Chapter 176: Not Fair at All

Night fell. The kerosene lamp cast a warm, yellow halo, and the aroma of stew filled the air.

“Why does Mirana get 20 points! And I only get 6!”

“I know I can’t beat her in a fight, but my cooking is way better than hers!”

“There’s just no way the difference is this big!”

“Don’t Furen and I combined even measure up to her?!”

“And strictly speaking, she’s not even a member of the Mushroom Squad, so she shouldn’t even be included in the scoring!”

“So there must be something wrong with your scoring system…”

Bai Ya kept complaining about the scoring all the way through dinner.

And every time she questioned it, Lu Wei only had one response—

“I have the final say.”

‘What does “the final say” even mean? He won’t even explain it properly…’

Muttering to herself, Bai Ya resentfully shut her mouth and, full of grievance, scooped the last piece of meat from the pot into her own bowl.

Normally, she would have left the remaining meat for Lu Wei and Furen.

Today, there was no “Xiaobai saves the meat,” which made it clear just how unhappy she was.

But just before she took a bite, she hesitated, then asked with a pout:

“Are you going to eat this?”

“I’m not.” Lu Wei didn’t even look up.

“Hmph, fine by me.”

Bai Ya pouted and devoured the meat in a large bite.

Just then, Lu Wei remembered something.

“Oh, right. I have to go back to the general store tomorrow. If I don’t bring those ears back soon, they’ll start to stink.”

“Oh. When are you leaving?” Bai Ya replied sullenly.

“Around noon. You don’t have to come this time.”

“Why not?” Bai Ya was taken aback.

“I’m just making a delivery to the general store. Why would you need to tag along?”

Lu Wei muttered, “It’s a good chance for you to find a reliable carpenter’s shop in the next couple of days and order a few dozen Wooden Boxes of different sizes.”

“I’ll write down the dimensions and quantities for you in a bit. Just follow the list to place the order. As for the cost, you can cover it for now. I’ll reimburse you when I get back.”

“Huh?”

Bai Ya’s eyes widened, her face a mask of confusion. “Why would you write off the boxes?”

“…”

‘Damn it. I forgot that in this world, that word only means “to write off as scrap.”‘

“It’s a new usage that’s become popular recently.”

Lu Wei explained without batting an eye, “It means you pay for it first, and then I pay you back according to the bill.”

“Oh, is that so? I’ve never heard of that.”

Bai Ya nodded, only half-understanding. Although she found this “new usage” strange, she didn’t suspect anything.

Just then, Lu Wei suddenly asked another question:

“By the way, how much did you spend on clothes today?”

“Exactly three Silver Coins.”

Bai Ya answered honestly, but then, as if she’d thought of something, she suddenly got excited and put her new knowledge to use:

“So, are you going to reimburse me for the clothes I bought?”

?

“You bought clothes for yourself. Why on earth would I reimburse you for that?”

Lu Wei shot her a sidelong glance. “Only shared expenses that you front the money for can be reimbursed.”

“Then what about the bread and ingredients I bought this morning…”

“Ahem, we’re talking about something important. Don’t get sidetracked.”

Lu Wei cut her off before she could finish.

Then he counted out three Silver Coins from his coin pouch and placed them on the small wooden table.

“Take this money. Tomorrow, go buy that dress Aryan had her eye on. While you’re at it, buy some shirts and socks and things, and take them to her.”

‘Huh? This money is for buying clothes for Aryan?’

Bai Ya’s eyes went wide, and alarm bells immediately went off in her head.

“Why are you giving Aryan new clothes?”

“She helped me out a lot with the engineering team. It’s only normal to give her a little gift to thank her.”

“But didn’t you already treat her to a meal?”

“Look, why do you have so many questions?”

Lu Wei frowned. “Just do as you’re told. Keep chattering and I’ll dock your points!”

“You!”

‘Giving Aryan new clothes is one thing!’

‘But I can’t even ask about it?!’

‘This is bullying!’

Bai Ya glared at Lu Wei with resentful eyes, feeling incredibly wronged.

But the thought that she only had 6 points—and that if he docked any more, her score would be even lower than Furen’s—made her bite her lip and stay silent.

‘Why do I only have 6 points…’

‘The captain is so unfair…’

…

…

The night deepened. A few distant barks echoed from outside the window, and the moon slowly climbed above the branches.

After dinner, Mirana still hadn’t appeared.

Lu Wei had left a message for her at the inn, so she would see it as soon as she went back.

Since she hadn’t come by now, it meant she still hadn’t returned to the inn.

‘The whole afternoon has passed. What could she be so busy with?’

‘Did she run off with the money?’

‘Probably not.’

‘Mirana’s character is trustworthy enough.’

‘The probability that she had an accident and died is actually higher.’

“If Freya comes looking for you in the next couple of days, you know what to do, right?”

Putting Mirana out of his mind, Lu Wei, still a bit worried, sought out Bai Ya again before bed.

She was in the small bedroom, holding Hess while washing her feet. The hem of her skirt was draped over her knees, revealing her well-proportioned, fair calves.

The water in the wooden basin reached her ankles, and her small feet swayed back and forth, creating concentric ripples.

The sight was so charming that Lu Wei almost couldn’t resist giving her an extra point.

“Of course I know. I’ll have a good talk with her.”

Meanwhile, Bai Ya, not noticing his gaze had clearly shifted downwards, answered earnestly:

“I’ll tell her about Furen’s wishes and ideals. I think she might be able to understand.”

“And what if she not only doesn’t understand but also asks for your help in persuading Furen to go back with her?” Lu Wei tore his gaze away from the basin.

“Of course I wouldn’t agree to that!” Bai Ya said resolutely.

“Not even if she offered you money?”

“Yes, not for any amount of money. It’s a matter of principle!”

“Then I can rest easy.”

Lu Wei nodded in satisfaction. “Alright, I’m heading to bed. You should get some rest too.”

“Um, could you grab the foot-drying cloth for me first?”

Seeing him about to leave, Bai Ya quickly called him back, explaining with some embarrassment:

“I washed it this afternoon and hung it on the clothesline outside. I just forgot to bring it in.”

“Oh, sure.”

Lu Wei immediately agreed, strode outside, and quickly returned with a rectangular strip of cloth.

Judging by the feel, it seemed to be a cotton-linen blend.

“Thanks.”

Bai Ya took the cloth, lifted her feet out of the small wooden basin, and bent over to dry them.

But the next second, she looked up and was surprised to see Lu Wei still standing at the door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed, an amused look on his face.

Bai Ya paused and looked at him, puzzled. “Is there something else?”

Lu Wei shook his head. “No rush. You dry your feet first. We can talk after.”

“Oh…”

Bai Ya really thought he had something else to discuss, so she quickly lowered her head and dried her feet.

However, when she finished drying her feet and looked up again, she found that Lu Wei had already turned and walked away.

“Huh? Why’d he leave?”

Watching Lu Wei’s retreating back, she blinked in confusion.

“Didn’t he say there was something else?”

“Weird.”