Super Allrounder

Kapitel 7

"Um... I heard that the cooks here like to add rock sugar and milk to their steamed buns. Could you get me some of that?"

"Hey... I'm telling you, you little beggar..." This is utterly lawless.

She smiled again and said, "Sir, you are so kind and compassionate, you will surely marry a beautiful woman like a goddess, and your family will be prosperous and your descendants numerous!"

After being stopped by her kind words, the shopkeeper was both amused and exasperated: "Fine, I'll get it for you. For saying that, I'd give you anything, even if it were God."

Watching the waiter's retreating figure, she sighed contentedly. She definitely preferred straightforward people; they were easier to fool, more fun, and easier to get along with—like You'er, like this young waiter…

Unlike that elegant young man in blue robes who appears calm and refined on the surface, but who is actually full of thoughts, right?

My thoughts drifted far away, but my eyes still keenly spotted a familiar figure approaching from afar.

That's not...

The Cold-Clad Young Master of Baili Prefecture!

She hurriedly darted into the corner. It had been three months. How come he was still in the capital? Were the other people from the Baili family, and...you'er, still in the capital?

Baili Hanyi still had a smile on her face, and walked into Huanyi Study in a few steps.

What brings him to Huanyi Study?

She pressed her ear against the doorway.

Shortly after, a deep, cold male voice rang out, and it was immediately recognizable as the diligent and conscientious manager of Huanyi Study, Cen.

"I have already said that this painting is not for sale, so why bother to say more, Young Master Hanyi?"

"Why are you so stubborn, shopkeeper? There is only one portrait of this person in the world, otherwise Hanyi wouldn't have bothered you so many times."

This is the only portrait of its kind...

"Knowing that there is only one portrait of her in the world, why did you repeatedly come to your door to try and buy it?"

"How can this be called a forced purchase? This painting is very important to my elder brother, and besides, my request to purchase this painting was approved by Chief Qiao."

So it was the portrait that Baili Qingyi wanted?

"Hmph, what use is his approval?" The head manager showed no mercy.

"His approval is useless. Does that mean Miss Shi's promise is also invalid? Miss Shi herself promised my elder brother the day before yesterday that she would give him the portrait."

"She...she agreed herself?" The head manager's voice became urgent.

"Exactly."

"..." The head shopkeeper pondered for a moment, "...I didn't expect the young master in blue to have such a big influence. Well, anyway, the painting is hers, and she wants to sell it, so why should I meddle?"

"Then thank you very much, Manager." Baili Hanyi's tone revealed a faint smile.

"Wait a minute," the head steward paused, "may I ask, what use does the young master in blue have for this portrait?"

“This…” Baili Hanyi hesitated for a moment.

"If it's inconvenient for Young Master Hanyi, you may choose not to answer." The head shopkeeper's voice turned cold again, full of impatience.

Baili Hanyi smiled good-naturedly: "Manager, please don't misunderstand. I know that you have a deep connection with the person in the painting. How could I possibly deceive you? You've probably heard that three months ago, my elder brother publicly promised at Chuxiu Manor to investigate the Yin family massacre."

"Is this why the young man in blue requested the painting?"

"good."

After a moment of silence, Manager Cen let out a barely audible sigh: "No wonder Man Si would agree with that temper... Indeed, only the young master in blue can stump her, and perhaps only he can find her in the vast sea of people, if... she is still alive."

Shui Wu'er, who was eavesdropping outside the door, was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Cen Lu to have moments of sadness and sighs, all because of that person… She had always thought that, apart from Man Si, everyone else in Cen Lu's heart was a worldly fool. Had she underestimated the people around her, or had she underestimated herself?

Her mind jolted, and a metallic taste rose in her throat again. She gave a bitter smile, and vomited in the corner when no one was looking. She swayed and leaned weakly against the wall. After a long while, the black mist in front of her slowly dissipated.

That pool of crimson blood...

She will bleed to death someday.

Before he knew it, the waiter had taken a steamed bun from the study and stuffed it into his hand.

"Look, you're lucky to have run into me today. Eat up."

Holding a steaming hot bun mixed with rock sugar and milk in her hand, Shui Wu'er tried hard to concentrate. Inadvertently, a conversation floated into her mind:

"Wu'er, what's the most delicious thing you've ever eaten?"

"Yes, it's a steamed bun."

"Steamed buns? That's hilarious. What kind of steamed buns can taste better than roast chicken or grilled fish?"

"The steamed buns I'm talking about aren't ordinary steamed buns. The steamed buns I'm talking about are made by the glamorous young cook at my good friend's house. They're made with rock sugar and milk, and they're truly the best in the world. Even the Emperor has never tasted anything so delicious."

"Hmph, you're just bragging."

"You'er doesn't believe me? Then I'll get one for you to try next time."

"Little beggar, little beggar?" The waiter's noisy voice pulled her back to reality. "Aren't you hungry? Eat up!"

"I..." She came to her senses and gave a pale smile, "Young master, do you know what that handsome young man who just went in does?"

"You little beggar, you're quite nosy. That man is the second young master of Baili Prefecture, a very important figure." The waiter glanced at her sideways.

"Oh...he lives in the capital?"

"They didn't originally live there, but that big house in Liujia Alley in the west of the city is Baili's villa in the capital. I heard they live there now. That family is very kind-hearted; they donate not only steamed buns, but also chicken, duck, fish and meat to the public."

"Oh..." Shui Wu'er looked up, her face beaming with a big smile, "Thank you, Liu Chi'er!"

"You're welcome." The shopkeeper chuckled. The little beggar's smile was so sweet that it made his heart flutter. Just as he was about to turn back to the shop, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

"Hey, how did you know my..." nickname?

Where is the little beggar? He's vanished without a trace.

※ ※ ※

She wasn't soft-hearted, absolutely not. She was just fulfilling a promise. Yes, it's that simple.

Holding the steamed buns made by the alluring young cook, Shui Wu'er slowly walked towards the gate of the mansion in Liu Family Lane, sighing from time to time, whether for herself or for the fake brother lying on the bed across the wall.

After a moment's thought, she raised her hand and gently knocked on the magnificent door.

Even though I've made up my mind never to see him again, surely sending him a few things through someone won't cause any trouble?

The door creaked open a crack, and a head peeked out.

Shui Wu'er was startled.

The person who poked his head out had a full white beard, a narrow forehead, a pointed nose, and slightly squinted eyes. He looked... just like the mean old private tutor she had driven away when she was seven years old.

The old scholar glared at her: "Who are you looking for?"

"Find..." It took her a while to react. It wasn't her fault; the childhood trauma was just too deep...

"Excuse me, is there a young man in here who is very ill and unable to get out of bed?"

The old scholar looked her up and down: "Are you talking about my young master or the little beggar that the eldest young master picked up?"

"Hmm... it's the one we picked up..." Is the young master of the Baili family also bedridden?

"You're looking for him?" The old scholar's eyes still betrayed his wariness.

"No, no..." she cleverly told a little lie, "There's a lady at the alley entrance who asked me to give him this steamed bun."

The old teacher moved closer to her, his squinting eyes fixed on her, making her think that her old private tutor had really come back to slap her palm.

The old master's face suddenly changed color, and a fawning smile that was utterly infuriating was revealed.

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" He didn't mind that she was dirty and smelly, and grabbed her wrist to pull her inside. "Come, come, come in with Grandpa."

grandfather……

Caught off guard, she was grabbed tightly by him and hurriedly said, "I...I was just delivering a message..."

"I know you're the messenger. Thank you for spreading the good news. Come here, Grandpa has some good food to reward you with. You can go after you finish eating..." The old scholar suddenly turned into a chattering old nanny.

"I...I won't eat it..." For the first time in three years, she felt an urge to cry, as if she had returned to the days when she was seven years old and her old teacher had slapped her hands and then forced her to eat bird's nest with rock sugar.

"You dare not eat!" The old master's voice suddenly became serious and sinister.

“I…” she softened.

There's no way around it, it's a childhood trauma...

Yanshui Fangsheng

Yanshui Fangsheng

Faced with a table laden with chicken, fish, meat, and eggs, Shui Wu'er was both amused and exasperated. Was the Baili Manor truly this benevolent?

However, the cook and his family did not show any signs of discomfort along the way, which was probably commonplace in Baili Prefecture.

Thinking of this, she felt a little relieved.

A faint groan came from her stomach. She sighed. People always need to eat.

The chefs at Baili Mansion are quite skilled; it's been a long time since I've tasted such delicious food. She used to be someone who valued enjoyment and demanded the best in everything, but the hardships of traveling had worn away her young lady's spirit. And now, she neither desires nor dares to desire anything.

Let's eat before we hit the road.

But... I feel like something's not quite right.

"Is the food to your liking?" A warm, polite, mellow, and familiar voice sounded behind her as she wolfed down her food, and she froze in her eating.

"It's...a hallucination..." she mumbled incoherently, her mouth stuffed full.

Although it's idiotic to act like an ostrich, she really had a strong urge to bury her head in the sand.

"Three months, huh? I really thought you wouldn't show up again." A faint smile appeared in the voice behind him.

She sighed deeply, bit off the cartilage at the tip of the chicken leg, and chewed vigorously. Then, she turned around, her professional smile wide, revealing her pearly white teeth and... a mouthful of chicken bones.

"Sir, I don't understand what you're saying, but I am deeply grateful for your great kindness..."

His handsome face was calm yet resolute as he looked directly into her eyes, his brows slightly raised when he heard her tone. She suddenly deflated, automatically swallowing the last two words.