The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl
Chapter 103

On the fourth day since arriving in the County Town, Li Mingwei finally found time to visit Liu Yizhu. Calculating the timing, she arrived at the academy's entrance just before his class ended. Since the academy didn't allow outsiders, she had to ask the gatekeeper uncle for assistance.

Hiding behind a large red pillar at the academy's entrance, Li Mingwei peeked out, and as soon as Liu Yizhu emerged, he spotted her.

He smirked, strolling over to the pillar, teasing, "Am I seeing things, or did the pillar grow a head today?"

Caught in the act, Li Mingwei found it rather dull and walked out, greeting him, "Long time no see, fool."

Liu Yizhu remained unruffled, "Indeed, long time no see, madam."

Glancing at the gatekeeper uncle behind him, he led her to a nearby alley to talk.

Having not seen each other for over ten days, Liu Yizhu had missed her a bit. He pulled Li Mingwei into his arms, holding her tightly for a while before releasing her hand.

He reached out to tidy up her disheveled hair, then asked, "Why are you here? Missed me?"

"And by the way, when did I become a fool again?"

Li Mingwei chuckled, "Guess, if you're clever, you'll figure it out."

"Alright, fool it is," Liu Yizhu compromised. Unable to guess, he asked again, "Why are you here? Missed me?"

Li Mingwei pouted, "Missed you? You're thinking too much. I came to shop, happened to have some time, so I generously dropped by to see you."

Amused by her words, Liu Yizhu pinched her shameless little face, "You truly are a living bodhisattva."

He withdrew his hand, speaking seriously, "Honestly, why come to the County Town? Any family matters?"

"None."

Yun Sister's affairs were too complicated; Li Mingwei didn't want to divulge too much. She simply told him she made plans with Yun Sister and Older Sister Chunhua to hang out.

Hearing this, Liu Yizhu nodded knowingly, "No wonder."

Li Mingwei hesitated, "No wonder what?"

"No wonder I've become a fool again. You three must have whispered some bad things about me."

"None," Li Mingwei denied emphatically, trying to please him as she leaned against him. She raised three fingers, saying, "I swear, didn't say anything bad about you."

"You're trying to deceive me, but I was raised by my mother."

When he was young, Old Lady Wang took him wherever she went. He heard more gossip than he had salt to eat. Married women gathered, either cursing their husbands, mother-in-laws, or occasionally scolding children—nothing good was ever said.

He snorted lightly, "You three huddled together, didn't you discuss me and Old Brother Dong?"

Li Mingwei pouted, wanting to skip this topic, "I'm hungry."

Helpless, Liu Yizhu didn't press further, "What do you want to eat?"

"How about lamb soup?"

It had been a while since Li Mingwei had lamb soup, and she still had a faint longing for its taste.

Lamb soup in this weather?

Although a bit out of season, Li Mingwei still nodded, "Alright, but I'm not sure where we can find it nearby. We might have to look around."

"Okay, let's go then."

Li Mingwei's hand slid down his arm, interlocking her fingers with his, pulling him as they turned to walk out of the alley.

Liu Yizhu didn't move, pulling her back. Li Mingwei looked at him bewilderedly, "What's wrong?"

"I suddenly remembered something." Liu Yizhu lowered his head, meeting her gaze, "Did Older Sister Chunhua once call me 'mutton soup'? Was that your doing?"

If Li Mingwei hadn't mentioned mutton soup today, he probably wouldn't have remembered this incident.

It was a few months ago when he met Wang Chunhua on the street. He was about to bow when Wang Chunhua waved her hand and greeted him with "mutton soup." At that time, he was still wondering about mutton soup, and then she changed to calling him Liu Xiaocai.

Li Mingwei thought for a long time before vaguely recalling that she might have described him like that to Older Sister Chunhua. She tightened her grip on Liu Yizhu's clothes, laughing uncontrollably in his arms.

What was her Older Sister Chunhua up to? Why was she still calling out random things?

Seeing her like this, Liu Yizhu knew she had done something mischievous again. He pretended to frown, "I knew it. When you gather together, who knows what you're talking about? One moment it's silly, the next it's mutton soup."

"So, what does mutton soup mean?"

Li Mingwei suppressed her laughter, her head bumping against his chest, "Why would I want to eat mutton soup?"

"Because it's delicious?"

"So, am I delicious?" Liu Yizhu felt something odd about that.

Li Mingwei looked at him disdainfully, "So, you're silly. Of course, it's because I like you that I would drink it!"

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Had she liked him even back then?

Liu Yizhu's lips curled up slightly. He caught up with Li Mingwei, who had quietly run away, and held her hand, taking her to search for mutton soup all over the street.

After circling around, they found that there wasn't any near the academy, and the previous place was too far away. Li Mingwei didn't want to go, suggesting trying somewhere else.

Liu Yizhu looked at her eagerly, "Are you trying to replace me?"

Li Mingwei raised her hand and slapped him, "Yes, replace you, change your name."

She pointed to the nearby restaurant, "From now on, you'll be called Full Flavor Residence."

Liu Yizhu glanced at the sign and thought it wasn't bad. He led her inside, saying as they walked, "Let's taste it first before changing. If you don't like it, I'll still call it mutton soup."

There was no mutton soup at Full Flavor Residence, which disappointed Liu Yizhu a bit. But since they were already there, they ordered some random dishes. Tomorrow was their day off, and they had plenty of time to eat mutton soup.

After dinner, Liu Yizhu went back to the academy to get some books and returned to the inn with Li Mingwei. Wang Chunhua, understandingly, grabbed her little bundle and was about to sleep next door to Yun Sister.

Liu Yizhu talked to her for a few words and learned that they had been staying in the county town for several days. He squinted at Li Mingwei, feeling quite magnanimous!

It took them four days just to spare him a glance!

Li Mingwei felt a bit guilty and followed Wang Chunhua next door to avoid disaster.

Yun Sister chuckled, "Why did you come over here instead of staying with Scholar Liu for a while?"

"It's all because of Sister Chunhua, she let it slip right away." Li Mingwei lightly scolded Wang Chunhua, leaning in next to Yun Sister, "I couldn't tell him about your situation, I just said we came to stroll around, but ended up wandering for four days before I went to find him. I just came here to hide and wait for him to kill me."

Wang Chunhua finally realized she misspoke, "I didn't mean to imply that you didn't tell him."

Yun Sister smiled and replied nonchalantly, "It's okay, you should tell him. Scholar Liu is not someone who talks recklessly, don't let misunderstandings arise between you."

"It's not a big deal, just a misunderstanding."

Li Mingwei looked at Wang Chunhua, "Sister, do you plan to wait with me for Qing Yang to pick up Yun Sister before heading back together? You've been out for four days."

Wang Chunhua shrugged, "It's been four days, a couple more won't hurt. I had someone bring a message to your brother-in-law, so he can stay home and look after the kids, instead of going up the mountain in this scorching weather."

She lifted Li Mingwei off the bed and pushed her out the door, "Take care of yourself, stop worrying about me. Come on, get out, don't hog my half of the bed. If you want to lie down, do it back where you came from."

Li Mingwei pouted, "Sister, you don't care about me anymore, you just want me to go back and die."

"If I don't care about you, someone else will, now go!"

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