Qin Yuchuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw her like this.
"You're mocking me!" Feng Qingyi was a bit upset.
Qin Yuchuan explained, "I'm not mocking you, I just think you look cute like this."
"You're just talking nonsense!" How could she possibly look cute like this?
Qin Yuchuan: "Every word I say comes from the bottom of my heart."
"Let's not talk about this anymore. I've been really unlucky lately, and now there's something even worse - my cousin is coming!"
Thinking of Nan Yue, Feng Qingyi's mood couldn't improve. She was already starting to feel anxious before her cousin had even arrived.
She had developed a psychological shadow when it came to Nan Yue.
Qin Yuchuan: "Your cousin?"
Feng Qingyi nodded, "She's only two years younger than me. Her name is Nan Yue. When we were little, she would use her young age as an excuse to take my things. Her parents always said that older siblings should give in to younger ones."
"It's our first time being human too, why should I have to give in to her? My brother helped me take my things back, and then they went around saying my parents didn't know how to raise children, that we were inconsiderate."
"We used to go to our grandparents' house often during summer and winter breaks, but later, because their family was always there, we stopped going as much."
"What I remember most vividly is one time when Nan Yue killed the neighbor's fish by playing with it, and then she falsely accused me of doing it."
"I hadn't even left the house that day. In the end, they found out it was her, but she still refused to admit it. She cried and insisted that I had told her to do it."
"Then her parents started defending her, saying how could such a young child have any bad intentions, that she must have heard it from me."
"My dad had a big argument with them and took us home that very day. After that, we only visited our grandparents when their family wasn't there."
"Although I don't want to maliciously speculate about others, given this precedent, I don't think anything good will come from her visit this time."
Qin Yuchuan thought for a moment, "If you don't want her to disturb your normal life, then just refuse directly and decisively."
"Some people are worth associating with, some are not. Since you've already had a falling out before, there's no need to negotiate with them now."
Feng Qingyi sighed, "When my uncle called, I tactfully said that my brother and I were very busy and didn't have time to look after Nan Yue, but he seemed to not understand and insisted on sending her over."
"If you can't refuse, then make it impossible for her to come," Qin Yuchuan said.
Feng Qingyi looked at Qin Yuchuan carefully, "You have a way?"
"The solution is simple. If you're not there, even if she comes, she can't disturb you," Qin Yuchuan explained.
Feng Qingyi thought for a moment, "But we still have classes. We can't just run away at the last minute!"
Qin Yuchuan: "That's for you to figure out."
"...Can't you just tell me directly?" Feng Qingyi grumbled.
Qin Yuchuan's hand lightly tapped the side table.
"There are some things you need to learn to handle on your own. I can give you ideas, but you need to think carefully about how to implement them."
"If you encounter similar situations in the future and I'm not by your side, you'll be able to handle them properly on your own."
Feng Qingyi nodded, "I understand. I'll figure out a way myself."
Qin Yuchuan: "Don't let these trivial matters affect your mood. It's not worth it."
"Rest early tonight. Don't be too anxious. You'll be able to think of the best solution."
Feng Qingyi: "I understand."
"Good night, sleep well!" Qin Yuchuan said gently.
"Okay, you get some rest too. Bye!"
After hanging up the phone, Feng Qingyi lay on her bed, thinking about what Qin Yuchuan had just said.
If they weren't there, her uncle probably wouldn't feel comfortable sending Nan Yue over. So she just needed to find an excuse to put him off.
Tomorrow she would call and ask when Nan Yue was planning to come, so she could prepare in advance.
If some unexpected incident were to occur, she could then directly refuse.
After figuring this out, Feng Qingyi's mood immediately improved.
...
Shengjing, Peng Lai Residence.
Xu Linghe had been coming to inspect every day lately, and incidentally to get some free food.
Feng Qingyi had already brought all the tools needed to make cookies.
With these tools, the production process became much faster.
Xuzhou had now mastered the production method, and his wife Tao Heng had also learned it, even innovating some new varieties.
Because of Peng Lai Residence's unique pastries, they had attracted a lot of customers.
Xu Linghe walked into the back kitchen and saw the new pastries Tao Heng had made. "Aunt Tao, what delicious treats have you made this time?"
Tao Heng: "I just baked something on a whim. I was thinking, since the cookies before were baked, maybe I could bake something else. Try these new pastries I've baked and see how they are?"
Xu Linghe: "Not bad, these seem even better than the cookies from before. Let everyone try them later. If they all think they're good, we can start selling them."
Tao Heng nodded, "Alright, I'll make more later for everyone to try."
"I just don't know what Qingyi has been up to lately. Ever since she brought these tools over, she's disappeared," Xu Linghe said.
Xuzhou, who was nearby, said: "Miss Feng seems to have said she's gone to class, but I didn't ask for details."
"Class? I always feel like she's being secretive. I went to her house but couldn't find her. Aren't classes supposed to be at home?" Xu Linghe asked, puzzled.
Xuzhou: "I don't know about that, but she said she'd come over when she's not busy."
"She's doing quite well as an absentee boss!" Xu Linghe remarked.
When Feng Qingyi arrived at Peng Lai Residence, the main hall was already filled with quite a few people.
Xu Linghe saw her and quickly waved her over.
Feng Qingyi walked over, "You're here too!"
Xu Linghe: "I haven't had much to do lately, so I come by to check things out every day."
Feng Qingyi said with a smile, "Are you sure you're here to check things out and not to freeload?"
"It's mainly because Aunt Tao's cooking is too good. And these past few days she's made some new pastries that taste great too. You should go try them," Xu Linghe said.
Feng Qingyi was about to go to the back kitchen when she saw Zhao Yiqing walking over.
"Miss Xu, Miss Feng, we meet again!"
Xu Linghe looked at Zhao Yiqing, "Mr. Zhao, you're dressed so formally today. Where have you been?"
Zhao Yiqing: "I just went to the Imperial Palace."
"Since you're here, please, let's go upstairs!" Xu Linghe led the way.
Before Feng Qingyi could say anything, the two had already gone upstairs.
Li Yi, seeing Feng Qingyi standing there stunned, explained, "Mr. Zhao has been here a few days ago. He and Miss Xu got along very well. I suppose he came today because of Miss Xu."
She had only been away for a few days, and this is what had developed!
