73. Some have their own ideas

Looking at the worried youth he started explaining to them what she can eat and what is bad to eat. They had suddenly so many ideas to cook and he left with a smile. But as soon he left the kitchen his face became serious. Famous Bai Zhenzhen's daughter living sickly... How would she feel if she knew?

His eye became cold as he walked towards his room. Why thinking much. She is dead now. All he can do is to stay a bit by her side and make her condition liveable. She was now too little to handle heavy medicine. After a few years, he will come back. Let's hope she can live well until then.

Mingli saw his serious face and looked at the kitchen door. When he entered he saw three young men quarrelled about food that she has to eat. ''What is going on?''

They jumped as they didn't expect anyone to come in and sighed in relief as they saw Mingli. ''We just spoke with Wen Dalun about food for our miss. She can't eat many things doe her health issues so we asked him what kind of food and species she should not have in her meals. Now we are trying to find more ideas on how to feed her. Luckily she can eat all vegetables and meats. Just many spices, nuts and herbs are not good for her.''

Mingli nodded. ''Miss said she will come to kitchen tomorrow and explain to you about many recipes she got from her mother and from the cook she met on the ship. Maybe the new ideas you can use while cooking her meals as well.''

The three of them nodded happily. ''Miss always has good ideas.''

Mingli left the three excited youths and smiled at Bolin that sat at the porch in front of the main room and strode slowly towards him. ''You got the news.'' He could see him nodding and looking around. ''We can talk later on.''

They saw Lou and his children coming out and on the end the little boy patting his stomach contently and licking his lips. The two men smiled and then became serious as Lou strode towards them.

''I will wake up early in the morning. When you have time take me with you.'' He wanted to choose his house himself if he is already borrowing her money.

Mingli nodded. ''Miss told me to give you two silver tomorrow so you can buy food and heating material for you and children. By the way, she will gift you heater and simple stuff for your kitchen so don't waste money on such things. She just said you need to buy enough heating material for whole winter.''

Lou nodded. ''I am grateful to miss.'' Then he bowed to the two men and left with children while the boy stopped in front of them.

''My father is not a bad man. He thinks of us all the time. I will ask him later to give me permission to work for the miss as well. I can do odd jobs like bringing water or cleaning the yard. I can take care about plants as well. There is nothing I wouldn't do to make his burden lighter. So please, do not think badly about us. We will not leech on a young miss. Really.'' He looked seriously at the two big men and then bowed one more time.

Bolin looked at the small boy and sighed. ''He has a good build. If we could train him from small on he could make good guard later on.''

Mingli nodded. ''He is swift on his feet and smart as well. I think as well that he would be an amazing guard. Maybe even soldier.''

Bolin hit his shoulder. ''Hey. No. This boy needs to stay by her side one day when we become too weak or too old to protect her.''

Mingli suddenly bowed and came closer to his face. ''Ohhhh, it seems you finally made a decision. When will you tell her.''

Bolin just humphed and stood up. ''I have no idea what you are talking about. Going to check the doors and surrounding. You stay here and have weird fantasies.'' But on his lips, a smile couldn't hide.

Mingli just sat down and took out his knife. As he started sharpening it he chuckled. ''Yes, yes. You are caught in her cuteness net just like me and my brother. You are right, contract or no contract, I plan to stay by her side until the end. You have your choice and I made my choice.''

Bolin rolled his eyes and turned around. ''Mingli, you are becoming weirder by day. If Louli finds out that you are this strange, will she still marry you?''

Mingli stopped his motion and smile brightly. ''Of course, she will. I am handsome, well build, have a steady income, have good mistress, have saved enough money as well. Why wouldn't she? To her, it wouldn't be a big loss even if she finds me strange from time to time.''

Bolin stopped in his tracks and chuckled. ''Is that enough for a happy marriage?''

Mingli continued to sharpen his knives with a huge smile on his face. ''Of course not. I am a man of my word. I like her a lot and that is the most important point.''

Bolin wanted to to make fun but saw Louli coming closer and snickered. ''She is there, why not being honest then.''

Mingli turned his head and looked at the perplexed girl with a smile. ''Oh, Louli, I want to talk to you for a moment privately. Is it possible?''

Louli held medicine and shook her head. ''I need to feed is miss her medicine and then she needs to take bath and then... Sorry. Can we talk about some other time?''

Mingli nodded. ''Of curse. We have time. There is no rush. We have a long, long time.''

Louli suddenly blushed and almost escaped as she felt his burning gaze on her face. When she entered the main room she saw Shu Ya reading some documents and mumbling something while Hualing shook her head. ''She is checking her accounts again.''

Louli slowly placed the medicine next to her and brought sweets as well.

Shy Ya looked up and saw the medicine. ''Is it hot?''

Louli shook her head. ''I waited bit outside so it could get bit colder. I think now it's drinkable.''

Looking almost black substance in bowl Shu Ya made a disgusted face but still packed it and drank it in one go. But when she was offered sweets against the bitterness she shook her head.

''I need to drink this every day. If I eat so many sweets my teeth might as well rot. The bitterness will last for a while and leave. I need to get used to.'' She pushed the sweets away as small drops of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Both women became worried. They knew how bitter that medicine was so they knew how hard it was for Shu Ya to give up the sweets. They saw her pressing her lips together and enduring the bitter feeling in her mouth...