The jovial handsome face was still there, as was the proud and assertive nature, and that rascally bearing ā if not Ning Ge, then who could it be?
Cheng Su was first startled, then overjoyed, but she quickly composed herself, feigning indifference and annoyance, "Why is it you again!"
Ning Ge frowned, "Hey, itās me, why, arenāt you happy to see me?"
"Happy? Iād be possessed! Oh, as long as youāre not here to freeload food and lodging, Iām quite happy," Cheng Su said, eyeing the large backpack he was carrying, "Whatās the occasion, did you go off to explore another famous historic site or majestic landscape?"
With a smile, Ning Ge replied, "Stop pretending, I know youāre happy, haha. I didnāt go anywhere special, I came here directly from Beijing." He then took off the large backpack and pulled out a big bag of snacks and specialty items, handing it over, "Here, famous snacks from Beijing, you havenāt tried them, have you? Famous ones like ādonkey rollsā and such, give them a taste."
As if she hadnāt tried them before. In her previous life, what hadnāt she tasted? Sheād been to Beijing many times already.
"Look at you, all smug!" Taking the bag of specialty items, Cheng Su pretended disdain and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet, I came straight here as soon as I got off at the bus station, dying of thirst." Ning Ge looked around and said, "I see there are quite a few new faces in the restaurant, it looks like the business has been good since I left!"
"Thanks to your absence, everything is fine. Qiulan, bring a serving of food for Fourth Young Master Ning," Cheng Su instructed the already attentive Qiulan, and also poured him a cup of tea.
The young girl, upon seeing Ning Ge, lit up like a wolf spotting a sheep, her eyes shining with delight. She crisply acknowledged the order, prepared a hearty serving of food, and personally delivered it to Ning Ge.
"Wow, Qiulan has gotten even lovelier since I last saw her. Look at that little face, so soft you could squeeze water out of it!" Ning Ge teased Qiulan with a laugh.
Blushing at his words, Qiulan bit her lip, flipped her braids, and went back to the kitchen to continue working, her heart blooming with joy, her smile as bright as the sun in the sky.
Cheng Su shook her head, watching the scene unfold. Truly, the heart of a young girl is like poetry, too bad the Prince Xiang has no dreams to speak of!
Ning Ge, apparently quite hungry, started with a big bowl of soup, then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, uttering a surprised sound when he bit into a piece of meat.
"Sister-in-law, did you hire a new chef?" Fourth Young Master Ning asked, his mouth full of meat.
Cheng Su watched him talk with his mouth full, scolded, "Eat your food, donāt speak with your mouth full, where are your manners?" She paused before adding, "Yes, we did hire a chef. Iāll introduce you later."
Fourth Young Master Ning grunted in acknowledgment and went back to his meal.
He ate as quickly as ever, and Cheng Su couldnāt help but nag, "Canāt you eat a bit slower? Gobbling down food like that, were you the reincarnation of the second brother?"
"What second brother?" Ning Ge looked perplexed, suddenly raising his head, "Sister-in-law, why beat around the bush insulting me? Are you saying Iām the reincarnation of Zhu Bajie?"
At that, Cheng Su burst into giggles, her smile radiant.
Ning Ge was momentarily mesmerized, coughing before lowering his head again to take another bite of meat and mutter, "Not just Qiulan is sprightly it seems!"
"What are you mumbling about?"
"Nothing!"
"Ning Ge, is that you?" A delicate voice called out, it was Ying Xiaoya, who came running over excitedly, "It really is you! Why are you back again? Didnāt you say you were going back to the Capital?"
"Iāve returned, but canāt I come back again? Why, you didnāt want to see me?" Ning Ge laughed heartily, "I brought some specialties for you, theyāre with the sister-in-law, go get them yourself!"
Ying Xiaoya cheered, leaned on Cheng Suās cash register, and immediately opened the bag of specialties. She chatted excitedly with Ning Ge while Cheng Su watched on, her face brimming with a smile, enjoying the lively atmosphere!