Chapter 6

Yuan Ying’s frequency of having those kinds of dreams had plummeted these past few days. On the rare occasions she did dream, it never went beyond a kiss.

With better sleep came improved spirits and a brighter mood.

The door she bought online had arrived last night. This morning, she got up half an hour early, brushed her teeth, washed her face, changed clothes, and went downstairs humming a tune.

The installation technicians were locally hired and scheduled to come this morning. She expected them to arrive around noon, but just as she reached the first floor, she received their call.

You’re already here? Okay, okay, I’ll go open the door right away.

Yuan Ying pushed the door open and hurried outside. The morning air in Jinlin Town was fresh and cool, gently filling her lungs.

In her good mood, her steps were light and brisk. But as she approached the entrance, she suddenly tripped over a raised stone slab.

During the initial renovation, Yuan Ying had been struck by a burst of artistic whimsy and insisted on turning the main path in the yard into a Stepping Stone Path.

The so-called Stepping Stone Path was the kind commonly seen in parks, with stone slabs placed every few dozen centimeters. While aesthetically pleasing, it was highly impractical. Whenever she walked a bit faster, she would trip.

But Yuan Ying was used to it. After stumbling a few steps, she steadied herself.

She let out a soft sigh and was about to slow down when a light chuckle came from behind her.

Yuan Ying sharply turned her head.

On the second floor, Zhu Feng was leaning on the windowsill, openly watching her.

All her composure vanished the moment she met his gaze. She raised her fist, jumped up, and swung it forcefully in his direction twice.

Zhu Feng thought for a moment, then suddenly clutched his chest as if he had actually been hit.

Yuan Ying: …

That bastard, mocking her like that.

Yuan Ying took a deep breath, silently repeating to herself that a good woman doesn’t argue with a dog.

Just as Boss Yuan’s good mood was ruined by her trashy ex, Shu Lin was also fuming.

Although the neither wise nor mighty King had forbidden him from interfering in the Queen’s affairs, he couldn’t help but care.

Especially after secretly observing Feng Juan for three days.

In just three days, Feng Juan had been late twice, left early once, stolen breakfast prepared for the guests once, and taken three aloe plants from the flowerpots. She was utterly brazen, a habitual offender.

After Feng Juan pocketed two rolls of toilet paper while clocking out yet again, Shu Lin could no longer contain himself and went to the front desk.

She took the inn’s stuff again, he said.

Xiao Yu responded dismissively, Oh.

Shu Lin pressed, As administration, aren’t you going to do something about it?

Xiao Yu shot him a glare. This is our inn’s internal—

Stop, Shu Lin cut her off. I don’t want to hear it.

Xiao Yu was replying to a guest’s message and didn’t even look up. Then don’t get in the way here.

Shu Lin stormed off. As he reached the living room entrance, he spotted Yuan Ying outside directing the workers, with A Ye nearby munching on an oily pancake while watching the commotion.

An idea struck him, and he immediately headed out.

A bit more to the left, yes, now to the right… Please be careful, masters. This door of mine is very fragile; the slightest bump will leave a mark, Yuan Ying kept reminding them.

The workers replacing the main door chuckled at her words. Boss, this door doesn’t look fragile at all.

Appearances can be deceiving, Yuan Ying sighed. This brand is actually expensive and mediocre in quality.

Then why did you buy this kind?

For the looks, to spruce up the entrance. Yuan Ying smiled briefly before quickly gesturing for them to move a bit more to the left to avoid hitting the wall.

When Shu Lin walked over to A Ye, A Ye had just finished his fifth oil pancake and was about to start on the sixth.

…Eat less, or you’ll eat the Queen out of house and home, Shu Lin teased.

A Ye replied, The Queen gave them to me.

On his second day staying there, the Queen had witnessed his appetite. Since then, she had been sending him ten times the amount of food an ordinary person would eat, so he could have a full breakfast every morning.

Still, you should eat less. It’s not easy for the Queen to earn…

Before he could finish, sudden exclamations came from the entrance. Shu Lin’s heart skipped a beat, and A Ye beside him had already rushed out.

When Yuan Ying saw the door installer accidentally fall and the new door teetering precariously, her first instinct was to steady it. Only when her fingertips touched the cold surface did she realize what she was doing.

The new door weighed over four hundred pounds. With her slight frame rushing forward, she would have been crushed flat.

But by the time she realized this, it was too late.

Yuan Ying nervously shut her eyes, not even having time to reflect on her short life, when the impending weight vanished. Cheers and applause erupted around her.

She cautiously opened one eye and was met with the unexpected sight of a scarred face.

A Ye? she asked in surprise.

A Ye was holding the door with one hand while still holding a plate in the other. Meeting her gaze, he lowered his head to take a bite of an oil pancake from the plate.

It’s me, he said.

Yuan Ying opened and closed her lips several times before finally blurting out, Are you a weightlifter?

What’s weightlifting? A Ye countered.

Just as Yuan Ying was about to explain, Shu Lin rushed over. He can’t hold it much longer! Hurry up and help!

The others snapped out of their daze and swarmed forward.

A Ye frowned. No…

Shu Lin clamped a hand over his mouth and whispered urgently, No what? Your arm strength could break world records!

A Ye didn’t understand.

In fact, since arriving here, there were many words he didn’t comprehend, but it didn’t stop him from knowing when to stay silent.

Seeing him quiet down, Shu Lin released him, wiping his hand on A Ye’s clothes with distaste.

The workers had already started reinstalling the door, and it seemed no further accidents would occur.

Yuan Ying breathed a silent sigh of relief and walked up to A Ye to thank him sincerely. Thank goodness you were here just now. Otherwise, I would’ve been in serious trouble.

It’s nothing, really, it’s nothing, Shu Lin quickly answered for A Ye, afraid he might say something foolish.

Yuan Ying said, As a thank you, I’ll waive your room fees for the next few days.

Then she immediately added, Just for you two. Zhu Feng doesn’t get a discount.

No benefits for that trash ex.

No, no, really, that’s not necessary, Shu Lin hurriedly declined.

Yuan Ying frowned slightly. Then…

Boss Yuan, do you really want to thank A Ye? Shu Lin suddenly asked.

Yuan Ying nodded. Of course.

Then can you grant him one request? Shu Lin probed.

Yuan Ying hesitated for a few seconds before looking up at A Ye. What do you want?

Shu Lin immediately turned to A Ye, urging him with his eyes: Quick, tell the Queen you want her to stop being angry with the King, that you want her to talk calmly with him, that you want her to come back to the Dragon Realm with us!

A Ye received Shu Lin’s signal and solemnly told Yuan Ying, I want to eat the Iron Pot Stew you make.

Shu Lin: …

Yuan Ying readily agreed. Sure, I’ll go buy groceries right now. We’ll have it for lunch today.

Thank you. A Ye followed human etiquette and expressed his gratitude to the cook.

While they were talking, Feng Juan emerged from the living room.

She clearly hadn’t expected to encounter Yuan Ying. After a moment’s surprise, she had no choice but to approach: Boss.

Aunt Feng, ‘Money Come’ has been reserved. The guests will arrive this afternoon, please air it out in advance later, Yuan Ying instructed.

Feng Juan showed a troubled expression: Well… Boss, I have something to attend to today and need to leave now.

I told you we’d be getting busy recently. It’s best not to take time off, Yuan Ying said calmly.

Feng Juan didn’t take it seriously: Ah, I don’t want to take time off either, but this is unavoidable. I really have to go. You can have Xiao Yu handle the airing out.

Must you go? Yuan Ying asked again.

Feng Juan was firm: I really must go.

Yuan Ying fell silent.

Shu Lin’s gaze darted frantically between the two of them. Just when he despairingly thought Yuan Ying would give in again, she nodded instead, took out her phone and began transferring money: Alright, then I’ll send you this month’s salary.

Feng Juan was pleasantly surprised: It’s not even the end of the month yet, why are you paying me now?

Starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come anymore, Yuan Ying gently informed her.

Feng Juan was stunned: What do you mean?

What else could it mean? It means you’re fired! Shu Lin said triumphantly, hands on his hips.

Feng Juan’s lips opened and closed several times before she finally snapped angrily: Have you forgotten who arranged for me to be here? How dare you fire me!

Sorry Aunt Feng, my decision is final, Yuan Ying still spoke softly.

Fine, fine, fine! I won’t argue with you. We’ll see about this! Feng Juan stormed off in a rage.

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Shu Lin added cheekily. When he turned back and met Yuan Ying’s eyes, he immediately broke into a wide grin, Boss Yuan, you’re amazing!

Yuan Ying smiled helplessly and went to inspect the newly installed door.

Shu Lin watched his Queen with satisfaction for a few seconds before turning and punching A Ye.

He didn’t hold back with that punch – anyone else would have been howling in pain, but A Ye just gave him a bored look as if to say why are you tickling me.

Shu Lin’s previous satisfaction vanished, replaced by gritted teeth: The Queen told you to make a request, and you asked for Iron Pot Stew?

Xiao Yu said she makes it well, A Ye didn’t see any problem with his choice.

Shu Lin was so angry he saw stars: You really… I don’t understand why the King insists on bringing you along! Speaking of which, where is the King? Haven’t seen him since morning, where did he go?

As soon as he finished speaking, a text message about successful card payment popped up on his phone.

He had only given this card to Zhu Feng, so it wasn’t hard to guess who made the purchase.

Shu Lin saw stars again: The Queen is still at the homestay, and he went out by himself… bought what? Five or six scattered payment messages, the most expensive one only 170 yuan. It couldn’t be a gift for the Queen, could it?! Something this cheap – it wouldn’t be that eternal flower crystal ball that straight men love to give, would it?!

The more Shu Lin talked, the more distraught he became, feeling the urge to transform into a dragon and take on ten opponents at once.

A Ye didn’t understand why, in the time it took him to eat an oil cake, Shu Lin seemed to have gone crazy.

For the Iron Pot Stew lunch, considering A Ye’s appetite, Yuan Ying bought two plump chickens, ten pounds of pork ribs, plus a bunch of hazel mushrooms and dried beans. With both stoves going full blast, the cornbread cakes were being made so rapidly that Xiao Yu was almost developing trypophobia.

Just half an hour earlier, Shu Lin had been repeatedly questioning A Ye about why he suggested Iron Pot Stew, but once the aroma wafted from the pot, he obediently stood by the side with an empty bowl.

By the time the Iron Pot Stew was ready to eat, Zhu Feng still hadn’t returned.

As Yuan Ying was serving the flatbreads, she heard a soft sound from the front door and instinctively glanced over.

It was Shu Lin.

The King… Zhu Feng hasn’t come back yet. No need to wait for him, let’s eat first, he explained considerately.

Yuan Ying cleared her throat lightly. I wasn’t waiting for him.

Nor had she prepared any food for him.

Shu Lin chuckled.

Zhu Feng didn’t return until evening.

After finishing her shower, Yuan Ying curled up on the bay window in her bedroom playing with her phone, occasionally glancing outside.

Her bay window faced the courtyard, offering a complete view of every corner. The courtyard was no longer as lively as during the day, now quiet and still, with only the solar star lights still glowing, twinkling and illuminating the Stepping Stone Path in the yard.

By around ten o’clock, Yuan Ying was too drowsy to stay awake. Taking one last look out the window, she yawned and went to bed.

Not long after she fell asleep, the front door was pushed open. Zhu Feng jumped down from a tricycle and began carrying bag after bag of the day’s purchases into the courtyard.

The night was deep, but fortunately the clattering sounds weren’t too loud and wouldn’t disturb Boss Yuan’s sweet dreams.

Zhu Feng stayed up all night. It wasn’t until the first rays of sunlight touched the distant mountains that he realized he hadn’t eaten for a full day and night.

He checked his phone – 4:30 in the morning. The nearby restaurants hadn’t opened for business yet.

Zhu Feng decided to try his luck in the kitchen.

Jin Yuanbao’s breakfast was outsourced, so the kitchen was rarely used and likely had limited ingredients.

Zhu Feng had planned to make do with whatever he could find, but when he opened the refrigerator, he discovered a bowl of stewed chicken and two flatbreads inside.

As if intentionally left for someone.

The corners of his lips slowly curved upward as he enjoyed the most pleasant meal he’d had since their reunion.

After eating, he appeared in the third-floor bedroom.

Yuan Ying was sleeping soundly, completely unaware, hugging her quilt with her fair thigh exposed. Zhu Feng pulled the quilt to cover her properly, then leaned down to sniff the nape of her neck.

A bit sweet. His Restlessness Period would probably come early.

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