Yan Qiushu quickly placed the lid on, and Aunt Xu handed her a thick towel to keep it warm. Yan Qiushu held the lid firmly and shook the pot vigorously to evenly coat every piece of popcorn with caramel.

The entire kitchen filled with the aroma of caramel popcorn.

Shui Yu anxiously eyed the bucket of popcorn. “Girl, you made so much; won’t it go stale?”

“It won’t spoil. At worst, it might lose a bit of its crispiness, but it’s nice to have snacks for the road,” Yan Qiushu replied with a smile. Satisfied that it was ready, she set the pot down and emptied the popcorn. “Pack it up tightly to avoid letting air in.”

“Yes.” Shui Yu nodded obediently, then smiled. “With this, Young Master Pingyu won’t want to leave!”

Yan Qiushu sighed softly, “I didn’t expect him to leave so soon. I was hoping we could go out together during the Lantern Festival.”

The Xiao family members are kind, but the adults are too preoccupied to play freely. Yan Qiushu had grown up in a simpler time without constant schemes. After arriving here, she quickly secured herself a strong ally. Even Shen Pingyu, a child, was more thoughtful than she was.

She played along with them.

When she played with others, she worried she’d unknowingly get taken advantage of.

Shen Pingyu, although he appeared serious and mature, often like a little old man who frowned at Dongdong’s bad eating habits, had a soft heart beneath his tough exterior. He was a bit prideful, but well-meaning and quite likable.

However, after the Spring Festival, he would head back to the Shen family to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

The Shen family lived ten days away from the capital, and leaving on the second day of the New Year would let him arrive in time.

Worried that he might get bored on the journey, Yan Qiushu prepared plenty of snacks, from popcorn to spicy strips, bread, cakes, and more.

With the cold weather, these foods wouldn’t spoil outdoors.

Since it was cold, long bumpy rides could easily lead to colds.

Shen Pingyu was thin, and definitely not as sturdy as Dongdong.

“Miss Yan, Young Master Pingyu is almost ready!” a maid approached and reminded her.

Yan Qiushu snapped out of her thoughts. “Yes, I’m almost ready too!”

She called for the popcorn to be packed first, then chopped some ginger, wrapped it in gauze, and squeezed out the juice.

She took out some milk, added a little sugar, and warmed it for the time it took to make a cup of tea.

Meanwhile, Shui Yu finished all preparations and sent the items to the outer courtyard.

Yan Qiushu had Aunt Xu fetch the food box. She carefully removed the milk, using a thick towel, and poured it into the bowl of ginger juice.

The creamy white milk mixed with the ginger juice, causing a ripple, and soon the two combined.

“Put this in a bottle and have Pingyu drink it before he leaves,” Yan Qiushu instructed, handing it over.

Madam Xu packed it up. “I’ll deliver it,” she said.

“Go ahead,” Yan Qiushu nodded, straightened herself up, and followed behind.

At the Xiao family’s gate, everything was set. Just like when they arrived, two carriages stood ready with several attendants and servants.

As the servants organized the luggage, one goods carriage had become two. Shen Pingyu looked helplessly at the extra supplies, mostly food, and commented, “Why does Pingyu need so much food?”

“Ah Shu is kind and cares for you. Eat well,” Madam Xiao affectionately rubbed her grandson’s head, her eyes not leaving him. Suddenly, she smiled warmly.

Shen Pingyu blinked in confusion.

Madam Xiao remarked, “Ah Shu has fattened you up. You look much healthier than when you arrived.”

Blushing, Shen Pingyu shifted as if wanting to leave.

But he stayed. Looking around the house, he frowned slightly, “Aunt Yan takes too long with her outings.”

The last time they waited for her to visit a new braised food shop, she made them wait quite a while, although she did look very beautiful in the end.

Madam Xiao kept quiet. The child himself didn’t realize he was beginning to live like a proper child again.

It was unclear whether her choice had been right or wrong.

Just then, Yan Qiushu arrived. She had planned to do part of the work yesterday, but upon arriving, she was surprised to find everything already neatly packed. She apologized, “Ping Yu, sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“It’s alright, we’re half an hour early,” Shen Pingyu replied, shaking his head.

Yan Qiushu smiled and asked Aunt Xu to open the food box. She took out the solidified ginger milk and handed it over. “Drink this to warm up, or you might catch a cold on your first journey.”

Shen Pingyu accepted it with both hands. He used the spoon to examine it, expecting a similar taste to the double-skin milk he had eaten before, but he noticed a mild ginger aroma.

The solidified milk resembled egg custard. As he tasted it, he could detect the sweet, milky flavor mixed with the faint ginger scent.

Shen Pingyu wasn’t particularly fond of strong ginger flavors.

But with the milk’s sweetness mellowing the ginger, the taste wasn’t overwhelming. As the “tender tofu” texture melted in his mouth, he felt a warmth spreading from his stomach.

The chill in his chest from standing outside soon dissipated.

After finishing the bowl, a slight sweat formed on his nose, and his hands and feet weren’t as cold.

“Thank you, Aunt Yan,” Shen Pingyu said softly.

“You’re welcome.” Yan Qiushu gently patted his head. “I hope that when you return, you’ll still have the bit of weight I managed to help you gain, alright?”

The young boy felt a bit embarrassed but didn’t disagree. Instead, he nodded earnestly. “Pingyu will try his best.”

It seemed he was turning his words into actions.

Yan Qiushu couldn’t resist pinching his handsome face. “Well then, see you next time.”

Shen Pingyu winced at the pinch and cautiously stepped back. He glanced at her and said, “Next time, I hope you’ll be engaged, Aunt Yan, as you’re not getting any younger.”

What was that supposed to mean?! 

Yan Qiushu was left puzzled. “??”

Without waiting for a response, Shen Pingyu quickly turned to Madam Xiao and the others with a serious look. “Grandma, uncle, aunt… Pingyu will leave now.”

Before anyone could respond, he hurriedly departed in an embarrassed manner.

“Oh, hahaha…” Xiao Huaiwu, his uncle, seemed to finally react. He looked between Shen Pingyu and Yan Qiushu, laughing so hard he doubled over.

Yan Qiushu remained speechless.

Thankfully, Xiao Huaiting wasn’t around to witness this!

She quickly called out and started heading back to the courtyard. But just before she could leave, another carriage arrived in front of the Xiao Mansion. A maid placed a stool, opened the carriage door, and assisted the passengers.

Xiao Huaiwu immediately stopped laughing, and a look of vigilance appeared on her face. She spoke sarcastically, “Well, well, what brings you back, Second Sister-in-law?!”