Chapter 145: The Culinary Tycoon

Princess Carry

Anfu Temple was located at the mountain top. Although the mountain wasn’t particularly high, it still took about two quarters of an hour to descend from the top to the foot of the mountain at a normal pace.

However, for Xue Baizhu, who was carrying an adult on his back, two quarters of an hour was clearly a bit challenging. Especially when the person he was carrying was someone he admired and intended to pursue, it didn’t matter if the journey took longer. Moreover, the path was a bit slippery, and if he accidentally slipped and fell, his image would be completely ruined.

Therefore, Xue Baizhu walked slowly but steadily. He was cautious.

Halfway down the mountain, Brother Chang watched as Xue Baizhu’s forehead was covered in sweat, and he was walking slower than others passing by. Brother Chang felt guilty and wondered if he was too heavy for Xue Baizhu to carry.

He said, “Young Master Xue, you can put me down. I can walk down slowly on my own.”

Xue Baizhu shook his head and said, “It’s alright, you’re not heavy. I’m just worried that if we walk too fast on the wet ground after yesterday’s rain, I might slip and drop you.”

Hearing this, Brother Chang felt a warm sensation in his heart. This Xue Baizhu, who usually appeared delicate and incapable of any physical labor, had been carrying him for such a long time.

He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat off Xue Baizhu’s forehead.

Xue Baizhu cooperatively stopped walking and slightly turned his face, allowing Brother Chang to wipe the sweat for him.

At this moment, their faces were very close, with only about half a foot of distance between them.

Brother Chang’s breath gently brushed against the side of Xue Baizhu’s face, softly and delicately, creating a slight tingling sensation.

“Thank you,” Xue Baizhu chuckled softly and, once Brother Chang finished wiping the sweat, quickly turned his head away.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

The proximity between them felt too close, as if a slight turn of the head would make Xue Baizhu’s face touch Brother Chang’s. He felt slightly nervous, and his ears grew warm.

Brother Chang withdrew his hand and placed it on Xue Baizhu’s shoulder. His eyes accidentally caught a glimpse of Xue Baizhu’s reddened pointed ears.

It must be tough for him in this cold weather. His body was sweating, yet his ears were still frozen and red.

Perhaps it was because Xue Baizhu had been learning medicine from his father since childhood, there was a faint herbal scent emanating from him, noticeable only when they were close.

It wasn’t unpleasant.

Knowing that he was a doctor, it actually made Brother Chang feel somewhat reassured and at ease.

It felt different from their usual conversations.

He wondered when it started, but Xue Baizhu would chat with Brother Chang for a while every morning during breakfast.

Despite his scholarly appearance, he enjoyed talking with Brother Chang, a mere employee of a snack shop. He was very easygoing and had no airs about him, perhaps because he was a doctor with a compassionate heart.

But talking with him was quite enjoyable…

“Brother Chang, we’ve arrived.”

Upon hearing Xue Baizhu’s voice, Brother Chang snapped back to reality. Somehow, they had already descended from the mountain and reached the carriage.

Xue Baizhu helped Brother Chang onto the carriage seat and said, “You can go directly to the Almond Hall. I’ll prepare some medicine for you to apply.”

“Thank you, Young Master Xue.” Brother Chang expressed his gratitude and handed Xue Baizhu the handkerchief, saying, “Here, wipe yourself.”

Xue Baizhu took it and wiped his sweat, smiling. “I’ll return it to you after I clean it.”

“No need to trouble yourself. Give it to me, and I’ll wash it.” Brother Chang reached out to take the handkerchief.

However, Xue Baizhu stuffed it into his pocket and said, “No, I’ll wash it and return it to you. Hurry and get into the carriage; it’s cold outside.”

Chang Le supported Brother Chang as they got into the carriage, and the coachman drove them back. The Xue family’s carriage followed behind.

Chang Le glanced at Brother Chang and gestured, expressing that Young Master Xue was really good-hearted.

Brother Chang nodded and said, “Yes, he’s quite nice.”

Seeing that Brother Chang didn’t respond much, Chang Le gestured again, suggesting that whoever becomes his spouse would surely be very fortunate.

“Yes, he’s a good person with a good personality. Dr. Ye and Dr. Xue are also great. They’re all doctors, understanding and reasonable. Anyone who marries into their family would be incredibly lucky, like having accumulated eight lifetimes of blessings. With their background and upbringing, they’d surely find a worthy and knowledgeable partner,” Brother Chang sighed and added, “a good match.”

“Marrying someone of equal social status, knowledgeable and reasonable…”

So that’s what Brother Chang was thinking. No wonder he didn’t react much; he hadn’t considered it at all.

Chang Le gestured again, saying, “I don’t think Young Master Xue is the type to care about social status.”

Brother Chang glanced at Chang Le, shook his head, and chuckled, “The difference would be too great. They would have nothing to talk about all day, wouldn’t it be boring?”

Chang Le gestured, pointing out, “But you get along well with Young Master Xue.”

“Me?” Brother Chang pointed to himself and burst into laughter. He laughed for quite a while before stopping and saying, “Brother Le, you don’t know. Young Master Xue, you see, he likes eating dim sum, and that’s why he chats with me.”

Chang Le blinked and said, “He picks the dim sum you make every day.”

Brother Chang was surprised and exclaimed, “Is that so?”

Chang Le winked at Brother Chang and gestured, “Don’t believe me? See for yourself. He even knows which ones you made.”

Brother Chang looked at Chang Le skeptically, shaking his head and saying, “It’s impossible.”

Although Young Master Xue had guessed what dim sum he made a couple of times, it was only once or twice, he asked himself. The other times he didn’t ask, he didn’t pay attention. But no matter how he thought about it, it seemed unlikely. With so many dim sum, could he really know every day which ones he made? They all looked quite similar, after all.

“It’s absolutely impossible,” Brother Chang firmly held his ground.

Chang Le shook his head helplessly, indicating that he should see for himself.

When the carriage arrived at the Almond Hall, Chang Le helped Brother Chang down. He was about to carry Brother Chang inside when he saw Xue Baizhu jump down from the carriage behind them. He immediately stopped.

Then, Xue Baizhu approached and carried Brother Chang into the treatment room. Brother Chang tried to decline, but he couldn’t resist and went along with it.

Chang Le followed behind with a smile as they entered the medicine hall.

Xue Baizhu personally applied herbal medicine to Brother Chang’s injury, then bandaged it up and instructed, “Eat light food for the next few days, and be careful not to get this foot wet or put weight on it. I’ll come over every morning to change the dressing for you, so you don’t have to come here.”

Brother Chang felt embarrassed and said, “But it should be me going over there.”

“Well, I go there every morning for breakfast anyway, it’s fine. Just stay put, your foot is not convenient.” Xue Baizhu finished bandaging and then squatted down, saying, “Come on, I’ll walk you back.”

Brother Chang rubbed his nose. Being carried in and out like this, with so many people in the pharmacy watching, made him feel a little embarrassed.

“I… I can walk on my own.” With that, Brother Chang stood up and prepared to hop on one foot towards the carriage at the entrance.

“Hey, I told you not to put any weight on your foot, how are you going to walk?” They were quite familiar with each other, so Xue Baizhu didn’t mince his words.

“I’ll hop over. My right foot is still fine. Watch.” Brother Chang took a hop, maintaining his balance, and then turned back to show his accomplishment to Xue Baizhu.

Xue Baizhu felt helpless and decided to walk over and horizontally carry Brother Chang in his arms.

“WHOA!” Brother Chang suddenly lost his balance, startled, and instinctively clung tightly to Xue Baizhu’s neck. Once he realized what happened, his face turned completely red. He indignantly lowered his voice and said, “Young Master Xue, what are you doing? Put me down quickly.”

Xue Baizhu was surprised to see Brother Chang blush for the first time and said, “Are you embarrassed? I just said I would carry you, but you didn’t listen. You kept hopping around. What if you fell again? It’s for your own good.”

Brother Chang felt like he was about to faint from embarrassment. He wanted to scratch this face in front of him.

How is carrying and hugging the same thing?!

“Put me down and carry me on your back!” Seeing everyone in the medicine hall watching them, with Chang Le still laughing from behind, Brother Chang urged anxiously.

Xue Baizhu chuckled and said, “It’s just a few steps, too much trouble to keep changing. Look, we’re here now.”

With that, Xue Baizhu placed Brother Chang on the carriage.

As soon as Brother Chang’s buttocks touched the carriage, he quickly let go and blushed uncontrollably. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Th-thank you!”

After speaking, he turned around and swiftly crawled into the carriage, using both his hands and feet, displaying remarkable speed.

Seeing his reaction, Xue Baizhu felt like he might have gone too far and upset him. He quickly pulled open the carriage door and said, “Hey, Brother Chang, don’t be angry. I was just worried, afraid that you might fall again…”

Brother Chang had already settled into a sitting position, and he gave Xue Baizhu a glare as he swiftly said, “Oh, Young Master Xue, I didn’t hear what you said. There are still people waiting for you in the pharmacy. Hurry back. Thank you so much for today, really, thank you.”

Listening to him speak without any signs of breathlessness, Xue Baizhu suppressed his laughter and thought, How can someone be this adorable? Even when angry, he’s cute.

“Alright then, I’ll come tomorrow to change your bandages. Remember not to let it get wet,” Xue Baizhu rubbed his nose with his index finger and suddenly said, “Or maybe I should accompany you back to the snack shop?”

“No need!” Brother Chang immediately refused. If he let Xue Baizhu carry him back to the snack shop again, he might as well not exist. He would be laughed to death.

Xue Baizhu regretfully said, “Alright, then be careful on your own. Don’t put any pressure on that foot for a while. Remember.”

“I will remember!” Brother Chang nodded quickly.

Chang Le had been listening from behind for quite a while and could barely hold back his laughter. Seeing that they had finally finished talking, he quickly got on the carriage.

As the coachman drove the carriage for some distance, Chang Le covered his stomach and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

It was fortunate that he couldn’t make any sound, or else the inside of the carriage would be filled with laughter by now.

“Why are you laughing? What’s so funny?!” Brother Chang grabbed a small cushion from the carriage and started hitting Chang Le with it while complaining, “You’re just laughing and laughing?! You only enjoy watching me make a fool of myself, but you don’t help me!”

Chang Le continued to laugh while innocently gesturing, indicating that he couldn’t make it in time to assist, so Xue Baizhu ended up carrying him instead.

Brother Chang vented his frustration by hitting the cushion, but as he got more and more worked up, he couldn’t help but start laughing himself.

This whole incident was just too embarrassing!

“It’s all your fault, all your fault, all your fault! I’m going to get revenge…” Brother Chang reached out his hand and started scratching Chang Le, specifically targeting the places where Chang Le was ticklish. He scratched wherever it itched the most.

Chang Le dodged and pleaded for mercy, laughing so hard that he could barely catch his breath.

When the carriage passed by House of Prosperity, Chang Le didn’t get off the carriage. Instead, he instructed the coachman to go directly to the snack shop.

The Almond Hall wasn’t far from the snack shop, so after a while of laughter and playfulness, they arrived.

Chang Le jumped off the carriage first, then stretched out his arms, gesturing as if he wanted to be lifted up.

Brother Chang had just moved away when he saw Chang Le teasing him again. He reached out and gave a firm pat on Chang Le’s hand, saying with a mix of crying and laughter, “You again?! Let me tell you, you better not tell anyone else, not even Boss Yu. If you do, I won’t let it go!”

Chang Le didn’t dodge his palm and nodded with a smile, carrying Brother Chang back to the snack shop.

On the other side, after returning to the pharmacy, Xue Baizhu entered his consultation room and saw his mother sitting inside.

“Mother, should I escort you back?” he asked.

Ye Man glanced at him and said impatiently, “Do you still remember your mother?”

Xue Baizhu scratched his head and laughed, “Mother, what are you saying? Of course, I remember you. Who could forget you?”

“Enough with the flattery,” Ye Man took a sip of water and then asked, “Did you ask Master Wu to help you deceive someone today?”

Xue Baizhu immediately shook his head and said, “Deceive? Mother, I didn’t deceive anyone. I asked Master Wu for guidance for Brother Chang. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know when he could have an awakening. And, Master Wu isn’t just randomly speaking. He also saw that Brother Chang and I are a good match based on our facial features, so he was willing to help. Didn’t you tell me to find someone to get married quickly? I’m just working hard on that, right?”

Ye Man shook his head and said, “Silly child, you still have a long way to go. I didn’t see any signs that Brother Chang likes you.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Baizhu also sighed and said, “Yes, why hasn’t he had an awakening? It must be because my approach is wrong, too subtle. It should be more obvious. But today, when it was obvious, he got angry again.”

Ye Man shook his head, wondering if this silly child is really his biological son. He didn’t grasp the key to the problem at all.

“Well, mother, how about you give me some advice?” Xue Baizhu leaned on the table, looking eagerly at his mother.

Ye Man raised an eyebrow and asked, “Advice about what?”

Xue Baizhu said, “Tell me how my father pursued you back then. Give me some reference.”

Ye Man let out a cold snort and said, “Your father and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts. What reference can I give you? You’re the one who wants to marry, not me. Figure it out on your own.”

Saying that, Ye Man leisurely went next door to find his childhood friend, Old Xue.

Xue Baizhu: …Oh my goodness!

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Thandar: Is it just me coz I don’t really care for these two?