TSWPF -Chapter 386 Returning the Favor

Diandian let out a happy little “awoo,” pawing at Li Qingling’s calves and lifting its little head toward her, as if saying it would go up the mountain to hunt wild game for her.

Li Qingling squatted down, ruffling Diandian’s little head, said “good,” and reminded it to be careful.

Diandian let out two soft grunts, indicating it understood.

Li Qingling then gave Ah Huang and Ah Bai a few instructions before letting them follow Mr. Luo and the others up the mountain.

She let out a small sigh, turning to Liu Zhimou. “I kind of regret it… I shouldn’t have agreed to let them go up the mountain. Now that they’re gone, my heart keeps twisting and turning…”

Liu Zhimou held her hand, smiling as he comforted her, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

Li Qingling sighed again, giving a helpless “mm,” hoping he was right.

Fearing she would keep overthinking, Liu Zhimou led her back to the room, giving her a book to distract her attention.

Meanwhile, Mr. Luo and the others cheerfully made their way up Ninghua Mountain. Fortunately, their path was nearby; otherwise, anyone seeing them would be utterly shocked.

“Old Xue, you’re in for a treat today. I’ll let you taste my skills,” Mr. Luo said leisurely, hands behind his back.

Old Xue glanced at him suspiciously. “You can cook?”

He truly couldn’t imagine Mr. Luo cooking. Had he ever really cooked before? Could his food even be eaten? He worried—would it upset the stomach? Should he take medicine just in case?

“I may not know cooking, but I can roast wild chickens and rabbits,” Mr. Luo said proudly, lifting his chin. “My skills have been praised by Xiao Ling—fully certified.”

“Oh? Then I’ll have to try it,” Old Xue said, curious to see if he was really that good.

He felt a mix of admiration, jealousy, and envy. Mr. Luo not only got to stay near Li Qingling and the others but could also wander freely. How enviable, how infuriating!

He wondered when the emperor would finally let him leave. He longed to get out of that chaotic palace and live the life he truly wanted.

If he had known, he would never have agreed to return as a court physician—so little freedom.

What was he thinking back then? Why agree to the emperor’s command?

After all, when the king orders, one cannot refuse, unless one is willing to risk their life.

It’s so difficult…

Mr. Luo hummed twice and said to Old Xue, “Just wait. I promise it’ll be so delicious, you’ll want to swallow your tongue.”

Exaggerated… Old Xue didn’t believe him and glanced at Mr. Luo, thinking he’d wait until after tasting. Until then, all these grand claims were meaningless.

Seeing Old Xue’s doubt, Mr. Luo wasn’t offended. Once he showed his skills, Old Xue would know whether he spoke the truth.

Once they reached the mountain, the guards went hunting first. After eating, they would gather wild vegetables and fruits.

The guards worked quickly; soon, they returned with three wild chickens and three wild rabbits.

By the stream, they efficiently cleaned the game and let Mr. Luo start roasting it while they continued hunting.

Mr. Luo hummed, skillfully skewering the birds and rabbits and placing them on a prepared rack.

Old Xue sat beside him, asking, “Are there really that many animals on Ninghua Mountain? How else could the guards be so fast?”

“Indeed. Ninghua Mountain has wolves, scaring the villagers away from hunting, which let the game multiply rapidly,” Mr. Luo explained, turning a chicken on the spit. “It works to our advantage.” Since arriving in Ninghua County, who knows how much game they had already ‘taken care of’?

This could be seen as removing a nuisance for the people; overpopulation of wild game isn’t a good thing.

Recalling the dried wild chickens and rabbits Mr. Luo had sent him before, Old Xue swallowed hard. “We should hunt plenty today and bring some home to dry. That flavor… unforgettable.”

Now he had the chance to hunt—he wouldn’t miss it.

“Leave it to the guards. I’m not skilled enough to hunt,” Mr. Luo said.

“Of course. If you were that good, I’d have to call you brother!” Old Xue joked—if Mr. Luo could hunt, his pride would soar.

Mr. Luo glanced at him and clicked his tongue. “Old Xue, you’re older than me, yet you want to call me brother? Call me old, then.”

“…?”

Old Xue fumed. Call him old? He was clearly a few months younger…

Looking at Mr. Luo, he had to admit—he was younger.

He rubbed his cheek, contemplating whether to take better care of himself. Younger but looking older—it irritated him.

“Stop touching it. No matter what, you can’t beat me,” Mr. Luo thought triumphantly, almost whistling in delight.

He wanted to punch Old Xue in the face to see if he’d still act smug.

He resolved to take care of his face properly and never look older than Old Xue.

“Just you wait, Old Xue. I’ll be younger than you someday.”

“Heh… I’ll be waiting…”

The two old men bickered playfully until Diandian dragged a wild chicken and dropped it by Mr. Luo’s feet, finally pausing them.

“What’s it doing?” Old Xue asked, puzzled.

Diandian let out a little “awoo” to Mr. Luo and looked at the chicken roasting on the spit.

Mr. Luo asked cautiously, “You want the chicken?”

Diandian nodded, pushing the raw chicken toward Mr. Luo and gesturing at the roasting chicken.

Mr. Luo understood. “Diandian, you want to trade, don’t you?”

“Awooo…” Yes.

Such a clever little creature…

Mr. Luo chuckled, patting Diandian’s head. “Good. Wait until it’s cooked, then you can eat.”

Diandian happily spun around Mr. Luo twice before running off.

“This little one has become quite clever,” Old Xue marveled. “Thinking to trade a raw chicken for a roasted one… smarter than its own parents.”

“Ah Huang and Ah Bai aren’t dumb either. How could their offspring be foolish?” Mr. Luo said.

Old Xue nodded in agreement. Indeed, this was remarkable. He had never seen such a clever animal before.

If he told others, they’d think he was crazy. One animal could hardly be this intelligent without seeing it firsthand.

Mr. Luo brushed seasoning onto the wild chickens, roasted them a bit longer, then called out to Diandian.

“Here, Old Xue, try this wild chicken—see how it tastes.” He handed one to Old Xue and called the children by the stream, “Kids, come eat!”

The children rushed over and sat by Mr. Luo, waiting for their portions.

Mr. Luo handed the chickens to Liu Zhiyan to distribute.

Liu Zhiyan pulled a drumstick for Dahe, who waved it to be given to Li Qingning and the others.

“Here, you’ve eaten a few times already. Now it’s mainly for you to taste.”

Dahe hesitated, thanked him, and took it.

Liu Zhiyan distributed the remaining drumsticks and wings to Li Qingning and the others, keeping only a bit for himself.

Mr. Luo nodded, approving Liu Zhiyan’s care for his younger siblings.

He reached for one of the chickens Old Xue was holding, yanking a drumstick and handing it to Liu Zhiyan.

Liu Zhiyan refused, letting Mr. Luo keep it.

Mr. Luo forcefully placed it in his hand, saying it was a reward.

Liu Zhiyan smiled, thanked him, and began eating.

At this moment, Diandian dragged a rabbit over, dropping it in front of Li Qingning.

“Diandian, you’re planning to trade this rabbit for a roasted one?”

Diandian shook its little head, then pawed at her backpack.

“Awooo…” Bring it home for the master.

“Put it in the basket?”

“Awooo awooo…” Yes, yes! Diandian nodded enthusiastically.

Li Qingning laughed, placing the rabbit in the basket, asking if it was meant for her sister. Last time, Diandian had brought home a rabbit for her sister too.

Diandian licked Li Qingning’s hand, nodded, and ran back to Mr. Luo’s side, letting out an “awoo” to ask for a roasted chicken.

Mr. Luo laughed, placing a roasted chicken in front of it. Diandian pounced on it, tearing into it eagerly.

“Awooo awooo…” Delicious, delicious! It raised its oil-covered mouth and called to Mr. Luo.

It was the first time eating roasted chicken—unexpectedly delicious.

“Good, right?” Mr. Luo patted its head proudly. “It’s cooling down, eat quickly.”

Diandian let out another “awoo” and continued eating.

Mr. Luo glanced at Old Xue. “How’s the taste?”

Old Xue had to admit—Mr. Luo’s roasting was impressive.

“Still far behind Xiao Ling,” he said stubbornly. “Barely edible.”

Mr. Luo smirked, ignoring him, and continued roasting the rabbits.

Old Xue refused to admit Mr. Luo’s skill, but Diandian fully acknowledged it. After finishing the chicken, it eagerly watched Mr. Luo again.

Seeing this, Mr. Luo said, “All done. Want to try the roasted rabbit? It’s quite good too.”

Diandian tilted its head, then nodded, calling out to him before running off.

As Mr. Luo neared finishing another rabbit, Diandian returned, dragging yet another rabbit, pushing it to Mr. Luo.

“You even understand the concept of returning a favor? Wonderful,” Mr. Luo said, patting Diandian, growing even fonder of it.

Having given the rabbit in exchange, Diandian sat contentedly beside Mr. Luo, waiting for its roasted rabbit.