Chapter 087 – The Young Boy’s Initial Brilliance (4)
“Forget it, let’s not talk about these gloomy things.”
Liu Zhi decisively cut off the conversation, wanting to avoid any unpleasantness between father and son over such baseless matters.
Setting that aside, he was extremely pleased, even proud, of his daughter’s earlier response.
After all, Jiang Pengji’s ancestors included the formidable Cheng Emperor, who was indeed not to be underestimated.
On the surface, Liu Zhi appeared emotionless, but internally, he had pondered over it several times.
Jiang Pengji frowned secretly and said, “Father should rest well at home; it’s better not to overthink things.”
“In that case, let’s listen to Lan Ting.” Liu Zhi shook his head with a smile, everything returning to normal, “I suddenly have a craving for egg custard.”
Jiang Pengji’s face turned awkward as she coldly replied, “I’m no good at cooking.”
In reality, Liu Lanting had no idea where the kitchen was in Liu Residence, and Jiang Pengji herself was accustomed to various flavors of nutritional liquid. In her special circumstances, anything edible was welcome; surviving was the priority.
As for the only cooking she was remotely related to, that was limited to barbecues.
“Then let me cook for you, Lan Ting; we can enjoy a drink together.”
Feeling deep bonds, downing a shot in one go.
The previous topic was indeed sensitive, creating a somewhat rigid atmosphere that needed to be eased.
Not only Liu Zhi thought so, but Jiang Pengji felt the same.
However… Drinking alcohol alongside egg custard was somewhat absurd.
Moreover, Liu Lanting’s body was still that of a minor girl—was drinking really okay?
As it turned out, she was overthinking it.
Liu Zhi claimed he would cook, but in reality, he only knew how to make egg custard because it was simple.
As for drinking, it was merely the Pear Blossom Brew brewed every year, which had an extremely low alcohol content—Jiang Pengji could drink a dozen jars without getting tipsy.
Just a few cups in, Liu Zhi’s cheeks had already taken on a slight rosy hue from the mild intoxication.
She couldn’t help but glance down at her cup, then back up at Liu Zhi.
He can get drunk from this?
What she didn’t know was that because Gu Min believed alcohol harmed the liver, Liu Zhi had been kept away from wine and cigarettes since childhood. He had only drunk during his wedding night and later replaced alcohol with tea in social gatherings. After Gu Min passed, he occasionally indulged in small cups.
Alcohol tolerance depended on both talent and training; Liu Zhi had neither talent nor training, and his health was already poor. In recent years, the stress of Hujun’s affairs had drained him, and even low-alcohol Pear Blossom Brew could get him slightly tipsy.
Plus, as the saying goes, “It’s not the liquor that gets the person drunk; it’s the person who seeks intoxication.” Liu Zhi was deliberately seeking that buzz, and no one could stop him.
After several more cups, he was already a bit hazy, his eyes tinged with the red of inebriation.
He sat with Jiang Pengji in the courtyard corridor.
“Your mother… loved these pear trees so much… always taking care of them. The Pear Blossom Brew from Liu Residence became a must-have for entertaining guests. Once, beneath this tree, there was a swing, and your elder brother was held in her arms, swinging happily…”
Though pear trees had unlucky connotations, Gu Min adored them; he couldn’t do much about it.
Taking advantage of his slight drunkenness, Liu Zhi supported his head with a hand, tears welling in his eyes, “He passed away at just two… Your mother was frail. I didn’t want her to endure multiple pregnancies for fear of harming her… After raising you for four years, we finally got you and your second brother.”
“Who knew he drowned in the pond at merely four years old? Since you two were born, your mother took every precaution, teaching you not to talk to strangers, forbidding you from the water’s edge, and ensuring you avoided random rocks and hills… Despite being so cautious, she still fell victim.”
As Liu Zhi recounted this past, besides sorrow, there was also a glimmer of intense hatred and murderous intent in his eyes.
“Lan Ting, that woman in the backyard might look charming, but she’s more venomous than a snake, her methods are astonishingly cruel!”
Jiang Pengji drank her wine, mentally analyzing the information she had gathered so far.
Liu Lanting’s two brothers had fallen victim to the woman in the backyard, and Liu Zhi knew who she was; he just couldn’t act against her or retaliate. He even had to be careful to avoid her manipulations.
So… what was the motive behind her harm?
Could it be that someone who admired Liu Zhi was jealous and harmed his children out of spite?
Jiang Pengji subtly glanced at Liu Zhi, who was still handsome, even in middle age, exuding a mature charm that surpassed many young boys.
However, if it was out of jealousy, wouldn’t it have been better to kill Gu Min?
But Gu Min had merely succumbed to frailty and illness.
Liu Zhi, slightly intoxicated, squinted as if drifting off, “My daughter can’t waste her time playing around in these men’s backyards!”
Jiang Pengji silently listened, choosing not to argue with a drunken man.
“… She should mess with those men instead!”
Jiang Pengji nearly choked on her drink, almost spitting it out.
Father dearest, have you forgotten your gender?
Encouraging your daughter to harm other men, what kind of brotherly love is that?
“Feng Huaiyu is pretty, but too rigid and sinister, with a beautiful wife and concubines at home, not a good match.”
Jiang Pengji shot him a sidelong glance; from her observations, Feng Jin seemed rather inexperienced, not yet having taken a girl to do the deed—where did the beautiful wife and concubines come from?
“Xu Xiaoyu, while handsome, has a rebellious nature, hard to tame—a wolf that won’t be domesticated, also not a good match.”
Jiang Pengji didn’t understand the connection between their character and beauty.
Was being a face-controller taken to such extremes not worth some self-reflection?
She waited for Liu Zhi to continue his drunken ramblings, but he suddenly paused, turning sharply to gaze intently at Jiang Pengji, his eyes sparkling and intense—such a sudden action could frighten someone timid enough to tears.
Liu Zhi, with his tipsy gaze, asked, “Lan Ting, what do you think of Langya Cheng Youmo? Though he’s a few years older than you, he has a gentle temperament and is cautious in his actions.”
Who is Cheng Youmo?
She felt a bit suspicious, but judging by Feng Jin and Xu Ke’s characteristics, Cheng Youmo would likely also be a youthful and handsome type.
“Not interested, never heard of him.”
“Well then… what about Langya Han Wenbin? Young and handsome, with a heart as clear as a bell, his demeanor exudes righteous energy…”
Is this father trying to set her up?
Thinking back to Liu Zhi’s earlier words, Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but feel sorry for the young men he was eyeing.
All the suggested candidates were firmly rejected by his daughter, making Liu Zhi sigh with disappointment, “Why doesn’t Lan Ting like them?”
“… Maybe… they’re not pretty enough.”
Although she hadn’t seen them, all men would likely not catch her eye.
She was a face-controller, and it seemed Liu Zhi was one too—but she was even pickier, expecting blue to surpass blue.
“Pretty…”
Liu Zhi tilted his head, pondering for a long time, his muddled brain recalling the names of various people. Since having a daughter, he had been considering the notion of taking in a son-in-law, as there was no way his daughter would get married!
Not a chance!
Not even a window!
Not even a dog hole to squeeze through!
