“Bai is so beautiful… I didn’t expect I’d be so dazzled I can’t even think straight.”
“No wonder Chen Zhiqing cries every time something happens—she’s fooling everyone with that pitiful act ”
The villagers were abuzz with gossip, their voices lively and exaggerated. Chen Yanran’s face flushed red with anger as she listened; unable to take it anymore, she turned and ran back to the Educated Youth Center, tears welling up in her eyes.
When Xu Ying heard the villagers’ chatter, she almost laughed herself breathless. The old ladies of Xujiacun were just too adorable.
At that moment, Huo Chen approached, carrying a large basket of wild game on his back. Ever since their last farewell, he hadn’t seen Xu Ying again, but today he had come with a purpose.
Old gray had raised him like a mother; it wasn’t an exaggeration to say she was the closest thing he had to family. Xu Ying hadn’t just saved him—she had saved Old gray too. That kind of life-saving kindness wasn’t something that could be repaid lightly.
“Xu Ying, these are for you.” Huo Chen motioned to the large basket on his back.
Xu Ying’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. She stood on tiptoe to peek inside—and gasped. The basket was brimming with wild game: pheasants, rabbits, ducks… a whole bounty of them.
Her eyes lit up at once, shimmering like stars against the night sky.
Though Xu Ying was stronger than the average woman, the basket was almost as tall as a rock wall—there was no way she could carry such a load on her own.
Yet Huo Chen, the straightforward man he was, simply stood there, waiting for her to take it home.
“Huo Chen, I really can’t lift it,” Xu Ying said, a hint of frustration in her voice.
At the sound of her soft, slightly helpless tone, something stirred inside Huo Chen. He froze for a moment, then hesitated briefly before replying, “I’ll carry it back for you.”
Xu Ying’s eyes brightened immediately as she nodded eagerly.
Seeing her reaction, Huo Chen’s heart settled a little. Without another word, he followed Xu Ying toward her home, step by steady step.
“Mom, I’m home!” Xu Ying called out as they reached the courtyard gate.
Mother Xu’s voice rang out joyfully as she hurried outside, a smile on her face—until her eyes landed on Huo Chen. In an instant, her smile faltered. “What are you doing here?”
Huo Chen’s reputation as a “wild wolf cub” wasn’t unfounded. Everyone said he was fierce, cold, and dangerous. Until now, Mother Xu had only seen him from a distance.
Standing before him now, taking in his tall, imposing figure, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of fear.
“Xu Ying saved me and Old gray ,” Huo Chen said calmly. “I’ve brought something to thank her.”
Mother Xu’s gaze softened slightly at his words, though her wariness remained. “Put the basket down, then go.”
Huo Chen, unaware of her nervousness, thought she was only worried about her daughter’s reputation. Respectfully, he set the basket down and turned to leave.
“Wait—take the basket with you,” Mother Xu called after him, reaching to lift it herself.
“Uh—” She tugged hard, but the basket didn’t budge. Despite trying again with all her strength, it wouldn’t move an inch. Her face flushed red with exertion.
She turned to Huo Chen, a little embarrassed. “Huo Chen, right? Go ahead and carry it into the yard.”
Obediently, Huo Chen hefted the basket and brought it inside.
Mother Xu was a little surprised. He wasn’t nearly as scary as the rumors claimed.
Rumors really could ruin a person.
Seeing his quiet, respectful demeanor, Mother Xu’s wariness gradually faded. This poor boy… orphaned so young, left to fend for himself.
“Huo Chen, why don’t you stay for dinner?” she offered warmly, eyeing the pile of wild game he’d brought. No wonder the basket had been so heavy—there had to be more than twenty animals inside.
Good heavens… he must’ve cleaned out half the mountain.
If only her own sons were this capable—they’d never have to worry about lacking meat.
Looking at Huo Chen, Mother Xu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Whichever girl ended up marrying him would never go hungry.
What a pity the villagers’ gossip had scared so many away. Who would dare to marry him?
“I can’t,” Huo Chen shook his head gently. “My grandma’s waiting for me to eat at home.”
Mother Xu nodded understandingly. She helped unload all the wild game from the basket, then handed the empty frame back to him. After a pause, she picked out a few pheasants and hares, pressing them into his hands. “Here—take these back for you and your grandma to enjoy.”
“I really don’t need them,” Huo Chen declined politely. “We still have plenty at home.”
His words caught Mother Xu off guard.
…Plenty at home?
She let out a quiet hiss. What kind of household is this? Truly, a family of wealth.
With the empty basket slung over his back, Huo Chen took his leave.
Meanwhile, Xu Ying headed into the kitchen, eager to try a new recipe: Mandarin Duck Chicken.
She flipped through the recipe book and quickly understood the dish. First, the chicken was steamed. Then, it was thickened with sauce, drizzled with oil, and plated beautifully.
The finished dish would be crispy yet tender, with bright colors and an elegant presentation. True to its name, it resembled a pair of mandarin ducks and offered two distinct flavors.
The red chicken was stuffed with savory pork; the white chicken filled with delicate barley.
It was a true culinary masterpiece.
When the dish was finally done, its mouthwatering aroma wafted through the entire courtyard.
With so many mouths to feed—and thanks to Huo Chen’s generous gift—Xu Ying made two portions of the mandarin duck chicken, along with two vegetarian dishes.
“Mom, Dad, dinner’s ready!” Xu Ying called.
Her family, who’d been eagerly waiting in the yard, practically sprinted into the kitchen, carrying bowls and chopsticks.
“Dad, I’m going to send some food to Grandma—and some to Grandma Huo’s house too. They’ve given us so much wild game,” Xu Ying said, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Father Xu nodded thoughtfully. “Alright. Boys—one of you take food to Grandma’s house, and the other to Huo Chen’s. Oh, and take a couple of pheasants and hares to your grandma too—we’ve got too much to finish by ourselves.”
Mother Xu had no objections. In fact, she’d been planning to bring some to her parents’ home herself. Her younger brother’s wedding had been planned for the start of the year, but it’d been months without any news.
At the dinner table, Xu Ying took a bite of the mandarin duck chicken, her eyes lighting up.
It was every bit as delicious as the book had promised.
The chicken skin was crispy yet luscious, the meat tender and juicy.
Each bite of the eight-treasure stuffing unfolded into layers of flavor—rich, savory, delightfully complex.
Between the red and white chicken, subtle differences emerged. The white chicken was light, delicate, almost refreshing. The red chicken was bold and deeply flavorful, leaving a lingering warmth on the tongue.
Suddenly, a familiar sound chimed in her mind.
[Congratulations, host: Favorability +1, +1, +1…]
[Congratulations, host: Favorability +1, +1…]
[Congratulations, host: Favorability +5, +1, +5, +1…]
“…System, why are there +5s mixed in?!” Xu Ying stared in disbelief.
[Unknown. However, the +5 points appear to come from Huo Chen.]
What the heck!
At this rate… wouldn’t it be best to cling tightly to Huo Chen’s thigh? Just one person was worth five others. Oh my god, this is too much!
In no time, dozens of points had been added. Only 250 more to reach the next upgrade.
The next morning, the sunlight streamed through Xu Ying’s window, warming her face as she remained wrapped in her quilt.
From outside came Mother Xu’s voice, closer than expected. Xu Ying blinked and saw her mother’s enlarged face peering through the window. “Sweetheart, I’m heading to your grandma’s house. You coming?”
She clearly wanted Xu Ying to come along—it’d be much more comfortable riding together in the cart.
Xu Ying yawned, immediately understanding her mother’s hint. She groaned softly, sat up, and started getting dressed with her eyes still half-closed.
“Mom… what’s for breakfast?” she mumbled through another yawn.
Mother Xu smiled, having already prepared a warm meal: multigrain steamed buns mixed with white flour—far tastier than when Xu Ying first arrived—alongside scrambled eggs and a steaming bowl of porridge.
After washing up, Xu Ying felt refreshed and energized. Sitting at the table, she savored her breakfast slowly while Mother Xu bustled off to borrow a cart from the old house.