Why Was It So Cold? Where Was the Blanket?

But you can't blame those big trees; they're just all impatient.

The Old Scholar Tree assigned them tasks, but they didn't care what the adults were doing!

A delicious aroma had long been wafting through the courtyard, making one's mouth water.

Zhou Wanwan specially brought a wild goat from the mountain and roasted it whole over a charcoal fire, the sizzling aroma spreading everywhere.

She also had several sea fish caught and stewed a large pot of fish soup.

They also prepared a lot of seafood, wild game, and various barbecue items; everything that could be grilled was laid out, making a huge table Manman.

Everyone looked at the table full of delicious food, and couldn't help but swallow hard, their eyes fixed on it.

Zhou Wanwan greeted them with a smile, "Come and sit down, everyone. Don't be shy, just eat as much as you like."

Before long, all sorts of dishes were served.

The adults picked up the food, took a few bites, and immediately exclaimed, "I've never eaten anything so delicious in my life!"

"Wanwan, you have such delicious food, why didn't you bring it out for us to try sooner?"

Another person chimed in:

"Absolutely! The taste is amazing, and the wine is especially fragrant and mellow!"

"Next time something like this happens, you absolutely have to invite us!"

Shen Congrong joked with everyone:

"Before you arrived, you were all gossiping and criticizing behind my back."

Now that they're enjoying good food and wine, they've all changed their tune and started praising it!

Everyone blushed at what was said and chuckled awkwardly.

"Isn't it because they don't know how delicious barbecue is?"

From now on, if you need anything in Wanwan evening, feel free to contact us then.

Zhou Wanwan smiled and said:

"Our village is planning to start offering late-night snacks soon, if you're interested."

You can also try contacting Black Wind Stronghold; just say hello at one of the grain shops in town.

The adults nodded repeatedly, saying, "This meal must be quite expensive, right?"

Zhou Wanwan said calmly:

"Barbecue is divided into five grades: five taels, ten taels, fifty taels, one hundred taels, and five hundred taels."

A table like today's would be in the fifty-tael range.

The adults around nodded and said, "Fifty taels is a pretty good price, especially since it's all seafood. If my family needs a late-night snack in the future, we'll definitely come to you."

Another official said, "I need to book a table for ten taels of silver today."

"Then let's book a table for 50 taels tomorrow."

Nie Shi'an smiled and said, "Then I'll book a table for 100 taels tomorrow, so everyone in the family can try this barbecue."

Zhou Wanwan nodded repeatedly and quickly had someone register them.

These are all gods of wealth!

After they had eaten and drunk their fill and the adults left, Old Scholar Tree led Zhou Wanwan to the governor's house.

The governor's residence isn't far from here.

His family was originally a prominent clan from the capital, with exceptionally large wealth.

The villa where they lived was grand and exquisite, one of the most luxurious and sophisticated residences in the entire Dongshan Prefecture.

Old Scholar Tree led Zhou Wanwan to the governor's window, where they overheard the governor and the abbot of State-Pacifying Temple whispering to each other.

The governor stared at the abbot and whispered, "From now on, you must be more cautious in your actions. You must not give anyone any reason to criticize you."

The abbot said with a helpless expression:

"I didn't expect to run into such a formidable character this time."

Even all the gold and silver treasures I had secretly hidden away were taken by that child.

The governor's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction:

"I never expected you couldn't even handle a little kid."

"He's just a six-year-old child, what's so difficult about dealing with him?"

The abbot shook his head with a bitter face:

"This child is nothing like ordinary children; he's incredibly cunning."

However, no matter what, I will not give up so easily. I will be more careful in the future and will never be fooled by a child again.

The governor nodded and said, "You can stay here tonight, and I'll have someone escort you up the mountain tomorrow."

"OK."

The two then returned to their rooms. When they woke up the next day, the governor was shivering from the cold. He frowned and asked, "Why is it so cold? Where are the blankets?"

They pulled and pulled for a long time but couldn't find a blanket, and then they heard the noise outside getting louder and louder.

He roared angrily, "What are you all shouting about so early in the morning? Don't you have any manners?"

He opened his eyes and saw a large crowd surrounding him on the street.

The governor discovered that all his clothes were gone, and he let out a howl.

Then I saw several older women surrounding the governor, saying, "Wow! This man in his forties is really something else!"

"Her skin is so smooth and delicate, how come it's so different from my man? My man's skin is all dark, he's such a pretty boy!"

Some of the older women didn't even care about feeling ashamed anymore.

After all, they had never seen a man with such fair skin, so they immediately surrounded him.

The governor roared:

"How dare you! Stop your rudeness and get out of here!"

I am the governor; anyone who dares to be disrespectful to me will be killed without mercy.

The surrounding older women burst into laughter, saying, "This man is really something! He actually claims to be the governor! What kind of governor sits on the street like that?"

"Is this man a little out of his mind? Widow Zhuang, didn't you lose your man?"

I think this man is a good match for you, why don't you take him home?

That Widow Zhuang was the wife of a butcher, who had recently died.

Now, when she sees this man on the street, she's tempted.

She looked at the man and said, "Hey! You old beggar, have nowhere to go? Come back with me!"

Hu Yiming was so angry he gritted his teeth. "Get lost! Who are you calling an old beggar?"

Widow Zhuang slapped Hu Yiming across the face. "You think you're so great? You stinking beggar, if it weren't for the fact that you're not bad-looking, I wouldn't even bother with you."

She grabbed Hu Yiming's hand and said, "Come home with me."

Hu Yiming roared, "Go home what? I'm going to the governor's office! You shrew, let me go right now!"

Widow Zhuang slapped him again and said, "Men just don't listen to reason."

She brought Hu Yiming home, closed the door, and whispered, "My husband passed away a few months ago, and I'm in need of a man right now. Let's make do!"

Women in their thirties are indeed not to be trifled with.

Hu Yiming was forced to comply.

For three whole days, Widow Zhuang didn't let him leave the house.

On the fourth day, while Widow Zhuang was setting up her stall, he ran straight home.

But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find his home.

He frowned and said:

"Hey! I've been gone for a few days and I can't even find my own house."

Am I really losing my mind?

He went to his neighbor's house and knocked on the door, but when the neighbor opened the door and saw him, he screamed "Ah!" and ran away as fast as he could.

Frustrated, he went to another house, but as soon as he knocked on the door, the housekeeper fainted from fright.

Hu Yiming asked helplessly, "What exactly is going on?"