TSWPF -Chapter 263 Impressive

When Li Qingling returned to the Xue Residence, she ran into Mr. Luo, who had personally delivered the New Year goods.

“Master~”

Mr. Luo smiled at Li Qingling and asked where she had been.

Li Qingling replied, “I went to the roast duck shop to pay the employees their wages so they could go home for the New Year.” Seeing the servants of the Luo residence unloading the goods from the carriage, she widened her eyes. “Master, isn’t this way too much?” She genuinely suspected that he had emptied the entire Luo residence.

“Too much?” If I had been worried about that, you all would have refused, I would’ve brought even more by now. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

Knowing she couldn’t persuade Mr. Luo, Li Qingling sighed helplessly and followed him into the residence.

“Master, why don’t you come celebrate the New Year with us here?” Thinking about Mr. Luo spending the New Year all alone in the Luo residence, she felt a bit uneasy.

At her words, Mr. Luo’s heart stirred. He clasped his hands behind his back and said he’d consider it.

He actually did want to spend the New Year with Li Qingling and the others—having more people around is lively.

He wasn’t the type to insist on celebrating New Year only at his own residence.

Being alone, he could go anywhere.

Besides, he could avoid those who would come by to pay their respects.

He really had no interest in socializing with those people.

“Then it’s settled.” Li Qingling made the decision for him directly. She didn’t want Mr. Luo spending the New Year alone in his residence, and none of them could go to the Luo residence to accompany him—if that happened, Old Master would be heartbroken.

Mr. Luo glanced at Li Qingling, his smile deepening, and didn’t oppose her decision.

Spending New Year with a few children would certainly be lively.

“Hey, Old Luo, why are you bringing so many New Year goods? My house is almost full.” Hearing that Mr. Luo had arrived, the old man hurried out to greet him.

Previously, he had always called him “Mr. Luo,” but now that they were familiar, he just said “Old Luo.”

Mr. Luo felt that those three words sounded more intimate, so he didn’t object.

“I’m not bringing them for you, don’t get the wrong idea,” Mr. Luo said with a teasing smile. “These are for my grandson and his wife.”

Upon hearing this, the old man snorted, led Mr. Luo into the flower hall, poured a cup of tea, and placed it in front of him.

“Old Luo, why don’t you come celebrate the New Year at my residence in a few days? What’s the point of spending it alone? It’s only fun with the children around.”

“Alright…”

Seeing Mr. Luo nod so decisively, the old man was momentarily stunned. He thought he’d have to persuade him, but unexpectedly, he didn’t have to.

“Hey, you weren’t just waiting for me to say that, were you?” The more he thought about it, the more he realized Mr. Luo probably already had this plan in mind.

Mr. Luo sipped his tea slowly, feeling warmed, then glanced at the old man. “So what if I was?”

“…“ What could he do? The old man glared at him, feeling that Mr. Luo had become more charismatic than before, no longer exuding that ethereal aura. “Nothing, I’m just glad.”

After waiting a bit longer, the old man asked Mr. Luo whether he intended to enter the palace this year.

At this, Mr. Luo let out a long sigh and nodded.

In truth, he didn’t want to go to the palace. The food wasn’t good, and what’s the use of sitting there doing nothing?

The old man also sighed and scratched his head, saying he too had to go in.

He didn’t want to attend any banquets either—it bored him deeply.

“Old Luo, shall we just claim we’re unwell and skip it?”

Hearing that on New Year’s Eve they would eat hotpot, he really wanted to stay home for hotpot rather than go hungry in the palace.

Speaking of hotpot, he was craving it.

Mr. Luo looked at the old man as if he were an idiot. “Do you really think that would work?” If those who wanted to go but couldn’t heard them, they’d probably be furious.

Being invited by the emperor to attend a banquet was an honor for most, but for him, it was torture.

The old man slumped his shoulders, weakly saying he hoped to return early this year and not stay in the palace too long; he really didn’t like it.

Mr. Luo nodded in strong agreement.

He planned to talk to the emperor another day and ask not to be invited next year—he truly didn’t want to go.

In fact, he had said this before, but the emperor didn’t listen and insisted he attend.

He had no choice but to go and fill in the numbers.

“I guess Old Master Liu over there will probably come to deliver New Year gifts too.” The old man’s thoughts jumped around; he said whatever came to mind.

Although Liu Zhimou had not formally returned to the ancestral line, many already knew he was the son of Fourth Master Liu.

“Probably…”

Meanwhile, the Patriarch Liu being discussed by the old man and Mr. Luo was at the Liu family residence, having servants load the New Year goods onto a carriage.

Liu Wenjie looked at the goods, then at his father, recalling what his wife had said. He couldn’t help but ask, “Father, are you planning to send these to Liu Zhimou?” He hadn’t met the boy yet, but had heard he resembled his Fourth Brother greatly.

The Patriarch Liu gave a hum.

“Father, is Liu Zhimou really Fourth Brother’s child?”

Hearing this, the patriarch glanced at him and asked what he meant by that.

Liu Wenjie, slightly intimidated by his father, shrank his neck and whispered, “I don’t mean anything… I just haven’t seen the child yet, so I’m not sure if the rumors are true.” He was curious, but his father had issued a strict order not to disturb him while studying.

There was nothing he could do but suppress the thought.

But having never met the child in person, he naturally had doubts.

Plus, his wife constantly reminded him, making it hard not to wonder.

“After he takes the spring imperial examination, you’ll have plenty of time to see him.” Before the exam, no one was allowed to disturb his grandson’s studies. “Didn’t I tell you he looks exactly like your Fourth Brother? Did you think I was lying?”

He wasn’t unaware of his family’s little thoughts—he just didn’t care.

The more time he spent with Liu Zhimou, the less he cared for these people at the Liu family residence.

His youngest son knew how to teach people; see how well he raised his grandchildren—so filial and respectful.

“No, no… Father would never lie to us!” Liu Wenjie’s face paled, and he shook his head vigorously. “Father, shall I go with you to see my nephew? He’s been in the capital for so long, and hasn’t met his eldest uncle yet.”

After all, he still wanted to see how much Liu Zhimou resembled his Fourth Brother.

The Patriarch Liu stared at Liu Wenjie, making him tremble inside. Just as he was about to scold him for speaking nonsense, the patriarch nodded.

“Father, does that mean you’re letting me go with you?” Liu Wenjie still found it hard to believe. When had his father ever been so agreeable?

“Do you not want to go?” This time, if he didn’t satisfy his eldest son, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t sneak off next time.

Since that was the case, he might as well take him personally. Once he saw, the thought would be gone.

Liu Wenjie, fearing his father might change his mind, nodded vigorously.

Finally, his father agreed to take him, so he had to seize the opportunity.

The patriarch snorted and led Liu Wenjie onto the carriage.

When they arrived at the Xue residence, Liu Zhimou and the others were barbecuing in the pavilion.

“Hey, hey! Why didn’t you tell me you were having a barbecue?” The patriarch Liu’s heart sank! Ignoring his eldest son, he sat on an empty bench and stared at the meat on the grill. “Xiao Ling girl, when can we eat?”

“Wait a bit longer.”

“Alright…”

Liu Wenjie: “… Is this really my father? He’s usually so serious—when did he get so childish?”

“Old Master Liu, you’re in for a treat—you just happened to catch this.” The old man snorted. With him there, who knew how much meat he’d lose out on?

The patriarch kept staring at the barbecue, not looking up as he retorted, “It’s your fault for being so inconsiderate. If you had a barbecue, why not tell me? Luckily, I brought the New Year goods and happened to be here, otherwise, I’d have missed out.” Ever since he tasted Li Qingling’s barbecue, he couldn’t forget it.

“I think you’ve got a dog’s nose—you can smell it from so far away.” The old man was annoyed and shot back, “Hey… aren’t you going to introduce your son to Zhimou?”

Hearing this, the patriarch finally remembered his eldest son had come along. He took his eyes off the barbecue and made introductions.

Liu Zhimou and the others called Liu Wenjie “Eldest Uncle.”

Liu Wenjie stared at Liu Zhimou for a long time, still feeling amazed. If it weren’t for the age difference, he would have thought this person was truly his Fourth Brother—they looked that much alike.

“Daydreaming? The children are calling you!” The old man patted Liu Wenjie and glared at him.

Liu Wenjie came to his senses, scratching his head awkwardly, and called out loudly.

“…“ How embarrassing. The old man glanced at his eldest son disdainfully. “Next time, remember to make up the greeting gift.”

“Alright, alright…” Liu Wenjie nodded embarrassedly. “I came in a hurry today and didn’t bring a gift, I’ll make up for it next time.”

“No need to be so formal.” Liu Zhimou smiled. “Eldest Uncle, come sit here, we can eat the barbecue now.”

Liu Wenjie nodded and sat on the empty bench next to his father, curiously looking at the grill. “This… this thing looks rather unusual.”

“This was my granddaughter’s idea. Wait until you taste it—you’ll see how good it is.” The old man proudly lifted his chin, staring at the sizzling meat, and quickly licked his lips.

It smelled incredible.

“Alright…” Seeing barbecue like this for the first time, Liu Wenjie eagerly anticipated the taste.

When he bit into the first piece, his eyes widened. He wasn’t afraid of burning his mouth, and finished it in a few bites.

“Delicious! Really delicious.” Liu Wenjie swallowed hard. “Nephew’s wife, how did you come up with this idea?”