In the Small Courtyard, Mo Qingmei keenly sensed that Niu Yuanshan seemed somewhat off.
But she did not know why.
He was merely going with the group to the Moon Kingdom's imperial capital to help handle some affairs.
In that regard, Niu Yuanshan should have been the most skilled. He had always handled the hardest, most exhausting, and most tedious tasks.
"Steward Niu, is something troubling you, or do you have some concern?" she asked with a frown, genuinely worried.
This was far too unusual!
After a while, a smile appeared on Niu Yuanshan's face.
Instead of answering, he suddenly asked, "It's getting late. Why doesn't Junior Sister Mo stay for dinner?"
Mo Qingmei immediately refused. "No need."
Ever since her confession had been rejected all those years ago, she had never shown Old Niu a pleasant expression.
"Didn't Junior Sister Mo used to think my fish soup tasted delicious? I haven't made it in many years. Why not try it today and see whether my skills have deteriorated?" Niu Yuanshan persisted.
Looking at the sincerity on his face, Mo Qingmei hesitated for a moment before saying, "I do have nothing else to do today."
But she added, "Why don't I call the other deacons over as well, so we can gather together?"
She clearly did not want to be alone with him.
"That works too." Niu Yuanshan thought about it, then agreed.
The faint anticipation rising in Mo Qingmei's heart was extinguished by those two words.
Her expression grew even colder. She turned and walked outside. "Go stew the soup. I'll go call them."
Old Niu watched her back and listened to her distant tone. Yet on his honest, square face, a faint smile appeared, and he thought:
"Junior Sister Mo, Junior Sister Mo... You're going to invite all