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The sky aflame with the setting sun with the wind being to cool. Shadows of the people walking also stretch long and thin.
Amongst the people were three figures. A tall handsome man holding a beautiful woman's hand. In the woman's other hand was a leash connecting to the white fluff ball taking the lead.
"Tian, let's eat here."
Yue Ling points to a small food stall. Her expression full of happiness as food was one of her best friends.
Seeing her excited look, Lu Tian sighed inside. How can he ever say no to her? Nodding his head, the both of them stopped in front of the food stall. The stall wasn't big like the other ones, but the aroma filling the air was delicious and captivating.
Inu looked around for a quick second before laying down. After their short walk here, he was very tired.
"Hi!!"
Yue Ling called out cheerfully. She looked left and right to find the owner. Not seeing anyone, she frowned.
"Tian, how come there's no one?"
Lu Tian also looked around for the owner. Usually one wouldn't leave their work. Looking at the food, he frown. The food were still warm as steam could be seen. Turning to look across the street, he pursed his lip.
"Lets go to the one across the street. The owner here must have gone on break."
Hearing this, Yue Ling pout her lip. She looks at the food stall across the street then back to the one they were at.
"But....."
Although the one here didn't have as many people as the one across, she didn't care. Glancing around the stall, her eyes lit up.
"Sorry, my old ears could not hear that well."
An elderly lady with gray hair steps out from the corner. She was sitting behind her food stall because no one was coming by. Looking at Lu Tian, her expression was half cheerful, but the moment she saw Yue Ling, her eyes lit up.
"How can I help you two young people?"
Yue Ling smiles at the old lady, "We'd like to eat here."
The old lady held her smile, but looking around her area, her expression turned sad.
"My food stall has no tables...."
Lu Tian did not make a change in his expression. He had long noticed that there were no tables, but looking at his wife, his expression softened. It was her decision.
Of course, Yue Ling chuckles at the old lady's words. Stepping closer to the food, her smile widens.
"Nai nai, you're food smells the most delicious. Even if I don't have to sit, I would still like to eat here. Can we start with two steamed buns, please?"
The old lady smiles at Yue Ling's words. She felt her heart warming just hearing the angelic voice. Her eyes may be bad due to old age, but from the feeling she got from Yue Ling, she knew this customer was genuine with her words.
Usually when she has customers, it was because they were in a rush and needed food. If not that then it was because the food stall across the street was too packed. Leaving the customers no choice but to come to her old and small food stall.
Wrapping two steamed buns, she hands it Yue Ling, "You remind me of a young girl I used to take care of..."
Taking the steamed buns, Yue Ling hands one to Lu Tian then she takes a bite from hers. Hearing the old lady's words, she smiles with food in her mouth, making her look like a chipmunk.
"Oh. If you don't mind me asking, who is it?"
"Hehe, she was a goddess, her beauty was just like yours. As beautiful as Diao Chan."
"..."
The old lady laughs as she points to the sky and grinned at Yue Ling. The wrinkles on her face creased more.
Lu Tian was dumbfounded. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If it wasn't for his mastered supreme poker face, he would of gave away the feelings he just felt.
"Hahah— Diao Chan is one of the Four Beauties. This person must truly be beautiful then."
Yue Ling however, laughed her heart out. Even though the old lady seemed to speaking nonsense, she wasn't afraid to show her feelings and she liked the old lady. She gave a feeling similar to her deceased grandmother.
Continuing to eat the steamed bun, Lu Tian didn't say anything but only looked at Yue Ling with a fond smile. She was so outstanding that he wanted to think of a way to keep her by his side. Otherwise, if in the future someone came and stole her away from him, even if he wanted to cry about it, he wouldn't be able to.
Inu however, held a solemn expression. Resting his head on his paws, he regrets this walk. If he knew he'd be without food, he would have went with the evil peasant's words and not come.
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While Yue Ling, Lu Tian and Inu continue to spend their time, things were also taking place in a part of the Ji Mansion.
In the kitchen of one of the building in the back, a boy in his twenties sat by a window. He seemed to be lost in thoughts as he stare unblinkingly at the bowl of food in front of him.
"Kid, your leg is almost good as new again."
An older boy about the age of 27 place his food bowl on the table and sits down. He takes a bite of his food then drinks the glass of water. Swallowing his food, he frowns at the younger man next to him.
"Ting, you didn't hear me?"
Ting, who was in daze was awoken. Turning his head to the older boy, he faintly smiles.
"Liangcai, is the Ji family really good people?"
Ever since Yue Ling brought him here, he's been asking that question in his mind. How can there exist such kind people in this world? Would someone really take in an orphan, like him?
Lingcai put his chopsticks down and sighed. Lifting his hand, he pat Ting's shoulder.
"Kid, I know how you feel. That's exactly how I felt when I was first taken in. My advice to you is, don't let the dirtiness of this world devour your mind and heart."
He stare out to the window and the corner of his lip curl upwards.
"But, it's not all the Ji's who are like this. Only General Ji, young Miss and the young master. They are the good people..." As his last word fell, Liangcai's expression darkened. Clenching his fists, he continued his words. "Whereas the other Ji members are nothing but snakes scheming in the dark."
Hearing this, Ting looks at Lingcai in confusion. His brows furrow together as he ponder at the words. Snakes scheming in the dark? So that meant the Ji family must be waiting for a chance.
Nodding his head, he picked his chopsticks up and began eating. Even if he wanted to know the rest of the story, it is not his place to dig around.
All he knows is that, since Yue Ling and General Ji took him in, he will definitely repay them. Whether it is with his life or a lifetime of serving them, he will do it. They are his saviors and for his saviors, he will protect. Especially his idol.
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