Chapter 561: Childhood Matters
"I'm not taking it easy, but I had a craving," Xu Chuo said.
"Then come and eat whenever you do. Granny's always waiting for you." Even the old woman's smile held a touch of fond indulgence. She took the tongs from Pei Ye, picked out two good bones without weighing them, and carried them to a table beside the stove.
"You've been coming more often since the twelfth month began. I thought you weren't busy anymore."
"I've only come twice." Xu Chuo smiled.
"Oh, before, it would be months, half a year even, before I saw you again," the old woman complained.
"I've been staying over at the old house lately," Xu Chuo said. "I come out for a stroll every day, but I've found that lots of the food I remember is nowhere to be found."
"Ah, how many stalls can last a lifetime? They're all tiny businesses. A little wind and rough water, and they're gone."
"Yes. The world's storms are vicious; it's hard to stand firm."
The old woman turned her gaze to Pei Ye, looking him carefully up and down before smiling. "It's been so long since our little one came with someone. Usually, she only wants a little over half a catty... You teach at the Grand Lecture Hall, little one. Have you only made this one good friend?"
Pei Ye had no idea what to say. Breaking up her flatbread, Xu Chuo smiled. "Everyone in Holy Front Ward has poisonous water flowing through their hearts. I'm afraid they'd sully your place, Granny. Only he's silly enough not to be mixed up in anything."
"Oh, what nonsense." The old woman shot her a reproachful look, then turned to Pei Ye. "Such a handsome, bright young man-don't you take her seriously."
Pei