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Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Gu Yuming then entered the villa's fence.
"What are you doing?" Gu Yuming spoke in his habitually arrogant tone.
"Barbecuing," Jiang Yan replied, already accustomed to this as she focused on mixing her secret seasoning blend.
Gu Yuming squatted down and fiddled with the small cart of ingredients.
The grill had been set up earlier by the servants, with a picnic blanket, cushions, and a round table, everything ready.
The cart was neatly layered with various fresh vegetables, skewers of meat, seasonings, and washed and sliced fruits.
They wanted to do it themselves for the experience, instead of letting the servants grill for them.
Ji Chu came out carrying two bottles of milk and, upon seeing Gu Yuming, instantly gritted his teeth. The Jiu family's servants were always warm and welcoming, quickly adding another bottle and bringing it over.
Gu Yuming started grilling while Ji Chu, not wanting to see him, went to help Jiang Yan with the seasonings.
But when Jiang Yan saw him, she plopped down on a cushion and watched them work with lazy eyes.
Ji Chu never objected, even unscrewing the cap and handing her the milk.
Gu Yuming glanced back, seeing the beautiful girl lounging there, her slender fingers grasping her glistening, milk-white wrist as she moved it, her delicate eyebrows faintly furrowed, as if her hands were sore from stirring the seasoning. Pampered, unwilling to lift a finger, like a princess... a few phrases popped into his mind.
Chicken wings, ribs, beef, and pork belly.
The high heat coaxed out the fats in tiny droplets, crisping the outer layer, while the prepared seasoning coated the meats evenly, releasing a rich aroma.
Gu Yuming placed the grilled meats on a tray to the side, but Ji Chu shamelessly took three-quarters of them. Gu Yuming silently acknowledged that if it weren't for Jiang Yan's presence, Ji Chu wouldn't have left him any.
"Sis, what would you like?" Ji Chu asked, holding the tray.
Jiang Yan glanced over and took a rib. Grilled to perfection, it was slightly dry yet tender and flavorful, the salty cumin complementing the fruit jam glaze - utterly delicious.
"Gu Yuming, you could sell barbecue in the future. I'm sure many people would buy it," Jiang Yan sincerely praised him.
Gu Yuming scoffed, rudely retorting, "You think I'd sell barbecue in the future?"
Ji Chu immediately came to Jiang Yan's defense, not forgetting to insult him too. "What's wrong with selling barbecue? It's a perfectly good job. Are you looking down on it?"
Gu Yuming turned to suggest Ji Chu should sell lunchboxes instead, but Jiang Yan cut him off.
"Enough, I simply said the barbecue is delicious. Why argue?" Jiang Yan raised her hand to stop the bickering.
After two rounds of grilling, Gu Yuming called a servant over to assist. He grabbed a skewer, tearing off and chewing the meat clean, swallowing it down with a few rough bites and a visible bob of his Adam's apple.
Even his eating bore Gu Yuming's trademark intensity, a hint of desire born from his vigor.
Jiang Yan, nibbling on a mushroom skewer, turned her gaze to Ji Chu.
Ji Chu was intently devouring a beef skewer, his clean and refined appearance clashing with how his chewing muscles swiftly worked as he devoured the meat.
They both ate in a rather daunting manner.
Jiang Yan muttered to herself, prompting Gu Yuming to glance over. "What are you looking at? Is that all you're eating?"
Ji Chu turned, his amber eyes urging, "Sis, have some more. Look how thin you are."
Jiang Yan waved them both off with her hands.
Gu Yuming wondered if there was something she particularly liked that would encourage her to eat more.
Ji Chu, having lived with her, knew this was simply her nature - she ate when she wanted, and no amount of persuasion could change that. Over time, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of resentment, imagining a day when he could get her to obediently finish her meals.
The handsome young man remained silent, unable to fathom that the refined and obedient boy before Jiang Yan actually hoped to control her someday.
The three finished eating, having nearly depleted the ingredients.
Towards the end, a filthy child appeared outside the fence, drawn by the aroma. Seeing Gu Yuming inside, he raised his voice, "I want some! Gu Yuming, bring me some!"
Jiang Yan and Ji Chu recognized him as Gu Ziang, Gu Yuming's stepmother's son - a universally disliked brat. Though Gu Yuming had been mischievous as a child, he had only caused trouble within their own villa. Gu Ziang, however, was a menace throughout the entire villa area, constantly pestering people and their pets, even plucking expensive ornamental flowers on occasion.
Gu Yuming's stepmother was constantly apologizing and compensating the offended parties, as the villa residents were not ordinary folk.
Gu Yuming scoffed, regretting not disciplining the brat earlier.
Ji Chu narrowed his eyes, frowning.
The brat showed no regard, impatiently demanding, "Are you deaf? Can't you hear me? If you don't bring me some, I'll tell my dad, and you'd better wait and see..."
Jiang Yan cut him off, drawling, "This is mine. Want some?"
Gu Ziang, knowing better than to provoke Jiang Yan directly, replied rudely, "Are you gonna give me some or not? If not, I'll tell on you too."
"Oh my," Jiang Yan feigned surprise. "But the food in my home is only for my family and our dogs. Will you still eat it then?"
Ji Chu's lips curved slightly, while Gu Yuming silently observed her.
"Don't you know how to share? You're so selfish," Gu Ziang failed to comprehend her implication.
Jiang Yan had to be more blunt. "So are you a dog?"
Gu Ziang paused, then furiously tried to kick the fence upon realizing her insult. "How dare you call me that? You wicked woman! Selfish and mean..."
Jiang Yan disliked unruly children and had already lost her patience, immediately glaring coldly with an icy threat, "You dare kick it? That custom-carved fence from the famous craftsman? If you damage it, your mother will give you a beating, and she'll still have to come here and beg me for forgiveness!"
Gu Ziang quickly withdrew his foot in fright, though he couldn't stop his runny nose.
The villa's servants couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Gu Ziang's face flushed red as he cried and ran back home.
Jiang Yan remained seated on the picnic cushion, still grasping the finished skewer, unmoving after scaring off the brat.
"Sis, your wit is impressive. Why are you usually so quiet?" Ji Chu praised her.
Jiang Yan maintained her composure, slowly adding, "I didn't mean you two. You were in my home's territory just now."
It was then that Gu Yuming left.