"Come, let's count how much money you've picked up along the way."
The group arrived at a hot pot restaurant along the route and found a spot to sit.
Then Su Huamei suggested helping Xiao Liyu count the money she had collected.
"One fifty, one five, three ones, one fifty mao, and an earring? Is this pearl?"
Su Jinxiu took it and took a look, "It is pearl, but it's cultured. However, the part on it is gold, so it should be worth something."
"So you have fifty-eight yuan and fifty mao, plus a pearl earring."
"Can I buy a lot of delicious food?" Xiao Liyu didn't care about the amount of money, only how much delicious food it could buy.
"Here, this lollipop in your hand can buy fifty-eight, and you'll have fifty mao left."
"Fifty-eight?"
Xiao Liyu spread her fingers wide, counting carefully, trying to see how many fifty-eight was.
"Alright, it's more than your fingers, stop counting."
Liu Nanfeng pressed her small hand down, then helped her put the money away, into her pocket.
At this moment, the waiter brought over a鸳鸯锅 (yuānyāng guō - a pot with two separate cooking compartments).
The red soup base would have been fine, but considering Xiao Liyu, they ordered the dual-compartment pot.
"We're eating this for lunch?" Xiao Liyu asked with some surprise, looking at the red and white broth.
Drinking water wouldn't fill her up, she knew that very well, as she drank water at the bottom of the river every day.
"Silly girl, the dishes haven't arrived yet," Su Jinxiu patted her little head.
"I'm not a silly girl," Xiao Liyu said, shaking her head in dissatisfaction.
"Then what kind of melon are you?" Su Huamei asked with a mischievous smile.
"I'm a smart melon, and a big smart melon at that."
Xiao Liyu spread her arms, gesturing in the air.
"Hahaha..."
Everyone was amused by her. While they were talking, the dishes started arriving one after another.
...
Shen Cheng
Ao Mansion
Ao Haiping sat on the sofa with his legs crossed.
Opposite him was his elder brother, the Crown Prince of the Dragon Clan, Ao Haichao.
The brothers never got along well, so Ao Haiping didn't even look at his brother directly while sitting opposite him.
Ao Haichao wore gold-rimmed glasses, his hair was messy, and he looked refined and cultured, always wearing a faint smile, giving the impression of being well-bred.
And sitting in the main seat to Ao Haiping's right was their father, Ao Xingyun.
Ao Xingyun was powerfully built, with a stern face and chiseled features. Sitting there, he exuded an aura of authority.
"So, Bai Xinghe wants our Dragon Clan's treasured Celestial Star Disc."
"Yes," Ao Haiping replied calmly.
"Then give it to him," Ao Haichao, sitting opposite, adjusted his glasses.
"Little four-eyes, you're just going to give it to him? Aren't you afraid he'll deceive us? You know Bai Xinghe is skilled in astrology. If he really takes it and runs, where will we find him?" Ao Haiping put his legs down.
He had initially agreed to hand over the Celestial Star Disc to Bai Xinghe, but since his elder brother also agreed, he had to object. It wasn't for any particular reason other than wanting to go against him.
However, neither Ao Haichao nor Ao Xingyun were angry, as they were used to it.
Whatever Ao Haichao objected to, Ao Haiping agreed, and whatever Ao Haichao agreed to, Ao Haiping objected. This had been the case for years, without exception.
The lecturing and anger had been exhausted.
So, even now, they could still communicate calmly.
"Haiping's point is not without merit, but compared to the Dragon Gate, everything is worth it," Ao Xingyun said, his gaze drifting towards Ao Haichao on his right.
Ao Haichao adjusted his glasses, "Father is right. The Celestial Star Disc has been in our hands for many years, and we haven't been able to decipher its mysteries. It's better to let it have some other value."
"I told Bai Xinghe that both sides will sign a blood oath, and he agreed," Ao Haiping said.
Ao Haichao and Ao Xingyun did not interrupt, waiting for him to continue.
"But blood oaths are not unbreakable, and while we want the Dragon Gate, we want the Heavenly Palace even more."
As soon as Ao Haiping finished speaking, Ao Haichao and Ao Xingyun both showed knowing smiles.
Just then, a graceful and noble lady walked in, carrying a tray.
"Father, this is tea I made myself. Please try it."
After speaking, she bent down and placed the tray on the coffee table. Ao Haiping, who had put his legs down at some point, quietly sat up straight.
The lady first placed a teacup from the tray in front of Ao Xingyun, then Ao Haichao, and then Ao Haiping.
When it came to Ao Haiping, he quickly got up to take it.
Then he respectfully said, "Thank you, sister-in-law."
"You thank me now? Jiang Yue is here in Shen Cheng, and Father and your elder brother are not home. Didn't you know to notify me?" the lady said with a slight reproach.
She was Ao Haichao's wife, and Ao Haiping's sister-in-law, Lu Caiwei.
"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I forgot. It's my fault."
Ao Haiping quickly apologized. He was not as prickly towards her as he was towards Ao Haichao, immediately lashing out.
"You... alright, I won't disturb your conversation." Lu Caiwei said, then withdrew gracefully.
Ao Haiping couldn't help but feel relieved.
"Alright, how has Jiang Yue been since she returned this time? Has she lost weight? Alas, it's really unfortunate, otherwise, I could have seen her. I haven't seen her for a long time, she's such a stubborn girl..." Ao Xingyun picked up his teacup and took a sip, but because he was in a bad mood, he didn't taste the tea's quality.
"Nothing good, nothing bad, just so-so. Besides, Father, if you really miss her, go and see her yourself. Is distance a problem for you?" Ao Haiping said with some disdain.
Then he picked up his cup and took a sip, immediately feeling a warm current extend from his throat to his abdomen. Then his spirit was refreshed, and his mouth felt sweet and fragrant.
"Good tea."
He couldn't help but exclaim.
Ao Xingyun was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Rules are rules."
Ao Haiping subtly curled his lip. He detested rules the most.
"By the way, there's one more thing," Ao Haiping said, being coy.
Then he quietly observed his father's and elder brother's reactions.
However, they both looked calm and unhurried, holding their teacups, appearing to be savoring the tea.
Ao Haiping's lips curved into a smile.
Then, with an equally calm expression, he said, "I saw Feng Zhirun."
"Pfft~"
"Cough cough~"
What was sprayed out was Ao Xingyun, and what was coughed out was Ao Haichao.
Seeing them like this, Ao Haiping was greatly amused but kept a poker face.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"You're not lying?"
They both asked in unison.
Ao Haiping frowned slightly at this, showing displeasure, "Is there any need for me to lie to you about this matter?"
Ao Xingyun and Ao Haichao exchanged glances, and then Ao Xingyun spoke first, "Feng Zhirun's reincarnation? How did you confirm it was him? How much of his strength did he retain?"
Ao Xingyun immediately grasped the key point.
Even though Feng Zhirun was incredibly powerful back then, sweeping across the entire world, he still didn't believe Feng Zhirun had reached the level of eternal life.
Because he was still human.
Humans cannot achieve eternal life; this is the law of heaven and earth, unless he gives up being human.