Chapter 37: The Fried Grasshoppers Are Ready

Soon, the kitchen was filled with a mouthwatering aroma.

The cleaned grasshoppers, deep-fried to a golden crisp, looked so tempting you could almost taste them just by looking.

Little Tangbao nearly drooled right there.

Life in the Su household had improved—enough food to eat now—but compared to the grand mansions of old, it was like heaven and earth.

Ordinary cooking meant barely a few drops of oil, let alone wasting precious oil on frying grasshoppers.

“Bōbō, zhòngzhòng rèrè xiāngxiāng, kuài cìcì…”
Little Tangbao held up her little bowl of fragrant, sizzling grasshoppers, proudly presenting them to Wang Zhong.

Eat it while it’s hot—once it cools, it loses its magic.

Even if Wang Zhong didn’t understand a word she said, he could read her expression perfectly:
There she stood, eyes wide with hunger, lips twitching, yet still offering him the first bite.

His heart swelled.
This girl… she was simply too sweet to bear.

“Oh, thank you, Tangbao!” Wang Zhong grinned from ear to ear, teeth showing.

He reached out and plucked one grasshopper, about to pop it into his mouth.

Born poor, he’d once eaten tree leaves just to survive. Grasshoppers? He’d never even thought twice about them back then.

Now, seeing them fried in golden oil, he wasn’t disgusted—he felt something deeper. A strange warmth, like remembering hardship through sweetness.

“Stop! Haven’t you ever seen food before? Just shove anything into your mouth? Don’t you know someone might poison you?”

Xuanyuan Jin snapped, his face stern, tiny brows knitted tight.

Wang Zhong: ……

He suddenly decided his young master was less adorable than he’d thought.

Sure, the boy meant well—but that tone? That was pure cruelty to a child who’d just offered him the world in a bowl.

“Master,” Wang Zhong ventured cautiously, “shall I have Aunt Fat make some soft, easy-to-digest pastries for you?”

It wasn’t proper for a servant to eat in front of his master, but this—this was unthinkable. He wouldn’t dream of letting the master touch these grasshoppers.

“Hmph! Who wants those mushy things?” Xuanyuan Jin scoffed, turning away with all the dignity of a prince.

Little Tangbao rolled her eyes.

Fine. Don’t eat it. Whatever.

What a spoiled brat.

“Bōbō… kuài chī chī, liáng le… bù hǎo chī le…”
Uncle, hurry up—cool down, and it’s not good anymore.

She urged Wang Zhong to eat fast, ignoring the sulking kid like he was nothing.

“Alright, alright, eating… eating…” Wang Zhong chuckled, deliberately defying his master’s order and popping the crispy grasshopper into his mouth.

Crunch. Crisp. Rich. The flavor exploded on his tongue.

His eyes lit up instantly.

If only there were a little wine to go with it—this would be perfection.

Xuanyuan Jin stared, stunned, as his loyal servant disobeyed him—and started *enjoying* a bug.

And not just enjoying it—his eyes sparkled, his face glowed with delight, cheeks darkened by the fire of pure satisfaction.

“Sister,” Su Liuhu exclaimed, eyes shining, “fried grasshoppers are amazing!”

“Mm-hmm! So good!” Little Tangbao nodded vigorously, stuffing her cheeks full.

Even Aunt Fat couldn’t resist. She grabbed one, popped it in her mouth—then froze.

Her eyes widened.

Wait… what? Fried grasshoppers? This is… *delicious*?

No way. She had to try this again. Tomorrow, she’d catch a bunch and fry them for her husband. Let him taste real joy.

They ate with wild enthusiasm—passing the bowl around, grabbing one after another.

Before long, only one remained.

“This one… for Honghong…” Little Tangbao quickly covered the last grasshopper with her small hands.

Everyone: ……

Wait. That’s it?

We haven’t even finished tasting!

Wang Zhong finally remembered his young master. He glanced sideways at Xuanyuan Jin.

The boy’s brow was furrowed so tightly it looked carved in stone. His lips were pressed into a thin line. His starlit eyes flickered with tiny flames—anger, maybe, or something deeper.

For the first time, Wang Zhong realized:
This little master, so fierce and stubborn, was far more alive than he’d been in the palace.

Thinking of the boy’s past, Wang Zhong’s gaze softened—just slightly.