Chapter 1072 - 1069: Ulterior Motives

“The lady is actually quite nice, don’t you think so, Master?” Lu Chuan glanced at him carefully.

Chu Heng gave him a look that was neither cold nor warm, causing Lu Chuan to shiver and quickly lower his head, not daring to ask any further.

They returned to the estate.

Servants had already prepared water for them.

Chu Ziluo took the lead, placing the strawberries she had picked into a clean bowl and sprinkling a little salt into it.

Zhao Qingqing exclaimed, “Chu Ziluo… my niece!”

Chu Ziluo looked up at her, unable to suppress a laugh: “How should I address you?”

In fact, Zhao Qingqing was not much older—only fifteen years of age, while Chu Ziluo was also ten this year. The two of them really should get along, but since Ye Muyu appeared young and was also good at cooking, Zhao Qingqing was completely captivated by her, and without a second thought, she decided it was better to be friends than to act like an elder.

As a result, there was a bit of awkwardness between Zhao Qingqing and Chu Ziluo when it came to addressing each other.

However, Chu Ziluo was always a heartwarming and adorable little one, very considerate of Zhao Qingqing’s feelings and going along with what she said.

Zhao Qingqing felt a sweet warmth in her heart and couldn’t help but reach out to pinch her cheek: “Chu Ziluo, you’re also so heartwarming, truly worthy to be Sister Ye’s daughter.”

“You can call me Aunt Qingqing, I’m younger than your mother.” Zhao Qingqing immediately saw the light and asked Chu Ziluo to change how she addressed her.

Chu Ziluo complied with her, eyes curving into a smile, tinged with a touch of simplicity: “Aunt Qingqing.”

“You should wash your strawberries, too. After soaking them in salt water for a while, you can eat them.”

Lil’ Jin couldn’t wait to poke at the strawberries bobbing in the water: “Sister, how much longer?”

“Is this how you usually eat them?” Zhao Qingqing listened to their conversation and belatedly realized what Sister Ye meant by saying it was wasteful previously in the greenhouse.

Fortunately, Ye Muyu came in, having changed her shoes.

She was still holding an account book in her hand, which contained records of the manor’s production and sales figures.

“Sister Ye, come here.” Zhao Qingqing waved her over, her face glowing with a beaming smile. However, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chu Heng returning from outside.

She quickly composed herself and sat upright.

As Ye Muyu approached, Chu Heng entered the courtyard. Only when he disappeared around the corner did Zhao Qingqing heave a sigh of relief.

“Sister Ye, are all these strawberries for me?” Zhao Qingqing cheekily asked while thickening her face, then turned towards Chu Ziluo, saying, “Niece Chu Ziluo taught me how to wash strawberries. So what you meant before was that strawberries can be eaten directly after they’re washed clean.”

“Actually, I’ve eaten them even without washing.” Lil’ Jin couldn’t resist speaking up to defend his dignity as a food lover.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingqing eagerly pointed: “Then can I eat them now, too?”

“Of course, I’ll eat and show you.” Lil’ Jin smirked slyly, scooping up a big strawberry and biting half of it with evident satisfaction.@@novelbin@@

Zhao Qingqing, also a food lover, immediately saw through his ploy and burst out laughing: “Oh, I see, Lil’ Jin wants to use my words as an excuse to sneak some strawberries.”

Lil’ Jin was choked up, not expecting his ruse to be exposed so quickly. He hurriedly tried to endear himself by giving Ye Muyu a pleasing smile.

Ye Muyu reached out and gently touched his head with a tender smile: “Eat up.”

“Mother, I’ll feed you.” Lil’ Jin responded quickly, stuffing the half strawberry in his hand into his mouth, and then picked out a big, red one for Ye Muyu.

“Thank you, Lil’ Jin.” Touched by her child’s filial piety, Ye Muyu’s heart swelled with joy, and without refusal, she tasted it. Seeing her brother feed Mother strawberries, Chu Ziluo also hurriedly picked one.