Chapter 545: Chapter 547: Just Getting a Bit Chubby

Ancient Wen Heng’s expression changed upon hearing this, and he quickly lowered his head to check his figure.

’It doesn’t look like I’ve changed that much. At least this official robe is still just as loose.’

Wu Yichen twisted the knife with a smile, "It’s not that obvious elsewhere. It’s just that your face has gotten rounder and your belly a little plump..."

Ancient Wenheng was left speechless. ’Those words are a bit disheartening... though, now that he mentions it, maybe it is a little true. I just hadn’t noticed.’

’Looks like I’ll have to cut out my daily late-night snack. Once I’m done with this mountain of work, I should take the children out for some proper exercise.’

He Gaofei said, "You two, stop with the teasing. If you were living Mr. Gu’s life right now, you’d probably be several times rounder.

After all, with such a capable wife taking care of him with fine food and wine all day, it would be a problem if he *didn’t* gain weight."

Ancient Wenheng was just thinking that He Gaofei, for once, was speaking up for him, and he was about to offer a few pleasantries in thanks.

"Mr. Gu, as delicious as this food is, you must still mind your health. It’s really not advisable to overindulge.

In the future, when you have such delectable dishes, this subordinate wouldn’t mind helping you with the burden. That way, Mrs. Gu’s kind intentions won’t be wasted."

Swallowing the words on the tip of his tongue, Ancient Wenheng suddenly felt he didn’t know his three colleagues well enough. They’d cast aside all their dignity just for a bite to eat.

Lu Shenggen thought, ’...’ ’His shamelessness is as thick as a city wall.’

Wu Yichen thought, ’...’ ’Hah. I knew nothing good would come of him opening his mouth.’

Ancient Wenheng said, "...You are all too kind to worry. This is all my fault..."

The eyes of He, Lu, and Wu gleamed. ’He’s about to hand out some perks!’

Ancient Wenheng glanced at them before continuing, "Thank you, Mr. He. However, this is all a token of my wife’s affection, so it wouldn’t be right for me to regift it to you.

You gentlemen have been away from home for a long time. Being here all alone is no long-term solution. I wonder, when might your wives be arriving?

My wife is quite lonely in the rear courtyard and could use some companions."

The three men at the table understood the unspoken message: if they wanted to eat well, they should ask their own wives.

He Gaofei and the others exchanged a look, then broke into sheepish grins. "Mr. Gu has a point. The rear courtyard should be managed by the women."

Lu Yichen said, "Speaking of which, don’t laugh, but yesterday my incompetent Attendant Student did something stupid. He actually managed to salt the noodle soup twice.

But I was too exhausted when I got back to wait for him to make another bowl, so I just forced myself to eat it. I ended up spending the rest of the night chugging water."

Lu Shenggen said, "Just drinking water is nothing. My long-term follower is even worse. He learned a so-called specialty from a local, and the bizarre flavor nearly killed me."

"I told you all long ago to just hire an old woman as a cook. At least her food would be edible." He Gaofei couldn’t help but feel smug, thinking his own situation was the best of the bunch.

"Sigh, let’s just eat," Lu Shenggen said, though he had a bitter story he couldn’t tell. Before he left, his tigress of a wife had cornered his long-term follower, using a mix of threats and bribes to make sure there wasn’t so much as a female mosquito near him now, let alone a female cook.

Wu Yichen had his own woes. "Since there’s no wine, let’s toast with tea. To Mr. Gu, to thank him and Mrs. Gu for their generosity!"

Ancient Wenheng raised his teacup as well. "Once we get through this period, I’ll host a banquet at Tianfu Restaurant for everyone. No one leaves until they’re drunk."

"Excellent!" Wu Yichen’s spirits lifted. "Ever since that drinking session with Assistant General Li, this subordinate has been dreaming of it. My request isn’t too demanding—just order the same spread he did that day."

"Heh, and you call that ’not too demanding’?" Ancient Wenheng chuckled, looking at him. "The Shopkeeper told me that when it came time to pay the bill, Li Ji’s face was a mile long. Word is, it emptied every last silver note in his purse."

Wu Yichen grinned slyly. "Mr. Gu, you’ll have to give the Shopkeeper at Tianfu Restaurant a heads-up. The next time we bring someone over, tell him to be sure to serve us the good stuff."

He Gaofei paused, chopsticks in hand, and glanced up at him. "What are you dreaming about? After last time, Assistant General Li has probably blacklisted us. And you’re still thinking about duping someone else? Fat chance."

Wu Yichen said, "Wanna bet? I’m telling you, that kid will walk right into our trap again next time."

Ancient Wenheng smiled without a word, helping himself to half a bowl of soup. ’The chefs at Tianfu Restaurant are getting so good, they’re making me put on weight.’

"How do you know?" Lu Shenggen asked.

"That’s a secret. Just remember to back me up when the time comes, and we’ll get to feast on a wealthy man’s tab again."

Ancient Wenheng—the "wealthy man" in question—was speechless. ’Is this my cue to have the table cleared?’ he thought.

He Gaofei gave a dry cough. "We don’t call it ’feasting on a wealthy man’s tab.’ We’re teaching that kid a lesson, so his brain doesn’t get rusty from staying at the border too long."

Wu Yichen noticed the look He Gaofei shot him and realized his slip of the tongue. "Right. I just can’t stand his arrogance. You just wait and see. The kid is full of schemes, but he isn’t that bright. He’s bound to walk right into it again."

Ancient Wenheng gave them a meaningful warning, "Don’t push it too far. Be careful he doesn’t find a way to make your lives difficult."

Wu Yichen’s tone suddenly turned grim. "Let him make things difficult. Even if it’s not him, it will just be someone else."

They had brought this city back to life, and it wouldn’t be long before people started coveting their positions.

These were real achievements that no one could erase. However, that didn’t mean they would get many chances for advancement. The most likely scenario was a transfer to a dead-end department—a promotion in name but a demotion in practice.

Since he could already see what the future held, he figured he might as well live as he pleased for now.

Ancient Wenheng was well aware of how these things worked. But as the Governor of the region, the powers that be wouldn’t dare to be too blatant in their dealings with him.

He Gaofei and the others, however, were in much more vulnerable positions. They might be transferred out under various pretexts even before their three-year terms were up.

He and Zhou Shixiong had already discussed this. If unfamiliar officials with unknown loyalties were transferred in, it could disrupt their upcoming plans.

Zhou Shixiong had already sent a secret letter to the Emperor explaining the high stakes, but for now, Wenheng couldn’t tell the others the full story.

"With General Zhou keeping an eye on things, don’t worry. He won’t be able to stir up much trouble." Ancient Wenheng smiled and pointed to the mouth-watering chicken on the table. "Try this, it’s a new dish the restaurant just came out with. If you have any complaints, just let me know, and I’ll have the kitchen work on it."

"In that case, we must savor it. I suppose we’re getting a taste of this delicacy before anyone else."

Having finished their mutual probing, the superior and his subordinates finally let loose and dug into the feast.

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