Chapter 11 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Tang Qiu’s livid glare sent the crowd dispersing. These people simply hadn’t been taught proper manners. She made no apologies for yelling at them, not when they deserved every ounce of her fury.

The bad-tempered grandmother from earlier looked as if she wanted to continue arguing, but a stare from Jiang Shaocheng intimidated her into silence, and she scurried off with the child in her arms.

With the crowd gone, Tang Qiu knelt by Jiang Shaocheng’s side. “Don’t pay them any mind,” she said comfortingly. “Those ignorant people are good for spewing nonsense and nothing else.”

Jiang Shaocheng cupped her head with one hand. “You’re really not bothered by my scars?”

Tang Qiu’s brow pinched together. She didn’t like the way he spoke about himself. “They don’t bother me,” she insisted. “I’m a bastard, and you’re a young master, but you don’t look down on me for it, do you?”

He looked doubtful, so she lifted her head and kissed him. She wouldn’t allow him to feel inferior because of his scars; she was an illegitimate child, and thought no worse of herself for it. What was so unnatural about that anyway? But she didn’t know what would be the right thing to say, and so she had resorted to such a move to prove her sincerity.

Jiang Shaocheng stared back at her, slightly dazed, before saying, “I don’t look down on you. And I trust you when you say that you don’t despise my scars.”

Tang Qiu smiled brightly. He Lei trailed after them, looking blankly at his young master. No wonder this woman was such a treasure to him. Not only was she unafraid of his scars, she even possessed the courage to kiss him.

Back in the mansion, Jiang Shaocheng watched Tang Qiu’s figure from the sofa, his eyes softening. But when he turned to face He Lei, his gaze was hard and cold.

“Next time, you will obey her, same as you would me. Have I made myself clear?”

Caught off-guard, He Lei nodded his head vigorously. He didn’t dare rouse the young master’s wrath. He knew the kinds of torture Jiang Shaocheng inflicted on people–even if no one else did.

Tang Qiu prepared four dishes and one broth. Jiang Shaocheng swallowed an experimental mouthful, and his eyes lit up, clearly enjoying the taste.

“How is it?”

Jiang Shaocheng raised his gaze to see Tang Qiu staring at him, a gleam in her wide, expectant eyes. “You’re an excellent cook,” he replied with a soft curve of his mouth.

Tang Qiu blushed at his praise. She placed more food onto his plate. “I’m glad to hear that. You can have it any time you like in the future.”

He Lei was standing to the side, observing them. His eyebrows lifted. The young master was obsessed with cleanliness! He was on edge, wondering how to deal with the young master’s inevitable temper, when Jiang Shaocheng picked up the food Tang Qiu had put on his plate and ate it, like nothing was wrong. He blinked in confusion.

Jiang Shaocheng continued to sample her cooking, making note of how her smile never left her face. She was pure of heart, if a little naive at times.

Tang Qiu had waited a long time to say this, and now her opportunity was finally here. Injecting what she hoped was a cajoling tone into her voice, she asked, “I’m still a student, dear. I have class tomorrow. May I attend?”