Chapter 524 - Chapter 524: That’s an Illusion
Chapter 524: That’s an Illusion
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Each dish looked appetizing and smelled wonderful. From the moment everyone entered the house, their mouths were watering, and they couldn’t wait a moment longer to start eating.
Chu Qingzhi cut open the chestnut pie and gave Tang Jinghong a large slice. “Try this. It’s similar to apple pie.”
Tang Jinghong tasted it and was instantly captivated. The crust was crispy, and the inside was soft and mushy, not overly sweet, with a rich roasted flavor. “Delicious,” he commented.
“Very tasty,” Wu Yaqing agreed after trying a piece of the chestnut chicken, giving Chu Qingzhi a thumbs up.
Chu Qingzhi handed her a chestnut, “If you like it, eat more.”
Wu Yaqing smiled brilliantly at Chu Qingzhi, but her words carried a hint of worry, “Qingzhi, I feel like I’ve gained weight.”
Chu Qingzhi responded seriously, “That’s just an illusion.”
Wu Yaqing pinched her face. Was it an illusion? She clearly felt that she had gained a lot of flesh.
Hong Yujun looked at the table full of delicious food and thought of Wen Shaoyuan. She hesitated for a moment and gently tugged at Chu Qingzhi’s clothes. “Qingzhi, I want to send some to Shaoyuan. Is that okay?”
“Sure, there’s so many. No one can finish it.” Chu Qingzhi looked at the slightly shy Hong Yujun. Had they developed feelings for each other? That was a good thing!
Hong Yujun went to the kitchen and took a food box. She took a small portion of each dish and placed it in the food box before sending it to Wen Shaoyuan. “Shaoyuan.”
Wen Shaoyuan was cooking at Tang Jinghong’s house. He had just started the fire when he heard Hong Yujun’s voice. He turned around and saw a beautiful girl walking towards him with a food box in her hand.
Hong Yujun brought the food box to Wen Shaoyuan. “1 specially sent it to you. You don’t have to cook it yourself.”
Wen Shaoyuan took the box, feeling warmth in his heart. It had been years since someone had brought him a meal like this. “Thank you. You should go back and eat too.”
Hong Yujun smiled and nodded. “I’m leaving.”
Wen Shaoyuan watched Hong Yujun’s beautiful figure as the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile, and a gentle light flashed in his eyes.
Chu Qingzhi and her family ate lunch downstairs, while the little monk ate upstairs.
Monks usually eat separately from secular people, as secular people consume meat and monks are vegetarians. Serving meat dishes to a monk can be offensive, so it’s customary to eat separately.
Chu Qingzhi prepared delicious vegetarian dishes for him: roasted cauliflower, a mix of vegetables, and tofu.
The little monk seemed accustomed to eating alone. He sat quietly, murmured a few words with hands clasped together, then slowly started eating with chopsticks.
“Wow! The food at Benefactor Chu’s house is so tasty.”
The little monk savored the flavors, too busy eating to speak, his cheeks puffing with each bite.
After lunch, Chu Qingzhi brought a chicken to Da Bai.
Da Bai could hunt for himself, but the chicken was more like a treat.
Da Bai was already sleeping in the nest. It looked no different from a cat. It lay there with its chin on its paws and slept comfortably, but its vigilance was not low.
As soon as it heard footsteps, it immediately pricked up its ears and opened its eyes. Under the sunlight, its amber eyes reflected light and dignity.
It was originally very dignified, but when it saw Chu Qingzhi, it looked silly. It jumped up and rubbed Chu Qingzhi’s leg with its tiger head, looking silly and cute.
Chu Qingzhi brought the chicken to Da Bai. “Do you want to eat it?”
Da Bai looked up at Chu Qingzhi and took the chicken away with a howl.
Tang Jinghong had prepared a large eating basin and a water basin for Da Bai. The tiger neatly took the chicken to his eating basin before starting his meal.
“You eat slowly, I’m leaving.” Chu Qingzhi walked out of Tang Jinghong’s yard and headed towards the factory area to check on the saplings planted earlier.
The factory area’s perimeter had transformed from bare land to a circle of saplings. Chu Qingzhi guessed Tang Jinghong had planned this, spacing the saplings evenly around the wall.
Other than the three wolves, there was no one else in the factory. Chu Qingzhi raised her hand and wisps of spiritual energy flew over to nourish the saplings. Soon, the saplings began to take root.
The breeze blew gently, and the tender green leaves fluttered, filled with vitality.
Xing Jindong, accompanied by two young servants and carrying the items Chu Qingzhi had asked him to prepare, arrived at Chu Village just as Chu Qingzhi was returning from the factory area.
Xing Jindong quickly approached her, bowing respectfully, “Miss Chu.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded at him, “Come with me.”
“Okay.”
Chu Qingzhi brought Xing Jindong to the swing pavilion. She first taught him to set up the easel, then took two high tables to put paint on. Finally, she took a bamboo tube and placed the brush in it.
With everything prepared, Chu Qingzhi began her explanation without any preamble or waste of time, immediately diving into the lesson.
Xing Jindong thought to himself that Chu Qingzhi was incredibly straight to the point, without any unnecessary small talk.
Chu Qingyan and the little monk ran over and quietly stood by, listening attentively.
Tang Jinghong, who had planned to return home, changed his direction when he saw this scene and walked towards Chu Qingzhi, “Qingzhi, I’d like to learn too.”
Chu Qingzhi was surprised and invited him to join, “Then listen in.”
Chu Qingzhi taught by demonstration, explaining while she painted. With a grasp of the key techniques, it was easy to recreate the paintings.
Chu Qingyan and the little monk raised their heads and looked at Tang Jinghong with their round eyes, like two cats squatting there.
Tang Jinghong deliberately stood between Chu Qingzhi and Xing Jindong. Qingzhi was so good. It would be bad if someone had thoughts that they shouldn’t have. He had to nip this in the bud.
Recently, he had been thinking about a secret code to convey certain messages. Watching Chu Qingzhi’s brush strokes and listening to her soft voice, he suddenly felt inspired.
His gaze shifted to Chu Qingzhi’s fair profile, and he thought to himself that she was undoubtedly his lucky star.
As Xing Jindong listened, he couldn’t help but look at Tang Jinghong. It was mainly because Tang Jinghong’s presence was too strong. Just by standing there, he gave people a strong sense of oppression. The surrounding air seemed to have thinned, making it difficult to breathe.
Tang Jinghong ignored Xing Jindong, focusing solely on Chu Qingzhi’s explanation while planning the components of his secret code.
Two hours passed quickly. Chu Qingzhi’s class was over. “Young Master Xing, practice by yourself. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
Xing Jindong quickly said, “Thank you, Miss Chu.”
Chu Qingzhi said to Chu Qingyan and the little monk, “I’m going to the old house to make soybean paste. Are you going?”
The little monk nodded happily, “Yes.”
Chu Qingyan did not go. “1 have to finish the homework Master assigned.”
Chu Qingzhi touched Chu Qingyan’s head. “Go ahead.”
When they arrived at the old house, Auntie Zhang and the rest were already waiting. Chu Qingzhi did not say anything and started to get busy..