Chapter 1816 - 1416: Expert or Cook, Who Would You Choose?

Duo Shu was stunned by Zhou Mu’s words, his eyes widened in shock!

He thought to himself, it’s over!

He couldn’t help but glance at his master, feeling a deep sense of despair. Great! Zhou Mu, the rival in love, is lying with his eyes wide open. How could his master possibly fall behind?

He must follow Zhou Mu closely, even answering in a more deceitful manner!

Sure enough, just as Duo Shu predicted, Gu Changsheng’s hopeful gaze shifted away from Zhou Mu and settled on Shi Wujue...

"Ahem... not bad, you’re doing great. Eating, it’s indispensable..." Shi Wujue pondered under Gu Changsheng’s expectant gaze and eventually agreed.

Great!

This made Gu Changsheng genuinely satisfied, her face almost blooming with a big smile!

She believed it—people are like iron, food is like steel; one meal missed leaves you terribly hungry. Not only must you eat, but you must eat well!

Her own people have better judgment, and she liked that!

Then, Gu Changsheng’s gaze fell on the only remaining person by her side!

Indeed!

This person was none other than Black Man Duo Shu!

Heaven knew that when Gu Changsheng’s gaze landed on Duo Shu, he truly felt a shiver down his spine, and it was so obvious that Gu Changsheng couldn’t ignore it!

Under Gu Changsheng’s gaze, Duo Shu’s mouth twitched slightly, thinking to himself, don’t ask me. Although I stopped targeting you, I really have no affection for you!

I’m not like my master; I’m not swayed by your beauty!

Duo Shu’s gaze was rejecting... rejecting!

"Ha! Black Man, do you think I would ask you? Let me tell you, you’re overthinking it!" But to Duo Shu’s surprise, Gu Changsheng’s gaze only lingered on him for a brief moment before turning from hopeful to contemptuous!

Upon hearing the first part, Duo Shu was somewhat delighted, after all, he really couldn’t utter those conscience-compromising words. But hearing the latter part, Duo Shu’s face darkened a bit!

What’s the rhythm here?

If you’re not going to ask, then fine. We really don’t understand your foodie world, but what’s with that disdainful look?

"Tsk tsk... just look at how all-black and dingy you’re dressed. Your master may also wear black, but he’s got way more style than you, at least with gold and silver threads as accents. Low-key luxury with depth, right? But look at you, there’s no other color on you except black; anyone who didn’t know better might think you come from a coal mining background. Honestly, Er Que calling you Black Man really fits you, I also find that the name Black Man is truly fitting, it couldn’t be more appropriate!" Gu Changsheng looked at Duo Shu, her Phoenix Eyes full of distaste, critiquing him as if picking out flaws one by one, "That’s why I don’t hold much hope for your taste; it’s not surprising if you, like those mundane people, think pursuing exquisite food is foolish!"

As she spoke, Gu Changsheng nodded, feeling that what she said was truly reasonable!

Taste, it seems, is something others can’t save you from, and Black Man Duo Shu clearly couldn’t win over Gu Changsheng’s approval due to his poor taste!

"..." Duo Shu was dumbfounded and stunned by Gu Changsheng’s barrage of critique...

In truth, he hadn’t said anything, right?

Nor had he done anything, right?

Perhaps, when Gu Changsheng looked his way, his gaze was too horrified? His shiver was too strong? His rejection too obvious?

So, he hadn’t even spoken before getting roasted?

Heaven knew, Duo Shu was truly frustrated!

If only heaven could give him another chance, Duo Shu vowed he would definitely follow his master’s lead, even if not swayed by beauty, he would willingly succumb to Gu Changsheng’s tyranny and respond according to her hopes!

Isn’t it just throwing conscience to the wind? It’s certainly better than being called out as Black Man, who invited such misfortune?

Duo Shu’s heart was collapsing! Collapsing!

Turning, Duo Shu looked pleadingly at his master, with a face full of entreaty...

Meanwhile, Yuan Bao finally found the salt in the kitchen, lumbering over with his mountainous figure, hustling along. While the onlookers momentarily feared the burdens Yuan Bao carried might fall off, it must be said that Yuan Bao’s plump and round physique fully showcased its advantages, wasn’t it? Those parcels were indeed hanging securely, weren’t they?

Because Yuan Bao’s block is strong and has many focal points, it’s quite difficult to fall down!

"Darling, darling, we’ve got the salt, everything’s packed, let’s set off!" Yuan Bao eagerly said, approaching his darling. Heaven knows, following his darling on adventures always brings unexpected joys, even if this is only Yuan Bao’s thought.

"Yes, yes, let’s head to the Star Innate Tower!" Gu Changsheng looked at all the items hanging on Yuan Bao’s body, nodded satisfactorily, and waved grandly.

Then Gu Changsheng took the lead and walked towards the inn’s exit...

But before he even left the inn, Gu Changsheng abruptly turned his head, frowned at Duo Shu, and spoke in a deep voice, "Why are you following?"

Duo Shu was stunned by the question and couldn’t help turning to look at his master, his eyes filled with confusion, and replied, "To the Star Innate Tower!"

His answer was frankly naive. Honestly, he hadn’t yet reflected from the blow Gu Changsheng had dealt him, and his mind was a bit absent!

He felt that the unexpected disaster came without warning, and he couldn’t be more innocent!

"Why are you going to the Star Innate Tower?" Gu Changsheng frowned even more.

Now, Duo Shu frowned too, replying in a deep voice, "To protect the City Lord, it’s my duty!"

"Gosh! Don’t be ridiculous, your City Lord needs your protection? Don’t overestimate yourself. With your skills, you’re barely worth a pot when outside; here, you’re just a decoration to make up numbers. Black Man should behave and have self-awareness!" Gu Changsheng laughed upon hearing this, raised his hand, patted Duo Shu’s shoulder, and spoke with a friendly tone.

Upon hearing this, Duo Shu’s mouth twitched, "What do you mean?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Your martial arts are just so-so; no need to worry about protecting your master. Just stay and guard the home!" Gu Changsheng pointed to his Guest Garden, smilingly saying.

Her parents’ coffins are still placed in that Guest Garden, how could it be left unguarded?

Gu Changsheng doesn’t trust outsiders, her own people are much more reliable!

Of course, Gu Changsheng is not worried that the Black Man Duo Shu will do anything sneaky, after all, Shi Wujue is with them. As a subordinate, he can’t ignore his master’s well-being, right?

What’s this called? It’s called using the Son of Heaven to command the vassals!

Gu Changsheng considered her tactic to be quite seasoned!

"My martial arts are not good? Then why can he go?" Duo Shu heard this, laughed angrily, and pointed at Yuan Bao with hidden anger.

Suddenly being named, Yuan Bao, feeling wronged, blinked his round eyes and said, "How’s it my business? I’m just passing by..."

"He can carry so many things, can you?" Gu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, glancing at her mountainous Yuan Bao, speaking confidently.

Duo Shu was taken aback, looked at the large bags on Yuan Bao, thought for a moment, and replied honestly, "If he can, I surely can!"

Although he doesn’t have Yuan Bao’s plump physique, his martial arts are much better than Yuan Bao’s, moving things isn’t challenging for him!

"Can he kill chickens and ducks, can you?" Gu Changsheng asked again, raising an eyebrow, and without waiting for stupefied Duo Shu’s reply, continued, "He can also start a fire and cook, can you? His cooking is better than average cooks, can you manage that?"

"..." Duo Shu’s face turned black now.

Yuan Bao felt even more triumphant, looking at Duo Shu with a smug smile.

Gu Changsheng looked at the speechless Duo Shu, shrugged, and said, "See, even if you could be a porter, you can’t turn the items you carry into delicious food, cutting off my food supply! Generally, I’m not polite to anyone who jeopardizes my food supply! So, just wash up and sleep, stay home and guard it, I believe you can complete this glorious and great task!"

Is home guarding really considered a glorious and great task?

Then isn’t Yuan Bao, the porter-cook, about to earn merits?

Duo Shu was on the verge of losing it, looking at Yuan Bao’s smiling face, wishing to tear it apart!

"What are you staring at? You can’t cook, is that my fault?" Yuan Bao felt Duo Shu’s glare, shrugged, and said innocently, then added regretfully, "It just shows how important being a foodie is!"

"You!" Upon hearing this, Duo Shu’s eyes flared, pointing at Yuan Bao, taking a step forward, ready to act.

"Alright!" Shi Wujue saw this, and helplessly spoke, interrupting Duo Shu’s action, "Just stay home and guard it!"

Shi Wujue’s decision naturally received Duo Shu’s opposition; Duo Shu stepped forward once more, "But, City Lord, I need to protect..."

"Relax! Your master has spoken, just stay home and guard it. Don’t worry, we’ll protect your master well; not a single strand of hair will be lost!" Not losing a strand of hair seems promising; heaven knows what’s awaiting them in the Star Innate Tower. Gu Changsheng’s response was irresponsibly effortless, lacking any guilt in deceiving others...