allonlinenovel Chapter 198 Visiting the Xue Family
Chapter 198 Visiting the Xue Family
Since they needed something from her, Lin Xiaotang felt a little awkward coming to visit. She forced a smile and said, "My family has been quite busy lately, so we haven't had a chance to come and visit you. Today, my dad and I finally had some free time, so we brought some of your favorite braised pig's trotters to come and see you. We also want to catch up with Uncle Xue."
The servants took the things from their hands and stepped aside.
Xue Ruifeng took Lin Xiaotang's hand and walked into the courtyard. He smiled and said, "Xiaotang, my father has gone out. He will probably be back later. You and Uncle Qingchuan, come into the mansion quickly. I will show you around."
Last time, when Xiaotang and Uncle Qingchuan brought him back, as soon as they entered the courtyard, the eldest brother misunderstood and thought they had said some offensive things, which made everyone very embarrassed. This time, he must make him show his savior the proper hospitality.
He cheerfully pulled Lin Xiaotang past his older brother, completely ignoring his brother's dark expression.
Xue Hanxing finally heard that Lin Xiaotang had arrived, so he ran as fast as he could. But because he had tidied himself up a little, he fell behind his younger brother. Lin Xiaotang's hand was then grabbed by her brother, which made him very angry.
At this moment, Madam Xue came out to meet the guests, surrounded by several maids. When she saw that her two sons were running faster than her, she had to believe what her husband had told her.
Both of her sons adored Lin Xiaotang, this clever and quick-witted girl.
"So you are Ruifeng's benefactor. Please come into the front hall for tea and a leisurely chat. My husband will be back soon."
Madam Xue was a lady from a prominent family. She spoke gently and politely, with a smile on her face that made people unconsciously put down their inhibitions.
Xue Ruifeng felt that his house was too big and Xiaotang's house was too small. He was eager to show Xiaotang around his house, so he immediately said, "Mom, you go back to the backyard first. My brother and I will entertain Uncle Qingchuan. Dad will be back soon. You should go and arrange for the kitchen to make lunch. Let Uncle Qingchuan and Xiaotang stay and have lunch with us."
It would be improper for Madam Xue, a woman confined to her household, to entertain Lin Qingchuan alone. She was also afraid of gossip. It was perfect that her son was willing to take the Lin family father and daughter around, which would also help them pass the time until her husband returned.
"Alright, Hanxing, Ruifeng, you two take good care of our benefactor. I'll go arrange for the kitchen to prepare lunch." Madam Xue smiled gently, patted her youngest son's head, and then bowed to Lin Qingchuan, saying, "Mr. Lin, please excuse me."
After saying that, she led several maids away and headed towards the kitchen inside the mansion.
Lin Qingchuan was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, how did he become Mr. Lin when he was just a farmer in the countryside?
Having lived all these years, this was the first time he had ever been called Mr. Lin. Madam Xue was truly a discerning person; by addressing him like that, he instantly felt like a respectable person.
Seeing her father staring blankly at the spot where Madam Xue had left, Lin Xiaotang quietly looked around. There were no servants nearby, so she quickly reached out and tugged at her father's sleeve to remind him.
She mainly wanted to wave her hand in front of her father's eyes, but she was too short to reach it.
"Father, this is the Xue residence. Don't look around carelessly, lest it cause misunderstandings, which would be bad for you and everyone else."
Oh, right!
This is the Xue residence; how could he just wander around aimlessly?
Besides, he wasn't really looking at Madam Xue; he was just curious that Madam Xue called him Mr. Lin.
Even people from the countryside have to be mindful of avoiding suspicion!
Xue Ruifeng was young and spoiled at home, so he was used to being pampered. He acted on a whim and pulled Xiaotang into his own yard.
"Xiao Tang, let me take you to my yard first. There's a rockery and a small fishpond in my yard with lots of goldfish. If you just sprinkle a little bit of fish food on the edge of the pond, they'll all swim right up to you. It's a lot of fun. Oh, and... Uncle Qingchuan, you should come with us to take a look too."
Xue Hanxing tugged at his clothes, feeling extremely angry. His younger brother was a chatterbox, and whenever his brother was around, everyone's attention was always on his brother, leaving him completely invisible.
He wouldn't care at all if it were anyone else, letting his younger brother joke and play around with others as he pleased. But Lin Xiaotang was different; she was someone he cared about.
Without saying a word, he abruptly slapped his brother's hand away, snatched Lin Xiaotang's hand, and gave his brother a cold look, saying, "I have something to say to Xiaotang. You take Uncle Qingchuan to see your little fishpond first. I'll take Xiaotang there in a bit. You two wait there for a while."
what?
The older brother wanted to talk to Xiaotang about something, but what could they possibly have to talk about?
He was always there whenever his older brother and Xiaotang met, but when did those two ever keep a secret from him?
Xiao Tang and Uncle Qingchuan are his benefactors, and he was the one who stayed at Xiao Tang's house for two days, so why does his older brother always insist on playing with Xiao Tang?
His savior was his, and his friends should be his too. When Xiaotang and Uncle Qingchuan came to visit, why was his older brother more flustered than he was?
snort!
He said angrily, "Big brother, don't you have any friends? Xiaotang is my friend. She and Uncle Qingchuan are my saviors. I'll show them around our house. You should go and study."
Big brother is such a nuisance!
Xue Hanxing's face grew darker and darker. He said with some disdain, "What do you know, you're just a kid? I have something important to tell Xiaotang. You can take her to visit our house later. Don't you love osmanthus cake and peach blossom pastry the most? Quickly have the servants prepare some for Uncle Qingchuan and Xiaotang to try."
Upon hearing this, Xue Ruifeng's eyes widened immediately. His eyes lit up as he said, "How could I forget to let Xiaotang try the peach blossom pastries and osmanthus cakes made by our cook?" He turned his head proudly and said, "Uncle Qingchuan, Xiaotang, I'll have the servants tell the kitchen to make peach blossom pastries and osmanthus cakes right away. You don't know how good our cook is at making pastries. The peach blossom pastries and osmanthus cakes they make are much tastier than those sold in shops. I'll definitely have them make a lot so you can take some home with you and let Aunt Liu and Xiaoyu try them too."
"Young Master Xue, there's no need to trouble the kitchen. We're just ordinary people and can't stomach this kind of food." Lin Qingchuan, being an adult, naturally had to politely decline.
Lin Xiaotang nodded vigorously and said, "Okay, Xiaoyu and I like to eat it. Go and have someone arrange it. Xue Ruifeng, thank you."
Xue Ruifeng gradually became lost in her sweet "thank you" and immediately ran happily to find a servant to make arrangements.
Xue Hanxing blushed slightly as he glanced at Lin Qingchuan, then politely asked, "Uncle Qingchuan, may I speak with Xiaotang for a few minutes?"
"Of course, it would be great if you kids could play together." Lin Qingchuan felt that his daughter was acting like an adult, worrying about business all day and losing her childlike innocence. He would be happy if she could play with other children her age.
However, he only knew that adults should avoid suspicion, but forgot that children should also avoid suspicion.
Lin Xiaotang isn't a real child, so she won't overthink things, but it's hard to guarantee that other children won't.
For example, Xue Hanxing led Xiaotang through a long corridor, through a round gate, and into his courtyard.
He took a small jade fox out of his sleeve and placed it in Xiao Tang's hand.
The jade fox is only the size of a palm. When held up to the light, it is translucent and lustrous, with an exquisite and adorable appearance, and looks quite valuable.