Chapter 80: Xu Nian Makes Barbecue, Luo Jin’an Helps

Xu Nian felt that something was off about Luo Jin’an. When did he become so smooth-talking and playful? Where was the refined and dignified demeanor of the noble young master he used to have?

“Nian Nian, you’re staring at me so much that I’m feeling shy. Looks like I need to stay a few more days so you can get used to my face.”

Xu Nian withdrew her gaze and quickened her pace, convinced that Luo Jin’an must have taken the wrong medicine.

“Nian Nian, why are you walking so fast? I’m really not hungry; you don’t have to go to so much trouble for me.”

“Nian Nian…”

Following behind, Xiu’er glanced at the two masters with sympathy. She never expected the commandery prince to be even more talkative than her own mother. Serving these two every day must be exhausting.

Liu Yun and Liu Qin pretended not to hear anything, maintaining their poised steps as they caught up with their masters. Internally, however, they found this version of the commandery prince rather surreal.

When they arrived at the kitchen, Xu Nian grabbed a carrot and stuffed it into Luo Jin’an’s mouth. She refused to believe that eating wouldn’t shut him up.

Luo Jin’an took a bite of the carrot and sighed softly. “Nian Nian is so good to me.”

“Pfft!” Xiu’er, who had been watching the entire time, couldn’t hold back her laughter. But when she saw the composed expressions of the two masters, she quickly suppressed her smile.

“Miss, Young Master, greetings.”

Since they had just finished lunch and dinner was still hours away, most of the kitchen staff had gone to rest, leaving only two young servant girls tending the fire.

The two little maids, only eleven or twelve years old, panicked when they saw the eldest miss bringing such an esteemed guest to the kitchen. They hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

“I heard my third uncle brought back a whole lamb. Do you know where it’s kept?”

One of the clever little maids quickly ran to the pantry and, with great effort, carried out a basin. She reported, “Eldest Miss, Aunt Dong has already butchered the lamb. There are several basins of meat.”

Xu Nian instructed the maids to select the shoulder and rib meat, while she went to prepare the marinade. Seeing Luo Jin’an leisurely munching on his carrot, she ordered, “Cut the meat into small pieces, and mince that piece over there for lamb dumplings tonight.”

Luo Jin’an cheerfully put down his carrot, grabbed a knife, and eagerly got to work. It was his first time cooking, and he was doing it with Nian Nian—just the thought of it excited him. The more excited he was, the more strength he used.

Xu Nian looked at the deep knife marks forming on the cutting board and silently thought to herself, This doesn’t seem like someone with a weak constitution.

“Go easy on the cutting board. Did it ever wrong you? If you get tired, just stop. Don’t strain your injured arm.”

Luo Jin’an obediently agreed with a bright smile, behaving so well that Xu Nian started wondering if she had been too harsh on him. Feeling the need to make amends, she stepped forward to roll up his sleeves a little more and softened her tone. “You said you don’t have much of an appetite. Is there anything else you’d like to eat?”

Luo Jin’an’s lips curled up slightly. He seemed to have discovered the secret to making Nian Nian soften toward him. He blinked his large eyes and said warmly, “I love everything Nian Nian makes.”

Xu Nian looked into his clear, lake-like eyes and felt her heart skip a beat. Luo Jin’an, of course, pretended not to notice and asked innocently,

“Nian Nian, why is your face so red?”

Xu Nian turned away and said loudly, “The kitchen is too hot! Aren’t you feeling warm?”

“Maybe because my body is naturally cold—I don’t feel it.”

Luo Jin’an didn’t dare tease her too much for fear that she would truly ignore him. So, he behaved properly for the rest of the time, diligently helping out.

The two masters and Xiu’er didn’t remain idle either. Some were kneading dough, others were wrapping dumplings. Upon hearing that the eldest miss was in the kitchen, Aunt Dong dared not continue resting and hurried over to help.

Although Aunt Dong spent every day bustling around the small kitchen, she was well aware of the situation in the household. In this residence, the true decision-maker was the eldest miss. It was said that the entire Xu family business was now sustained by her earnings.

“Young Master, Eldest Miss, you should rest. Let this old woman handle these menial tasks.”

Xu Nian didn’t refuse. Just then, Zhao Lan arrived with the bamboo skewers.

“Then you and the two attendants can focus on making the dumplings. Xiu’er, you and the others will help me with the skewering.”

She glanced at Luo Jin’an’s luxurious brocade robe, then pulled over a small stool and patted it.

“You should just sit here and supervise. After all, I need to take care of our injured patient, don’t I?”

Luo Jin’an obediently sat down, allowing Xu Nian to focus on organizing everyone for the task.

Aunt Dong occasionally stole glances at the young master seated quietly to the side. She had heard that an esteemed guest had arrived at the household, but she never expected him to be such a refined and elegant gentleman, like a fresh breeze and a bright moon.

It took the group an entire afternoon to prepare everything. Seeing that Luo Jin’an had sat there quietly for more than an hour, Xu Nian felt a little guilty.

“This should be enough. Xiu’er, go check if my father has returned from the office. If everyone’s here, we can start.”

Aunt Dong fetched some clean water for everyone.

“Eldest Miss, please wash your hands first.”

Just as Xu Nian finished washing her hands, a towel was handed to her. The person holding it was none other than Luo Jin’an.

She took it without hesitation, wiped her hands, and said to Aunt Dong, “Thank you all for your hard work this afternoon. Go to the accounts office later and collect 200 wen each. Just say it’s my reward.”

Aunt Dong and the two little servant girls happily expressed their gratitude.

Leaving the kitchen, Xu Nian planned to return to Qingteng Courtyard to change her clothes. Seeing Luo Jin’an following her closely, she sighed helplessly.

“Aren’t you going back to your own courtyard? Are you planning to follow me even when I change clothes?”

For once, it was Luo Jin’an’s turn to blush. His ears turned red, and he hurriedly turned around, leading his two attendants away without saying a word.

Tonight, Shouzhu Courtyard was particularly lively. Xu Nian had set up two barbecue grills—one for skewers of meat, chicken wings, and fish, and the other for an assortment of vegetables, corn, and sweet potatoes.

Xiao Liuzi dragged Xu Ling along, circling the grills impatiently. The aroma was simply too tempting, even more enticing than the roasted lamb ribs at the best restaurant.

“Brother Changsheng, why aren’t your skewers ready yet? Maybe Eldest Sister should take over.”

Luo Jin’an replied unhurriedly, “Xiao Liuzi, let me teach you something: Those who achieve great things must learn patience.”

Xiao Liuzi nodded seriously as if he had been enlightened, but his stomach clearly wasn’t as patient. He pulled Xu Ling along to eat some grilled vegetables first to ease their hunger.

Seeing them leave, Luo Jin’an quickly and discreetly tossed aside a skewer that had been burnt on one side.

“Pfft.” Xu Nian couldn’t help but laugh at his little trick. She stepped behind him, helping him season and turn the skewers.

As she moved, a faint and refreshing fragrance drifted past Luo Jin’an’s face. By the time the skewers were ready, a thin layer of sweat had formed on his forehead.

Xu Nian found it unusual and handed him a handkerchief, asking curiously, “Didn’t you say you don’t sweat due to your health condition?”

Luo Jin’an wiped his forehead and, somewhat embarrassed, said, “I don’t know either… Maybe it really is just too hot.”

Xu Nian didn’t dwell on it. She picked up a plate of skewers with one hand and pulled Luo Jin’an’s sleeve with the other, leading him away from the charcoal fire.

At that moment, in the eyes of the onlookers, Luo Jin’an looked just like a shy little wife being led away by her husband.