8:45 p.m. was definitely not a conventional dinner time.

Zhu Ming admitted that he had indeed come home a bit late.

But what he couldn’t understand was why this person was so angry—was it really just because he hadn’t made it home on time?

If it were anyone else, they’d probably snap back on the spot, but Zhu Ming sensed something different in Xi Xianqing’s anger.

—After all, Xi Xianqing wasn’t the type to openly express his feelings. His lateness was likely just one of many reasons for the other’s irritation, a smokescreen to mask the true source of his inner frustration and unease.

So, instead of making excuses, Zhu Ming chose to admit his mistake frankly. “I’m sorry.”

He saw Xi Xianqing’s body suddenly pause.

“I promised to be home before you, and coming back late was indeed my fault.”

Zhu Ming said. “But the pastries from this shop are really good. I thought it’d be a shame if you couldn’t try them, so I packed some up as a late-night snack. I even waited in line for a bit.”

As he spoke, he shook the takeout box in his hand slightly.

Xi Xianqing didn’t move, still with his back to Zhu Ming.

However, with Dish Soap by his feet, its half-closed, bean-like eyes silently opened a little wider. It raised its head and looked at Zhu Ming.

After a while, he heard Xi Xianqing say, “I’m not hungry.”

“Just try a bite.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I remember the PDF you sent me didn’t mention that you dislike pancakes ah.”

Zhu Ming recalled, “You don’t eat spicy food or garlic, so I specifically asked the owner to omit both. I got the savory sauce flavor instead. You don’t like that either?”

After a short while, Xi Xianqing finally looked back at him.

“Put it aside first.” His voice was a bit muffled.

“The shop owner said it can’t be kept overnight; it tastes best when eaten fresh.”

Zhu Ming didn’t compromise this time and smiled, “Besides, this one isn’t just for you alone, I’m going to eat it too.”

Xi Xianqing: “?”

Zhu Ming casually turned his wheelchair around, his voice trailing off as he moved farther away. “I’ll go heat it up in the kitchen first. Come out when you’re done with whatever you’re doing, all right?”

He didn’t give Xi Xianqing the chance to say “yes” or “no” before leaving the room, showing only his back as he exited.

Truthfully, Zhu Ming was taking a gamble—a gamble that, despite Xi Xianqing’s cold and distant demeanor, deep down, he still wanted to talk to someone.

Of course, more than that, he was betting that Xi Xianqing hadn’t had dinner.

The savory pancake spun quietly in the microwave, and the aroma quickly spread to every corner of the villa. Zhu Ming rested his chin in his hand, zoning out in boredom.

When he looked up again, he saw that at some point, Xi Xianqing had come out of the room.

He stood in front of the island counter, arms crossed, his brows furrowed as he locked eyes with Zhu Ming.

The big green bird eventually dawdled out of the nest.

Zhu Ming’s lips curved into a silent smile. He didn’t say anything, simply lowering his head to continue watching the countdown on the microwave display.

A moment later, the microwave let out a crisp “ding,” signaling that the pancake was heated.

As Zhu Ming took it out, he asked casually, “By the way, what did you have for lunch today? A meal personally prepared by the District Two representative must’ve been some of the best dishes Xi Star has to offer, right?”

Xi Xianqing cautiously pinched the edge of the cheap, greasy pancake bag with his fingers, frowning as though assessing its hygiene standards.

Only after a long time did he put the bag back on the table, “After eating it, it was average.”

Zhu Ming was curious, “What kind of dishes were there ah?”

As they chatted idly, Xi Xianqing’s tense demeanor visibly softened.

He barely recalled, “Foie gras, mushrooms, sea urchin, and some shellfish and crab. I don’t remember the rest.”

“…” Zhu Ming stared at the shiny, fragrant pancake in front of him, suddenly feeling it wasn’t quite up to par. “So, uh, are you still going to eat this pancake?”

When he looked up, he found that Xi Xianqing had already taken a seat on one of the high stools by the island counter, his demeanor as refined as ever.

“I suppose I can give it a try,” he said.

Zhu Ming pushed the plate with the pancake to the middle of the table.

Not one for formalities, Zhu Ming—having already washed his hands—grabbed a corner of the pancake and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed a few times and exclaimed, “Mmm… it’s really good.”

Xi Xianqing, on the other hand, used a silver fork to delicately pick up a small piece and place it in his mouth. His cheek moved slightly on one side, and for a long time, he didn’t say anything.

Zhu Ming asked with a smile on his face, “How was it?”

Xi Xianqing frowned slightly, “There are chili peppers.”

Zhu Ming: “No way? I didn’t taste any.”

“There definitely is.”

“Absolutely not.”

Xi Xianqing shot him a glare and used the fork to prod at the pancake. “What’s this, then?”

He pointed to a minuscule red chili flake, almost invisible to the naked eye.

“…” Zhu Ming didn’t argue further. Resting his chin in his hand, he smiled and asked, “So, does it taste good?”

Xi Xianqing paused.

He didn’t reply right away, and after a moment of silence, he averted his gaze and took another bite. Chewing for a while, he finally gave a curt two-word response: “It’s decent.”

Zhu Ming: “…”

Indulged him too much.

“Alright then, talk.”

Zhu Ming let out a breath and tapped the edge of his plate. “What exactly happened today? Did this District Two representative have an even worse temper than you? Or did the two of you manage to clash right from the start?”

Xi Xianqing wiped the corner of his lips with a napkin. Then he carefully picked up another piece of pancake, ensuring the sauce was evenly spread and that no chili flakes had adhered to its surface, before cautiously putting it in his mouth.

After a moment, he said, “There was no clash. Everything went smoothly.”

Zhu Ming found it hard to believe. “Smoothly? Then why do you look like you’re sulking so much?”

Xi Xianqing’s gaze fell on a lone sesame seed near the edge of the plate, and he remained silent.

A few hours earlier, outside the door of the Mo Xue Ji Restaurant.

“Are you Young Master Xi?”

Shen Ying extended her hand with a soft smile. “I’m deeply grateful to Elder Xi for his guidance back in the day. Thanks to his input on my restaurant’s design, it’s still earning praise from diners even now.”

District Two was a culinary hub, and with its representative chosen annually, the industry competition was extraordinarily fierce.

The rapid turnover of representatives meant that for outsiders, it was already difficult to remember what type of cuisine an award-winning restaurant specialized in, let alone recall the chef behind it.

But this year’s District Two representative was an exception, with an unusual amount of personal coverage tied to her name.

It wasn’t just because this high-end, classical private dining establishment was nearly impossible to book—reservations often needed to be made six months in advance. The buzz was also due to this year’s District Two representative: a remarkably young woman.

Shen Ying wore a light pink silk brocade cheongsam, her long hair elegantly pinned into a round bun with a jade hairpin. Her demeanor exuded the refined grace of a lady from a prominent family.

“And now, Mr. Xiao Xi, you’ve graced us with a personal visit to design custom jewelry for me.”

She guided Xi Xianqing and his entourage through the grand hall’s ornate screens and past elegant water pavilions, leading them into a serene private room. Extending her hand to Xi Xianqing, she added, “I hardly feel worthy of such an honor ah.”

Xi Xianqing shook her hand. “The honor is mine.”

Shen Ying lowered her eyes and smiled.

In that brief handshake, Xi Xianqing noticed a snake with delicate pink-and-white scales coiled around her slender wrist.

The snake silently observed Xi Xianqing’s face, flicking its small tongue—it was Shen Ying’s spiritual manifestation.

“Pink-and-white scales? That might be a species of colubrid snake. I’d love to see it in person—”

Zhu Ming’s thoughts wandered uncontrollably due to his old profession. Noticing the look on the face of the person beside him, he quickly pulled the conversation back on track. “Ahem. So, is it because a snake as a spiritual manifestation is more complex, making it harder to design for?”

“No. Snakes are actually one of the most common animal motifs in jewelry design.”

Xi Xianqing said, “Religious and historical symbolism associated with snakes is incredibly rich, offering a vast range of themes to explore. In particular, the curves and patterns of a snake’s body can be used to create unique effects with metals and gemstones.”

“But at the same time, it’s a true test of a designer’s skill—it’s challenging to create something distinctive.”

He raised his chin slightly and added, “Of course, that’s never been a problem for me.”

If it wasn’t a technical issue, then it must’ve been a problem with communication.

Zhu Ming mused, “Did you try the method I told you about yesterday—starting by building some rapport with her?”

“I did,” Xi Xianqing replied icily. “But from start to finish, she didn’t say a single useful thing to me.”

The first hot dish served that day was a steamed yellow croaker with greenhead mushrooms and yun ham.1Another name for the famous Jinhua ham – a dry-cured Chinese ham often used in dishes for its savory flavor.

From the choice of ingredients to the color, aroma, and plating, every detail was executed to near perfection.

Following Zhu Ming’s advice, Xi Xianqing asked a precise question about the ingredients. “I’ve heard that most high-end restaurants in the mountains like to consume chicken fir mushrooms during mushroom season, but Miss Shen has chosen greenhead mushrooms for this dish. Is there a story behind that choice?”

Shen Ying seemed slightly taken aback. After a brief pause, she smiled and replied, “Greenhead mushrooms are slimy, while chicken fir mushrooms are hearty. Each has its own unique flavor.”

She paused again before continuing, “But if you’re asking whether there’s a story behind my choice of greenhead mushrooms, there really isn’t one. It’s just that my father always favored them when he was alive, so I’ve continued to use them.”

“…” Xi Xianqing fell silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and switched topics. “Then what about the design of the restaurant and its dishes? Was there any particular inspiration behind it?”

“I’m ashamed to say, in fact, other than the menu, most of the restaurant’s design was actually a collaboration between my father and Elder Xi. It was all completed under his guidance.”

Shen Ying’s smile was as gentle and perfect as if it had been planned. “The flowing water, rocks, and pine trees recreate the beauty of the mountain forest. Our guests have always loved it, and naturally, I’ve had no reason to object.”

She brought up her father in nearly every sentence, leaving Xi Xianqing no choice but to respond politely. “I recall that Mr. Shen’s restaurants earned multiple stars and that he served as a representative for several consecutive terms. He is indeed experienced.”

For a moment, Shen Ying seemed lost in thought. “Yes, although he passed away from cancer last year, he was always a role model in my life.”

“Without his teachings and guidance, I don’t think I could have made it to where I am today.”

She gave a faintly sorrowful smile. “So, I often wonder whether I’m truly capable of bearing such great responsibility now.”

The reception room fell into a brief silence. Even Ye Lu, who had been quietly taking notes at the back of the meeting, couldn’t help but look up, moved by her words.

Yet within Shen Ying’s delicate, sorrowful gaze, Xi Xianqing caught a subtle, indescribable sense of unease.

He furrowed his brows silently before saying calmly, “Miss Shen, I believe I’ve learned quite a lot about your father already.”

“But what about your own life? Your life outside the restaurant, apart from others—your personal experiences?”

Xi Xianqing added several specific qualifiers to emphasize his point. “Are there any significant moments in your life that stand out and could be worth sharing with us?”

Shen Ying’s smile faltered slightly.

Xi Xianqing watched as her hand unconsciously tightened around her cheongsam. Her nails were clean and rounded, betraying a rare moment of distraction.

Xi Xianqing: “Miss Shen.”

Shen Ying snapped back to her composed demeanor. “Apologies.”

Her gentle, serene air returned, “If I have a deeper impression, I’d say it was last year when I was elected as the representative. Seniors of several other restaurants from other establishments in the mountains visited me.”

“They were all my late father’s close friends. They brought many bottles of wine, including one that was a true rare vintage…”

“My father’s menu, my father’s restaurant, my father’s close friends.”

Xi Xianqing’s face was expressionless. “I’m supposed to uncover her story, and yet I know nothing about her.”

“Perhaps her father’s passing truly had a profound impact on her,” Zhu Ming mused after a moment’s thought. “So, did you get to the gemstone fitting?

He noticed Xi Xianqing’s expression darkened further.

“This is tourmaline, with a translucent luster—perfect for everyday wear. And this one is pigeon-blood red, a bit more mature and steady, suitable for formal occasions.”

Ye Lu presented a tray of colorful gemstones, and Xi Xianqing, as Zhu Ming had suggested, provided a thorough yet accessible introduction. “Miss Shen, which one do you prefer?”

Lifting his gaze, he noticed Shen Ying staring blankly out the window.

Hearing the question, Shen Ying turned back with a perfectly appropriate smile. “Oh, I think they all look great. You’re the expert—you can choose.”

Xi Xianqing: “…”

Xi Xianqing practically ground his teeth. “In comparison, which one do you feel most drawn to?”

Shen Ying hesitated for a moment, as if unsure which option had a higher probability of being correct in a multiple-choice question. She randomly pointed at one. “Then… this one.”

“I asked her to pick one from the red-colored gemstones, but in the end, she pointed to a glowing green peridot.”

Xi Xianqing’s expression was as black as charcoal. “This proves that when I was communicating with her earlier, she was distracted and didn’t hear a single word I said.”

Zhu Ming gloated, “Compared to that, don’t I seem slightly better? At least I’m not colorblind.”

He had intended to say something lighthearted to ease the atmosphere, but it seemed to backfire, as Xi Xianqing’s face visibly darkened further.

Zhu Ming coughed and asked, “Could it be bad timing? As a representative, she’s probably busy, and managing something like a restaurant is also pretty draining. Maybe you caught her at a particularly exhausted moment.”

“I don’t know.”

Stuffing another bite of pastry into his mouth, Xi Xianqing said irritably, “All I know is that out of the three chances I have to meet her, one has already been wasted. Before the next meeting, I’ll have to grit my teeth and draw up a rough sketch.”

“With a design like that, never mind impressing her—even I wouldn’t want to look at it myself.”

The moment these words left his mouth, Xi Xianqing froze silently.

Such a frank admission of frustration and dejection was something he usually suppressed, never revealing it—not even to Ye Lu or Xi Mufei.

But Zhu Ming was an exceptionally unique individual—whenever he spoke, he had a way of gently guiding others, as if tying an invisible string around their hearts.

With a slight tug of his fingers, he could unleash a magic that made people feel compelled to bare their whole hearts.

Unknowingly, Xi Xianqing had grown accustomed to the dynamic where Zhu Ming would pose a question, and he would naturally provide the response.

Xi Xianqing’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he stiffly raised his gaze. “You… why aren’t you saying anything?”

“My soy sauce pancake,” Zhu Ming pointed to the now-empty plate before him. He looked up at Xi Xianqing with a forlorn expression. “I only got to eat one piece myself.”

Xi Xianqing froze silently on the spot: “…”

The fruitless meeting with Shen Ying had left him irritable all day. He barely touched his lunch, and his stomach had been feeling uncomfortably empty since then.

The bag of soy sauce pancakes Zhu Ming had brought back was like a magical creation laced with some addictive aroma. After taking one bite, he couldn’t stop.

For the first time, this fastidious young master, who had always prided himself on impeccable table manners, had completely thrown his dining etiquette out the window.

Watching Xi Xianqing’s awkward expression, Zhu Ming chuckled softly. “It’s fine. I brought them back for you to try anyway—”

“Fridge.” Xi Xianqing suddenly interrupted.

Zhu Ming: “Huh?”

Xi Xianqing didn’t say anything.

Tentatively, Zhu Ming tried to fill in the blanks. “There’s… something in the fridge?”

Xi Xianqing gave the faintest nod, his gaze still distant.

Zhu Ming stared at his face and suddenly had a bad feeling.

He wheeled himself to the fridge and opened it. The moment the door swung wide, his eyes silently widened in shock. “My god—”

Xi Xianqing kept a rigid expression, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. “It’s something the District Two representative insisted on giving me.”

But he quickly straightened his face again, stood up, and walked toward the bedroom as if nothing had happened. “I have to work on sketches tomorrow. I’m going to bed.”

Four hours earlier, just before leaving Mo Xue Ji.

“White jade bayberries?” Shen Ying repeated in surprise.

Xi Xianqing hesitantly nodded, “There aren’t any?”

“We do. It’s the peak season when plums are in full bloom in the mountains right now.”

Shen Ying paused briefly, then smiled. “You’re in luck. The two white jade bayberry trees in our backyard have just started bearing fruit these past couple of days. If you’d like, I can have someone pick some fresh for you.”

Xi Xianqing nodded slightly. “Sorry to trouble you.”

“You barely ate anything at lunch earlier. So, you prefer light and sweet fruits? I’ll prepare accordingly for our next meeting.” Shen Ying smiled gently. “Would you like to have them now? I can have them washed and sent over immediately.”

Xi Xianqing shook his head. “No need to trouble you further. Just pack them for me to take home.”

“If you’re taking them home, we can preserve them with dry ice, but the flavor might be slightly compromised.”

Shen Ying thought for a moment and softly suggested, “If it’s not urgent, I’d recommend you enjoy them here before leaving.”

After a moment of silence, Xi Xianqing said, “…They’re not for me.”

Shen Ying was stunned, “What?”

She noticed that the handsome young man before her seemed to recall something, his dark green eyes flickering slightly, and his expression turning somewhat unnatural.

“They’re not for me,” he said, turning his face away and speaking in a low voice. “It’s someone… in my family who has a craving.”

Author’s Notes:

Reluctantly asked for bayberries, reluctantly brought them back home, and was thoroughly displeased to discover that the little fox hadn’t returned.

Reluctantly ate an entire bag of soy sauce pancakes, and reluctantly felt secretly happy. Then, reluctantly gave the bayberries to the little fox.

Jie Jie: Sorry for the late upload! I wasn’t able to open and update as I went to the city over the weekend :blobsmilesweat:

I also went ahead and italicized the parts where XX was meeting with SY so it would be seen as something that already happened and it wouldn’t be confusing :blobsnuggle: