Chapter 34: Chu Wanning: I Want to Eat Street Food!

Chu Wanning was completely unaware of these events; she was currently busy tinkering with her medicinal concoctions.

"Uncle Qi, you must follow my instructions for decocting the medicine exactly. Monitor the old master's vital signs constantly and report any changes to me!" Chu Wanning had lost count of how many times she had urged Qi Gui.

The reason was simple: if this prescription proved effective, it would mark a significant breakthrough in her research into the poison affecting Lu Siyan. Despite her confidence, she could not help but feel tense.

"Understood, I have memorized everything. Don't worry, Master." Qi Gui knew the gravity of the situation and would certainly not be careless.

"I trust you!"

After seeing Qi Gui off, Chu Wanning happened to run into Lu Siyan, who was just coming downstairs after finishing a meeting in his study.

"You've worked hard, darling!" Chu Wanning immediately beamed with a sweet smile, opening her arms and jogging toward Lu Siyan.

"Slow down, wife! Are you tired, hmm?" Lu Siyan asked with doting affection.

"Not at all. Grandpa will surely be fine. Do you have anything else to do later? How about we go pick up Qingbao together? Shall we go out to eat? I want to eat street food!" The last part slipped out before she could stop herself, leaving no room for retraction.

What, what had she just said?

Taking Master Lu and the second young master of the Lu family to eat street food.

Realizing her blunder, she quickly changed her tune.

"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue! Let's go to a fancy restaurant!" Chu Wanning laughed sheepishly.

Lu Siyan chuckled at her little gestures and expressions.

"Fine, let's eat street food! It will be my first time, so I’ll have to rely on my wife to show me the ropes!"

"You agreed? I thought you wouldn't eat that kind of food!" Chu Wanning exclaimed in surprise, her joy evident on her face.

She recalled the butler’s words from the other day; she had assumed they would never touch such food, yet he had actually agreed! Another day of falling in love with Lu Siyan—was this not just pure pampering?

However, considering it was their first time eating such snacks, she thoughtfully prepared some preventative pills and kept them on her person to avoid any stomach upsets.

The two went to pick up Lu Siqing together, with Lu Siyan driving personally. When they arrived at the school gate, Lu Siqing was standing on his tiptoes, peering around for someone. Suddenly, his gaze locked onto Lu Siyan and Chu Wanning.

"Brother? Sister-in-law?"

"Let's go, we're taking you for some delicious food today!" Chu Wanning opened her arms to welcome him.

Seeing him about to rush into her arms, Lu Siyan reached out and blocked him, steering him directly into the car.

"You're too heavy; you’ll knock your sister-in-law over!"

The under-20-kilogram Lu Siqing: "..."

Chu Wanning, who could knock down an ox with one punch: "..."

Very well! Whatever her husband said was the truth!

The three arrived at the Imperial Capital's famous food street. Upon entering, they were greeted by the aroma of various foods, which, surprisingly, did not clash.

"We... we're eating here?" Lu Siqing, holding Lu Siyan's hand, asked his sister-in-law on the other side with a hint of excitement.

"That's right! Are you happy? Eat whatever you want; your brother is treating!" Chu Wanning said, looking at the stalls with nostalgia.

"I want that tornado potato, and some stinky tofu, plus a red bean double-skin milk, fried chicken cutlets, fermented rice balls—oh, they even have hanging-oven sesame cakes! I love these!" She let go of Lu Siyan's hand and began buying as she introduced each item.

Before long, Lu Siyan was carrying seven or eight bags of various sizes—all of Chu Wanning’s spoils.

"What do you two want to eat?"

"Oh, I forgot, you’ve never had these before. I'll just buy them for you!"

Lu Siqing nodded, while Lu Siyan’s gaze remained soft only when it rested on Chu Wanning.

"That's enough! Just one of every stall is plenty! Let's eat in the parking lot! We can put everything in the trunk and eat standing up!" Chu Wanning suggested expectantly.

Lu Siyan: "..."

Lu Siqing: "..."

"Let's go!" At Chu Wanning’s command, the brothers carried the snacks toward the parking lot.

Chu Wanning had decided to just give up on pretense; since she had already led them astray, she might as well be thorough! It was already a mercy that she hadn't made them squat on the curb to eat. Though, she thought, that might have been even more delicious!

The next day’s tabloid headline would surely be: "Lu Corporation Suspected of Bankruptcy; Head of the Lu Family Reduced to Eating Street Food." Hahaha!

Before they officially began, Chu Wanning didn't forget to give them each a pill to prevent an upset stomach.

"Come on, enjoy the feast!"

Chu Wanning handed a bag to each of them, though they had no idea what was inside. The brothers glanced at each other and began to eat as if resigned to their fate.

The first bite was a struggle, but then they became increasingly addicted. In the end, all three were having a blast.

"How is it? Not bad for food that costs a few bucks, right?" Chu Wanning asked, sipping her cola with a raised eyebrow.

The brothers nodded.

"Then I’m going to build a 'Snack Street' at home, you don't mind, right? That way we don't have to keep running out!" Although going out was lively, it wasn't convenient. Chu Wanning was not one to compromise; if she wanted to eat something, she would.

"Fine! I'll tell Lu Nan!"

The three returned home, feeling full and satisfied. Lu Siqing was absolutely thrilled; the next day at school, he bragged about it for ages. After all, many of his classmates had never eaten such things, as their parents wouldn't allow it. But he was different—his sister-in-law had taken him herself, though she had warned him it was only an occasional treat, not an everyday habit. He kept that in mind.

At the Shen residence, before Shen Lingyun had even returned home, Shu Qing had already called Jiang Yin to tell her about the medicinal pills. Only then did she learn that her husband had had a brush with death that day. She burst into tears over the phone.

"Shu Qing, you... you must arrange for your goddaughter to meet me another day. I... I have to invite her for a meal!" Jiang Yin sobbed.

"Jiang Yin, don't worry. Old Shen is a man of great fortune; isn't he already better?" If she had known Shen Lingyun hadn't told his wife yet, she wouldn't have brought it up! Alas, she had stirred up trouble!

"Yes, yes, he's better, he'll be fine from now on!" Jiang Yin didn't know if she was saying it to comfort Shu Qing or herself.

Shu Qing offered a few more words of comfort before hanging up. Shen Lingyun arrived home just then.

"Old Shen!" Jiang Yin threw herself into his arms. "It's good you're okay, it's good you're okay!"

Shen Lingyun realized Jiang Yin must have heard about today's events. He had strictly ordered that it be kept quiet—who had told his wife? Oh, right! It must have been Shu Qing! But it was fine; at least he wouldn't have to explain it all himself.

"I'm fine. It's all thanks to Old Ye giving me the medicine his goddaughter sent him! He even brought some back for me; you can take it to Mom and Dad tomorrow."

The couple agreed they must properly thank her. Knowing she would appear at the Lu family patriarch’s birthday banquet, they were no longer in a rush; they would wait to meet her then, as it would be less abrupt.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed. During these three days, Chu Wanning was either in the pharmacy or on her way to it. Lu Siyan was also swamped with work, but he returned as early as possible every day to be with her.

As for the Lu patriarch’s condition, Chu Wanning received the latest updates from Qi Gui. After informing her husband, they took the prepared medicine and headed straight to the old mansion.

"Wife, thank you. You've worked hard these past few days!"

"It's no trouble! I love researching these things!"

Suddenly, Lu Siyan leaned in and whispered something into her ear. Her earlobes turned bright red instantly; what he said was known only to the couple.

At that moment, the Lu old mansion was bustling with excitement.