OFTLHFRO C149

 Chapter 149: Because He’s Adorable

“What? You want me to go to Wolf King’s Fort?”

Xiao Lin was stunned after hearing what Huo Yan said.

Luo Mingchen was puzzled. “It’s just delivering a token and a letter. No need to be that scared, right?”

“It’s not that I’m scared… well, shall we leave now?”

Huo Yan said, “How about dinner first, then go?”

“Ahem… that’s not what I meant.”

Xiao Lin rubbed his nose and said, “You should pick who goes carefully, preferably those who look good.”

Before Luo Mingchen could ask why, Huo Yan said, “The people have been chosen for you. Go early and return soon.”

“…Fine.”

Xiao Lin took the letter and token and left. Only then did Luo Mingchen ask, “Why only good-looking people?”

Huo Yan replied, “People from Wolf King’s Fort only deal with good-looking people.”

Luo Mingchen: “…Do ugly people have no rights?”

“They help the weak who accidentally enter Wolf King’s Fort.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen understood—it’s just extreme superficiality.

In early May, Hancheng felt hot even in light clothing.

Without outside matters to attend, Luo Mingchen casually made some fried chicken, paired with special chili powder, the aroma enticing.

Wolf King’s Fort was three days away from Hancheng. Huo Yan said that once the roads were fixed, it would only take a day and a half.

Before Xiao Lin’s return time, Luo Mingchen found asking useless as the boy could only nod or shake his head.

Originally thought to be mute, Luo Mingchen accidentally overheard him talking with Huo Xinyue, realizing that he could speak.

Placing the fragrant fried chicken on the table, Luo Mingchen smiled at the boy.

Under such a gaze, the boy hesitantly said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After so many days, Luo Mingchen would only get a thank you when giving him food, while other questions were answered with a nod or shake.

“Wow! Fried chicken!”

Huo Xiang excitedly ran in.

“You’ve got a good nose; no need for me to call.”

Saying so, Luo Mingchen amusingly handed her a pair of chopsticks.

Huo Xiang chuckled, “Thanks Little Daddy! Why aren’t you eating?”

Then she saw Huo Xinyue pointing at Huo Yuhui still writing, and called confusedly, “Brother?”

Huo Yuhui didn’t reply.

Luo Mingchen leaned over to glance and saw him silently copying some strange script, somewhat resembling hieroglyphics.

After finishing, Huo Yuhui sighed in relief, put down his brush, and smiled at Luo Mingchen. “Little Daddy, what good thing did you cook this time?”

“Fried chicken.”

Luo Mingchen didn’t understand but didn’t ask.

When Huo Yuhui sat down, they gathered to eat.

After a while, Huo Xiang asked, “Little Daddy, should we save Daddy some?”

“No need, he won’t be back soon.”

Though a general, Huo Yan’s camp had myriad trivial matters. Huo Yan disliked waiting for problems to arise before asking and had unresolved issues, so he was quite busy.

“Meow~”

Drawn by the aroma, Xiao Bai came over, calling softly.

Luo Mingchen gave her a piece of chicken breast.

This was from mutant chickens raised on corn in the space, not fully grown—only about five jin compared to a mature chicken’s ten jin. The meat was tender and delicious everywhere.

The boy stared at Xiao Bai for some time, noticing Luo Mingchen’s gaze, then said, “Xiao Bai is very smart.”

For some reason, Luo Mingchen thought of Huo Yuhui when looking at him.

Unless frightened, the boy seemed wary of them.

Especially after seeing the boy’s eyes, Luo Mingchen was even more certain.

Thus, when the boy spoke about Xiao Bai, Luo Mingchen laughed, “Very smart, almost like a spirit. Xiao Bai even stole your gems, so we found you.”

Hearing this, the boy twitched his lips and buried his head in the fried chicken.

Luo Mingchen understood.

Huo Xinyue, chewing a large chicken leg, overheard them talking about the gems and tugged the boy’s sleeve. “Brother, I want to give the pretty stone to Daddy.”

“…Oh.”

Getting a response, Huo Xinyue wiped her hands with a handkerchief, fishing a large ruby from her pocket, sweetly smiling, “Daddy, this is for you.”

Seeing the ruby, Luo Mingchen was speechless.

Though greedy, Luo Mingchen had limits. All treasures brought back were reserved for the boy, but unexpectedly, the boy gave a large ruby to Huo Xinyue.

Huo Xiang grumbled, “Why does he only give things to Xinyue?”

The boy glanced at him without reply.

Huo Xinyue smiled happily, eyes curved. “Xinyue is cute.”

Luo Mingchen put the ruby back in Huo Xinyue’s pocket. “Good girl, Daddy doesn’t want it. Keep it to play with, but definitely don’t eat it, understand?”

Huo Xinyue blinked and nodded vigorously, “Mm!”

After finishing fried chicken, Luo Mingchen took Huo Xinyue by the hand and, with Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang, went to see the vegetables in the field.

Walking there, the houses in Hancheng were a bit shabby, but the streets were clean.

Besides the military fields, some commoners had private plots with free seeds and seedlings. Seeing their crops growing, each was joyful—it was their hope to survive.

Hence, unlike when they first arrived and hid from soldiers, the villagers now greeted them cheerfully.

Looking out, a vast expanse of lush green vegetable fields brought joy to Luo Mingchen.

His three children rarely went out and were surprised at the great changes.

Huo Xiang spotted a wooden shed in a corner and curiously asked, “Little Daddy, what’s that?”

“That’s where grapes and big watermelons are grown.”

Luo Mingchen thought about moldings for the watermelons to shape them into various forms as a gimmick to sell better.

After all, people here ate round watermelons; a sudden appearance of square or heart-shaped ones, even if identical in taste, would attract wealthy households wanting to try something new.

As for grapes, Luo Mingchen wanted Huo Yan to brew a barrel of grape wine.

He had said so last year but was delayed by many affairs.

Luo Mingchen wasn’t interested in rice wine; he preferred fruit wine.

Of course, he liked fruit juice and yogurt even more.

The boy looked thoughtfully upon the vast vegetable field.

When would Hancheng be able to grow such fine crops?

“Lord Luo!”

Hearing his name, Luo Mingchen turned to see a centurion.

“What is the matter?”

Wondering if Huo Yan was not in town, he wondered why someone would look for him.

The centurion approached, bowed, and said, “Lord Luo, many people have arrived outside the city. They say they are refugees from near Conch City in the west, displaced by a hurricane.”

“A hurricane?”

Luo Mingchen frowned; this likely meant a typhoon. He asked, “Why didn’t they seek help in Conch City?”

The centurion said, “Conch City is overwhelmed. A group fled to the capital.”

“…Why not ask Huo Yan?”

Some time ago, Luo Mingchen had requested some young, strong people, but never expected refugees. What if there was a first group now, followed by more later?

Such matters couldn’t be agreed upon lightly.

The centurion said helplessly, “General Huo is in the tunnels. Hancheng’s underground tunnels are many and complex… I really don’t know the way.”

“Then give them food and drink first. I’ll find Huo Yan and ask when I locate him.”

With Luo Mingchen’s words, the centurion agreed and went to skillfully arrange porridge.