With silver in her pocket, Qin Yao naturally felt confident.

She thought to herself, if Fulong Trading Company doesn’t do the Lady’s Box business, I’ll do it myself.

Liu Ji knew Qin Yao didn’t like him meddling in her business affairs, so he sensibly didn’t ask further, only cautiously remarked:

"My lady, the results will be posted tomorrow."

"I know."

The waiter brought the tea, and Qin Yao poured herself a cup, but found the warm drink unsatisfying.

Liu Ji immediately glared at the waiter, instructing with authority, "My lady likes cold drinks, bring the best cold drink you have, three bowls!"

After instructing the waiter, he quickly explained to Qin Yao, "My lady, it’s my treat."

That was indeed rare, and Qin Yao waved her hand, instructing the waiter to follow Liu Ji’s orders.

Liu Ji took out a money bag from his chest and handed it over obediently.

"Dengyun Building exempted all drinks for the evening, this is the refunded money, ten taels of silver." He said, as if presenting a treasure.

His eyes blinked rapidly, a look of eager anticipation hoping for praise.

Qin Yao couldn’t help but look at him a few more times, what kind of shock did he experience to change like this?

Could it be possible that Liu San would voluntarily return money one day?

But who would refuse silver anyway, Qin Yao smiled contentedly at him and decisively pocketed the silver.

Not getting the expected praise, Liu Ji was undeterred and continued to test, "Tomorrow the results will be posted, will you go with me to see them?"

Qin Yao nodded, "Of course, I want to see them."

If his name was on the list, it would be a cause for great joy.

But if it wasn’t, then...

Liu Ji suddenly felt a chill down his spine and had a moment of regret.

If she hadn’t decided to go, in case he didn’t pass, he might have a bit more time to escape.

But now, having said those words, if his name wasn’t on the list tomorrow... Liu Ji cautiously glanced at the woman across from him, her expression was cold, making his heartbeat tremble fiercely.

Buddha, Guanyin of Compassion and Mercy, Jade Emperor, Wenquxing, please bless me to make it on the list! The little person in Liu Ji’s heart clasped his hands together, fervently praying.

Fortunately, the waiter brought the cold drinks in time, otherwise Liu Ji felt like he might freeze to death under Qin Yao’s cold stare.

Song Yu returned with a table full of sumptuous dishes, three people, six dishes, with fish and meat, and a large barrel of white rice made from fine grain.

The dishes were all specialties from the Prefecture area. Qin Yao, adhering to the idea of enjoying good food and drinks since they were here, had tried most of the inn’s chef’s specialties together with Song Yu these past few days.

Liu Ji was dumbfounded, "You guys are eating this well?"

Song Yu felt a bit embarrassed hearing this. Since arriving at the Prefecture, the lady had been arranging almost everything, and he merely helped with errands.

The lady’s generous hand made him, a servant accompanying them, feel a bit overwhelmed.

Qin Yao gestured for him to eat and not listen to Liu Ji’s nonsense, and she picked up a big piece of braised fish, starting to enjoy the food.

Liu Ji was shocked, "What kind of celestial life is this!"

Suddenly regretted returning the silver earlier.

Thinking about how he pretended to be frugal at the He Family guest’s courtyard, where he made pickled vegetables himself and lived on white porridge and pickles daily, Liu Ji almost wanted to cry.

Though his junior brother occasionally brought good things over to feed him, it wasn’t something he could rely on for every meal!

"Are you going to eat?" Qin Yao, feeling annoyed under his stare, impatiently asked.

Liu Ji quickly nodded, "Yes, I am going to eat!"

Not only would he eat, but he would also eat until full!

Liu Ji picked up his chopsticks and quickly served himself several large pieces of meat, half a fish tail, and various vegetables until his bowl was piled high.

It wasn’t that Qin Yao underestimated him, but that amount wasn’t something Liu Ji’s stomach could handle.

Qin Yao warned in a cold voice, "I warn you, dare to spit and waste food, and you can forget about eating another bite of meat for the next three days!"

Liu Ji arrogantly lifted his chin but remained silent.

Catching Qin Yao lowering her head, not noticing him, he secretly pushed half of his bowl’s content towards Song Yu.

Song Yu was a bit confused and before he could refuse, his master’s stern gaze already forbade refusal.

What else could Song Yu do, but eat?

Good thing he hadn’t taken more food earlier, otherwise the person who wouldn’t taste meat for the next three days would be himself!

Despite the ample food, with Qin Yao, the food lover, on the case, the clean plate initiative went fully to the end.

Liu Ji was stuffed but showed no intention of leaving for the He Family.

Song Yu had found an excuse to leave earlier when Qin Yao put down her chopsticks.

He was tactful, knowing absence made the heart grow fonder, he didn’t want to be an eyesore here.

The sky was entirely dark, and Qin Yao, well-rested enough, got up and prepared to go back to her room.

She didn’t call Liu Ji, yet he sneaked behind her.

Seeing her look back, he immediately put on an ingratiating smile, seriously explaining:

"This place is close to the government office, convenient for going to see the list together tomorrow morning. Besides, the He Family sleeps early, the hosts are probably asleep by now, if I go back now, it will most likely disturb them."

Qin Yao looked him up and down, suddenly asking, "Did you bathe today?"

It was now late May, the heat was intense, and even taking a few steps outside made one sweat. Qin Yao bathed every day.

This high standard made Song Yu change his previous habit, now bathing once a day as well.

Liu Ji’s face stiffened slightly since the He Family didn’t seem to have this habit.

As a guest, he follows his host, and the last time he bathed... it seemed like it was last time.

"If you’re not clean, you can’t enter my room." Leaving this sentence, Qin Yao turned and strode away.

Liu Ji was startled, not knowing where his thoughts drifted, his eyes suddenly flashed with a shy excitement, wanting to smile but forcing himself to hold the corners of his mouth closed.

Half an hour later, Qin Yao’s door was knocked on.

"Enter!" She leaned beside the bed, busily counting small calculations on an abacus.

Liu Ji kicked open the door with his foot, entering very consciously with the bedding he got from the waiter.

Qin Yao looked up and saw a man dressed in a loose white shirt with his ink-black hair draped, handsome and charming, holding a roll of bedding before her, a pair of moist peach blossom eyes shyly gazing at her.

Fresh from his bath, his complexion turned a fair rosy shade from the steam, truly a visage of captivating allure.

Qin Yao suddenly felt her throat dry, put down the abacus, got up, bypassed him, and went to the table to pour a cup of cold tea to ease it.

From start to finish, her gaze never left his body, that unhidden, intensely invasive stare forming a dense net, trapping him in that small space, unable to move an inch.

Liu Ji’s long fingers clutching the bedding involuntarily curled up tightly around the quilt.

He swallowed hard, only feeling the narrow room was unbearably stuffy, so hot it felt like his whole body’s blood was about to ignite.

"Come here." Qin Yao suddenly commanded.

Liu Ji turned around, and unbeknownst to him, she was already sitting at the table, her foot resting on a low stool, crossing her legs and looking down at him with her arms crossed.