klisemfg Chapter 259: The Strange Granny Liu
Chapter 259: The Strange Granny Liu
Chapter 259: The Strange Granny Liu
Seeing that it was Ji Meiqing, she smiled and said, "So it's Madam who's back." Then, seeing Yan Jin, she turned and asked, "And this is?" Ji Meiqing introduced him, "Oh, you mean him? His name is Yan Jin. He's a child that Brother Lu and I rescued on the road. He'll be staying here temporarily. Please take good care of him, Granny Liu."
Grandma Liu nodded and said, "Of course, of course, Madam. You must be tired from your journey. Please go inside and rest." Ji Meiqing said "Mm" and went inside, unaware that Grandma Liu's gaze was strangely fixed on her.
It was quite late when Lu Yu finished tidying up the restaurant. They had arrived in the capital around noon, and by the time Lu Yu got home it was already time for dinner. So, as soon as he entered the house, Ji Meiqing pulled him to eat.
Ji Meiqing said with a worried look, "Brother Lu, we haven't been eating well these past few days. Didn't you eat lunch?" To avoid worrying her, Lu Yu replied, "No, you're worrying too much. I ate at a restaurant for lunch." Ji Meiqing wasn't so easily fooled. With a questioning expression, she said, "Really? I just don't believe you. Anyway, I won't argue with you. Go eat."
Having escaped unscathed, Lu Yu obediently began to eat. When his attention relaxed, he realized why Ji Meiqing wasn't holding a grudge against him—there was another person at the table. Ji Meiqing was adding food to his plate, saying as she did so, "Xiao Jin, try this, it's delicious. And try this one too, it tastes good."
Lu Yu felt that Yan Jin's presence was too subtle, and that this wasn't politeness but rather a defensiveness; he hadn't completely trusted them yet. Ji Meiqing probably realized this as well, which is why she treated him even better.
After the meal, everyone sat together to digest. Grandma Liu brought out some fruit, but didn't leave. Ji Meiqing was playing with Yan Jin and didn't notice, so Lu Yu asked, "Grandma Liu, is there anything else?"
Granny Liu felt a sense of fear towards Lu Yu, unlike Granny Mei. So she stammered, "I...I have something I want to...want to discuss with the young master and his wife."
Lu Yu took a sip of tea and said, "What is it? Granny Liu, why are you speaking in such a halting manner?"
Grandma Liu swallowed hard and said, "Oh, I... I've had a blister in my mouth these past few days, and it hurts a bit, so my speech is a bit halting." Grandma Liu didn't want anyone to notice anything amiss. She then turned to her own affairs, "I have a nephew, about sixteen or seventeen years old. I'm thinking of helping him find a job to earn some money to support his family. Could you please check if the restaurant is hiring? I'd feel more at ease having him look after me."
Lu Yu thought for a moment and said, "Okay, then bring him to see me when you have time. I'd like to see what he can do." Grandma Liu quickly thanked him and went about her business. Just as she was about to leave, she glanced in Yan Jin's direction. Lu Yu noticed it, but didn't pay it any mind.
Lu Yu watched Ji Meiqing telling Yan Jin a story. Although he didn't want to disturb them, he still asked, "Yan Jin should go to sleep." Ji Meiqing checked the time and said yes, then pulled Yan Jin to take a bath. Lu Yu stopped her, "Hey! You don't want to bathe him, do you? You go and rest, I'll do it." He tried to pull Yan Jin over, but Yan Jin hid behind Ji Meiqing, a little scared.
Ji Meiqing looked at Lu Yu and said, "Brother Lu, you scared him. But you're right, I'm not suitable to help him bathe. From now on, I'll leave this to you." Lu Yu immediately agreed. Ji Meiqing then said to Yan Jin behind her, "Xiao Jin, let Brother Lu take you to bathe." Yan Jin looked at Lu Yu and then at Ji Meiqing before reluctantly walking away with Lu Yu.
Lu Yu and Yan Jin soaked together in the large pool. Lu Yu looked at Yan Jin and said, "Yan Jin, you don't need to be wary of us. We won't hurt you. Mei Qing can't tell, but I can. You don't completely trust us."
Through their warm care, Yan Jin had actually grown fond of them long ago, but his mother had instructed him not to trust anyone except his brother. However, after hearing Lu Yu's words, he hesitated, agonizing for a long time. Lu Yu didn't interrupt him, knowing Yan Jin was making a choice. Finally, Yan Jin decided to trust them. He showed it through his actions, walking over to Lu Yu and taking his arm, saying earnestly, "Brother, I'm just following Mom's teachings, but I genuinely like you both!"
Looking at that childlike yet serious face, Lu Yu couldn't help but pinch it, saying, "Hmm, almost done washing." Lu Yu helped them put on their clothes, but they didn't go back to their rooms. Lu Yu took Yan Jin to a room next to theirs. After making the bed for Yan Jin, he said, "Yan Jin, your brother can't let you sleep with us. This room is the closest to ours. If you need anything, just call out, and we'll hear you and come right away." Yan Jin didn't complain, nodded obediently, and crawled into bed, closing his eyes. Lu Yu blew out the oil lamp, then closed the door and left.
When they returned to the room, Ji Meiqing was still in bed, looking at Lu Yu and asking, "Where's Xiao Jin?" Lu Yu replied somewhat awkwardly, "I arranged for him to stay next to us. He's reached the age where he should sleep alone."
Ji Meiqing listened to his explanation without pointing out his flaws, saying, "Hmm, you're right. Come to sleep." Lu Yu, seeing her somewhat resentful expression, slowly walked over. "What? I'm not going to eat you. Turn off the light and go to sleep." Lu Yu then turned off the light and went to bed. In the darkness, a smile played on Lu Yu's lips. Because no one could steal his wife.
The next day, Lu Yu saw Ji Meiqing scribbling on the table, making some changes. He got up and asked, "Why are you up so early today?" Ji Meiqing didn't even glance at him and said, "We're not here for a vacation, so of course we have to be more diligent. I just took a look, and although the capital is more prosperous than Rongcheng, the business of Yuanyang Tower here isn't as good as in Rongcheng. So I looked for the problem, but unfortunately, I didn't find anything."
Lu Yu comforted her, saying, "Don't rush things. We can observe for a few more days and we might find out. But speaking of which, what are you doing right now?" Lu Yu walked to her side and watched her write a few pages.
Ji Meiqing showed off her work, saying, "This is a calendar, used to record dates. This way we can keep track of the days more accurately. I wrote down the birthday, which is about two weeks away. These days are supposed to be the annual holiday, but it happens to be the peak season for eating and staying in hotels, so our workers can't take a holiday. Let's give them more pay. After all, they've all worked very hard."