Dinner was set out in the retiring room. Perhaps because Old Madam Guo and Cheng Chi had different dietary habits, the table was laden with dishes containing both fish and meat, all served in small famille rose porcelain dishes, filling the entire table.
Old Madam Guo smiled and beckoned to Zhou Shaojin. “Come, sit beside me!”
This way, she ended up sitting directly across from Cheng Chi.
Zhou Shaojin’s heart pounded. She clenched her fists to encourage herself before finally mustering the courage to take her seat.
Maids set out the chopsticks and served rice.
No talking while eating, no speaking while sleeping. Everyone ate in silence.
The room was utterly quiet, with only the crisp sounds of bowls and spoons clinking, which made the room seem even more silent and peaceful.
Zhou Shaojin was very nervous, not daring to let her eyes wander randomly, much less observe Cheng Chi’s expression.
She knew this wouldn’t do.
To eliminate her nervousness, she could only focus all her attention on the food.
The old duck soup was rich, the small yellow croaker was delicious, the diced chicken was tender and smooth, the cherry pork was tangy and refreshing, the vegetables were light and fresh… Zhou Shaojin gradually savored the flavors, temporarily forgetting about Old Madam Guo sitting beside her and Cheng Chi sitting across from her, concentrating wholeheartedly on eating.
Sitting across from her, Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised.
The girl across from him was eating elegantly yet heartily, her expression delighted, as if what she was eating wasn’t ordinary food but some rare delicacy.
Was it really that good?
He wondered to himself and couldn’t help but pick up a piece of cherry pork with his chopsticks.
Sweet and sour, perfectly balanced, nothing particularly special.
He picked up some diced chicken.
The meat was tender and smooth, but that was all it was—just tender and smooth.
He took a sip of old duck soup… then he had to admit that the little girl across from him, who looked frail and delicate, had quite a good appetite.
However, what was even more rare was her good temperament. She didn’t put on airs or act like a delicate maiden clutching her heart—when she could eat, she ate… She was probably also the type who could sleep when she could sleep!
Cheng Chi smiled and put down his chopsticks.
Old Madam Guo asked worriedly, “Are the dishes not to your taste?”
“No.” Cheng Chi said. “Last time I took your advice to heart and felt I should eat less at dinner.”
“Fooling me again!” Old Madam Guo chided. “I’d be thanking Buddha if you just stopped going out drinking at night…”
“How could that be!” Cheng Chi smiled. “Since you scolded me last time, I haven’t gone out drinking at night anymore. You know this. I’ve always listened to you most attentively.”
Such an ordinary remark unexpectedly made Old Madam Guo’s expression darken slightly, and she suddenly fell silent.
Cheng Chi also said nothing.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Zhou Shaojin unconsciously lightened her movements.
She really shouldn’t have stayed at Hanbi Mountain Lodge for dinner… This meal was so uncomfortable… You couldn’t even talk while eating. She could have waited until Uncle Chi finished dinner and caught him outside—that would have been the same… But that would have seemed too deliberate… She should have stayed for dinner after all…
Zhou Shaojin’s thoughts wandered as she felt Cheng Chi across from her seem to glance at her.
She quickly stole a glance at Cheng Chi from the corner of her eye.
She found Cheng Chi was smiling as he instructed a young maid to brew him a pot of tea, not looking at her at all.
Had she been mistaken?
Zhou Shaojin pondered this as she quickly finished the rice in her bowl in just a few bites, not daring to ask for more.
Just then, Old Madam Guo also put down her chopsticks. The maids cleared the table and brought in tea.
However, Cheng Chi stood up and said to Old Madam Guo, “It’s getting late. I’ll head back now. If you need anything, just have the maids send me word.”
Huh!
Zhou Shaojin was stunned.
He was leaving already!
Not staying to drink tea? To chat with Old Madam Guo?
Zhou Shaojin had no choice but to stand up as well.
“You child.” Old Madam Guo sighed. “I haven’t seen you in quite some days. I asked you to come over not entirely because I had matters to discuss, but also because I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Cheng Chi smiled. “There’s a whole crowd of maids, elderly servants, and attendants at Little Mountain of Clustered Osmanthus. How could I not be doing well?”
Seeing she couldn’t keep him, Old Madam Guo instructed Nanny Shi to see Cheng Chi out.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly remembered—wasn’t she supposed to find a way to strike up a conversation with Uncle Chi?
If the two of them were heading the same way, wouldn’t it be natural to exchange a few words?
“Old Madam.” She immediately said, “I’ll take my leave as well… You can retire early!”
It wasn’t winter—why retire so early?
Old Madam Guo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but after spending time together, she knew Zhou Shaojin wasn’t the smooth, tactful type, and she liked her gentle, courteous manner, so she didn’t take offense. She smiled and nodded, saying, “I’ll have Feicui escort you back. Be careful on the road!”