After returning to his small courtyard, Xu Qi An changed out of his uniform and took a bath. Just as he put on his casual clothes, he saw Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, push open the door.
“Young Master, guests have arrived. The master is calling for you,” Old Zhang announced loudly, stroking his goatee.
“I understand. Close the courtyard gate and come in,” Xu Qi An responded.
Old Zhang was stunned for a moment, then showed signs of wariness.
*Weren’t we supposed to go to the main house? He’s not leaving and wants to close the door and have me come inside. What is he planning?*
Old Zhang ignored the request and quietly retreated from the small courtyard.
He still remembered the incident when a servant was called into the bathroom and mysteriously fainted.
Xu Qi An walked out of the house to find Old Zhang had already left.
He had wanted to grab Old Zhang to climb over the wall, saving him from having to take the long way back.
Leaping over the high wall, he headed towards the front hall. His second uncle sending someone to call him meant that the guest who had come to the mansion was likely related to him.
Arriving at the front hall, a figure in a yellow dress came into view – it was Chu Caiwei, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.
She wore a light yellow long dress, her hair puffed up.
A small deerskin pouch hung at her waist, along with an octagonal feng shui compass. Her apricot eyes were clear and bright.
“Why have you come to my home?” Xu Qi An asked in surprise.
Chu Caiwei sat in the main seat, with Second Uncle accompanying her. She was slowly eating from a large package of exquisite pastries from Guiyue Tower, taking a sip of tea to wash down the food before speaking:
“If you don’t go to the Celestial Inspection Bureau soon, Senior Brother Song will be the one coming next time.”
Xu Qi An suddenly realized that he indeed hadn’t fulfilled his promise yet.
Zhou Li’s matter had been resolved, but he still hadn’t delivered the promised periodic table of elements to the Celestial Inspection Bureau.
Mainly because he had been focused on whether Vice Minister Zhou would be ousted, and then he was called to the Night Watchmen’s office for public punishment.
Subsequently, he became an honorable Bronze-level Constable, beginning his day-and-night inverted corporate slave life.
He had forgotten about the Celestial Inspection Bureau matter. Xu Qi An swore to the heavens that it wasn’t because he had gotten used to freeloading.
“Another day, I’ll go another day,” Xu Qi An said.
“You haven’t prepared anything, have you?” Chu Caiwei questioned suspiciously.
“Of course, I’ve prepared something.”
Chu Caiwei’s big Maybelline eyes flashed with clarity: “You’re lying.”
“…”
“Senior Brother Song said that since you’ve delayed for so long, you need to repay with interest. Some of the alchemy knowledge you wrote in the blue book is quite profound, and the Celestial Inspection Bureau’s alchemists can’t quite grasp it at the moment,” Chu Caiwei said as she ate a piece of pastry.
“It’s the end of the year, and Senior Brother Song hopes you can go to the Celestial Inspection Bureau to give a lecture to the sixth-rank alchemists and the mages below the sixth rank.”
“Alright!” Xu Qi An nodded, acknowledging that repaying debts was only proper. “But I need half an hour to prepare.”
Chu Caiwei beamed with joy: “I’ll supervise you.”
After speaking, in high spirits, she turned to Xu Lingyin, who was standing nearby with eyes gleaming with desire, and said, “Little sister, do you want to eat some of the big sister’s pastries?”
Xu Lingyin pecked at her head.
“Then I’ll give you a little bit.” Chu Caiwei bounced along, her skirt fluttering as she followed Xu Qi An.
This child had been coveting her pastries with wolfish ambition. Chu Caiwei originally didn’t want to give her any, but since Xu Qi An had agreed so readily, she was in a good mood. Besides, such a small child couldn’t eat much anyway.
The two came to Xu Qi An’s small courtyard. Chu Caiwei leaned against the door, lifting one leg and peering into the kitchen.
“That day you said you’d make something delicious for me.”
“…Next time,” Xu Qi An thought to himself, *You still remember that?*
Chu Caiwei became unhappy, puffing up her cheeks. Her already sweet and cute oval face became like a small steamed bun, very adorable.
*Whether she’s the Chief Inspector’s disciple or not doesn’t matter… I can handle this girl…* Xu Qi An was somewhat stunned.
Among the beauties he had seen, each had their characteristics: the voluptuous and charming aunt, the pure and elegant younger sister, the outwardly refined but inwardly flirtatious courtesan. But Chu Caiwei was the cutest and sweetest girl.
“When I make a low-cost version of chicken essence, I’ll cook noodles for you,” Xu Qi An said.
Half an hour later, Xu Qi An finished writing his notes and returned to the main house’s front hall with the big-eyed beauty.
Xu Lingyin was sitting in the chair Chu Caiwei had occupied earlier, her short legs dangling listlessly in the air, her little belly round and full.
“…” Chu Caiwei slowly opened her mouth wide, staring at the empty table.
*Where are my pastries? Where are the pastries I bought for two taels of silver?*
*Where is that big package of pastries?!*
Tears glistened in Chu Caiwei’s eyes.
“Thank you, big sister. The pastries were delicious,” Xu Lingyin burped, thanking her very politely.
The big-eyed beauty swallowed her bitterness, glaring hatefully at the little round belly, following Xu Qi An out with a face full of grievance.
The sound of horse hooves clip-clopped. Xu Qi An turned his head to look at Chu Caiwei bouncing on horseback, her pink cheeks puffed out.