Whose helicopter was it, and why had it flown to Bai Mang Lake?
Cheng Xiaofan looked up at the sky warily but recognized it at a glance. It was the helicopter from Bai Yiling’s engineering team.
He recognized it immediately because the words "Bai Group" were emblazoned on the helicopter.
Cheng Xiaofan curiously asked Bai Yiling, "Yiling, did you send this helicopter?"
Bai Yiling also recognized it as her own helicopter. She frowned slightly and said, "I didn't send a helicopter here!"
Cheng Xiaofan immediately agreed with Bai Yiling. With the Breaking Sky Eagles around, there was no need for a helicopter.
Just then, the helicopter had slowly landed.
Two people walked out of the helicopter, one after the other.
One was Fu Yueli!
The other was Gu Jingyue!
Both were tall and beautiful, dressed in matching blue casual wear. Their long, flowing hair was tied back, and they moved with graceful, captivating steps, exuding a sense of ceremony.
Each carried a bamboo basket, covered with red cloth, though what they contained was unknown.
Upon seeing them, Bai Yiling smiled and said, "Yueli, Jingyue, why are you two here?"
Fu Yueli smiled and replied, "President Bai, we were sent by Aunt Miao early this morning specifically to see you!"
Aunt Miao naturally referred to Cheng Xiaofan’s mother, Miao Xiuhua. However, after hearing Fu Yueli’s words, both of them felt something was amiss.
"Yueli, Bai Yiling and I are perfectly fine here. Why would Mother send you to see us?" Cheng Xiaofan took a deep breath and asked.
Fu Yueli winked playfully and, mimicking Miao Xiuhua’s tone, pouted, "Auntie said, 'This rascal Xiaofan brought my Yiling to Bai Mang Lake to play, and they're not coming back tonight, sleeping in the ancestral stone house.'
'In that primeval forest, and so close to Bai Mang Lake, not only are there a terrifying number of insects, but it’s freezing at night!'
'If they’re sleeping together, they should at least have a decent bed. A stone bed can harm bones and muscles, and it’s not suitable for... certain activities between a man and a woman!'"
At this point, Fu Yueli and Gu Jingyue removed the red cloth from the baskets.
Inside the baskets were a newly slaughtered old hen, red-skinned eggs, red dates, dried longan, and a bundle of dried noodles.
In Zhuxi Village, there was a custom where, on the second day of a couple's marriage, the mother-in-law would stew an old hen for the daughter-in-law, adding eggs, red dates, and longan. It was said that the daughter-in-law had lost vital energy during the consummation of the marriage and needed substantial nourishment.
Clearly, in Miao Xiuhua's mind, Bai Yiling's status had not officially shifted from daughter to daughter-in-law. However, since they were living together, this ceremony was unavoidable.
In any case, one could not let their future daughter-in-law suffer from a weakened constitution!
"Heavens, what is my mother thinking!"
Cheng Xiaofan shuddered at the thought and didn't know how to continue.
Bai Yiling recalled the "boat" she had mentioned last night. The word "boat" (船, chuán) sounded exactly like "bed" (床, chuáng) to her mother, who must have misheard and orchestrated this entire charade.
This made her both embarrassed and anxious. Facing her subordinates, she didn't know how to explain.
"Yueli, Jingyue, please ignore my gossipy mother. Bai Yiling and I have nothing going on. Please take these things back!"
Cheng Xiaofan wiped the sweat from his face and said.
Gu Jingyue smiled and said, "Xiaofan, don't make it difficult for us. Aunt Miao said you absolutely must accept these, and she wants you to have the old hen stewed for President Bai this morning."
"Oh, and Aunt Miao also said we should take back the 'Daughter Red'!"
Daughter Red refers to a woman's first time.
In Zhuxi Village, there was a custom where, on the second day of a couple's marriage, the bride's "red" would be made into a sachet by the mother-in-law, filled with scented powder, and placed beside the statue of the God of Childbearing.
This was believed to ensure a smooth pregnancy, a healthy ten months of gestation without complications, and a safe delivery for both mother and child.
Cheng Xiaofan was astonished that his mother had brought out this entire ritual. What was his goddess supposed to do now!
He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "This is all a misunderstanding, truly a complete misunderstanding!"
Fu Yueli smiled and said, "Xiaofan, I don't care if it's a misunderstanding. Aunt Miao found us early this morning and we couldn't refuse her!"
"Understood, understood!"
Cheng Xiaofan scratched his head and quickly changed the subject, "You rushed all the way here so early, you haven't eaten, have you?"
Gu Jingyue replied, "We haven't eaten yet. Do you have anything good to eat here?"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled, "As the saying goes, 'Better late than never,' or rather, 'the early bird catches the worm.' I just made a pot of honeyed osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root. You should eat here!"
Fu Yueli smiled, "That's wonderful! We know your cooking is always delicious. We're very fortunate today!"
Cheng Xiaofan invited the two beautiful women onto the boat.
He went to the front of the boat, lifted the lid of the pot, and poked the lotus root with chopsticks. It was already tender and edible.
However, it still needed to cool down a bit.
While this was happening, Cheng Xiaofan scooped out the osmanthus flowers preserved in honey, stirred them in the pot.
At the same time, he secretly released a wisp of spiritual energy into the pot.
Then, Cheng Xiaofan stirred it gently a few more times with the spatula, and the unique sweet aroma immediately erupted.
"Wow, it smells so good!"
Fu Yueli and Gu Jingyue exclaimed loudly, "Just the sweet aroma alone makes one's mouth water!"
Cheng Xiaofan said proudly, "Naturally. This honeyed osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root I made is guaranteed to be unforgettable!"
He took out several bowls, filled each with a section of lotus root, and then topped it with a layer of thick sauce.
Bai Yiling, Fu Yueli, and Gu Jingyue each held a bowl, poked the lotus root with their chopsticks, and took a bite. The chewy and fragrant taste made their eyes narrow into crescent moons.
Eating a piece of lotus root and then sipping the thick sauce gave them a feeling of being in paradise.
"It's so delicious! I've never tasted such a delectable honeyed osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root before!" Bai Yiling exclaimed, taking a deep breath.
"Indeed, the taste is exquisite!"
"A sip of this sauce makes one feel utterly blissful!"
Fu Yueli and Gu Jingyue beamed with joy and quickly chimed in.
"Woof woof!"
Master, have you lost your mind upon seeing these beautiful women? How could you forget about this great dog here with such delicious honeyed osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root?
I want to eat the lotus root!
I want to eat the lotus root!
"You noisy dog, you'll get some to eat, stop barking!"
Cheng Xiaofan was getting a headache from the mischievous dog and quickly filled a basin with two lotus roots and some sauce, giving it to the dog.
The mischievous dog snatched the basin, leaped off the boat, and went among the ten geese. It barked a few times, as if to say, "You eat first, and I'll have the leftovers."
At this moment, Cheng Xiaofan realized how affectionate this dog was towards the geese!