CHAPTER 161: CHAPTER 159: SENDING GIFTS

Xie Liangchen saw the sugar candy in Song Xian’s hand and instinctively wanted to snatch it back.

It was somewhat... not quite appropriate for General Song to be holding something meant for children. If someone else saw it, it might undermine General Song’s authority.

However, Song Xian had no intention of returning the sugar candy to her.

"General Song," Xie Liangchen said, "I didn’t see it was you. I... I bought this to amuse Zigeng and make them happy."

When Song Xian arrived, he found her enjoying herself with the sugar candy pot, with the intention of teasing her deliberately. He reached out his hand in front of her.

She hadn’t noticed anything and naturally handed the sugar candy to him. He intended to pass it on to the children nearby but, for some reason, after hearing her say "amuse," he changed his mind and stood there, not wanting to give the sugar candy away.

The third person in the kitchen, Chen Yuyu, finally couldn’t hold it, hanging her head and breathing cautiously. She didn’t know if General Song was angry, but he held the sugar candy without throwing it away or returning it, nor did he intend to eat it; just holding it, oddly.

Song Xian stood still with the sugar candy, and Xie Liangchen was too embarrassed to ask for it back. She glanced at Chen Yuyu looking as if her soul had left her body and said, "Have you learned? Take it over and give it to the rest of the people."

Chen Yuyu responded, carefully carrying the remaining sugar candy away and placing it on the small stove outside.

The children all flocked over.

Xie Liangchen looked at Song Xian: "General, if you like it, try it. I made it myself, but it’s quite delicious."

Could he really eat this stuff? Song Xian was reluctant to take a bite.

Song Xian asked, "Is the meal not ready? Are there too many people?"

Xie Liangchen laughed and said, "There are chefs from your family and women from the village helping, so the food is almost ready. It’ll be served soon."

Here, Xie Liangchen paused and then continued, "Do you have official duties to attend to?"

Normally, even if misunderstood, Song Xian would nod, but today he didn’t follow his usual habit and said, "No, I’m free all day."

Xie Liangchen was somewhat surprised, "I thought..."

Song Xian asked, "Thought I was here to rush you? Do you always think I’m indifferent in your heart?"

After saying this, Song Xian looked carefully at Xie Liangchen’s reaction.

Xie Liangchen smiled, "I heard from Chang Yue that especially at times like this, one can’t slack off."

Song Xian watched as Xie Liangchen stoked the fire in the stove, beginning to cook pig stomach soup, busy for quite a while in the kitchen. Her pure white hands didn’t get a speck of dirt, and her slightly rolled-up sleeves were clean and tidy.

Song Xian said, "Today, Cheng Yanzhao is in the camp."

Xie Liangchen understood, "Should we send some food to Mr. Cheng? Song Xian and Cheng Yanzhao have deep ties, leaving Cheng Yanzhao alone in the military to stay awake may be a bit harsh."

Song Xian raised an eyebrow, "Once you’re in the army, soldiers always eat and reside together. If you send food to him, you’d have to bring a portion for every soldier in the camp."

Upon hearing this, considering her abilities, Xie Liangchen immediately gave up, "Then forget it."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t guess Song Xian’s thoughts, not knowing that mentioning Cheng Yanzhao reminded him of that bowl of hot soup noodles.

Although he mulled over it for quite a while, Song Xian still felt uneasy and thus said, "Will there be noodles tonight?"

Xie Liangchen hadn’t prepared noodles; she looked up, "If the General wants to eat, I’ll make some."

Song Xian did not refuse.

Xie Liangchen guessed and asked, "Noodles?"

"Yes," Song Xian then said, "The kind you made for me the first time."

First time?

Xie Liangchen recalled carefully, in Song Xian’s small courtyard? If Song Xian hadn’t mentioned it, she would have almost forgotten this.

Xie Liangchen remembered Song Xian’s expression that night, "Did you eat later, Sir?"

Song Xian said, "No."

Xie Liangchen had already guessed. Given Song Xian’s desire to kill her that night, it was impossible for him to touch her food. Considering how they could talk like this within a few months was indeed not easy.

Perhaps the New Year’s atmosphere was too good, Song Xian’s voice softened slightly, "Make it exactly like that night."

Even with the same chef using the same ingredients, it might not be exactly the same. However, Xie Liangchen did not argue with Song Xian and just smiled, "Okay, but if I could get the pot from the small courtyard kitchen, it’d be even better."

Knowing Xie Liangchen didn’t really want that pot, Song Xian still couldn’t help but ask, "Why?"

Xie Liangchen pursed her lips, "The closest thing comes from the same pot."

Song Xian’s mouth moved slightly, finally curving into a smile.

When Xie Liangchen looked up, she glimpsed that smile. She suddenly noticed that when Song Xian smiled, his eye corners would slightly squint, making his eyes look particularly slender. Once those eyes no longer had coldness and indifference, the slender, upturned black bright eyes held a hint of mistiness.

Xie Liangchen was curious that Song Xian could have such an expression, so she lingered her gaze for a moment.

The kitchen was very warm, and no one came to disrupt. The atmosphere was just right. Song Xian said, "By the mountain land your father bought, there’s another mountain land."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Yes, that mountain land is large, bigger than the combined mountain land my father left, reputedly bought by a retired official, never cultivated."

Xie Liangchen had just said this when she saw a document presented in front of her.

Xie Liangchen was at a loss, "What is this?"

Song Xian said calmly, "You’ve done very well these days. Consider this your New Year’s gift."

What could it be? Xie Liangchen was about to open the document to look.

Song Xian interrupted Xie Liangchen’s action, "There’s no rush with the meal. Take your time. Tonight is New Year’s Eve, don’t tire yourself too much. Many jobs can be given to the chef I brought."

Song Xian intended to leave.

Xie Liangchen stood up and bowed, "If Sir doesn’t want to eat the sugar candy, just leave it here!"

Song Xian thought for a moment and put the sugar candy into his mouth.

It was very sweet.

He hadn’t eaten something this sweet in a long time; it was a bit unpalatable, but he didn’t spit it out.

Song Xian left the kitchen with the sugar candy in his mouth. His tall figure and the two small wooden sticks in his mouth were indeed a mismatch.

Xie Liangchen’s gaze landed on the document in her hand, and she slowly opened it, reading it carefully. It was a land deed that described the vast mountain land.

Was this for her?

She did work for him, but it was also for herself and Chen Family Village.

Usually, Song Xian would give her a few sheep, and she could accept them with peace of mind. But now, such a large piece of mountain land... what does Song Xian mean by this?

What is she supposed to do with this mountain land?

She disliked owing people, especially this kind of unequal giving, which made her uneasy and guilty in receiving.

Realizing this, Xie Liangchen didn’t hesitate at all; she had to find Song Xian and return it.