He would much rather stew fish soup than stand next to Feng Muting and yawn.
He went to the kitchen to get a basket, then slung the basket over his shoulder and left the mansion.
She looked exactly like a young married woman.
He went to the fish stall and began to choose fish.
After choosing the fish and paying the bill, we prepared to head home.
He looked at the plump, fresh fish in the basket and couldn't help but smile. This time, he was determined to make Feng Muting praise it even more!
He wanted Feng Muting to know that he also had a skill, and wasn't just good at making a fool of himself.
Suddenly, a figure darted past him. He didn't even get a good look at the person before he felt a lightness around his waist. He reached up and touched it, only to find his purse gone.
He immediately realized that the person was a thief, and shouted, "Thief, stop! Please, everyone in front, help stop him! That person is a thief!"
No one dared to stop the thief; everyone was focused on protecting themselves. However, after hearing Su Fuliu's words, they all made way for him.
Su Fuliu was dumbfounded; not a single person was helping him.
That makes sense; no one would easily lend a helping hand to a stranger for no reason.
What if the thief is malicious? They are also afraid of being hurt or retaliated against by the thief.
However, if he were in such a situation, he would definitely lend a helping hand.
Su Fuliu had to chase after him by himself, but it was really difficult for him to catch up with the basket he was carrying.
Just as the thief was about to slip away, someone suddenly stuck out a foot from the crowd. The thief didn't see it and tripped, falling face-first into the mud.
Chapter 50 See You There
Su Fuliu caught up, panting, and took her purse back from the thief who had fallen to the ground.
Then he looked at the person who had helped him and exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master?"
Xiao Nian smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for your help, Young Master. If it weren't for your help, I definitely wouldn't have been able to get my money pouch back."
Xiao Nian shook her head and smiled, "What's the use of saying thank you? It'll show your sincerity if you come with me for a cup of tea."
Su Fuliu glanced at the time and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, Your Highness, I have other matters to attend to right now. But if there's another opportunity, I'll be happy to accompany you for tea, or even drink until we're both drunk."
Xiao Nian chuckled lightly: "Alright, since you're busy today, you can set a time so I can get ready. We'll drink until we drop."
Su Fuliu thought for a moment. He had to serve Feng Muting every day, so he was never free. If he went back today and made something delicious for Feng Muting, Feng Muting would be happy. He could ask Feng Muting for leave and come out for a while, which shouldn't be a problem.
So he replied, "Then let's do it tonight. I think I should be free."
"Alright, it's settled then. See you at Tianwei Restaurant tonight." Xiao Nian was overjoyed.
Su Fuliu smiled and nodded heavily, thinking to herself that this young master was truly approachable and had no airs of a prince. Even though he had helped her, he was the one who ended up treating her to drinks and a meal.
Therefore, he didn't quite understand why Feng Muting said Xiao Nian wasn't a good person.
"Well then, I'll be going now. See you tonight!" Su Fuliu waved to Xiao Nian, then slung her basket over her shoulder and hurried back with the still lively fish.
After returning home, Su Fuliu started working in the kitchen.
After finishing his work, it gradually got dark, and he carried the fish soup he had prepared to the study.
Feng Muting was still busy, but he smelled the aroma of fish soup from afar, so he put down the folded paper in his hand, sat down at the table, and waited for Su Fuliu to bring in the fish soup.
A moment later, Su Fuliu came in: "Your Highness, the fresh and delicious fish soup is ready!"
As soon as he entered, he saw that Feng Muting was already seated.
He smiled and then went over to put the fish soup on the table.
"This fish soup is even better than the last one, Your Highness, please try it!" Su Fuliu said confidently.
Feng Muting nodded, then lowered his head to smell it: "It does smell very good. As for whether it tastes better than last time, we'll have to try it to know."
Su Fuliu said confidently, "Then Your Highness should try it. It will definitely taste better than last time."
Feng Muting smiled and then took the fish soup that Su Fuliu had served him.
Su Fuliu stood there, staring intently at him, awaiting his evaluation.
After he finished taking a bite, Su Fuliu quickly asked, "How is it? How is it? Isn't it better than last time?!"
Feng Muting did not answer, but continued drinking.
Only after the bowl of fish soup was finished did he put it down and say, "Hmm, your cooking skills are unmatched, even by the imperial chefs in the palace. It's only when I taste your fish soup that I feel truly satisfied and served. Apart from that, what else do you do besides annoy me and leave me speechless?"
Su Fuliu was speechless after Feng Muting's words, but he was very annoyed. Feng Muting was clearly praising the fish soup, so why did he have to add that comment?
"I will certainly work hard to ensure that Your Highness praises me in every way."
Feng Muting nodded: "It's good that you have this awareness."
Su Fuliu rolled her eyes, then served Feng Muting another bowl: "Your Highness, please eat more."
"Um."
Seeing that Feng Muting was quite satisfied with his drink, Su Fuliu tentatively said, "Your Highness... I'd like to... ask for leave..."
Chapter 51 Overwhelmed with Praise
"Taking leave?" Feng Muting looked up at Su Fuliu.
Su Fuliu nodded timidly.
"Why are you taking leave?" Feng Muting asked.
Su Fuliu hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's just that I want to go out for a walk later..."
He dared not tell Feng Muting directly that he was going to drink with Xiao Nian, otherwise Feng Muting would definitely be unhappy and would not let him go.
After all, Feng Muting had previously said that Xiao Nian was not a good person.
However, thinking about this, wasn't he being a bit ungrateful? Feng Muting had already reminded him that Xiao Nian wasn't a good person, yet he still wanted to go drinking with her.
But after getting to know Xiao Nian, he felt that Xiao Nian didn't seem like a bad person.
"I'd like to go out for a walk. What's a good place to go?" Feng Muting asked.
"Just...just browsing around, relaxing a bit," Su Fuliu replied.
"Don't say that all I do is be harsh with you. After I finish my fish soup, I'll accompany you for a walk. Isn't that nice to you?" Feng Muting said.
"ah?"
"Are you flattered?" Feng Muting raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile.
"No...it's not the little one..."
Before he could finish speaking, Feng Muting frowned: "No? You actually said no?"
Su Fuliu was at a loss for words.
He never expected that Feng Muting would say he wanted to go out with him, but that wouldn't do.
If he went out with Feng Muting, would he still need to see Xiao Nian? He wouldn't need to at all; wouldn't that just invite Feng Muting's wrath?
"No, what I meant was that Your Highness has had a long day and should rest early after drinking the fish soup. I was just going out for a stroll, how could I trouble Your Highness to accompany me? I am indeed flattered."
"That's more like it. It's alright. With so much fish soup, I'll definitely be full after eating it all. I'll have to go out for a walk to digest." After saying that, Feng Muting continued to drink the fish soup.
Su Fuliu stood there dumbfounded. This was terrible. Feng Muting was going to go out with him later, and he wouldn't be able to meet Xiao Nian.
But he has no way to notify Xiao Nian now.
Wouldn't Xiao Nian have to wait in vain at Tianwei Restaurant for a long time?
Moreover, not only would it take a long time, but if he broke his promise, wouldn't Xiao Nian think he was untrustworthy and be angry with him?
"Su Fuliu?!"
Upon hearing Feng Muting's voice, Su Fuliu immediately snapped back to reality: "Yes, sir."
"What are you thinking about so intently? I've called you several times already." Feng Muting looked at him, feeling that something was off about him.
"Oh, I... I wasn't thinking about anything, I was just spacing out." Su Fuliu was a bit overwhelmed and really didn't know what to do.
"Aren't you stupid enough?" Feng Muting put down the empty bowl and stood up.
"...I'm not stupid at all." Su Fuliu thought he was not stupid at all; he was quite clever.
“Yes, you’re not stupid, just a little bit dim-witted,” Feng Muting replied.
"..." Su Fuliu was speechless, mainly because she couldn't argue with him.
So, I might as well shut up.
"Alright, I've finished eating. We can go for a walk now," Feng Muting said.
“…Yes.” Su Fuliu was on the verge of tears. If he had known it would be like this, he wouldn’t have told Feng Muting. Maybe Feng Muting would have had to go back to work after eating, and he could have sneaked out.
But it's too late to say anything now. Feng Muting is so happy and wants to go for a walk with him. How can he say no? That would be asking for trouble.
He forced a smile, but it wasn't a genuine one.
In the end, the two of them left the palace gates together and went out onto the street.
Su Fuliu kept peeking around, afraid of running into Xiao Nian. When he passed Tianwei Restaurant, his heart was in his throat, fearing that Xiao Nian would suddenly run out and ask him why he had taken so long.
Chapter 52 No Drinking Until We're Drunk
Su Fuliu kept praying in her heart: Don't come out, don't come out, don't come out!
Otherwise, it would be one thing if Xiao Nian suddenly appeared and ran into him, but the main concern was that Xiao Nian might run into Feng Muting.
That's why he was always distracted while walking.
Feng Muting immediately noticed something was wrong with him: "What are you panicking about?"
Su Fuliu shook her head: "No, I wasn't flustered at all, at most... at most I was just nervous."
"Then why are you nervous?"