under an endless barrage of setbacks.

She knew all too well who Ma Yabei was—an ordinary rich girl who had once taken the internet by storm, hailed as the most beautiful reporter and amassing legions of fans.

Sun Ying had followed her for a while, never expecting to actually meet her here.

“Goddess Yabei, may I take a photo with you?” she asked timidly.

“Ah? Of course,” Ma Yabei responded, surprised to find a fan in such an out-of-the-way place. She was happy to oblige.

But it didn’t take long for Sun Ying to notice something amiss.

The clothes Ma Yabei was wearing had been picked out by her during a shopping trip…

It all made sense now…

Their relationship was clearly more than just casual.

Sun Ying’s smile was strained, betraying the deep wounds within her heart.

She was at a loss for how to even begin comparing herself to Ma Yabei.

It was a futile effort.

Her gaze instinctively sought out her father, Sun’s father, whose attention was entirely captivated by the antiques.

Zhao Yuegu, however, picked up on Sun Ying’s disheartened demeanor.

Next to Ma Yabei, she seemed to shrink a little in self-doubt.

“Sun Ying, lift your head. You’re quite beautiful, you know.”

“Ah? Really?”

Hearing Zhao Yuegu’s compliment, Sun Ying’s spirits soared.

He was complimenting me!

“But when you stack up against Yabei, you’re just a tiny bit behind.”

Her face fell in an instant.

Yet, she quickly bounced back.

Being an ordinary heiress and only slightly less attractive than Ma Yabei meant she was still quite beautiful!

“I think I have a really cool vibe, right? Don’t I?”

Ma Yabei burst into laughter.

It was undeniable.

Sun Ying had a knack for brightening the mood when needed.

“Absolutely cool.”

Basking in Ma Yabei’s direct praise, Sun Ying felt herself floating on air.

“Goddess Yabei, you’re making me blush.”

Clearly…

It didn’t take long for her to hit it off with Ma Yabei.

She even overlooked their underlying rivalry.

Zhao Yuegu was more than happy to witness this camaraderie.

The sight of the two beauties together was a delight to the eyes and added a sparkle to his courtyard.

“Perhaps it’s time to refurbish my courtyard.”

Living with Xueman, Zhao Yuegu hadn’t given it much thought, focusing mainly on the land.

A house that provided shelter from the elements was enough.

But now, with the watermelon harvest complete and the other crops not yet ripe, he had the leisure to spruce up the place.

“This courtyard, after all, is the former home of a top scholar, with three sections.”

“The house needs some upkeep and repairs, especially if we’re to welcome future guests.”

Zhao Yuegu mulled it over and decided to begin with the inner courtyard.

The structures were showing their age, but the foundations were solid—some repairs would make them livable.

The greatest challenge with a wooden house, after all, was ensuring it was well-protected against the elements.

To prevent decay, rot, and fire.

Seizing a moment of leisure, Zhao Yuegu headed straight to the backyard, tools in hand.

Sun’s father naturally came along.

But upon seeing the ramshackle houses, his eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Oh my God!”

“They’re actually…”

“They’re actually all built from rosewood.”

Zhao Yuegu watched as Sun’s father, overwhelmed with excitement, clung protectively to a pillar, his body shaking.

He caressed the wood and examined it closely. Finding a piece of broken wood on the ground, he winced, tenderly picking it up and carefully dusting it off with his expensive, tailor-made suit.

“This is rosewood too!”

“How could such a valuable house be… just… left to waste like this!”

Sun’s father was so upset he nearly choked on his own outrage.

Zhao Yuegu was momentarily baffled.

“This is rosewood?”

“Xueman even burned quite a bit of it for cooking.”

“Gasp…”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Sun’s father clutched at his heart, his eyes wide with shock, the very picture of horror.