Gu Xingzhao walked slowly out of the tent, only to see Lu Xingyao lying on the ground, surrounded by several people.
One of them asked, “Yao Ge, it’s freezing out here. Why are you lying on the ground?”
“Did someone throw you out?”
Another person speculated, “Who would do that?”
At this, the group fell silent. There weren’t many people in the Lu family who had the power to kick Lu Xingyao out of a tent—there was no need to ask further.
By now, Lu Xingyao had sobered up about seventy to eighty percent. Smiling, he crossed his legs and tried to make himself look less pathetic. “Who’s talking about being thrown out? I’m on night watch tonight and decided to rest here for a bit.”
One of the clan members looked puzzled. “Yao Ge, didn’t you say earlier that I’d be the one on night watch tonight?”
Lu Xingyao shot him a glare. Why couldn’t this guy just keep quiet?
The others seemed pleased. “Yao Ge, it’s great that you’re on watch. We’ll join you tonight!”
Everyone knew that when Lu Xingyao was on night watch, the ancestor would often bring special treats. Being on duty with him meant enjoying blessings!
Not long ago, a few people had stayed up with Lu Xingyao, drinking tea and eating snacks during the night. When they found out the ancestor had visited, they were green with envy.
Under the envious gazes of his companions, Lu Xingyao finally stood up and brushed off the dirt from his clothes. “No problem, all of you can join me tonight.”
He had been unsure before, but after the last time when the ancestor brought food late at night, he was now certain—the ancestor did indeed give him special attention.
This exclusive privilege had Lu Xingyao feeling proud. The earlier embarrassment of being thrown out of the tent by his father and uncle was now a distant memory.
Gu Xingzhao narrowed her eyes. If they wanted special treatment at night, she had no problem with that!
As a deity, she didn’t hold grudges.
She quickly returned to the modern world, carrying the day’s spoils with her. Her clothes oxidized and aged rapidly, becoming tattered. Luckily, she was at home, with no one around to witness the embarrassment.
After changing into clean clothes, Gu Xingzhao ordered fresh groceries online and carefully sorted through the items she had gathered. She decided to keep the bracelet and jade pendant from Lu Xingyan, while photographing the rest to send to Xu Shisan.
It was already 9 PM, and Xu Shisan had just finished his bath when he received the message. He opened the images and instantly recognized that this batch was even more valuable than the previous ones.
Thinking it over, he quickly typed on his phone, smiling as his eyes curved into crescents.
Xu Shisan: I’ll take them all. How about I come over to your place right now to take a look?
He even attached a meme of a golden British Shorthair cat, standing flirtatiously at a door, with black stockings drawn on its legs and a rose in its mouth, asking: “Can I come over tonight?”
Gu Xingzhao, sipping her drink while waiting for the delivery, couldn’t help but imagine Xu Shisan’s peacock-like swagger.
In the past, she would have choked on her drink laughing, but now, she was more composed. She calmly swallowed her sip, and with the poise of a mature woman, typed back: “Don’t tease. This is strictly a business transaction.”
After a while, Xu Shisan replied: Money’s good!
Gu Xingzhao paused, feeling something strange about the way that sounded.
Soon another message came through.
Xu Shisan: Name your price, I’ll pay anything.
And again, he attached another meme of a flirty cat.
Gu Xingzhao thought of herself as a sensible woman, but even she had her limits when it came to resisting temptation.
It wasn’t about the money. Honestly, Xu Shisan wasn’t bad-looking—fair-skinned, with a boyish smile and two cute little tiger teeth. Although he acted playful, when he was serious, he really wasn’t bad.
Time passed, and just as Xu Shisan finished a round of his game, a notification popped up.
He clicked it open and almost fell off his bed laughing.
Gu Xingzhao: Ten billion in cash.
Later that night, Xu Shisan made a call. When it was answered, he immediately asked, “Uncle, do we have ten billion in cash available? I need it.”
There was a long silence on the other end before a deep voice responded, “What do you need ten billion for?”
Xu Shisan replied earnestly, “A friend of mine needs ten billion.”
Before he could finish explaining, the call was abruptly cut off.
When he tried calling back, he found that his number had been blocked. Lying on his bed, Xu Shisan sighed. Clearly, he didn’t have enough financial freedom.
Gu Xingzhao, unaware that her playful comment had prompted Xu Shisan to actually ask his family for ten billion, was busy unpacking her food delivery.
Carrying the ingredients, along with a portable stove and a few fuel canisters, she returned to the ancient world.
At that moment, the night watch crew was staring up at the stars, trying to pass the time. It was already the middle of the night, and the ancestor still hadn’t shown up, leading them to think she might not be coming.
Two of them, yawning, were about to call it a night.
“Yao Ge, do you think the ancestor will come tonight?” one asked.
Lu Xingyao’s legs had gone numb from sitting too long. “Of course she will,” he said confidently.
His composed demeanor left the others marveling once again—Yao Ge never ceased to impress. But in truth, Lu Xingyao was also wondering whether his beloved ancestor would show up. Still, he’d never admit it out loud.
Just then, Gu Xingzhao appeared with a feast in tow.
First, four fuel canisters materialized before them.
The group blinked, thinking they might be dreaming. But after a moment of rubbing their eyes, they realized it was real. Their drowsiness vanished, replaced by sheer excitement.
“!!!”
“She really came! Yao Ge, you’re amazing.”
“I’m sticking with you for night watch duty from now on!”
Lu Xingyao waved a hand dismissively, feigning modesty. “It’s just coincidence. It’s not like the ancestor only shows up because of me.”
No one knew how grateful he was to his ancestor at that moment, almost brought to tears: She’s better than my grandfather and father combined!
After the fuel canisters came an iron rack, and soon a pot full of broth appeared on top.
The group stared at the pot, guessing it must be filled with some divine broth brewed from sacred ingredients!
In reality, Gu Xingzhao had just thrown in a few stock cubes.
As the broth began to boil, she placed slices of beef and lamb alongside the pot.
The sight of fresh vegetables and beautifully marbled meat made their eyes light up, and some couldn’t help but drool.
One of them mumbled, “The ancestor really does take care of us.”
“It’s all thanks to Yao Ge! Without him, we’d never taste such divine food in the middle of the night!”
Since they hadn’t interacted with the ancestor much, they couldn’t believe their luck—surely, it was only because of Lu Xingyao that they were being treated to this feast.
Lu Xingyao smiled modestly. “The ancestor cares for everyone. She wouldn’t just bring food for my sake.”
“Yao Ge, you’re too humble!”
The next moment, five sets of disposable bowls and chopsticks appeared before them—one set for each of the five men, but none for Lu Xingyao.
Lu Xingyao: “???”
The five men were confused but dared not say a word. Why didn’t Yao Ge get a set?
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