The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 98: Dogs

Chapter 98: Dogs

After visiting just one shop, Xu Feng was already feeling nearly completely drained. The constant scrutiny from curious onlookers was taking its toll on him.

He had suggested to the two men that they should split up for a while. He would go with Erlang, and they could do some shopping on their own.

Xu Feng thought it could be a little date for Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang, a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy some quality time without the prying eyes of the residents of the Nanshan estate or people from the capital.

To his surprise, both Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian strongly rejected his offer. Even Erlang seemed against the idea of being left alone with Xu Feng. That irritated Xu Feng slightly...

What did Erlang think, that he was going to pounce on him?

Didn’t he know satisfying just one husband was turning out to be harder than Xu Feng was capable of? And now, he’d acquired two temporarily. For the time being Xu Feng wasn’t interested in any more peppers that weren’t edible.

After the disappointment with the livestock sellers, Xu Feng and his group headed to the medical hall to purchase some more herbs and seasonings. He had a bit more money to spend this time, with his savings totaling nearly 2,500 taels.

Without much hesitation, Xu Feng spent over 150 taels in the medical hall, which left Erlang, Xuan Jian, and Xuan Yang quite surprised.

It was unusual for someone who wasn’t there for pregnancy or illness-related prescriptions to spend such a significant amount on medicine. They couldn’t understand why Xu Feng was splurging so much.

Even the pepper lovers in the group were shocked.

The young medicine boy who remembered Xu Feng from her previous visit was a bit puzzled but didn’t question the bulk purchase. He carefully packed up the herbs and even threw in some extra peppers, observing the delight on Xu Feng’s face.

It had been less than a week, and they had already significantly depleted Xu Feng’s spice and seasoning supplies.

All three of Xu Feng’s companions wore expressions of disapproval as they watched him spend so freely on medicine. It was clear they found his spending habits strange.

Erlang’s concern was understandable, but the idea of Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang disapproving left Xu Feng in stitches. After all, he couldn’t even begin to imagine the cost of the elaborate clothing the two snakes wore, which was likely much more than his haul of spices and herbs.

His spicy gold was worth the investment.

Once the precious cargo was neatly packed and stowed away with Erlang, the group left the medicinal hall. It was almost lunchtime, so they decided to head to the nearby wonton stall they had visited on their last trip.

The roadside mom and pop wonton stall was a quaint establishment that exuded a homey feel. The atmosphere was bustling, with a crowd packed in for the pre-lunch rush.

Wooden tables and stools, weathered by time and countless patrons, were scattered outside the stall, while inside, a small seating area provided shelter from the elements.

The smell of freshly steamed dumplings and the savory broth wafted through the air, mingling with the lively chatter of customers, the sizzling sound of cooking, and the clinking of dishes.

The stall was a cozy and welcoming place where locals gathered to enjoy a warm and hearty meal.

Ignoring the warm and bustling atmosphere, Xu Feng stuck out his tongue in a playful gesture when Xuan Jian wasn’t looking, attempting to shock away the judgmental gaze Xuan Yang was throwing his way.

Xuan Yang, the receiver of the playful gesture, responded with a sly smile. Erlang, who had unintentionally witnessed the exchange, blushed and quickly averted his eyes, unable to bear the awkwardness in the air.

The poor boy, Erlang, seemed to be having a tough time dealing with the antics of his companions for the day. He refused to sit at the same table with the three "masters," much to Xu Feng’s sadness.

Instead, Erlang took a seat outside the stall, creating a noticeable divide between him and the three masters.

As they filed into the small stall, some customers voluntarily moved outside, giving the impression that they wanted to steer clear of a potential disturbance.

Xu Feng didn’t blame them; he would also want to steer clear of a group of young master and young mistresses and their temper tantrums.

Xu Feng sighed as he waited for the auntie to stop whispering in the back with her husband. It was clear they had three, no four new guests, but no one was willing to come out to serve them.

Maybe it would be best if they went to a bigger restaurant next time.

It appeared that roadside stalls might not be suitable for their current group.

Oddly enough, neither Xuan Yang nor Xuan Jian appeared repelled by the small stall. Despite their distinctive clothing and personalities, they seemed entirely at ease in the cozy environment.

It was as if the homely surroundings held a special charm for them, one that made them feel more relaxed than they would when dining with any other member of the Xuan family.

Xu Feng couldn’t help but smile at this discovery.

"What else do we need to purchase?" Xuan Jian inquired.

Xu Feng gazed at the grey eyed man, considering the question before responding, "Unfortunately, we couldn’t buy any livestock. I had hoped to order some and also ask about guard dogs."

The distraction of the absence of piglets and chicks had momentarily made his secondary task slip Xu Feng’s mind.

While the area seemed to be safe, and there were men in the house for the moment, after Xuan Jian, Xuan Yang, and their servants left, Xu Feng wouldn’t feel safe in the estate. It was a good time to buy and raise up guard dogs from puppies, so they would know their masters and be big enough to protect the household.

Xu Feng hadn’t met the new servants who would be joining his household, and he wouldn’t readily place his trust in strangers. The idea of purchasing dogs had crossed his mind as a security measure for the estate.

The unpredictable nature of humans, especially in times of crisis, could always pose a threat. Dogs, loyal and protective, could serve as an additional layer of security.

"Dogs?"

Xu Feng found the look on Xuan Jian’s face amusing. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of playfulness as he wanted to tease the man.