Chapter 214: You’re Not Much of a Host, Are You?

Chapter 214: You’re Not Much of a Host, Are You?

Ah Wu took Liu Xiangxiang to the restaurant famous for its fish soup.

Ah Wu had planned to eat in the inn’s common dining area, but Liu Xiangxiang was not happy with that. "Ah Wu sister, you're too unrefined. It’s not proper for a Liu family lady to be seen out in public like this!"

Ah Wu found Liu Xiangxiang’s remarks troublesome.

Liu Xiangxiang practically dragged Ah Wu upstairs and rented a private room.

Liu Xiangxiang glanced around, her face showing mild disappointment, but she shrugged. "Well, what can you expect from a place like this?"

Ah Wu didn’t respond, just sipped the tea the waiter brought, feeling a bit thirsty.

Liu Xiangxiang’s eyes flicked around before she turned to Ah Wu. "Ah Wu sister, when we passed by that pastry shop earlier, I suddenly felt like having some. I’ll send Zhi Tao to buy some. Would you like anything? I can bring you some."

Ah Wu thought for a moment. "Alright, get me a portion of walnut cake."

Liu Xiangxiang smiled and agreed, giving Zhi Tao a nod. "Go ahead."

Zhi Tao curtseyed and left to fulfill the task.

The fish soup took a while to arrive. Ah Wu thought Liu Xiangxiang might become impatient and explained, "They make the fish soup fresh to order, so it takes a little longer."

To Ah Wu’s surprise, Liu Xiangxiang didn’t complain but smiled. "It’s understandable. Good things take time."

Ah Wu couldn’t help but notice how oddly reasonable Liu Xiangxiang was being today.

When had she become so understanding?

Ah Wu shrugged it off and returned to her daydreaming.

She wondered what Siyang was up to right now.

Even though Ah Wu didn’t want to engage with Liu Xiangxiang, Liu Xiangxiang initiated a conversation. "Ah Wu sister, this small county is so rundown. Can you get used to living here?"

Ah Wu looked up at Liu Xiangxiang. "Why don’t you ask Grandfather?"

Liu Xiangxiang was taken aback by Ah Wu’s blunt reply.

But Ah Wu was genuinely making a suggestion and didn’t understand why Liu Xiangxiang’s expression suddenly soured.

If Grandfather could live here, why couldn’t she?

Liu Xiangxiang took a deep breath.

She gripped the edge of the table to keep herself from lashing out at Ah Wu.

"Do you ever get lonely here, Ah Wu sister? There’s no one to keep you company." Liu Xiangxiang asked another question.

Ah Wu found Liu Xiangxiang even more puzzling.

It was as if Liu Xiangxiang didn’t remember that even in the capital, people didn’t really spend time with her properly.

Ah Wu replied, "Here, people actually enjoy spending time with me. Unlike in the capital, they don’t laugh at me behind my back."

Liu Xiangxiang’s expression changed again.

Ah Wu seemed to be subtly insulting her!

Fuming inwardly, Liu Xiangxiang thought, This fool always clashes with me; we can never have a proper conversation!

Liu Xiangxiang's face contorted with frustration.

Thankfully, Zhi Tao finally returned a few moments later.

Hearing Zhi Tao's cheerful greeting from outside, Liu Xiangxiang nearly jumped up.

"Fifth Miss, I've bought the pastries."

"Come in quickly, come in quickly." Liu Xiangxiang's expression was somewhat excited.

Ah Wu gave Liu Xiangxiang a strange look.

Is she really that hungry?

When the door of the elegant room opened, it wasn't Zhi Tao who entered first, but a handsome young man.

Dressed in a moon-white robe, he smiled as he stepped in.

Ah Wu frowned.

Is he in the wrong room?

However, Liu Xiangxiang exclaimed in surprise, "Cousin!"

Ah Wu glanced sideways.

Cui Chengze's eyes fell on Ah Wu, and upon seeing her beauty, a gleam of light appeared in his eyes.

Still replying to Liu Xiangxiang, he said, "...I was strolling with my attendants when I unexpectedly met Zhi Tao. She said you were here, so I came over to greet you."

Pausing, Cui Chengze continued, "Am I interrupting anything?"

Liu Xiangxiang warmly pulled Cui Chengze to sit down, appearing very enthusiastic. "Of course not! Ah Wu and I haven't eaten yet. Why don't you join us for dinner, Cousin?"

Cui Chengze hesitated, "Well, I'm not sure if that's appropriate..."

Liu Xiangxiang pretended to be upset. "You're my cousin, what's not appropriate? Anyway, Ah Wu won't mind! Right?"

Saying so, Liu Xiangxiang seated Cui Chengze right next to her, directly facing Ah Wu.

Before Ah Wu could say anything, Cui Chengze apologetically said, "Miss Liu, please don't blame my cousin. She has always been like this."

It's hard to turn down a friendly offer, so Ah Wu simply nodded and didn't protest further.

When the fish soup was served, after Ah Wu had her share, she said to Liu Xiangxiang, "If you want to keep shopping, feel free. I'm heading home."

Liu Xiangxiang grabbed Ah Wu's wrist, refusing to let go. "That's not very hospitable of you! Since we're both new here, you should at least show us around."

Ah Wu winced as her wrist throbbed from the tight grip, and Moliu's face darkened as she rushed forward. "Fifth Miss, what are you doing? Let go! You're hurting our young mistress's hand!"

Seeing this, Zhi Tao also hurried forward, siding with Liu Xiangxiang.

But Moliu, being stronger, managed to pry Ah Wu's hand free from Liu Xiangxiang's grasp.

Liu Xiangxiang glared at Moliu, fuming. "How dare you!"

Ah Wu, clearly upset, didn’t even glance at Liu Xiangxiang and grabbed Moliu’s hand. "Come on, let’s go."

Without another word, the two of them stormed out the door.

Liu Xiangxiang stomped her feet in frustration behind them. "Liu Mengmeng, you—!"

Ah Wu didn’t look back as she led Moliu down the stairs.

Fuming, Liu Xiangxiang spun around to face Cui Chengze. "Cousin..."

But Cui Chengze had a look of interest on his face. "...She's quite something. Didn't you say she was a fool? I think she has a temper of her own."

Although Liu Xiangxiang had been told by her mother to set Cui Chengze up with Ah Wu, she now felt unhappy seeing Cui Chengze showing interest in Ah Wu.

She’s just a simpleton, after all!

……

Instead of going to the Yujia shops, Ah Wu headed straight back to the Liu family villa.

Old Mao was taken aback when he saw Ah Wu return, her lips pursed in a pout. "Young mistress, what's wrong?"

Is Yu Siyang still acting up?

Old Mao wondered.

Ah Wu held out her hand, ready to tell on Liu Xiangxiang. "Liu Xiangxiang insisted on making me accompany her out to play. I refused, so she pulled me."

The red mark on her snow-white wrist, left by the pulling, was obvious and glaring.

Old Mao quickly comforted Ah Wu. Though Ah Wu could be a bit stubborn, she was generally a sweet and good-natured girl. After venting to an elder, her bad mood quickly faded.

She flashed Old Mao a bright smile. "Grandfather Mao, I'm fine now. I'm going to rest."

Old Mao watched Ah Wu leave with loving eyes.

Old Mao wasted no time in reporting to Grandfather Liu. "...You should have seen the redness on the young mistress's wrist. I don't know how much strength Fifth Miss used."