Chapter 764 - 760: Awkward Concern
Chen JianShe trotted in carrying a duck, and when he saw Gu Jiaojiao sitting in the yard, he greeted her with a wide smile.
Gu Jiaojiao replied, and Chen JianShe, noticing her face was a little flushed, asked with concern.
"Jiaojiao, your face seems a little red. You didn’t get heatstroke from the sun, did you?"
As soon as he said it, he realized it made no sense. Even at the height of summer, his Brother Leng’s yard was always cool. It was especially pleasant under the sycamore tree, where a breeze from some unknown source made it feel wonderfully refreshing.
Chen JianShe himself loved coming here to cool off; it was even cooler than the prime spots he’d found for himself.
Yet, Gu Jiaojiao’s expression didn’t look like she was faking it.
’If it’s not heatstroke, then maybe she has a fever.’
A fever was a big deal.
Chen JianShe immediately looked toward his Brother Leng.
"Brother Leng, does Jiaojiao have a fever? Her face is bright red."
Not only was her face flushed, but her lips were also an unusually deep red and looked so delicate that Chen JianShe didn’t dare take a second glance.
Leng Yuan’s expression turned completely dark. When it came to being clueless, Chen JianShe took the cake. Leng Yuan cut him off in a cold voice, "Just go kill the duck!"
Gu Jiaojiao was also mortified. She’d wanted to retreat into the house, but her legs were useless. They felt like jelly, and she couldn’t muster a single ounce of strength.
After a couple more concerned remarks from Chen JianShe, Gu Jiaojiao wished she could just bury her face in her hands.
If he hadn’t sounded so genuinely concerned and serious, she would have suspected he was teasing her.
After an awkward struggle, she finally regained enough strength to get up and immediately fled into the house.
Seeing her go, Chen JianShe couldn’t help but speak up.
"Brother Leng, I think Jiaojiao is really feeling unwell. If she actually has a fever, you should take her to the hospital to get checked out!"
Chen JianShe grumbled as he plucked the wild duck. Before he could finish, a foot connected with his rear. The kick had some real force behind it, nearly sending him sprawling into the basin of water.
Chen JianShe was speechless.
’I was just giving my Brother Leng a well-intentioned reminder. How could he repay my kindness like this!’
He looked up, wanting to argue back, but he lost his nerve before he could even get a word out.
’Forget it.’
’I’d better just get back to work on this duck.’
Leng Yuan thought to himself that he should have acted sooner. If he had, he could have prevented that last awkward exchange.
When Gu Jiaojiao ran into the room and looked in the mirror, she saw a reflection that looked for all the world like she’d just been ravaged. Her face instantly burned red.
’Handsome men are the downfall of women!’
By the time Gu Jiaojiao had composed herself and emerged from the room, her complexion was pale and delicate once more. Chen JianShe took one look and realized he must have been mistaken.
’No wonder Brother Leng kicked me just now.’
’So her face was just red from the sun after all!’
He let out a goofy laugh. "Jiaojiao, I really thought you had a fever earlier! Turns out it was just the sun. Remember to cover up with something next time."
Gu Jiaojiao was speechless.
’Is he ever going to let this go?’
Fortunately, she was thick-skinned and had strong mental fortitude. She managed a perfectly calm nod, looking completely unfazed.
She walked into the kitchen and glanced at the duck in the basin.
’It’s surprisingly plump.’
’It’s a shame there’s no beer, otherwise I could make beer duck. That would’ve been delicious.’
In the end, Gu Jiaojiao decided to make roast duck instead.
Roast duck was simple. Prepare the marinade, let the duck soak up the flavor.
Start a fire in the yard, set it on a rack, and just keep turning it as it roasts.
While it roasted, she would have to keep basting it with the marinade.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside... just the thought of it was mouthwatering.
And so, Gu Jiaojiao decided they would have a barbecue that day.
As the duck was being prepared, Gu Jiaojiao started getting the other ingredients ready for the barbecue.