Chapter 22 - The Embarrassed Lu Shuxue

Chapter 22 The Embarrassed Lu Shuxue

It was already the second day when Chen Zhiyuan returned home.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he discovered that the inside and outside of the house had already been cleaned thoroughly. Usually, when he and Li Zhu’er lived together, they only needed to ensure basic cleanliness. But now, it was obvious that someone had specially cleaned it.

“Hubby, you’re back.”

Li Zhu’er heard the noise outside the house and immediately went out to greet him.

To his surprise, Lu Shuxue and Qiu Shui actually followed behind Zhu’er and did not leave.

Seeing the surprise in her husband’s eyes, Li Zhu’er then explained, “Hubby, I’ve discussed with these sisters. First, I’ll send someone to inform her parents who live in Lin County. When the parents receive the news, I’ll send someone to bring these two sisters back. If they don’t send someone over, I’ll trouble you to find someone reliable to send them back. As for the next few days, I’ll let the two sisters stay in our house temporarily so that they can accompany me.”

Chen Zhiyuan looked at the two sisters and saw that both of them had lowered their heads shyly and did not speak. He knew that both of them had agreed, so he naturally could not refuse and agreed, he said, “That’s fine too. Miss Lu, Miss Qiu. You can stay here at ease for now. You can return home after the bandits’ extermination is over. As long as you don’t mind the shabby thatched cottage.”

Speaking of which, it was his fault. In the past, he didn’t have any money. Now that he had money, he had forgotten to find a maid for Zhu’er. As a result, when he went to the county, Zhu’er didn’t even have anyone to speak to. Now that she had finally met two women of similar ages, moreover, they were both well-educated and well-mannered women. Naturally, they had a lot to say.

“Constable Chen, what are you talking about? I was a refugee before. I have also slept outdoors in a dilapidated temple and haystack. Why would I dislike a safe place to shelter from the wind and rain?”

“Yes, yes, and me. My family is originally poor. Oh right, Constable Chen, my surname isn’t Qiu, but Wu. My mother gave birth to me by the water during autumn, and she named me Qiu Shui. Sister Lu called me that because we were close. Of course, if you think Miss Qiu sounds nice, I don’t mind being called that…”

As soon as Lu Shuxue opened her mouth, the little girl called Qiu Shui nodded repeatedly to show that she didn’t mind.

She even reminded Chen Zhiyuan that he had called her by the wrong name. In the end, she winked at him and told him that it was okay to call her that.

Chen Zhiyuan suddenly felt a little overwhelmed. In the words of the later generations, this little girl was a simple-minded and easy-going person. This kind of person would always be able to quickly blend into the circle they were in.

“Qiu Shui, don’t push your luck. Constable Chen is our savior.”

Lu Shuxue saw that Chen Zhiyuan was helpless and quickly interrupted Wu Qiushui, who was about to continue. She apologized to Chen Zhiyuan, “Constable Chen, please don’t blame Qiu Shui. She is still young and has a childish temperament.”

“Sister Lu, how am I young? Look, I am about the same age as you.”

When Wu Qiushui heard this, she was not convinced. She deliberately stuck out her chest and shook her head.

Lu Shuxue’s face and ears were already red. She was so embarrassed that even Zhu’er was snickering at the side.

Chen Zhiyuan felt that if he stayed any longer, Lu Shuxue might find a hole to hide in. He quickly changed the topic. “You guys talk first. I’ll go get some food.”

“Eh? Constable Chen, do you still have the tomatoes that Sister Li gave us last night? Can you get a few more… Oh, Sister Lu, don’t push me. They’re really delicious.”

Wu Qiushui called out again.

Lu Shuxue simply walked into the house without turning her head back, as if she had never known this girl.

Chen Zhiyuan sighed helplessly. He walked to a place where there was no one and entered the system space.

After he came in and harvested the ripe potatoes, he planted the wheat and rice in the spirit field.

In this era, there was already wheat, but it was not as high-yielding as the later generations. Rice had not yet appeared. The rice that people ate was called grain, and later generations called it millet.

He believed that once rice reached the level of mass production, it would definitely be able to change the eating habits of this era.

Before he left, he did not forget Wu Qiushui’s request and specially brought out a few more tomatoes.

During dinner.

Looking at Chen Zhiyuan who was personally cooking, Lu Shuxue covered her mouth with a hand. Her eyes were filled with disbelief. “A nobleman stays clear of the kitchen.” This was written in the books of sages. Why was Constable Chen so different from the rest?

On the other hand, Wu Qiushui was staring at Chen Zhiyuan, who was cooking. It was unknown whether she was looking at the person or the food in the pot.

“Sister Lu, don’t be surprised. I’ve tried to persuade my husband before, but he said that we don’t have such a rule in our house. Moreover, the food that my husband makes is really delicious. It’s even better than what I make. Moreover, only my husband can cook today’s dishes.”

Li Zhu’er explained proudly to the two girls, her eyes filled with sweetness.

The other two girls were also envious.

Finally, dinner was served. Chen Zhiyuan still made beef brisket with tomatoes and beef stew with potatoes. The main dish was two baked potatoes and a bowl of millet congee for each person.

How could he get tired of such things after one or two meals? He would have to eat for at least a week before he would want to change his taste.

“This… There’s actually such a delicious thing in the world. This is the first time I’ve tasted

it!”

Lu Shuxue took a bite and was amazed.

“That’s right, that’s right! After eating the tomato that Sister Li gave me last night, I thought it was a fruit. I didn’t expect it to be so delicious when used in cooking. Sister Lu, why don’t we stay here so that we can eat this kind of delicious food every day!”

Wu Qiushui finished a big bowl of food and raised her head to lick her lips. She said happily to Lu Shuxue.

“Qiu Shui! What nonsense are you talking about? Once we receive the letter from home, we’ll go back.”

Lu Shuxue’s pretty face turned red. She looked at Li Zhu’er’s face and glared at Wu Qiushui.

Constable Chen was a married man, and Sister Li was so good to them. What did she mean by both of them staying here? She wanted to retain her reputation even if she didn’t want hers.

“Ah… Alright then.”

Wu Qiushui noticed Lu Shuxue’s gaze and seemed to feel that she had said something wrong, and she shrunk her head. But after a moment, she pulled herself together, and she said weakly, “Since I won’t be able to eat in the future, I have to eat my fill today. Constable Chen, can you give me another bowl…”

Lu Shuxue was completely speechless. She even moved her bowl and chopsticks to the side as if she didn’t know her.

Her heart was filled with shame. She deeply doubted whether it was a mistake to bring this silly girl along.

“Sister Wu, I’ll serve it to you now. Sister Lu, if you don’t mind, it’s okay to stay for a few more days. With my husband around, this little bit of food and drink is still affordable, right, Hubby?”

Li Zhu’er picked up Wu Qiushui’s clean bowl and walked to the kitchen. She said to Chen Zhiyuan with a smile.

“Yes. Zhu’er is right. Ladies, the county magistrate has issued a death order to exterminate the bandits of Black Wind Mountain. It won’t be long before the news will reach the ears of the bandits. It might become even more chaotic in the next few days. It’s fine for the two of you to live here at ease.”

Since Zhu’er had already said that, Chen Zhiyuan naturally couldn’t refuse. He might as well find an excuse to eradicate the bandits so that the two of them wouldn’t have any psychological burden. However, it was said that once one was fed and warmed, one would become lustful…

Although his thatched house had an inner room and an outer room, it wouldn’t be a big deal to have two more people in it. However, the soundproofing effect wasn’t that good. It was a long night, so how could he endure it…