Chapter 113: Chapter 111: There’s Just No Competing
The faint scent of green bamboo made Su Mo frown.
She took a slight step back and looked up to see the person in front of her turning around.
’This Third Young Master again?’
’Talk about a small world for enemies!’
Su Mo frowned and said awkwardly, "I’m sorry."
Xuan Qing watched her with his usual cold, aloof expression. The voice that spoke was just as frigid, devoid of any warmth.
"Miss Su, you should read fewer of those disorderly storybooks. It would be one thing if you read them for your own amusement, but you really shouldn’t be misleading others."
"!!!"
’He waited here just to lecture me, didn’t he?’
Su Mo raised an eyebrow. "Since the Third Young Master claims I’m misleading others, why don’t you tell me exactly how I misled Xiu’er? What misunderstanding did I cause her to have about you?"
Xuan Qing’s brow furrowed. "Men and women should not be intimate. You lead people down the wrong path, and you still try to argue your way out of it?"
His words made Su Mo laugh in exasperation. ’He really is a boring idiot, a slave to the rules!’
She arched an eyebrow. "Third Young Master, don’t go pinning blame on me. I didn’t teach her to force a kiss on you, nor did I tell her to arrange some secret tryst. She didn’t even touch your hand."
Su Mo ignored the darkness that flickered in his eyes and took a step closer, her breath warm and fragrant. "You seem so tense, Young Master. Could it be you’re just saying the opposite of what you feel? That deep down, you were actually hoping she’d approach you?"
Xuan Qing’s face flushed red with anger. "You! You’re utterly infuriating!"
But Su Mo just smiled.
’Why should he be the only one allowed to get under my skin? What’s wrong with me getting under his? Seeing this ice block get so fired up is pretty satisfying.’
She turned to leave.
But to her surprise, the man stepped forward and blocked her path.
Xuan Qing looked at her and said coldly, "I’m not finished speaking."
Su Mo gave an unconcerned smile. "Go on."
Xuan Qing pressed his lips together. "I’m single because I’d rather have quality than quantity. Unlike some people, who like so many men they can’t even keep track of them all."
Su Mo gritted her teeth. "..."
’Quality over quantity? He makes it sound like everyone else is just desperate and not picky at all!’
Su Mo took a deep breath and let out a derisive snort. "Well then, I wish the Third Young Master the best of luck in finding that person who meets your ’quality’ standards! But... with requirements that high, I’m afraid you’re doomed to be lonely for all eternity."
With that, she turned and walked away around his side.
Just then, Yue Ying and the others found her. "Wife."
Su Mo walked over quickly. "Back to our rooms, back to our rooms."
Seeing the brooding Xuan Qing behind her, Fei Yan and the others froze for a moment.
After Su Mo’s group left, Jin Yan watched her retreating back and muttered, "She might be a great doctor and easy on the eyes, but that mouth of hers is so venomous... I have no idea how those men put up with her."
The moment the words were out, Xuan Qing shot him a glare.
Jin Yan immediately fell silent.
His young master was so strange. Every time he mentioned Miss Su, he got a glare. Every single time...
But he wasn’t wrong, so why the constant glaring? Everyone said their young master was hard to read, and it seemed they were right.
Xuan Qing arrived at Xuan Shuang’s study, walked to the side, and casually picked up a book, flipping through its pages.
Xuan Shuang had already heard about the incident outside. Seeing his expression, she couldn’t help but laugh. "How rare, to actually see a look of anger on your face."
Xuan Qing scowled. "I’m not."
Xuan Shuang chuckled. "You know perfectly well whether you are or not; no need to explain to me. But you don’t have to be so angry. After all, that Miss Su won’t be staying with the Tiger Clan for much longer."
Xuan Qing’s hands paused in their flipping of the book.
He heard Xuan Shuang continue, "Eldest Sister said that in two more days, she can take the second dose of Beauty Smile. I’m guessing that’s when she’ll ask to return to the North Wing."
After speaking, Xuan Shuang turned and left the study. "I’ll go ask her what she wants to eat."
As soon as she stepped out, she ran into Xuan Wei, who was standing at the door.
Xuan Wei frowned. "Do you really think he likes that Miss Su? Even if her looks are restored, Third Brother has seen countless beautiful women. He’s not the type to be swayed by appearances."
Xuan Shuang shook her head, a meaningful look in her eyes. "How about we make another bet?"
...
When the Xuan Shuang sisters went looking for Su Mo, an attendant informed them she was in the kitchen, teaching their cooks how to make new dishes.
By the time the sisters arrived at the kitchen, Su Mo had already taught the staff how to prepare three or four dishes.
She simply couldn’t stand the Tiger Clan’s food any longer; every meal was like chewing wax. On top of that, her husbands were now supervising her as she drank her medicinal soups, which were even more bland and tasteless.
So today, she had taken some seasonings from her System Space and come to personally teach the Tiger Clan Beastmen how to cook.
By now, several dishes were ready. Su Mo had served a portion to the two Little Dragons, who were now eating with gusto, their mouths shiny with grease.
Heaven knows how long they had been craving a meal like this.
Seeing the beautifully colored, fragrant, and appetizing dishes on the table, Xuan Shuang and Xuan Wei were also taken aback.
Xuan Shuang picked up her chopsticks, tried a piece of a sparerib, and nodded in delighted surprise. "This is delicious!"
Just as she finished the food in her mouth, she saw Su Mo walking over with a smile.
Xuan Shuang wiped her mouth with a flourish and laughed. "I was just coming to ask what you’d like for lunch, but I see you’ve already organized a feast. We’ve been poor hosts."
Su Mo waved her hand. "Don’t be so formal. I was idle anyway, so I thought I’d come help out."
Xuan Shuang tried a piece of fish next, her eyes widening in amazement. "This is the best ’help’ anyone could ask for! I never imagined you had such amazing cooking skills!"
She grabbed Su Mo’s wrist, her voice filled with excitement. "What other talents are you hiding? Why don’t you show them all off at once! Let me see what you’ve got!"
Su Mo smiled. "They’re just minor parlor tricks, nothing compared to the real skills of the Second Miss."
After they chatted in the kitchen for a while, Xuan Shuang pulled Su Mo out.
She was a guest, after all. How could they let her spend all day cooped up in the kitchen?
When the two Little Dragons emerged from the kitchen, full and content, the room was already packed to the brim.
They were all people who had followed their noses, drawn by the tantalizing aroma.
During the meal, Su Mo was seated to Xuan Qing’s left.
She felt a little awkward because of their morning encounter, but Xuan Qing acted as if he hadn’t given it a second thought.
He wore the same calm and unruffled expression as always.
Seeing this, Su Mo couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it either.
During the meal, Xuan Shuang brought up the timing for Su Mo’s next dose of ’Beauty Smile’.
The date Su Mo gave was about the same as Xuan Wei’s estimate.
Xuan Shuang chuckled. "It seems I can’t keep you here for much longer. But if you have nothing urgent to return to, feel free to stay a few more days."
The next second, Su Mo felt several pairs of eyes from across the table snap toward her.
She smiled. "I wouldn’t want to impose... I have things to attend to."
Tian Huan asked, confused, "What things? Can we help?"
Hearing this, Yue Ying chuckled. "That’s one thing General Tian Huan can’t help with, though you’re welcome to come drink with us."
Realization dawned on Tian Huan. "Ah! Miss Su is going back to get married! That’s wonderful news! I’ll definitely be there for the celebration!"
The room instantly filled with the sound of congratulations.
Long Yan’s hand, which rested on the table, clenched slightly.
He had known this day would come, but his heart still felt heavy.
Su Mo shot a speechless glance at the fox across the table.
’That fox has the biggest mouth... I said we’d discuss it when we get back, but he just had to announce it in front of everyone. Does he really think I’m going to go back on my word?’
Yue Ying beamed, clearly pleased with himself. He had wanted to make it known to all, leaving her no room to back out.
Fei Yan interjected smoothly, "Everything is up to our wife to arrange. If we hold a banquet, we will be sure to inform you all."
Hearing this, Xuan Shuang chuckled to herself. ’These men were certainly willing to compromise. They were so eager to secure their official status that they couldn’t be bothered with formalities.’
’There’s no point in trying to compete for the position of main husband. Oh, well.’
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