Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: Encountering Zhang Sen (2/2)
Lin Jing was extremely displeased, having agreed to lend the stones for only a few days, yet at this point, they had still not been returned, and now another loan was being requested. He frowned and said,
“Brother Zhang, I’m sorry, but I’m not in a position to lend you any Spirit Stones right now.”
“Is that so,” Zhang Sen scratched his head.
“Well, alright then. Sorry to trouble you, Brother Lin. We’ll think of some other way.”
Zhang Sen did not persist, mindful that he had yet to repay the previously borrowed Spirit Stones.
“Brother Lin, I’ll take my leave.”
Having said that, he left with Zhang Lin.
“Big brother, I’ve heard that the Demonic Beasts are in an uproar. Occasionally, some of them are found alone near the Fang Market. How about we go hunt some? They’re quite valuable. If we can kill just one, we wouldn’t have to worry anymore.”
“Hunting Demonic Beasts, huh? Let me think about it…”
As they talked, the two brothers gradually walked away, but Lin Jing had already stopped paying attention to them.
“Let’s go, we’re heading home.”
Lin Jing held Luo Luo’s small hand.
“Humph…”
Luo Luo looked at the departing duo and huffed, clearly still upset.
When they got home, Lin Jing gave Luo Luo a book to read while he himself started reading Ning Yue’s Alchemy insights.
It was now October, the deep autumn weather was perfect for them.
They didn’t go inside the house; instead, they sat under the shade of a tree by a stone table in the courtyard—the two of them, young and old, each engrossed in a book…
The withering autumn wind had no effect on them.
Sometimes, time seemed to slip away stealthily. When Lin Jing looked up again, it was already time to make dinner.
Seeing Luo Luo, who had fallen asleep on the table at some point, Lin Jing couldn’t help but chuckle.
He then picked her up, laid her on the bed inside the house, and went on to start a fire for cooking.
As soon as the meal was ready, Luo Luo came out, her eyes still groggy.
“Uncle, is dinner ready?” she asked.
The little foodie had woken up without him noticing, but judging by her sleepy eyes, it must have been recent.
“Luo Luo, you’re awake. Come wash your face; it’s time to eat.”
“Okay.”
Just then,
“Knock, knock, knock.” Someone was at the door.
“Daoist Ning.”
Lin Jing opened the door to find Ning Yue returning.
“You’re back just in time; dinner’s ready. Come join us.”
“Mother!” Luo Luo ran over and threw herself into Ning Yue’s arms.
“Did you fall asleep here at Uncle Lin’s again?” Ning Yue’s face sterned as she scolded, seeing Luo Luo’s drowsy face.
“I was reading in the afternoon and somehow fell asleep. Mother, Uncle Lin has cooked dinner; let’s eat here together.”
“How could we impose on your Uncle Lin again? Let’s go back home, and I’ll cook for you.”
Luo Luo’s face immediately fell; ever since tasting Lin Jing’s cooking, the thought of her mother’s…
She decided she had to find a way to keep her mother here.
“Mother…”
Luo Luo acted coquettishly, swaying Ning Yue’s hand back and forth.
“Uncle Lin’s cooking is delicious; just try it.”
“Daoist Ning, Luo Luo didn’t eat much at noon. She must be hungry by now. If you go back and start cooking now, it will be late by the time you finish.”
“Besides, I made enough food for you as well. Didn’t you say you wanted to teach me the Alchemy Technique? We can talk while we eat.”
“Otherwise, it would be a waste of time. By the time I learn it, who knows when it will be.”
“Yes, Mother, see, I’m hungry.”
Saying this, Luo Luo patted her own stomach.
Ning Yue, unwilling to be a burden to Lin Jing and already feeling it was hard to ask such favor of him to look after Luo Luo, hesitated…
She finally sighed and agreed.
“Alright.”