Chapter 33

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Additionally, our Marquis is currently ranked first in the category and 14th overall. This is all thanks to the continuous support of our brothers and sisters. I am deeply grateful to all of you who have been quietly supporting me. I bow in gratitude!

"Me? I'm just a rough man. I'm like this whether I'm on the battlefield or back at home!"

At the gate of the Qin residence, Zhao Chen got out of the carriage and followed Old Qin inside. As soon as they entered, they heard a loud, raspy voice bellowing from the hall.

Hearing this raspy voice, Zhao Chen was instantly taken aback. Who is this person? He acts as if he's at home in Old Qin's residence. Lady Qin is someone who values etiquette and rules above all else; even Old Qin probably doesn't act so casually at home.

Seeing the helpless look on Old Qin's face, Zhao Chen quickly guessed the identity of the person inside.

Cheng Yaojin! It could only be Cheng Yaojin, who has fought alongside Old Qin through countless battles and life-and-death situations, who would act so freely in Old Qin's residence.

Sure enough, as they entered the courtyard, Zhao Chen saw Cheng Chumo leaning lazily against a pillar outside the house, munching on a cucumber. When he saw Old Qin and Zhao Chen enter, Cheng Chumo immediately straightened up and respectfully greeted Old Qin, "Nephew Chumo greets Uncle Qin!"

"Greedy brat!" Old Qin, without stopping, gave Cheng Chumo a slap on the head as he passed by, muttered something, and then entered the hall.

"Chumo, why are you here?" After Old Qin entered the hall, Zhao Chen scratched his chin and approached with a smile, looking at Cheng Chumo.

"Are you kidding me!" Cheng Chumo rubbed the back of his head and took a big bite of the cucumber, mumbling, "You've been unconscious for three days, and Daoist Sun wouldn't let us disturb you. I happened to go out this afternoon and only found out you were at Uncle Qin's when I came back. Since my father was coming to the Qin residence, I came along!"

Look at that, this is what brothers do! Who else would care about you like this? Who else would come to visit you? Zhao Chen was deeply moved!

Just as he was feeling moved, Cheng Chumo stuffed half a cucumber into his hand. Although it was already bitten by Cheng Chumo, Zhao Chen didn't mind and took a big bite.

However, Cheng Chumo's expression seemed off, as if he was looking at him with disdain. Just as he was feeling confused, he suddenly looked up and saw Qin Yuyan, Old Qin's daughter, staring at him with a cold, fiery gaze and the half cucumber in his hand.

Zhao Chen, chewing on the cucumber, looked down at the cucumber in his hand, then up at Qin Yuyan, who was glaring at him as if she wanted to tear him apart. He suddenly realized what was happening.

It was already late autumn, and cucumbers were probably only available in the hot springs palace. The cucumbers at Old Qin's house were likely a gift from Emperor Li, but Cheng Chumo had taken one without permission.

Seeing the owner come after him, Cheng Chumo quickly transferred the cucumber to Zhao Chen and pretended to be innocent.

What a scoundrel! He had been so moved just a moment ago, but now he had been betrayed!

However, Qin Yuyan was also quite naive. She should have considered that he had only been to their house twice and wouldn't have known where to find a cucumber even if he wanted one.

Seeing Qin Yuyan still glaring at him, Zhao Chen rolled his eyes and took another bite of the cucumber, chewing it while looking at her provocatively.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cheng Chumo puffing his cheeks and staring at him. He kicked Cheng Chumo's foot, thinking, "You traitor!"

Cheng Chumo, caught off guard, let out a strange cry and the cucumber in his mouth sprayed out like a shower of flowers.

"Yuyan, listen to me, I didn't steal it!" Cheng Chumo, standing on one leg, rubbed his foot and tried to explain, wincing in pain.

Zhao Chen, seeing the cucumber bits on his robe, felt disgusted and sneered. "You're still denying it after spitting it out!"

Suddenly, he saw Qin Yuyan, with her red lips tightly pressed together, her beautiful eyes misty with tears, and the tears falling like rain.

Oh no, he had made Old Qin's daughter cry. Zhao Chen was taken aback when he saw Qin Yuyan crying.

"It's just a cucumber, no need to cry over it!" Zhao Chen stood there awkwardly, holding the half-eaten cucumber, feeling speechless.

"Pervert, who asked you to speak!" Qin Yuyan, hearing this, wiped her tears with the back of her hand and said angrily.

Pervert? What the heck, eating a cucumber made him a pervert? Zhao Chen rolled his eyes, feeling that Qin Yuyan's imagination was beyond description!

"Fine, how about I make it up to you with a basket of cucumbers?" Being called a pervert for no reason, he had to put on a face and try to appease her. After all, she was Old Qin's daughter!

"Who wants it!" Qin Yuyan, not buying it, turned her back on him and said disdainfully.

"If you don't want it, fine!" Zhao Chen was also a bit annoyed. He was only doing this for Old Qin's sake. If she didn't appreciate it, so be it.

Just then, Cheng Yaojin's loud voice echoed from the hall, "Zhao brat, get in here! Are you waiting for me to bow to you?"

Hearing Cheng Yaojin's voice, Zhao Chen shrugged at Qin Yuyan and turned to walk towards the hall. As he passed Cheng Chumo, he kicked his other leg and said, "You caused the trouble, you deal with it!"

Without waiting for Cheng Chumo to respond, he hurried into the hall.

He had thought only Cheng Yaojin and Old Qin would be in the hall, but when he entered, he was surprised to see a room full of people, all sitting on the floor with cushions under them. Wine jars and cups were scattered on the floor in front of them.

Seeing Zhao Chen enter, they all looked up at him with sharp, scrutinizing gazes. One of them, a burly man with a beard, stared at Zhao Chen and laughed, "Heh."

No doubt, this was Cheng Yaojin, who had just called him in. Zhao Chen quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Young Zhao Chen greets all the uncles and aunts!"

As he spoke, he bowed to everyone in the room. Just as he straightened up, he met a cold, piercing gaze and quickly lowered his head.

Li Ji! He hadn't forgotten the embarrassing incident at the Wei River when he mistook Li Ji for Li Jing.

Thinking of Li Jing, he quickly looked around the room, relieved to see that Li Jing wasn't there.

The people in the room were either old generals from the Tian Ce Fu or comrades-in-arms from the old days at Wagon. None of them were easy to deal with!

Old Qin, sitting in the main seat, nodded in satisfaction at Zhao Chen's politeness. However, Cheng Yaojin, sitting next to him, grunted in dissatisfaction and glared at Zhao Chen, "You're quite impolite, aren't you? You only come in when called?"

"Forgive me, Uncle Cheng. I grew up in the mountains with my master and am used to a carefree life, so I may lack in etiquette. I hope Uncle Cheng will guide me in the future!" Zhao Chen, hearing this, immediately bowed to Cheng Yaojin with a respectful attitude.

However, as soon as he said this, he regretted it, wishing he could slap himself. Old Qin had just mentioned sending him to Cheng Yaojin after the New Year. Now, he was in trouble!

Sure enough, Cheng Yaojin laughed and said, "Since you've said it, how can I refuse? After you come of age next year, come to my army!"

Hearing this, Zhao Chen looked up in despair, already imagining how Cheng Yaojin would torment him in the army!

"Thank you, Uncle Cheng!" Despite his inner reluctance, he had to show gratitude and bowed to Cheng Yaojin.

"Words are not enough. I've heard Uncle Qin praise your cooking skills. Why don't you prepare a feast for us now?" Cheng Yaojin, hearing this, waved his hand impatiently and then laughed, looking at Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen was taken aback and glanced at Old Qin, who nodded slightly. He immediately understood.

These old generals had gathered at the Qin residence today, not just for leisure, but because Old Qin had deliberately invited them to formally introduce him.

Old Qin has been good to me!

"Since Uncle Cheng has given the order, I will comply!" Understanding Old Qin's intentions, Zhao Chen bowed to Cheng Yaojin and readily agreed.

He then apologized to the old generals in the room and left to head to the kitchen of the Qin residence.