Chapter 527: Third Wheel

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t acknowledge it. I’m just calling you like Mr. Lin does. You’re Mr. Lin’s master, which makes you our master too. Don’t take it to heart; I don’t need any formal apprentice ceremony or need you to teach me anything. Just consider me as an outer disciple."

Hou Xiaobao had a playful grin, completely at ease.

"By the way, Mr. Lin, Brother Liang is coming over soon, and it seems Sister Juan is coming too. Brother Liang said we should wait for him for the dishes as he’d show us his skills soon."

"How did he know the master is here? Did you tell him?"

Old Sir He’s visit to Yan City was due to her persuasion; it was a last-minute decision, and Qin Jianjun and Houzi were only informed by Qin Yang later.

Houzi shook his head, "I don’t know either. Mr. Qin had just arrived at the mall when I got Brother Liang’s call; I thought you informed them."

While the two were chatting, Little Ningning’s voice was heard outside.

Soon enough, Qin Juan led Ningning through the door, followed by Jia Liang carrying Ningning’s backpack and a bag of items.

They looked very much like a family bringing a child home.

Qin Yang slightly furrowed his brow, glanced at his wife with eyes full of questions.

Lin Chuxia raised her eyebrows, her eyes filled with amusement, and without further explanation, she walked out to greet them.

"Auntie!"

Little Ningning was about to rush over to Lin Chuxia but was held back by Qin Juan.

"You can’t just pounce on your auntie now; there’s a little baby in her belly. You might scare him."

Ningning immediately stopped, his big eyes blinking as he looked at Lin Chuxia’s belly.

He seemed genuinely afraid of scaring the baby inside.

Lin Chuxia now probably guessed how Qin Juan and Jia Liang learned the master was coming.

Jia Liang took the stuff meant for Old Sir He into the house and respectfully called him master.

He was quite familiar with Old Sir He, but it had been a while since he last saw him due to spending the past year in Yan City.

Qin Juan pulled Lin Chuxia aside for inquiries. Knowing now that she was fine, and reacting well, she finally felt at ease.

"Do you want me to move back? Second brother is busy at work, and I can help take care of you."

"There’s no need, big sister. Look at me—is there anything that needs caring for? You’re already busy working and taking care of the kids; don’t worry about me."

Lin Chuxia genuinely felt no different with the pregnancy.

If it weren’t for the master noticing, she’d still be going about her business.

Qin Juan nodded; indeed, restaurant work was not like other places.

"But if you need anything, you must tell me. You wouldn’t believe, this afternoon, Mom called me and talked for ages. It’s the first time I’ve heard Mom speak so much on the phone; she’s really worried about you."

Even though the agricultural store has a phone and contacting anyone is convenient.

Mrs. Qin rarely calls; even if she does, she doesn’t chat for more than two minutes, finishing what she needs to say and hanging up right away.

It’s because calls are expensive, and even though the family’s financial situation is better now, an elderly woman who’s been thrifty her whole life still finds it hard to spend.

But today, the old lady was like making free calls, repeating a sentence several times. It makes Qin Juan smile thinking about it.

"Well, now it’s good, finally a child is coming."

Qin Juan held Lin Chuxia’s hand tight, knowing her sister-in-law’s longing for a child; their family eagerly anticipated this little one’s arrival.

Lin Chuxia gently regarded her flat belly with affection.

Her baby had just come, showered with so much love that he was destined to be a happy baby.

For dinner, Jia Liang was the head chef, with Qin Juan and Houzi assisting.

Originally, Jia Liang hadn’t touched a spatula. Since becoming the Bun Shop Manager, he started taking an interest in kitchen affairs.

Especially after expanding Qin’s Restaurant, he was always with the two master chefs, developing a keen interest in cooking, and he had quite a knack for it.

As long as the masters gave him some pointers, he could whip up pretty tasteful dishes.

Lu Dafa jokingly said before, given Jia Liang’s appearance, he was naturally meant to be a cook.

Houzi started helping out in the kitchen but couldn’t find a way to fit in, so he found a chance to slip out.

Lin Chuxia and Qin Yang were organizing Old Sir He’s stuff when they saw him come out with an odd expression. Lin Chuxia gestured to him.

Houzi immediately trotted over and whispered, "What’s going on with Brother Liang and Sister Juan?"

He made a little gesture with his hand.

Lin Chuxia raised her eyebrow, "Can’t you see?"

Hou Xiaobao honestly saw it but still found it hard to believe.

He had frequently visited here while delivering goods from An City, pitied noticing Brother Liang’s attentiveness toward Sister Juan.

But he hadn’t thought much of it.

Sister Juan was Mr. Lin’s eldest sister. Just based on that connection, who wouldn’t look after her?

Who would’ve thought, Brother Liang wasn’t caring for her because of Mr. Lin, but for his own reasons.

Hou Xiaobao uneasily scratched his head, "That’s good. If I’d known Brother Liang and Sister Juan had that relationship, I wouldn’t have gone in to play the third wheel."

Qin Yang intruded, "What third wheel? Go back in and help, and call my sister to come; Xiaxia’s tired."

Hou Xiaobao glanced back and forth, but in the end, he nodded under Qin Yang’s imposing presence, "Alright, I’m on it."

Lin Chuxia chuckled softly, "Don’t listen to him, I’m not tired, and there’s no need to call big sis out."

Even if Sister Juan wasn’t needed, he wouldn’t dare to linger here.

Anywhere he went, he’d be a third wheel, better to go be Brother Liang’s sidekick.

Hou Xiaobao left, then Lin Chuxia nudged Qin Yang, "Upset?"

Qin Yang still had a frown, "Since when? I’ve never heard big sis mention it; did you know?"

"Yeah," Lin Chuxia said matter-of-factly, "If you ask when it started, I suppose since big sis got divorced..."

"I’m going to talk to him," Qin Yang interrupted, putting down what he was holding, ready to walk out.

But Lin Chuxia quickly pulled him back.

"Why are you rushing?"

"What’s Qin Liang to big sis? Sympathy? Pity? Big sis just escaped one hell; I can’t let her jump into another. She’s doing well now, doesn’t have to put up with yet another man’s nonsense or look after a whole in-law family. If she’s struggling with Ningning, she still has me and big brother. Certainly can’t let her be deceived by a man again."

Qin Yang deeply cared for big sis, recalling how he worked away from home in the past and rarely checked on family affairs, never realizing big sis had suffered so much at the Zhang Family.

Now that he’s here, big sis won’t let herself bend under life’s hardships.

"Do you really think big sis’s current situation is another hell?"

Lin Chuxia slightly lifted her chin, directing him to glance towards the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Jia Liang was stirring up something on the stove, with Qin Juan assisting beside him.

Jia Liang was about to grab something when Qin Juan preemptively handed it to him.

Jia Liang grinned broadly, saying something to Qin Juan, while she shot him a mocking glance.

That gaze...

Qin Yang wasn’t naive; he could certainly recognize the affection in big sis’s eyes.