SGEIRS -Chapter 484 Two Foodies

Zhou Yun and Qingqiu had gotten engaged, with their wedding scheduled after Yu Chuan and Chan’er’s.

Originally, when Qingqiu learned that Zhou Yun liked her, she felt a little lost and unsure. Before this, she hadn’t really known what kind of husband she wanted.

But after talking with Zhou Yun, Qingqiu was moved by his sincerity and wholehearted affection. After getting to know him and giving it careful thought, she felt Zhou Yun would make a good husband, and she quite liked him herself, so she accepted his proposal.

Fang Xuan and Fang Ce felt their fragile little hearts get crushed again. Both of the younger ones already had fiancées, yet they didn’t even have someone they liked.

Fang Ce asked in puzzlement, “Zhou Yun, how did you find someone you liked? Did you just see a pretty girl and fall for her?”

Zhou Yun shot him a look: “If you like a girl just because she’s pretty, that’s being fickle. Someone like me, who likes only one person, that’s being devoted. I like Qingqiu not because she’s beautiful—before her, I’d seen plenty of pretty girls.”

Fang Ce pressed further: “Then how did you come to like Qingqiu?”

Zhou Yun looked at him as if he were foolish and replied, “When you meet a girl and feel something different, even want to spend your life with her—that’s liking her.”

Yu Chuan also thought Fang Ce’s question was a bit silly, and couldn’t help but chuckle: “Fang Ce, you even taught me how to court Chan’er, but I didn’t expect you didn’t even know how you’re supposed to fall for a girl. I actually followed your advice back then—luckily, nothing went wrong.”

Fang Ce: “…The strategist never personally goes into the field.”

Yu Chuan rolled his eyes at him, realizing how foolish he had been to take Fang Ce’s words so seriously before.

Zhou Yun patted Fang Ce on the shoulder: “You can’t rush these things. Fate is strange—it comes unexpectedly. Maybe one day, you’ll meet a girl you like.”

Fang Ce felt a little down, but he knew how to console himself, replying, “Actually, not getting married isn’t so bad. If I married a gluttonous wife, what would I do when she competes with me for food?”

Yu Chuan: “……”

Zhou Yun: “……”

The two brothers exchanged a look, then spoke in unison: “Eat, eat, eat—always thinking about food. No wonder no girl likes you!”

Fang Ce didn’t mind: “If a person can’t even satisfy their appetite, what’s the point of living?”

Zhou Yun asked him, “Which is more important, food or getting a wife?”

Fang Ce thought for a moment and replied: “For now, food seems more important.”

Zhou Yun said, “Exactly. That’s why you don’t have someone you like. Always thinking about food, you never pay attention when a good girl comes along.” Then he glanced at Fang Xuan. “You too, dummy. So dull, barely speak a word. Do you expect a girl to approach you first?”

Fang Xuan replied calmly: “Do I have to notify you when I fart?”

Zhou Yun: “……”

Yu Chuan: “……”

These two brothers were in their twenties and still unmarried for a reason—one only thinks about eating, the other hardly speaks. How could they find wives? What girl would like that?

Fang Ce glanced at Yu Chuan and Zhou Yun, trying to salvage the situation: “Yu Chuan, you gave all your wealth to Chan’er. In the future, if you want to spend money, you’ll have to ask her for it. Zhou Yun, you imitate Yu Chuan the fool and give all your wealth to Qingqiu—you’ll also have to ask your wife for money. Not me. I buy what I want; if I’m short, my brother helps me.”

Yu Chuan said: “I’m not greedy. There’s nothing I need to spend money on.”

Zhou Yun: “Same here.”

Fang Ce: “…We shall break off friendship for three days again.”

Qingqiu and Chan’er’s weddings were already arranged for this year. Meng Jinyao then turned her attention to Chunliu and Ningdong, but it seemed neither had thoughts of marrying yet.

Chunliu had previously said she would consider marriage at twenty, wanting to remain a maiden a few more years.

As for Ningdong, although she had matured a bit over the past two years, she still had little concept of marriage. Most of her monthly allowance went toward indulging herself, or saving to buy jewelry, occasionally competing with Chunliu for favor like a child.

Meng Jinyao asked, “Ningdong, Qingqiu is only two months older than you and is already engaged. Have you thought about marriage?”

This question startled Ningdong, and she put on a pitiful face: “Mistress, are you going to marry me off? I could eat less—can you not marry me off?”

Meng Jinyao scolded her playfully: “What are you talking about? I’m just asking casually to see if you have thoughts about marriage. If you did, I’d make arrangements. You’re not that young anymore.”

“No,” Ningdong shook her head frantically and replied honestly: “Mistress, I think it’s fine to stay with you—eating well and living comfortably. If I married, I wouldn’t have these perks. Of course, I’m not saying it’s bad for Qingqiu to marry. Zhou Yun is a good man, he’ll treat her well and won’t wrong her.”

Meng Jinyao chuckled: “You just think about eating, don’t you?”

Ningdong shook her head again: “Not really. More that marrying might not make me as happy as staying by your side. Men like Zhou Yun are rare—so Qingqiu will be happy, but I might not meet such a man, so I don’t want to gamble.”

Meng Jinyao said softly: “Then let it be for now. If you ever change your mind, tell me.”

“I understand,” Ningdong replied.

When Ningdong finished speaking, she also breathed a sigh of relief. She was content with her current life, having no thoughts of changing it. She was young now, a senior maid to her mistress. When she got older, she would become the housekeeper, managing the maids in the courtyard.

After Ningdong left the room, Chunliu curiously asked: “Why did Mistress keep you for a private talk? What did she say?”

Ningdong, seeing her curiosity, smiled and jokingly said: “Mistress said I’m now smarter and more capable than you, and I should keep it that way.”

Chunliu didn’t believe her, laughing: “You shameless girl. Saying you eat more than me, that’s believable. Saying you’re more capable, impossible. Mistress couldn’t have said that. I’ll have to learn from you.”

Ningdong: “…You’re really narcissistic.”

Chunliu replied: “What can I do? I’m clever and favored by Mistress.”

Ningdong: “……”

Chunliu asked: “I learned a new pastry recipe, it’s quite tasty. Want me to teach you?”

Upon hearing this, Ningdong swallowed instinctively and said: “Actually, nothing special—Mistress just asked if I planned to marry. I said no, and she respected my choice.” Then she grabbed Chunliu’s hand: “Let’s go to the little kitchen and study your pastry. If it really is good, maybe Mistress will like it.”

Seeing her urgency, Chunliu laughed helplessly: “You, aside from food, have no other interests?”

Ningdong replied: “I’m also interested in beautiful jewelry and like making it myself. But I can only make simple pieces. The earrings Mistress wore today are pretty, right? I didn’t make them, but the design was my idea, then the jewelry shop made them.”