CHAPTER 270: CHAPTER 270: OUYANG XUAN (5)_1

"Yes, from now on, our family will always be with you, and you won’t be alone anymore," Shangguan Qing gently took her into his arms. Although this place was big, it could feel very lonely being alone. Could it be that the girl’s temperament had changed?

"Yes, Brother Qing, let’s go. They’re waiting for us downstairs," she said.

"Yes," he replied.

"Youyou, I will also be with you in the future, and I won’t let you be alone. When you feel lonely, you can come to me." Gui Mo, seeing how close the siblings were, felt an inexplicable sourness in his heart. Whatever Shangguan Qing could do, he could do as well. His peach blossom eyes were full of grievance.

"Gui Mo, have you lost your mind? My sister is naturally for me to cherish. You have your own sister, Gui Luo, back in Beijing; you can cherish her just the same." Shangguan Qing moved Shangguan You behind him. Gui Mo had been desperately tagging along, shamelessly clinging to them. Shangguan Qing had long realized this guy harbored ill intentions.

First, there was an unknown Ye Sanshao, and now Gui Mo, who even dared to try and steal her away right in front of him. He was simply asking for death.

"I only like Youyou; I don’t like Gui Luo. Qing, let’s hurry up and go. Others are waiting for us, and Youyou’s stomach is already growling with hunger," Gui Mo quickly said. Sensing Shangguan Qing’s anger, he swiftly headed downstairs. Now that he had successfully moved in, his chances had improved by half. There was plenty of time, no need to rush, no need to rush, Gui Mo constantly reassured himself.

The group of six drove Han Yachu’s and Lan Xuan’s cars. After parking them properly, they walked into an alley on a backstreet, arriving once again at the Xiangnan Style Pavilion, which was also Zhu Li’s family’s small restaurant. At three in the afternoon, a slow business time, the restaurant was almost empty. As they walked in, Mr. Zhu and Mrs. Zhu came out enthusiastically to welcome the group inside.

"Uncle, Aunt," Shangguan You called with a smile, looking at the middle-aged couple before her. Although not wealthy, they led a very happy and fulfilling life with a warm family. This was the kind of life she envied, the kind she had always wanted.

"Youyou, school has been in session for several days now, and Li has been talking about you every day. We’ve finally been eagerly awaiting your return! Come by more often when you have time. We’ll make you something delicious."

"Yes, our Li only has you as a friend. If you don’t mind, come by for meals every day."

"Alright, I will come every day. Just don’t find me annoying," she replied cheerfully.

"Even if you stayed at our place, we would welcome you," Mr. and Mrs. Zhu said warmly. The group made their way inside, and their hosts started to busy themselves preparing food. All the ingredients were ready and just needed to be cooked.

"Youyou, you all sit down for a bit; I’m going in to help," Zhu Li said quickly before running into the back room to assist.

"Zhu Li, wait for me! I want to help too," Shangguan You cried out, handing what she was carrying to Shangguan Qing and also running into the kitchen.

The four men left behind looked at each other. None of them had ever been to such a place, such a restaurant; this was a first. As Crown Princes, they were born superior to others, each with a silver spoon in his mouth. Ordinarily, they wouldn’t have given a place like this a second glance, nor would they have ventured into such an alley.

Watching the hospitable family, feeling their warmth, and seeing Shangguan You smiling and helping in the kitchen, the four began to reflect inwardly. Though the place might not compare to five-star hotels or the food served there, it possessed a certain warmth and happiness.

Hearing Shangguan You’s cheerful laughter from time to time, Shangguan Qing understood the change in the girl even more. On New Year’s Eve, she had been willing to cook personally. That was likely due to Zhu Li’s influence, making her want to prepare a meal for her family with her own hands.

"I’m going to help," Shangguan Qing quickly said, rolling up his sleeves high and heading toward the kitchen.

"Brother Qing, what are you doing here? Since you’re here now, come and help. You can wash the vegetables; just like at our place, we can each wash one side," Shangguan You’s clear voice rang out.

"The kitchen is no place for you young people! Li, quickly take your classmates out. Food will be ready soon. We can handle these things," Mrs. Zhu and Mr. Zhu quickly said, trying to shoo them away.

"Uncle, Aunt, it’s okay. At home, Brother Qing often washes the vegetables, and he even washes all our bowls," Shangguan You said confidently.

"The girl’s right. I’ll help wash the vegetables," Shangguan Qing said with a light smile. He then moved towards the sink, starting to wash with Shangguan You, one on the left and the other on the right. "Youyou, the water is cold; let me do it."

"It’s not cold. Uncle and Aunt have already snapped up all the other chores, so we can only wash some vegetables and lend a hand."

"So, Youyou, did you learn to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes here too?"

"Brother Qing, don’t say another word!"

"What, is Youyou shy now?"

Laughter filled the kitchen. Lan Xuan and the others exchanged glances, somewhat astounded, before also standing up and heading toward the kitchen. If the Crown Princes of Beijing could do it, they naturally could too. With the addition of a group of young masters to the kitchen, it became even livelier and more boisterous, until the cheerful atmosphere was shattered by several screams.

A few screams of "AH!" followed by several loud THUDS and BANGS came from outside, making everyone in the kitchen pause. When had public safety in B City deteriorated so much that brawls were now a common sight in broad daylight?

"Dad, Mom, let’s hurry and close the door! If they bring their fight into our shop, we’ll suffer more losses!" Zhu Li exclaimed, her face paling slightly at the screams and banging sounds. She quickly put down what she was doing, intending to close the door.

"Li!" Mr. and Mrs. Zhu quickly grabbed their daughter as she tried to run out. If they went out to close the door now, wouldn’t they just be serving themselves up for them to vent their anger on?

"Just let them be. We’re not the police; we can’t manage that much. We just need to run this little shop well, enough for our family to live on. Other things are none of our concern."

"That’s right, Li. Come and help quickly. Youyou and the others are hungry," Mrs. Zhu said, pulling Zhu Li back and directing her to chop vegetables.

"Zhu Li, what’s going on?" Shangguan You and Shangguan Qing exchanged a glance, then asked in confusion. Although the people living here were a mixed crowd, public safety wasn’t usually this bad, with fights breaking out everywhere.