Yu Yifan and Gu Zhi went out to buy fish, and the sisters took out the barbecue grill they had made before and lit a fire to burn some charcoal.
The girls marinated some meat, planning to grill some barbecue as well.
"Oh right, where did Miaomiao go? How come I haven't seen her all morning?" Xiao Han asked.
"I just asked Yu Yifan, he said she went out, not sure if she went to find Wuyin or not." Sang Li said.
Xiao Han sighed, "Ah, love, it really gives people a headache..."
Xiao Han seemed to think of something, and nudged Xia Miaomiao with her elbow, laughing: "Miaomiao, what's the deal with being the eleventh wife?"
Xia Miaomiao paused for a moment, and truthfully said: "Hua Wuyou asked me to be his eleventh wife, but I didn't agree."
"My god...can he even handle it? Isn't he afraid of kidney deficiency?" Xiao Han exclaimed.
Xia Miaomiao pulled her arm, "Keep your voice down!"
She looked around the yard, luckily not seeing Hua Wuyou around. Hua Wuyou had just said that he didn't sleep well on the roof last night, so he went to take a nap in Yu Yifan's room.
"Ten wives is quite over the top..." Sang Li was on the side stringing meat on skewers, looking like she had seen through Xia Miaomiao. "Miaomiao, are you planning to agree to him?"
"What? How could that be alright?" Xiao Han bristled up.
Xia Miaomiao paused for a moment, looking at Sang Li, "Sister Li, I can only agree to him in order to get a hold of the treasure map."
Sang Li had already guessed Xia Miaomiao's thoughts, "No, I don't agree. It's too dangerous."
Xiao Han also understood Xia Miaomiao's implications and immediately said, "That's right, with just you going alone, how could we possibly feel at ease? With you looking so easy to bully, wouldn't you just be taken advantage of?"
"..."
Xia Miaomiao thought for a moment, "Do we have any other way? Now that Wuyin is gone too, we have no one else to rely on. I know I'm timid, but I'm not stupid."
Just as Sang Li was about to say something, they saw Yu Jiaojiao come to the yard after washing up, "Ladies, can I help you with anything?"
Xiao Han did not stand on ceremony and handed her some skewers, "Just string up the meat like what we're doing here."
Yu Jiaojiao looked at the meat skewers in their hands and replied, "Sure."
Yu Jiaojiao was not pretentious either, and helped them with the tasks. Not long after, Gu Zhi and Yu Yifan bought three fish back, as well as some vegetables and fruits.
After dealing with the fish, the grilling job was left to Xia Miaomiao.
Hua Wuyou was awoken by a tempting aroma.
He sat up from the bed and gave a sniff. He immediately got out of the room.
When he got to the yard, he saw that the yard was filled with smoke and aroma. The peculiar fragrance went right up his nose. He walked over and stood behind Xia Miaomiao, and happened to see her sitting next to the pan stir-frying some condiments.
Next to her was a plate of freshly cut, vibrant colored peppers that Xia Miaomiao had pickled beforehand. There was also a plate of garlic paste and a plate of spicy hot pot sauce and dried chilies that Xia Miaomiao had made herself earlier.
Hua Wuyou did not recognize any of these things. He blurted out, "Little bunny, what are all these things next to you? How come they smell so good?"
Hua Wuyou's voice gave Xia Miaomiao a fright. She immediately turned around to look up at him. "You're up?"
"I was woken up by your tantalizing smells!"
He looked around at the tools laid out in the yard, feeling somewhat puzzled. "I've never seen any of these stuff before. Are they unique to your Lan City?"
Yu Yifan, who was grilling meat at the side, looked over at him. "There's plenty you haven't seen. Wanna try some?"
Yu Yifan handed him a meat skewer. Hua Wuyou walked over and took the meat skewer, examining it.
He had also grilled meat before, but not like this. He took a bite of the meat and carefully savored it. "Is this...beef?"
Hua Wuyou was a little incredulous. Beef could be eaten this way too?
Yu Yifan gave him another skewer of golden brown, aromatic pork belly. "Try this one too?"
Hua Wuyou took over the pork belly skewer. Taking one look made him extremely want to eat it. He took a bite, and widened his eyes in disbelief. "This is too delicious! Little bunny, you made these?"
"Of course! Our Miaomiao is a master chef! She can make all kinds of tasty stuff." Xiao Han chimed in from the side. "This is just the tip of the iceberg!"
And the grilled fish that came next completely refreshed Hua Wuyou's taste buds all over again.
Xia Miaomiao made grilled fish in three flavors: spicy, pickled pepper, and garlic. He found every flavor quite novel, yet felt that they were very appetizing. While the others were used to the spicy taste and ate heartily, Hua Wuyou's face turned bright red from the stimulation of the chili peppers, yet he couldn't bear to stop.
Xia Miaomiao also made some cold beverages for Hua Wuyou to taste.
Seeing Xia Miaomiao being so enthusiastic, Hua Wuyou still felt somewhat puzzled. He smiled at her and asked:
"Little bunny, why are you suddenly so enthusiastic towards me? Have you decided to agree to become my eleventh wife?"
Xia Miaomiao looked at him earnestly and asked, "Hua Wuyou, among your ten wives, is there anyone who can cook like me?"
Hua Wuyou was dumbfounded for a moment. He reflexively shook his head. "I guess there isn't..."
"Then I agree to become your eleventh wife!"
"Pfft..." The cold drink Hua Wuyou had in his mouth nearly spewed out.
He immediately put down his cup in astonishment. "What did you say?!"
Not only was Hua Wuyou surprised, everyone else was also looking at Xia Miaomiao in shock.
Xia Miaomiao took a look at Sang Li before withdrawing her gaze again. "I said... I agree to become your eleventh wife."
"No way!" Xiao Han stood up first in objection. "Are you kidding me? Eleventh wife? Is he an Emperor?"
Hua Wuyou paid no attention to Xiao Han's words. He looked at Xia Miaomiao with scrutiny in his eyes. "Why would you suddenly agree to me?"
"I..." Xia Miaomiao lowered her eyes somewhat shyly. "I suddenly realized that I seem to... have fallen for you, and want to stay by your side..."
Hua Wuyou sized her up, thinking about the authenticity of her words. He suddenly laughed softly and raised his brows. "You've really thought it through? That's the eleventh wife!"
"I... I have a request!" Xia Miaomiao said softly.
"What request?"
"I... won't warm your bed, I'll only cook for you..."
"Heh heh..." Hua Wuyou laughed. "Little bunny, are you kidding me? I'm a flower thief, what use would I have for you if you don't warm my bed?"
Xia Miaomiao grabbed his collar, looking at him aggrievedly. "Haven't you already experienced what I can do? I can make many more delicious stuff, I won't disappoint you!"
"Besides... you already have ten wives to warm your bed, isn't that enough?" Xia Miaomiao added. "I won't compete with them for your favor. I'll be very obedient. I'll only cook tasty food for you. As long as you let me stay by your side and be able to see you, I'll be content."
"......"
A peculiar feeling flashed across Hua Wuyou's heart. He stood up and said solemnly. "Let me think about it!"
After speaking, Hua Wuyou turned and strode out of the yard.
Xiao Han immediately ran over and pulled Xia Miaomiao. "Miaomiao, what are you doing? Li sister and I don't agree to this!"
Xia Miaomiao looked at Sang Li with determination in her eyes. "Xiao Han, you guys can't stop me in this matter."
Sang Li knew Xia Miaomiao well. She looked weak and timid on the outside, but she was tough on the inside. Once she had made up her mind on something, no one could dissuade her.
So she had not interrupted at all, but she had already decided in her heart that she would not let Xia Miaomiao go with Hua Wuyou to Chu City alone. They would accompany her to Chu City together.