Chapter 84: True Brothers

"Hey, isn’t that Wenyan?" Bao Mingzhi exclaimed in surprise when he spotted him. "It’s only been a while, and you’re almost unrecognizable."

Although Bao Mingzhi’s words were somewhat exaggerated, Lin Wenyan truly did look different from before. In the past, he had been thin and frail, not fond of talking. But with sufficient nutrition lately, regular exercise, and some martial arts training, he had grown sturdier and carried himself with more presence.

"Manager Bao, you jest."

At this point, the crowd buying fried chicken had dwindled. Lin Wenyan glanced at Bao Mingzhi, then leaned closer to Lin Sangqian and whispered, "Little sister, about that ripening agent from before, I..."

"Shh," Lin Sangqian quickly interrupted him. "Don’t mention it now—there are outsiders present."

She cast a quick look at Bao Mingzhi, then shifted her gaze away.

Though Bao Mingzhi wasn’t watching them at that moment, he had overheard Lin Wenyan’s words. Ripening agent? What ripening agent?

A glint flashed in his eyes. Could it be connected to the watermelons Lin Sangqian was selling? He’d been wondering how her family, having only recently moved to town, could possibly grow watermelons that ripened so quickly. So there was such a rare thing as a ripening agent!

But what piqued his curiosity even more was where exactly Lin Sangqian was growing these watermelons.

He grew restless, tempted to ask, but realized Lin Sangqian was unlikely to tell him anything.

"Manager Bao," Lin Sangqian said with a smile just then, "have you finished eating? We’ve sold out of fried chicken for today and are about to close."

"Oh? Yes, yes." Bao Mingzhi stood up and hurriedly left the shop.

He needed to quickly have someone investigate exactly where Lin Sangqian was cultivating her watermelons.

Watching Bao Mingzhi’s retreating figure, Lin Wenyan asked, puzzled, "Little sister, why did you want me to mention the ripening agent in front of him? Does that thing really exist?"

"Only by bringing it up will he believe that our watermelons truly came from our own fields. It’ll draw his attention to that piece of land," Lin Sangqian replied with a sly grin. "Soon, he’ll be focusing on the plot I just bought."

Lin Wenyan still didn’t quite understand her reasoning, but he knew better than to question her further—her ideas had never failed them.

---

At the Yu residence.

Yu Jingxiao found Lin Hongda while he was sparring with Guo Er. Guo Er threw a punch, which Lin Hongda easily caught before frowning and offering him pointers.

Guo Er listened intently, his eyes full of admiration for Lin Hongda.

"Guard Lin?"

Yu Jingxiao called out. Lin Hongda and the others greeted him respectfully. "Young Master."

Yu Jingxiao nodded and quickly approached Lin Hongda, lowering his voice. "Guard Lin, I have a favor to ask."

"There’s no need for such formality, Young Master. Please, speak freely," Lin Hongda replied.

"Well... I wanted to ask if your daughter might come to our residence and prepare a meal for us?" Yu Jingxiao asked cautiously.

Lin Hongda was taken aback, not expecting this request. He paused, momentarily stunned.

"If it’s inconvenient, we could visit your home instead—whatever’s easier for her," Yu Jingxiao hurried to add. "Whichever way she prefers."

He was doing all this for Guan Yanqing, after all. Ah, he really was the worrying type.

"That shouldn’t be a problem, but I’ll need to discuss it with my daughter first," Lin Hongda replied. Although he was her father, he couldn’t make the decision on his own.

"Very well, I’ll wait to hear from you," Yu Jingxiao said with a bright smile.

He returned indoors, glanced at Guan Yanqing, who sat reading, and sighed.

"What are you sighing about?" Guan Yanqing asked, though his eyes didn’t leave his book.

"Tell me, where else could you find a friend as good as me?"

Guan Yanqing said nothing.

"For you, I’d do anything," Yu Jingxiao declared, nearly moved by his own words.

Guan Yanqing shot him a sidelong glance. "What have you done now?"

"Why, I asked Guard Lin to see if Miss Lin could come and cook a meal for you," Yu Jingxiao replied.

At this, Guan Yanqing’s expression shifted ever so slightly. "Did he agree?"

"He had no objections, but we’ll need Miss Lin’s approval."

Yu Jingxiao sighed again. "I can tell—ever since you dined at the Lin family’s, your appetite has worsened."

Eating had always been a torment for Guan Yanqing, but his self-discipline was formidable, so he forced himself to eat for nutrition’s sake. Ever since tasting Lin Sangqian’s cooking, though, other food had become even less palatable. It seemed he only wanted to eat what she made.

Just then, Yu Jingxiao’s servant interjected, "Young Master, that new fried chicken shop in town is run by Guard Lin’s daughter."

"What did you say?" Yu Jingxiao grabbed the servant’s arm. "You mean—what’s it called again?"

"McChick," the servant supplied.

"Yes! McChick! Miss Lin owns it?"

"She does."

Yu Jingxiao flicked the servant on the forehead in exasperation. "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

He’d heard about the new fried chicken shop and its good business, but had never gone to try it. Who would’ve thought it was Lin Sangqian’s? If he’d known, he would have gone long ago!

The servant rubbed his head, aggrieved. "I only found out recently myself..."

Even the ever-cool Guan Yanqing seemed to cheer up at this news.

Seeing his master pleased, An Yu quickly offered, "Shall I go buy some now?"

"No need. I’ve heard the shop closes around late afternoon every day. We’ll go tomorrow. Make sure to buy plenty," Yu Jingxiao replied, crestfallen.

"Understood," An Yu nodded.

Guan Yanqing remained composed, but only he knew how anticipation was quietly blooming in his heart.

That evening, after returning home, Lin Hongda relayed Yu Jingxiao’s request to Lin Sangqian.

"Father, Young Master Yu has always been kind to you. I can’t refuse him," Lin Sangqian said. "But I’m a bit busy these days—give me a few more days, and I’ll go to the Yu residence."

She also wanted another chance to meet that beautiful lady who had previously bought her mother’s embroidered pouch.

"Very well."

"Oh, and tomorrow morning I’ll make some fried chicken. Take it to Young Master Yu and that..."

"Master Guan," Lin Hongda supplied, then, feeling awkward, corrected himself, "Master Guan the elder. He’s the eldest in his family, that’s what everyone calls him."

"Yes, bring some for them to try."

That night, Liao Shuxia was preparing dinner when, just as everyone sat down to eat, there was a sudden knock at the door.

"Miss! Help!"