’His cleverness isn’t being used for the right things.’

’He knows how to make Mei Lin happy, and he knows how to seduce her. A mere servant with only B-class spiritual power, who sold himself into service as a steward, actually dares to have designs on the young lady of the Duke Mansion?’

’If Mei Lin weren’t so stubborn, he would have transferred that boy to a Mine Star to stand guard for the rest of his life.’

’It seems it’s time to arrange a marriage for Mei Lin. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bit later, but the girl needs to be reined in.’

...

When Jiang Jiang returned, Mei Lin was over the moon, but it was Jiang Jiang’s turn to be completely listless.

This puzzled Mei Lin. "What’s wrong with you?"

"It’s nothing. Maybe the weather is too cold," Jiang Jiang replied softly, as always.

"Cold?" The young lady let out a sound of surprise and mocked him, "The entire castle is heated. You were outside in the wind for a little while and now you’re not feeling well?"

"Hmph. Don’t come to me if you’re not well." Mei Lin waved a hand, dismissing him. "Go get some rest. Aren’t you afraid you’ll pass your germs to your young lady?"

She was overtly shooing him away, but having been with her for so long, Jiang Jiang understood her true meaning.

’It’s... It’s concern.’

"Oh, by the way, I received four invitations. In half a month, you can come eat with me," she said nonchalantly.

Jiang Jiang paused. "Me?"

"What’s wrong? You don’t want to go?" Mei Lin turned her head. "Anyone with a functioning tongue should want to go."

"Alright, I’ve already decided to take you. Now go back and get some rest."

"Yes, Young Lady. I’ll be heading back now."

Just before leaving, Jiang Jiang turned back and asked, "Young Lady, do you have any mines under your name?"

"Mines? I think so. There seems to be one on Haiyun Star? I don’t remember clearly. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. Just curious."

"It’s just an ordinary mine, I think. Nothing to be curious about." Mei Lin’s expression was bright and proud. "When I become the Family Head, I’ll take you to see the Dais Family’s Crystal Stone Mine. Now *that* will make you curious."

Normally, Jiang Jiang would have smiled at this, but today he hurried away before he even remembered to.

Mei Lin saw this and wondered.

’It doesn’t seem like he’s sick. What’s wrong with him?’

As evening fell, Jiang Qiuqiu took a Hovercar, hurrying back to Starry Sky Wander.

Earlier that day, Mrs. Ai’er had sent her a video of Mr. Yuan drinking Spirit Nourishing Liquid for all three of his daily meals. She said he had been doing it for a full half-month and wanted to invite her over to give him a "reward."

Since she could make it there by noon, Jiang Qiuqiu didn’t refuse. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

On the way, Mrs. Ai’er told her that no matter how many people were there today, she should make the same portion size for lunch as before and not add any extra.

At first, she didn’t understand what that meant. But when she saw four people at Mr. Yuan’s house, she got it.

This group was trying to exploit a loophole. Their plan was to have four people take turns drinking the Nutrient Liquid for half a month, earn a meal from Mrs. Ai’er, and then all eat it together. That way, they wouldn’t have to drink the Nutrient Liquid every day and could still satisfy their desperate cravings. It was the best of both worlds.

Plus, the cook was just a young girl, and kids are the easiest to coax. Seeing so many people, wouldn’t she feel compelled to make a little extra—

But they hadn’t expected Mrs. Ai’er to be so merciless, directly instructing Jiang Qiuqiu to stick to the original ingredients and portions.

...

And so, a meal that looked like enough to stuff four people seemed quite meager in front of eight.

At first, Yuan Bai, the "hero" who had earned the meal, could sit and casually take food. But because he was tall, strong, and had a huge appetite, he was promptly chased away from the table by the other old men.

Jiang Qiuqiu could still recall his aggrieved and incredulous expression, and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. After she finished laughing, she raised her hand and examined the Crystal Stone in the hovercar’s interior light.