Chapter 935: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 935: Big Trouble (4)
Standing at the entrance of a busy restaurant, Cui Qingrou and Mo Qingze knew it wasn’t the place for a long conversation. With their own concerns weighing on them—Cui Qingrou anxious about her missing nephew and Mo Qingze occupied with his own matters—they exchanged a few polite words before parting ways.
At that moment, neither of them realized that this chance encounter would be the beginning of their intertwined destinies.
…
Mo Family Residence, Liuyang Village.
“Mmm, this is so good! The food at your place is amazing!”
The very culprit who had thrown the entire Cui household into chaos—Seventh Master Cui—was now seated comfortably at the Mo family’s large round table, feasting to his heart’s content.
After running away from home for several hours, Cui Ping’an had barely eaten anything. The moment he arrived at the Mo residence, before the food was even ready, he had already stationed himself by the kitchen door, drooling at the aroma.
Mo Yan observed his elegant eating habits—though he ate quickly, his table manners remained refined, showing no signs of crudeness. This was the mark of someone raised with strict etiquette, giving her a rough idea of his background.
This guy was clearly a runaway, and his family was likely searching for him frantically. The commotion must be quite significant. If she released her birds at dawn, she would probably find out soon enough.
Cui Ping’an devoured three full bowls of rice, along with several side dishes. Even after that, he rubbed his stomach and eyed the remaining food longingly.
Mo Yan, unimpressed, said coolly, “No more.”
Eating too much at night wasn’t good, and with his weak constitution, overeating would only lead to indigestion. And if that happened, wouldn’t it just be more trouble for her?
Under normal circumstances, Cui Ping’an would have thrown a fit, playing the spoiled young master. But after being thoroughly disciplined by Mo Yan on the road and later discovering her formidable status in the Mo family, he no longer had the courage to resist.
Even though he felt he could still manage another bowl, under Mo Yan’s indifferent gaze, he reluctantly put down his chopsticks, watching the others eat with pitiful eyes.
Being stared at so intensely made even the most delicious food hard to swallow. Mo Yan found him particularly annoying and turned to the round, fluffy creature sitting by her side, waiting to be fed. “Take him outside for a walk to help him digest. Bring him back in half an hour. If he refuses to move, do whatever you want with him.”
Mao Tuan hadn’t eaten its fill yet and was already on a forced diet. If it went outside now, it would be even harder to satisfy its hunger. The tiger cub shook its plump head in refusal.
A human-shaped toy was nice, but a full belly was better.
Seeing this, Mo Yan sighed in mock regret. “I was planning to roast a suckling pig for you as a midnight snack if you did this. But since you don’t want to, never mind.”
Roast suckling pig?!
Mao Tuan’s entire body shuddered. Its tongue flicked out instinctively, eyes fixed on Cui Ping’an, who was now looking terrified. Without another word from Mo Yan, it sprang to its feet, grabbed the hem of Cui Ping’an’s robe with its mouth, and started dragging him outside.
“No, no, I’m not going! I refuse!” Cui Ping’an yelled, struggling with all his might, clutching onto the table in desperation.
This tiger was vicious, and it hadn’t even eaten its fill! What if it decided to snack on him during the walk? How would he ever make it back to Yuan City?
But Mao Tuan wasn’t about to waste time arguing. For the promise of roast suckling pig, it clenched its jaw tighter, yanked him free from the table, and effortlessly dragged him out of the dining hall. The entire way, Cui Ping’an’s wails echoed like a pig being slaughtered.
With the fool gone, Mo Yan finally felt the air was fresher and her appetite improved.
However, thinking about how the idiot refused to reveal his name or identity, instead playing the pitiful act to gain her family’s sympathy and freeload, she felt a headache coming on. She regretted her moment of weakness in the afternoon when she decided to take him in.
Xin'er, watching her sister’s expression, couldn’t help but giggle. “Sister, that brother seems nice. He even agreed to work for food and lodging. Don’t be too hard on him.”
Mo Yan gave her an exasperated look. “How am I being hard on him? With that frail body of his, can he fetch water? Chop wood? Letting Mao Tuan take him for a walk is for his own good, so he can build some strength. Otherwise, what if he collapses before we even find his family? That’d be a real mess.”
That fool had nearly passed out just from running after the carriage for a few steps. When she took his pulse, she found that he was born weak and had been over-nourished later in life, leaving him unfit for physical exertion.
The guy didn’t seem like he’d be leaving anytime soon. Mo Yan wasn’t about to waste her precious medicinal herbs on him. So, naturally, she had to make sure he exercised and toughened up a bit. She wasn’t running a charity—he had to work for his room and board!
Besides, she had never treated a congenital weakness before. He’d make the perfect test subject. It wasn’t like he was going to die from it, anyway.
Outside, in the courtyard training ground, Cui Ping’an—now officially Mao Tuan’s walking companion—suddenly shivered. He hunched his shoulders instinctively and glanced back at the tiger looming behind him with an eager, predatory gaze. With no other choice, he trudged forward, his steps heavy, circling the training ground under Mao Tuan’s watchful eye…
(End of Chapter)
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