Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

Chapter 1313 630: ?? (The End)

After a brief direct encounter with Qin Wan, the little beggar returned to his previous status, begging every day, circling around the Jiang Family's house, quietly following Qin Wan when she went out, and occasionally fighting with those who dared to intrude on his territory.

Everything seemed unchanged, yet something had indeed changed.

Qin Huai could clearly sense that the little beggar had become restless. He no longer appeared detached, like a philosopher who viewed worldly matters as mere floating clouds. He began to resemble a living person who cared deeply for Qin Wan, and consequently for Qin Wan's children and her sister-in-law Jiang Hui Qin.

When Qin Wan was happy, he was happy; when Qin Wan was worried, he was unhappy. His world comprised only Qin Wan. Sometimes, Qin Huai felt that the little beggar would suddenly rush into the Jiang family house, grab Qin Wan's sleeve, and ask her:

Why have you been giving buns to beggars all these years? Why did you give me a cotton coat back then? Why did you pull me out from under the table that day? Why do you speak to me so softly? Why teach a beggar like me any rationale? Why don't you scold or drive me away, show disdain, or look at me with disgust?

Everyone has reasons for their actions, and most people do good expecting rewards, but why don't you?

Is it just because you're truly a kind person? Why are you such a purely kind person?

The little beggar never did such a thing, but Qin Huai felt it was close.

Yet, the little beggar showed more restraint than Qin Huai imagined, staying at the edge of the Jiang family house year after year, until Qin Wan had six children. She was no longer young, did not favor bright clothes like before, her steps were less sprightly, and she was often troubled.

Fine lines began to appear at the corners of Qin Wan's eyes, her gaze turned weary, her posture was less upright, and she often rubbed her eyes while mending clothes.

Time left many marks on Qin Wan, but one thing stayed unchanged: every snowy winter, she would place a basket of buns at the door, sometimes even one or two of her children's stiff, less warm old cotton coats.

Excessive childbirth made Qin Wan age rapidly.

After having the sixth son, Qin Wan's health was noticeably poorer. She went out less, no longer carrying heavy things, and when the weather was nice, she would just play with the children in the yard.

Whenever this happened, the little beggar would crouch by the wall. Qin Huai believed that, with the beggar's hearing, he could hear every sound in the yard, even if he couldn't see what was happening within, he could imagine it through the sounds.

Time flew by quickly until a bright afternoon, Qin Wan was as usual playing with her children in the yard, the little beggar listening by the wall, while Qin Huai lazily indulged in mischief, sitting beside the little beggar, watching the twilight descend.

In a blink, twilight didn't fall.

Qin Huai froze slightly.

In such dull documentary-like days, time flew incredibly fast, almost in the blink of an eye, a day would pass.

But now, time seemed to flow at a normal pace.

Qin Huai quickly revived, wondering if this signified the arrival of an important plot point.

Would the little beggar finally rush in to ask Qin Wan if she had any wishes he could fulfill?

Would the Wish System Spirit finally unleash its power?

Qin Huai watched the little beggar intently, wanting to pass through the wall to see what Qin Wan was doing, but dared not for fear of missing the beggar's move.

The little beggar made no moves, his eyes closed as if asleep.

Such was the philosopher's routine.

Until —

"Mother, there's a little beggar outside, he seems to have fainted from hunger!" Jiang Wei'an (Qin Wan's fourth son) somehow ran out from the house, saw the little beggar leaning against the wall with closed eyes, and mistook him for a poor soul fainted from hunger at their door, screaming in alarm.

Qin Huai: …

The little beggar didn't react, eyes closed, truly seeming fainted from hunger.

Jiang Wei'an screamed again: "Mother, he's really fainted from hunger!"

Qin Wan hurriedly ran out, in her hands was Jiang Weiping (sixth son) a few months old. Seeing the beggar, she turned to hand Jiang Weiping to Jiang Hui Qin and herself approached the beggar, feeling his forehead and sighing in relief.

"No fever, he must have fainted from the heat and hunger. Hui Qin, take Weiping inside, Wei'an, fetch a bowl of cool water from the water jar, and also check the kitchen for any food."

Jiang Hui Qin and Jiang Wei'an hurried back, leaving only Qin Wan watching the beggar outside. The beggar slowly came to, his acting so vivid it elicited applause from the amazed Qin Wan.

As the beggar awoke, Qin Wan said softly: "Don't be afraid, you fainted at my doorstep. I've asked my son to bring you food; after eating and drinking some cool water you'll feel better."

Clearly unprepared for the second meeting, the beggar moved his lips, finally uttering two identical words: "Thank you."

Qin Wan smiled and said: "Fainting at my doorstep is fate, it's hot, wearing three thin layers is unbearable. I have many old clothes from my children; if you're not picky, I'll give you a light one, so you don't foolishly wear too much under the sun anymore."