Chapter 61: A Life-or-Death Question

“You know I will achieve Golden List Inscription?”

The voice was clear and even, as usual, but those phoenix eyes looking over were as deep as an ancient pool, sharp as a blade’s edge, gleaming with a bone-chilling cold light.

Wen Nuan Nuan’s expression froze instantly. She held her breath while her mind raced.

Think back to the interview—seven interviewers staring at her while she answered questions, and she still managed to respond. Summon that same unshakable mental fortitude now. Leng Xiao couldn’t possibly be more terrifying than seven interviewers.

She stole a glance upward and saw those piercing, penetrating eyes already narrowing dangerously.

Wen Nuan Nuan had to admit: Leng Xiao staring at her was even scarier than seven interviewers!

This was absolutely a life-or-death question.

First and foremost, she absolutely could not admit it!

If she admitted it, how could she explain? Leng Xiao was nothing like Eldest Brother, that honest, gullible soul who’d believe her even if she claimed to be a fairy.

Besides, she had already told Leng Xiao she didn’t know why she came here. If he found out she knew about the future development and achievements of all four of them, wouldn’t he suspect she had come deliberately, with some ulterior motive?

That would be too unjust—even a summer snowstorm wouldn’t be as unfair as that.

“I don’t know; I guessed. Isn’t it easy to guess? You’re so diligent; Golden List Inscription is certain, it’s just a matter of time.” Wen Nuan Nuan said without blushing or panting, feeling she performed perfectly naturally.

Deny and subtly shift the focus—if she kept circling around ‘knowing,’ the more she explained, the more she’d give herself away!

“Oh? How have I been diligent?”

He hadn’t even touched a book these past few days. How could that be called diligent? Which of her eyes saw him being diligent?

Leng Xiao leaned forward slightly, drawing closer, his eyes contemplative as he watched Wen Nuan Nuan.

Wen Nuan Nuan’s heart skipped a beat, filled with regret. It wasn’t her fault—in the village where she grew up, praising someone always meant praising their diligence and hard work.

Don’t panic, stay calm. It’s not that bad yet.

Even if it’s a life-or-death question, she had to smooth it over. Just say something—anything—but don’t leave it blank.

“You’re not just diligent; you’re a genius, exceptionally talented. Not only will you achieve Golden List Inscription, you might even be the top scholar!” Wen Nuan Nuan seized the chance to heap on praise.

Who doesn’t like hearing compliments? Compliments aren’t taken too seriously anyway.

Treat her earlier words as praise too, as well-wishes.

Holding her breath, she watched as Leng Xiao straightened up, his expression relaxing as if his doubts were dispelled. Wen Nuan Nuan felt she was amazing—the transition was so natural, without a trace of awkwardness.

She wanted to give herself a thumbs-up and a victory sign, but afraid Leng Xiao might notice, she desperately suppressed the urge to let her lips curl upward.

It’s tough for someone who can’t hide their feelings—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness all surge to their face.

Wen Nuan Nuan held back, her eyes darting around uncontrollably. She couldn’t let Leng Xiao see her happiness.

Her past experiences and the knowledge she’d learned were quite useful after all. She could apply them effortlessly, even fooling Leng Xiao. Today was another brilliantly triumphant day.

From the corner of his eye, Leng Xiao saw Wen Nuan Nuan’s face flushed red from holding back, her lips tightly pressed to prevent a smile, her clear eyes sparkling with pride and cunning, radiant and captivating.

He knew she wouldn’t admit it.

He had deliberately questioned her and put on a cold, probing front just to see her reaction when she thought he believed her.

She did know—it wasn’t a guess as she claimed.

But he wouldn’t expose her. No matter what, it was better that it was her.

Compared to the woman who first married into this family, she now resembled her childhood self more.

The way she stood in front of him, hands on her hips, scolding the mischievous children—vivid and cunning, just like that day, just like now.

Golden List Inscription, top scholar?

If he could keep her here, what difficulty would there be?

…

The brief exchange between Wen Nuan Nuan and Leng Xiao lasted only a moment, so fleeting that the three younger ones only reacted after it ended, crowding around and chattering with questions.

“Sister-in-law, guess what I’ll do in the future?”

“Sister-in-law, guess for me too!”

“Me too!”

How dare Nuan Nuan make guesses? Having just managed to dispel Leng Xiao’s suspicions, she wasn’t about to court danger by engaging in such a risky topic!

“What’s there to guess about a bunch of kids? I’m not a fortune teller.

Don’t dwell on such vague things! I’ll go to the room to fetch some candies, snacks, and fruits. Let’s have a good chat as a family.”

Could this be considered quality time?

Nuan Nuan eagerly hurried to the room, actually retrieving preserved plum meat, dried plums, dried peaches, sour plum strips, and dried tangerine peel from the storage room, along with pears, apples, and oranges.

She had initially considered bringing snacks but thought better of it since they’d be going to bed soon—best to skip the snacks.

Carrying a large armful of fruits and preserves, she placed them on the table and called out, “Come, come! Let’s eat while discussing how to sell the braised dishes. Earning silver for our family is the real priority!”

Noticing Leng Xiao’s gaze fixed on her, Nuan Nuan looked down at her clothes. There was nothing unusual about what she was wearing today.

Casually handing him a pear, she said, “It’s good for the lungs. Perfect to eat now.”

Leng Xiao’s slender hand accepted it but didn’t eat it, instead turning it over in his palm.

Leng Tian asked with a puzzled expression, “Sister-in-law’s braised dishes are so delicious. Do we really need to think about how to sell them?”

“Even good wine fears a deep alley. Not only do we need to think about how to sell them, but also how to earn more silver from them.” Hearing Leng Tian’s question, Nuan Nuan had no time to dwell on Leng Xiao and quickly turned to answer.

Her gaze shifted to the three younger ones.

“Find a bustling location.”

“Keep everything clean and tidy.”

“Organize everything neatly.”

Nuan Nuan nodded in approval to each suggestion. After all, she was just making casual conversation with her younger brothers—no need to take it too seriously.

Leng Yun thought carefully, opening his mouth as if to speak but hesitating.

Nuan Nuan encouraged him, “Little Brother, go ahead and say it. It’s fine—just our family here. Even if you’re wrong, it doesn’t matter.”

In truth, she was most eager to hear Leng Yun’s thoughts. After all, could becoming the wealthiest man in the Ling Kingdom, living in unimaginable luxury with jade beds and golden horses, really be solely due to Leng Xiao?

From what she had observed of this child’s intelligence so far, it seemed unlikely to rely entirely on Leng Xiao.

Leng Yun pursed his lips and spoke cautiously, “We could make a fixed amount each day based on how much we can sell. Once it’s sold out, there’s no more. That way, people who want to buy will come early to wait, and those who miss out today will think about coming earlier tomorrow.

We ensure everything we make sells out each day, and those who are just passing by and hadn’t planned to buy might come in to purchase when they see the crowd.”

Nuan Nuan was stunned.

“But if there are still people who want to buy each day, wouldn’t we be losing out on a lot of silver?” When it came to selling, Leng Tian always believed more was better—couldn’t selling more mean earning more silver?

Why wouldn’t you sell when people want to buy?

Leng Yun’s small face showed a hint of anxiety, unsure how to explain.

Wen Nuan Nuan began to ask, “If you had a lot of silver, with no worries about food or drink, and you saw a shop on the street with a booming business, crowded with people lining up and scrambling to buy, would you want to eat at this shop or go to another one that’s cold, deserted, and empty?”

The three little ones replied, “The crowded one!”

“When you squeeze in and they say it’s sold out, asking you to come back tomorrow, would you rush over early the next day?”

“If it’s delicious, would you go back to buy it again?”

With each question Wen Nuan Nuan asked, the three little ones nodded in agreement.