Chapter 58: Chapter 58
The next morning, Lin Xu woke up early and started making breakfast while Mo Ying worked at the backyard farm. He and Fuhan had to replant everything again because the rain had messed it all up.
"Breakfast is ready!" Lin Xu announced, and they all gathered at the front yard table to eat.
The kids were all excited as Yiling helped Lin Xu distribute food around the table.
Smiling, Lin Xu sat down, "You two look so tired... it’s still morning, you know," she teased.
"Is that so? Try working at the farm... let’s see if you still have any energy left!"
Rolling her eyes, Lin Xu then announced, "So... I’ve been thinking, why don’t you two go catch some fish for me... I really need some fish to try out my new recipe."
"No, not interested!" Mo Ying immediately refused, stuffing his face with some rice.
"No? C’mon, why are you being so difficult... help me, please."
Mo Yuen and Mo Bao quickly put down their chopsticks and raised their hands.
"We’ll help, Mama!" Mo Yuen said eagerly.
"Yeah! We’ll catch the biggest fish for you!" Mo Bao added with a grin.
Lin Xu’s eyes lit up as she turned back to Mo Ying. Together, she and the boys leaned forward, pouting and blinking their eyes at him.
"Pretty please~" Lin Xu sang, her voice playful.
Mo Ying froze mid-bite, glaring at all three of them. "Tch... you’ve already teamed up against me, huh?"
The three of them only leaned closer, their expressions exaggerated and pitiful.
Finally, he sighed in defeat, dropping his chopsticks. "Fine, fine! I’ll go. Stop looking at me like that, you’re making my food taste bitter."
"Yay!" Lin Xu laughed, raising her hand. "High five!"
The boys eagerly slapped her palms, the three of them bursting into laughter.
From the side, Fuhan only shook his head slowly. "Unbelievable," he muttered, though the corner of his lips curved slightly.
He had known his Young Master for years; never was he so easy to persuade.
After they were done eating, the four of them left as Lin Xu had already borrowed some fishermen’s hooks from their neighbors.
Now alone with Yiling, they both washed the dishes and started setting out the ingredients she would need for the recipe.
Soon Yan Mei arrived with Zu Shi as Lin Xu came out to welcome them with Yiling in her arms.
"The two of you are here? What’s going on?" Lin Xu asked as she curiously took her seat.
"We come with good news for you, Lin Xu!" Zu Shi announced as Lin Xu’s expression immediately became lighter.
"Good news? What good news?"
"C’mon, we agreed that I would be the one to share it..." Yan Mei argued as Zu Shi sighed, "Sure, sure, whatever... tell her already... it’s your wedding after all."
Smiling, Yan Mei then turned to Lin Xu.
"The Song family came early this morning. My parents already spoke with them, and..." she paused for effect, her eyes sparkling, "the wedding will be in just two days."
Lin Xu’s mouth fell open. "That fast? Why are they rushing it?"
Zu Shi waved her hands dramatically. "Who knows! Maybe they’re worried you’ll run away again, Yan Mei."
"Zu Shi!" Yan Mei nudged her, cheeks pink. "That’s not the point."
Turning back to Lin Xu, she clasped her hands together. "What matters is my parents suggested you to cater for the wedding banquet. And guess what? The Song family agreed!"
Lin Xu blinked, stunned. "Me?"
Yan Mei nodded excitedly. "Yes! They specifically said they want you to deliver braised meat. Three hundred bowls!"
Zu Shi leaned in closer, unable to hold back her excitement. "And they’re willing to pay two thousand taels for it!"
"Two... two thousand?" Lin Xu’s voice cracked as she stared at them.
"Yes!" Yan Mei squealed, grabbing Zu Shi’s hands. The two of them bounced in their seats like children, squealing together.
Lin Xu pressed her palm to her forehead, still in shock. "Heavens above... two thousand taels..."
Yiling, who was sitting on Lin Xu’s lap, tilted her head curiously. "Mama, is that a lot?"
Lin Xu nodded, her eyes wide. "Enough to buy a new house, new clothes, and still have more left over."
Yiling gasped. "Wow!"
Yan Mei leaned forward eagerly. "So? You’ll do it, right? Please say yes! Not only will you earn money, but you’ll also get to show off your cooking to one of the most powerful families in the empire."
Lin Xu bit her lip, thinking. It was a golden opportunity, but three hundred bowls of braised meat in two days? That was a mountain of work.
Seeing her hesitate, Zu Shi quickly added, "Don’t worry, we’ll help you! I can chop vegetables, Yan Mei can stir the pots."
Yan Mei frowned. "Why do I get the stirring?"
"Because you’ll probably sneak bites while chopping," Zu Shi shot back, making Yan Mei huff.
"You are the bride, you can’t possibly be doing something like that before your big day." Lin Xu said as she tapped Yan Mei softly on the head.
Hearing that, Yan Mei blushed slightly, and Lin Xu and Zu Shi noticed it.
"Looks like you’re not that hasty to run away anymore... have you finally accepted this marriage?" Lin Xu asked.
"Well..." Yan Mei hesitated, "Getting married is not really a bad thing, and the Song family promised that I would stay here at the village, which would mean I would still be near you all and my parents, so it’s a win-win for me, I guess."
"Awwn!" Zu Shi and Lin Xu exchanged smiling glances as they both hugged Yan Mei softly.
"Don’t worry, we’ll always be here for you!" Lin Xu said as she stroked her back softly.
"I love you guys!"
*
Meanwhile, while these three were having a great time... the boys weren’t having what we would call an enjoyable fishing experience. In fact... Mo Ying didn’t see what he discovered coming at all.