Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 313 Daily Life and Turmoil

Chen Anran listened to Zhang Qingyuan's words, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he looked up at everyone and said calmly, "Since Fellow Daoist Zhang says the information is reliable, then we will naturally cooperate. However, the resort sees a constant stream of tourists every day, so the investigation will take time and we need to be methodical to avoid alerting the suspects and spoiling the enjoyment of innocent guests."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "You've all come from afar, and you must be quite tired. Why don't you settle into the hotel first and then discuss the details of the investigation? The resort is quite large now, with ample rooms and complete amenities. Perhaps you could consider it... a chance to relax and unwind for a few days?"

These words were polite and considerate, giving both sides a way out and implying an attitude of "take it slow and don't rush."

Master Tianbao was the first to clap his hands and laugh, "Excellent! Excellent! I was just about to ask for a few more cups of this wild mountain tea! Young friend Chen, then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Zhang Qingyuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "I will follow Fellow Daoist Chen's arrangements."

Seeing Chen Anran's cooperative attitude, Shen Zui breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, saying, "Then we'll trouble Fellow Daoist Chen. We will formulate a comprehensive plan as soon as possible to minimize the impact on the normal operation of the resort."

Feng Wenyuan and Jiang Yan naturally had no objections, both saying they would go along with the host's arrangements. Han Bailian also smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Young friend Chen has made excellent arrangements; it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Seeing that their leaders had all expressed their opinions, the representatives from other sects and independent cultivators echoed their sentiments. The atmosphere in the conference room immediately relaxed, and some even began to whisper among themselves, discussing the resort's scenery and the tea they had just drunk.

Chen Anran smiled and nodded, then beckoned to the hotel manager who had been waiting outside the door and whispered a few instructions. The manager nodded repeatedly and soon came in with several well-trained waiters, who respectfully led the representatives of each faction to the front desk to check in.

"Esteemed seniors and fellow Daoists, please follow me. We have prepared enough guest rooms, all of which are suites or single rooms with excellent views. If you have any special requests, please feel free to make them." The manager smiled and led everyone outside.

As the crowd gradually left the conference room, Shen Zui, walking at the very back, whispered to Chen Anran, "Fellow Daoist Chen, this time... thank you for your understanding."

Chen Anran said, "I just hope that when Shen Ke and the other fellow Daoists act, they will take into account the human touch of this place down in the mountains."

"Definitely." Shen Zui solemnly agreed before turning around and following the group.

After everyone had left, only Chen Anran and Qi Lan remained in the conference room. Qi Lan yawned slightly, lazily resting her chin on her hand: "Is that all? I thought we were going to have a heated argument."

"They weren't here to cause a scene." Chen Anran walked to the window, watching the crowd being led into the hotel lobby below. "At least most of them weren't. Someone offered them a way out, so they naturally followed."

"That's true." Qi Lan stood up and stretched. "So, how do you plan to 'cooperate' with them?"

Chen Anran pondered for a moment before saying, "It's impossible to give the bell to them. Fellow Daoist Qi, you know that the bell has a special identity. She was framed, not the real murderer who harmed Zhang Tianshi."

Upon hearing Chen Anran's words, Qi Lan's languid expression faded slightly. "Although that guy seems unreliable, he's not a bad person at heart. Don't worry, my 'Meow Immortal Abode' can certainly hide a person or two. Besides, with her 'respectable appearance' and her unpredictable mind, people would believe she's a shrewish saintess."

'

Chen Anran and Qi Lan sat for a while longer, finished their tea, and then got up to leave.

As the sun rose higher and it approached noon, Qi Lan returned to "Miao Xian Ju," while Chen Anran slowly walked up the mountain path.

When we got back up the mountain, it was lunchtime.

The familiar aroma of food wafted from the dining hall. Feng Xiaolu was carrying two plates of freshly stir-fried spiritual vegetables out of the kitchen when she saw Chen Anran enter. Her eyes lit up: "Junior Brother is back! Perfect timing for dinner!"

As Chen Anran stepped into the dining hall, a warm, fragrant aroma wafted towards her.

Unlike the usual style when Zhao Mengmeng or Lin Xiaoman were in charge, today's dishes were noticeably more refined: a milky white fish head and tofu soup simmered in a clay pot, the broth thick and creamy, the tofu tender and smooth; a plate of stir-fried tender kale, vibrant green and glistening with oil; braised pork ribs, cooked to a bright red color, with a thick sauce; and a dish of golden, crispy fried lotus root slices, fragrant... .

Feng Xiaolu put down the plate, moved closer to Chen Anran, and whispered incredulously, "Junior Brother, guess who's cooking today?"

Chen Anran had already caught a glimpse of the familiar figure wearing a plain apron at the kitchen door.

Su Wan came out carrying a bowl of freshly steamed egg custard. The surface of the custard was smooth as a mirror, sprinkled with a few drops of bright green scallions and sesame oil. Her expression was as usual, her eyes gentle. She placed the bowl in the center of the table, looked up at Chen Anran, and a natural smile appeared on her lips: "You're back? How did things go down the mountain?"

"Everything is arranged." Chen Anran nodded, her gaze falling on the dishes on the table. "It's been a long time since I've had Senior Sister's cooking."

Su Wan smiled slightly, took off her apron and hung it on the back of the chair: "I had nothing to do, and seeing Mengmeng and Xiaoman busy, I just made a few dishes. Please sit down and eat while they're hot."

Zhao Mengmeng came out carrying the last dish of cold bamboo shoot salad, and upon hearing this, she laughed and said, "My senior uncle's cooking skills are much better than mine! I just assisted him and secretly learned a few moves!"

Lin Xiaoman smiled and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Everyone sat down, and Huiming, drawn by the aroma, came over, put his hands together, said "Excuse me," and happily took a seat. Xiaoling sat next to Wei Qingyi, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the plate of fried lotus root slices.

At the dinner table, everyone first chatted about trivial matters within the sect, the growth of the medicinal fields, the few wild tea trees newly discovered in the back mountain, and Xiao Ling'er's recent progress in her cultivation.

After they had almost finished eating, Feng Xiaolu finally couldn't hold back any longer. Biting the tip of her chopsticks, she glanced at Chen Anran and cautiously asked, "Junior Brother, what's going on down the mountain...? I heard Fatty Li's voice change when he was on the phone. He said something about a lot of people surrounding the resort?"

A moment of silence fell over the table after those words. Zhao Mengmeng and Lin Xiaoman put down their bowls and looked at Chen Anran with concern. Wei Qingyi paused slightly as she picked up some food, then looked up. Su Wan, on the other hand, remained calm, adding a piece of tofu to Xiao Ling'er's bowl, as if she were merely listening to casual conversation.

Chen Anran put down the soup bowl, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and said in a calm tone, "It's nothing serious. Some people from various righteous sects have come and said they have received information that the Holy Maiden of the Crimson Spirit Sect may be hiding nearby, and they would like our cooperation in the investigation."

The lotus root sandwich Feng Xiaolu was holding fell back into the bowl with a "plop." Her eyes widened: "The Holy Maiden of the Crimson Spirit Sect? Here with us? You must be kidding!"

Click to begin the wonderful journey of "Senior Sister, Stop Working and Go Home for Dinner".