Chapter 448: Day 13 into the Farming Story

Chapter 448: The Thirteenth Day in a Farming Story

On the other side, Jiang Chiliu finished preparing the current batch of ingredients. With no new orders for the moment, he straightened up, wiped the sweat from his forehead and the back of his neck with the cloth draped around his neck, and let out a long breath.

His gaze habitually swept over the area near his stall. When his eyes passed over the corner of the tea stall diagonally across, they inevitably landed on An Yi again.

There was no helping it—even sitting in the corner, An Yi's presence was far too striking.

Jiang Chiliu's gaze lingered on An Yi for a moment, enjoying the view, then he withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and returned to his busy work.

A young scholar happened to witness this scene.

Fu Cong held a scroll in his hand, his steps originally heading toward the spicy hot pot stall, a hint of anticipation on his face.

However, when he saw Jiang Chiliu wiping his sweat and resting, his gaze drifting toward the tea stall and lingering there noticeably longer than usual, he paused mid-step.

His fingers tightened slightly around the scroll, and his lips pressed into a thin line. A flicker of tension crossed his face.

He stood still, his gaze shifting between Jiang Chiliu and the tea stall.

After a moment, as if he'd pulled himself together, he resumed his steps and walked toward the stall.

"Liu Geer," Fu Cong called out.

Jiang Chiliu looked up at the sound. Seeing who it was, a brighter smile than he gave ordinary customers immediately bloomed on his face. His eyes curved like crescents, and even the red mole on his forehead seemed more vivid: "Master Fu is here? The usual today?" His tone was familiar and natural, clearly indicating the two were already well acquainted.

"Mm." Fu Cong nodded, his gaze falling on Jiang Chiliu's sweat-beaded face, his eyes softening slightly. "Thanks, Liu Geer."

He paused, then added, "You're working up a sweat—make sure you take breaks. Don't overwork yourself."

"No worries, I love being busy!" Jiang Chiliu smiled and began swiftly preparing Fu Cong's usual order.

Fu Cong casually stepped two paces to the side, planting himself right in the line of sight toward the tea stall.

Comment section:

"Pfft—Fu Cong, are you serious?! He's just good-looking, what's wrong with a few extra glances! You're already getting jealous?"

"Hahahaha, gotta give it to Master Fu! He makes it look casual, but he's low-key guarding hard!"

"The jealousy hits so quietly and fast! (Crying with laughter) (Crying with laughter)"

"Forget 'stay away from what's improper'—that's just jealousy talking! Fu Cong, just admit it!"

"Liu Geer's totally oblivious! He's just all about the grind!"

"But who is that person anyway? The author's been dropping so many hints—he can't just be a background character! I need to know who he is!"

"+1, dying to know!"

"Wait, is this guy actually Fu Cong's love rival?"

"..."

An Yi paused in his eating.

He laughed to himself. What now? Even after a total identity and appearance change, far from the original storyline, he still couldn't fully escape his fate as a source of drama?

Just demoted from the original's tragic figure to a minor side piece?

He happily polished off the spicy hot pot in his bowl, feeling warm and totally content.

He also downed two cups of tea to cool the burn.

After paying for the tea, he returned the bowl to Jiang Chiliu's stall and retrieved his deposit.

Jiang Chiliu was preparing ingredients for a customer. Seeing him return the bowl, he looked up with a smile: "How was it, young master? Did it hit the spot?"

An Yi handed the bowl back and nodded in praise, speaking sincerely: "You've got real skill, boss."

Jiang Chiliu was pleased as punch. A proud grin spread across his face: "Glad you liked it, young master! Come back anytime! We're always trying new soup bases and dishes—next time, who knows what we'll have!"

"I'll be back." An Yi smiled slightly, pocketed the deposit, gave Jiang Chiliu a quick nod, then turned and left the stall. He quickly melted into the bustling East Market crowd and vanished.

Fu Cong stood not far away, holding his own steaming bowl of spicy hot pot, but his eyes couldn't help but follow An Yi's retreating figure until the crowd swallowed him whole.

He pressed his lips together and looked away, glanced down at the food in his bowl, and then caught a blurry glimpse of himself in a nearby stall's water bucket—a guy in a faded blue robe. A flicker of melancholy and insecurity passed through him.

Someone like that was like the moon in the sky—naturally radiant, while he... was just a poor scholar grinding away, with no clue where his future was headed.

But that feeling faded fast.

Because Jiang Chiliu just finished a wave of orders, looked up, and saw him still there, and called out: "Master Fu, eat it while it's hot! It's no good cold!"

Warmth spread through Fu Cong's chest, and the gloom vanished.

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An Yi strolled slowly along the main street. Just as he hit a crossroads, he heard a familiar, surprised voice come from the side: "Young Master An? What a coincidence!"

An Yi turned his head to look. Di Qingji was stepping out of a shop called "Liu's Blacksmith Shop."

He had a long saber at his hip, his tall frame towering at the shop entrance. Beside him was a young man dressed in the same escort attire.

Di Qingji spotted An Yi standing at the street corner at a glance. His eyes visibly brightened, and he strode over with long, vigorous steps, his robes slightly billowing with the movement.

"Young Chief Di." An Yi stopped, turned to face him, and a warm smile appeared on his face. "Indeed, quite a coincidence."

"It certainly is!" Di Qingji approached and naturally instructed the young escort beside him: "Xiao Wu, head back to the escort agency first. I'll return later."

The young escort called Xiao Wu cast a curious, quick glance at An Yi, a flash of admiration passing through his eyes as well, but he quickly lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Junior Escort Leader." He clasped his fists toward An Yi, then turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Only then did Di Qingji fully turn to An Yi. His smile had receded somewhat, but the warmth and cheer in his eyes remained undiminished: "Young Master An, coming from the East Market?"

His gaze swept over the direction An Yi had come from, his tone familiar and natural, as if the two were old friends who had known each other for years.

"I went to try the spicy hot pot that's been making waves lately," An Yi said frankly. "The taste is indeed excellent—well-deserved reputation. Young Chief Di, have you just finished business at the escort agency?"