51 Joining In (2/2)

Deng Haichuan hesitated, then said, ”Okay. Will you be joining us tonight?”

Ye Jiayao shook her head. ”I live outside, it's inconvenient. I will go with you all another day.”

Xia Chunyu got back at his house from his last night's duty at the royal court. As soon as he stepped inside his house, a servant came up to him and reported, ”Heir-son Lord, Prince Jing is waiting for you outside the study.”

Wasn't he just here yesterday? How come he's again? What does he want now?

”Little Jing,” Xia Chunyu greeted as he walked into his study.

Yesterday, as soon as Helian Jing got home, he sent his trusted servant to go to watch the Laifu Motel. The prince was so full of excitement and giddiness he wasn't able to sleep the whole night. In the morning, he called for his servant who reported that big Yaoyao had already gone to Heavenly Residence to work.

Helian Jing contemplated on inviting brother Chunyu to have lunch at the restaurant. He wanted to properly thank brother Chunyu for his advice on finding big Yaoyao. He also wanted brother Chunyu to see firsthand how different and kind big Yaoyao was.

”Brother Chunyu,” Helian Jing welcomed cheerfully.

Xia Chunyu looked at him with a frown. Yesterday, Little Jing came to him looking so miserable, and now he was almost bursting out of happiness. Xia Chunyu was confused.

”What happened to make you so happy? Did you find your brother Jin Yao?” Xia Chunyu teased as he sat down while the maidservants served them tea.

”Brother Chunyu, you guessed it! I found big Yaoyao!” Helian Jing exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

Xia Chunyu almost spat out his tea.

”Brother Chunyu, you really know your thing. Sure enough, big Yaoyao really came to Jin Ling. I met with Zhao Qixuan yesterday and he was holding a celebration party in Heavenly Residence for you - a party you didn't go to, might I add. He dragged me to the party and it turns out that big Yaoyao was the restaurant's new cook! Man, now I understand the saying 'without coincidences, there would be no stories'!”

Xia Chunyu gritted his teeth, seething inside. Every time Helian Jing mentioned his 'big Yaoyao', he felt like he was being stabbed in the heart.

”That's such a coincidence.” Xia Chunyu forced a smile.

Helian Jing said, ”Brother Chunyu, we should go for lunch at Heavenly Residence. It's my treat. This is the least I could do to thank you for all your help.”

Xia Chunyu raised a brow. ”Are you trying to butter me up?”

He Lianjing chuckled. ”No, no! Big Yaoyao's dishes are delicious, I promise.”

”You should find someone else to go with. I have already promised your older brother I'd go to Fragrant Floor,” replied Xia Chunyu. If it was any other person who invited him, Chunyu would've declined. However, it was Helian Xuan, and he really couldn't say no. It would also give them a chance to catch up because they haven't really talked since they both returned to Jin Ling.

”Why would you go to Fragrant Floor? What good dishes can that old chef make? Just go to Heavenly Residence. Brother Chunyu, I promise it won't disappoint you,” Helian Jing boasted.

”I can't. Your brother already booked the place. Maybe next time.”

Helian Jing was very disappointed but he knew that he there was no changing brother Chunyu's mind. He bid him goodbye and instead, went straight to the palace of Yong An, thinking that Zhao Qixuan the slacker would definitely have the time for lunch.

The servants informed him that Zhao Qixuan had swum in the lake until midnight last night and was still fast asleep.

Helian Jing didn't care and rushed directly into Qixuan's room to wake him up.

”Get up, get up! Let's eat lunch!” Helian Jing flung the covers off of him and immediately looked away in embarrassment. Face red with mortification, he yelled, ”How do you sleep with no clothes on?”

Zhao Qixuan was dreaming about meeting with the very beautiful little Su, so when he was startled awake he was nearly livid. Luckily, before he went on a rampage, he recognized Helian Jing. He smiled and asked, ”Little Jing, what brings you here?”

Helian Jing did not dare to look at him. ”Put some clothes on. I'm going outside to wait for you. Quick!”

Zhao Qixuan scowled. The only person who has seen him naked was himself. Even Little Su still hadn't seen his good figure yet.

Zhao Qixuan put his clothes on and went out to speak with the young prince. ”Little Jing, why have you come to see me so early in the morning?”

The redness on Helian Jing's face hasn't gone away yet. ”What do you mean early in the morning? It's almost lunchtime. I came to see you so we can have a meal,” Helian Jing snapped as he reluctantly glanced at him.

”Is it so late already?” Zhao Qixuan had been a little bit muddle-headed lately. Old Grandpa Hou hadn't been at the palace, so he had been very carefree.

He Lianjing pointed to the fingers on the clock.

”Uh, right, um, little Jing, you came to have a meal with me? Okay. It's big brother's treat. Where do you want to go? Fragrant Floor or Fu Ji?” Zhao Qixuan said generously.

Helian Jing scoffed and replied, ”Didn't you say last night that you'd be treating me at Heavenly Residence?”

Zhao Qixuan stared at him blankly for a moment before slapping a palm on his forehead. ”Oh, curse my memory. I suppose I did say that, huh? Then, by all means, let's walk to Heavenly Residence.”

Ye Jiayao had made several new dishes for Shopkeeper Li to try. Blessedly, after he had tried them all, he ordered all of them to be added to the menu. Ye Jiayao was giddy with pride of her work.

Little Lu came rushing to the kitchen and reported, ”Shopkeeper! Lord Hou's heir from Yong An and Young Royal Highness Jing came again. They're in the Lotus Pavillion and they asked for brother Yao to go over.”

Ye Jiayao angrily pursed her lips.

The kid finally came, eh?