Chapter 479: Chapter 466 When did it happen?

“I understand your intentions, Master Chu.”

Zhuang Qingning smiled radiantly, “If there is anything you need me to do here, just let me know.”

Since Chu Jinnian was so generous, she naturally couldn’t be too stingy.

Although she had no money or influence, she could contribute her efforts, which could be considered as a barter exchange between them.

“So, we agree on this matter…”

“What have Big Brother and Big Sister Ning agreed on?”

As soon as Chu Jinnian finished speaking, Chu Jinzhou, who had returned with Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli, smiled and asked.

“Nothing much, just that we agreed to have lunch at Sister Ning’s home today.” Chu Jinnian answered. His charming eyes were filled with laughter.

Zhuang Qingning had heard that Chu Jinnian was particularly fond of his younger brother, a typical brother obsessed. Seeing the affectionate smile on Chu Jinnian’s face when he saw Chu Jinzhou, she felt that the rumors were true. She simply smiled and nodded, “Yes, what do you want to eat for lunch?”

“That’s great.”

Chu Jinzhou excitedly clapped his little hands, immediately sticking to Zhuang Qingning, “Sister Ning, I want to eat mouth-watering chicken, chicken soup noodles, and the lotus cakes you make for lunch.”

“I want to eat sweet and sour fish!” Zhuang Qingsui chimed in from the side.

“What about you? What do you want to eat?” Zhuang Qingning asked Zhuang Mingli, who had been silent all this time.

Zhuang Mingli scratched his ear, “I just want to eat the hot and sour noodles made by Sister Ning.”

Zhuang Yonghe loved spicy food and Zhuang Mingli seemed to be similarly influenced, with a great fondness for spicy dishes. However, because he had to avoid certain foods due to a previous illness, he had to suppress this fondness.

Now that Zhuang Mingli was in good health and able to eat spicy food, his suppressed appetite rebounded like a spring. He desired it at every single meal.

But he had some heatiness recently, probably from eating too much. According to Zhuang Yonghe and Mrs. He, his throat had been sore these last few days, but he kept putting off doing anything about it.

“You can eat hot and sour noodles, but I’ll make them a bit lighter for you, and you’re only allowed to eat a small bowl.” Zhuang Qingning responded, “Also, you’re not allowed to eat any other spicy foods today.”

“I understand.” Zhuang Mingli nodded excitedly.

“Does Master Chu have any food preferences?” Zhuang Qingning thought for a while, then asked Chu Jinnian.

“Hmm…” Chu Jinnian pondered for a moment, smiling as he replied, “I am not picky, Miss Zhuang. You can cook whatever you like.”

After all, it made no difference to him what he ate at this time.

“Alright then, I’ll cook hot and sour noodles, chicken soup noodles, mouth-watering chicken, sweet and sour fish, hot and sour cabbage, stir-fried mixed vegetables, tofu with century eggs, and fried lotus root.”

Zhuang Qingning listed a few dishes after calculating briefly.

“Okay.” Chu Jinnian nodded, then turned to Chu Jinzhou and the others, “It’s getting late. Get ready for your lessons.”

“Yes, Mr. Chu.” Chu Jinzhou was the first to blink and respond. Zhuang Mingli and Zhuang Qingsui also called out “Teacher,” picked up their books, and went inside the house.

Shortly after, Chu Jinnian’s clear but deep voice could be heard from the house as he began the lesson.

Zhuang Qingning concealed her smile and went to prepare the ingredients for lunch.

Chu Jinnian taught Chu Jinzhou and the others until lunchtime. They had a lavish and delicious lunch at Zhuang Qingning’s house. In the afternoon, they reviewed the characters and articles they had learned in the morning. When the sun began to set, Chu Jinnian took Chu Jinzhou and bid his farewells.

“Have a safe journey, Master Chu.” Zhuang Qingning saw Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou off. She didn’t lead Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli back into the courtyard until their carriage had disappeared into the distance.

“How was Master Chu’s lesson today?” Zhuang Qingning casually asked.

“Honestly, although Mr. Chu is young, he delivers the lessons in a more practiced manner than Mr. Fan.” Zhuang Mingli said.

Zhuang Qingsui nodded in agreement, “Indeed, he explains everything in great detail. When Mr. Fan gives lessons, it takes me time to digest and remember everything. But Mr. Chu’s lessons… they’re so easy to remember.”

“Really?” Zhuang Qingning was quite surprised.

I wouldn’t have thought Chu Jinnian would have such insights into teaching.

Considering his respect for Fan Wenxuan and his protective nature towards his younger brother, he must have spent considerable time and effort in discovering the best ways to tutor Chu Jinzhou.

“However, it might be even better if Mr. Chu didn’t smile all the time during the lessons…” Zhuang Mingli sighed.

“Always smiling?” Zhuang Qingning was once again surprised.

“Yes, always smiling.” Zhuang Qingsui explained, “Although Mr. Chu is very good-looking, and even more so when he smiles… but always smiling…”

Especially when he gives lessons, or when he lowers his head to read a book, the laughter in his eyebrows and eyes seem to leap out…

It’s a bit off-putting.

“Maybe it’s because this was Master Chu’s first time teaching you all. He probably thought that smiling more would help you relax, so you wouldn’t be too intimidated by him, which would hinder your learning.” Zhuang Qingning explained with a smile.

“Sister makes a good point.” Zhuang Qingsui nodded in acknowledgement, somewhat embarrassed, “It was Mingli and I who were at fault.”

“We’ll apologize to Mr. Chu tomorrow.” Zhuang Mingli quickly added.

“Alright.” Zhuang Qingsui eagerly agreed.

Zhuang Qingning smiled and didn’t comment further. She simply instructed the two of them to play in the snow in the courtyard for a while, while she went to prepare dinner.

—-

As the sun set, Jing Zhao drove the carriage slowly towards Qingzhuyuan.

The carriage’s shaking made Chu Jinzhou, who had gotten up early in the morning, a little sleepy. He leaned against the soft pillow and closed his eyes.

Seeing that Chu Jinzhou had fallen asleep, Chu Jinnian lifted the curtain of the carriage.

“Does young master have any orders?” Jing Zhao was taken by surprise and was a little startled by Chu Jinnian’s silent actions.

Chu Jinnian didn’t say anything, but instead just looked at Jing Zhao.

“Young master…” Jing Zhao felt a little uncomfortable under his stare.

“I remember,” Chu Jinnian paused between each word, “you’re engaged…”

“Huh?” Jing Zhao was taken aback, and asked reflexively, “When did that happen?”

How is it possible that he isn’t aware that he’s engaged?

“Now.” Chu Jinnian answered.

What?????

Jing Zhao was riddled with question marks.

But since Chu Jinnian had spoken, he…

Jing Zhao didn’t even have time to think before he quickly replied, “Yes, young master, I am indeed engaged.”

“Hmm.” Chu Jinnian pulled the curtain back down, “Go get half a year’s wages from Steward Feng.”

“Yes.” Jing Zhao was overjoyed, “Thank you, young master.”

By making a simple admission, he had received a large sum of silver. Jing Zhao felt this was a highly profitable deal.

But he had been intimidated by young master’s forceful demeanor just now. If he had kept his cool and answered directly that he already had a wife and children, would he have been able to get an extra year and a half’s wages?

It felt like he had missed out on an opportunity to make a small fortune…

Jing Zhao suddenly felt a pain in his chest.