Chicken soup is such a wonderful thing. Why aren't you drinking?

What they had witnessed just now wasn't enough to prove that Qiqi could stay among humans.

They still needed to observe her for a sufficiently long time.

Just then, Cloud Retainer spoke up. "All right, there's no need to keep watching. Let's go back. There's no problem with that little girl staying here."

Seeing that Cloud Retainer was about to leave, True Lord of Moon-Cutting and Sun-Carving froze for a moment, then couldn't help voicing his doubts.

"Cloud Retainer, shouldn't we observe her for a while longer?"

"Isn't it a little early to reach a conclusion now?"

True Lord of Water and Mountains also felt they should keep observing for a while. After all, they had only just arrived,

and there were still many things they didn't know.

However, Cloud Retainer said unconcernedly, "There's no need to keep observing."

As she spoke, Cloud Retainer's gaze fell on Fang Xun in the distance.

She watched Qiqi run cheerfully over to Fang Xun,

then saw Fang Xun crouch down and gently rub Qiqi's head.

Cloud Retainer slowly turned her gaze away, then faced the two immortals and said, "If that young man is by the little herb-gatherer's side, this adeptus can rest easy."

"You should have confidence in him too. He won't let you down."

As she spoke, Cloud Retainer left Guili Plains without looking back.

True Lord of Water and Mountains and True Lord of Moon-Cutting and Sun-Carving were left behind, both somewhat surprised.

True Lord of Water and Mountains couldn't help teasing, "What's gotten into Cloud Retainer?"

"In over three thousand years, this is the first time I've heard her approve of a human."

True Lord of Moon-Cutting and Sun-Carving couldn't help taking another look at Fang Xun.

He had a feeling Fang Xun's aura seemed familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on what exactly was familiar about it.

"To earn Cloud Retainer's approval, that young man must have something exceptional about him."

"All right. Since Cloud Retainer put it that way, there's no need for us to linger here either."

After saying this, True Lord of Moon-Cutting and Sun-Carving turned and disappeared among the steep cliffs.

True Lord of Water and Mountains spread his wings and left as well.

The three immortals had arrived quickly, and they left just as quickly.

They had originally planned to observe Qiqi for a while longer,

but because of Fang Xun, that observation period had now been cut short to nothing.

It's almost eleven now. This struggling author just finished writing a chapter and posted it right away.

I read every comment carefully. Whether it's criticism or suggestions, I'll accept them with an open mind.

You're all welcome to leave comments.

It's getting late, everyone. Get some rest.

This struggling author will write one more chapter so you can wake up to a fresh update tomorrow morning, hehe. Good night!

Chapter 40: Chicken soup is such a wonderful thing. Why aren't you drinking?

Back to Fang Xun.

As everyone worked hard, the day quickly turned into night.

After a full day of hard work, the villagers had long since run out of energy and were starving.

So Fang Xun specially invited Master Mao and the other chefs from Wanmin Restaurant over,

to cook for everyone and help them recover their strength.

After all, he had the Talent: What is scattered will return,

so he wouldn't lose out no matter how much he spent. He could even raise everyone's affection for him in the process.

Sure enough, when the villagers saw the chefs from Wanmin Restaurant cooking in the village,

they were all stunned.

They'd heard that Master Mao of Wanmin Restaurant was an excellent cook, but they couldn't afford to eat there.

They never expected Fang Xun to invite the restaurant's chefs to cook for them directly.

That was far too generous.

For a moment, the villagers were filled with gratitude toward Fang Xun.

"The adeptus has been so good to us. Thank you, adeptus!"

"I always thought I'd never get to eat food from Wanmin Restaurant in my life. Thank you for giving me this chance, adeptus!"

"We'll never forget your kindness, adeptus!"

The villagers were overwhelmed with emotion.

They bowed to Fang Xun one after another to show their gratitude.

Little Ningguang's big, watery eyes were also sparkling.

It was her first time seeing such happy smiles on the villagers' faces.

Even during the Lantern Rite in past years, the villagers had never seemed this happy.

Brother Fang Xun was so gentle.

He really took everyone's feelings into consideration.

Thinking of this, the little girl felt suddenly fortunate—

fortunate that she had chosen to become Fang Xun's little secretary.

That way, she could always stay by Brother Fang Xun's side.

As the villagers finished work one after another,

the people from Wanmin Restaurant got busy too.

Master Mao and the other chefs worked quickly.

Before long, the aroma of food filled the air.

"Ahahaha, the chicken soup is here!"

A chef came out carrying a huge pot of chicken soup.

The soup smelled rich and savory, with a golden sheen across its surface, and the chicken inside looked exceptionally tender.

The chefs from Wanmin Restaurant had truly delivered on color, aroma, and flavor.

The villagers stared at the golden, delicious-looking soup and swallowed instinctively.

They were already starving, and seeing such tempting food only made it harder to wait.

And yet, despite that,

no one rushed forward or fought over the food.

On the contrary, the villagers all stood where they were. Not a single person stepped forward.

Fang Xun found this strange, so he couldn't help asking, "Chicken soup is such a wonderful thing. Why aren't you drinking?"

Old Zhang, the village blacksmith, stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Adeptus, everyone's waiting for you to pick up your chopsticks first."

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't get to taste Wanmin Restaurant's cooking."

"So we hope you'll have the first bowl of soup."

The villagers all nodded. "That's right! Please have the first bowl, adeptus!"

Fang Xun was deeply moved when he heard this.

The villagers were already starving, and they clearly wanted that chicken soup very badly.

But even so,

they weren't pushing or fighting. They were giving up the first bowl and letting Fang Xun have it.

Because in the villagers' eyes,

Fang Xun had already done them an enormous kindness by letting them eat food from Wanmin Restaurant.

How could they dare show disrespect to an adeptus?

If Fang Xun didn't pick up his chopsticks, they absolutely wouldn't dare touch their food.

Though these villagers lived in poverty, they had hearts full of respect and gratitude.

Their simple, honest way of life warmed Fang Xun's heart.

Just then, Little Ningguang served Fang Xun a steaming bowl of chicken soup.

Worried it might be too hot for him to enjoy, she gently blew on the surface twice.

The little secretary didn't just help Fang Xun shoulder the burden of his work.

She also did her utmost to take care of his everyday needs.

After a while, once she was sure the soup wasn't too hot,

Little Ningguang handed the bowl to Fang Xun with both hands and said in her sweet little voice, "Brother Fang Xun, please have some soup~"

"Ningguang cooled it down for you. It's not too hot anymore!"

Fang Xun reached out and rubbed Little Ningguang's head, his expression gentle. "Little Ningguang, thanks for the effort."

"Ningguang's fine,"

Little Ningguang shook her head gently, then put both hands behind her back and urged him expectantly, "Brother Fang Xun, hurry and try it. Is the chicken soup good?"