Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The atmosphere in the courtyard became eerily silent once more.

Everyone was taken aback — wasn't Xie Yin Xue supposed to berate A Jiu just like he did with A Er and A Qi? Why did he suddenly switch to a mode of flattery?

Even A Jiu, the recipient of Xie Yin Xue's unexpected "compliment", stood still, puzzled by the sudden change in tone. He stared back, his deep eyes searching Xie Yin Xue's, perhaps trying to understand the game he was playing.

Unfortunately, on the youthful face of Ning Bai, there was only a mask-like gentleness and a shallow smile. Only when he stopped smiling could one glimpse his true emotions from his eyes, slightly obscured by his eyelashes.

Thus, the slit-eyed chef presented a basket to Xie Yin Xue, signaling his agreement to Xie's request. Turning sideways in an inviting gesture, a muted, emotionless voice emerged from beneath his mask, "Mr. Xie, please—"

Xie Yin Xue had explored the vegetable garden just the day before. Today, after a few steps, he paused by the water vat near the gate and asked the man beside him, "Is there snow here?"

"Blood?" the slit-eyed chef glanced at him. "What blood?"

"Snow, not blood."

Xie Yin Xue turned his head. Due to their height difference, he had to tilt his head slightly upwards to look at Ah Jiu. The gleaming morning light reflected in his eyes, reminiscent of stars scattered in melted ice, creating a galaxy. Yet, such a man, as beautiful as if sculpted from the essence of moon and dew, spoke words as sharp as knives, piercing one's heart, "The 'snow' in Xie Yin Xue, the snow you despise the most."

At those words, the expressions of the nearby game participants revealed sudden realization—indeed, if Xie Yin Xue wasn't this arrogant, he wouldn't be himself.

Upon hearing such a provocation, the slit-eyed chef's pupils inevitably tightened, as if gathering a storm, awaiting an opportune moment to unleash a snowstorm.

His voice was cold. "No."

"No?" Xie Yin Xue echoed, bending down to scoop a handful of water from a vat near his foot.

In the blink of an eye, the crystal-clear water in Xie Yin Xue's hand froze into a clump of icy snow, shimmering with a cold mist in the sunlight. With his pale, delicate face looking upward, he held the snow to the slit-eyed chef and said, "Isn't this it?"

"The snow water is pure and cool, perfect for cold dishes. I like it very much," the young man rambled on, seemingly trying to provoke the man further, "That's why I ordered dishes with 'snow' in their names last night. Little did I know they were prepared by you, Ah Jiu."

At this, the man appeared finally provoked by Xie Yin Xue. He took a quick step forward, gripping Xie Yin Xue's left wrist so hard the silver bracelet twisted out of shape, reddening his wrist. He chuckled in fury, whispering, "It's not our choice whom to cook for. It's determined by drawing lots. Yet, I ended up drawing Mr. Xie—"

As the slit-eyed chef leaned closer to Xie Yin Xue, his ice-cold gaze lingered on the young man's delicate neck, revealing an unmistakable desire to snap it. But when he spoke, it was as if he were echoing Xie Yin Xue from earlier, "Perhaps it's fate."

Xie Yin Xue: "…?"

"Such strong fate between us; no wonder Mr. Xie likes me so much."

As the man spoke, he moved closer, and in an instant, Xie Yin Xue felt the cold metal mask pressing against his neck—if not for that barrier, the man might have bitten him, or perhaps savored the taste with a delicate lick before continuing his torment.

A cold sensation, as of snow, spread from where they touched. Ah Jiu whispered with excitement in Xie Yin Xue's ear, "Tonight, I'll continue to prepare dishes for you."

Xie Yin Xue couldn't find it amusing anymore.

He pressed his lips together, asking with a slight frown, "…Isn't the responsibility for each dish determined by drawing lots?"

"Indeed." Yet, the slit-eyed chef's laughter sounded even more carefree, "But I hold the container for drawing those lots."

The implication was clear: he could cheat.

Xie Yin Xue: "…"

The tables had turned; now, it was Xie Yin Xue who was at a disadvantage.

Xie Yin Xue felt as if he had miscalculated.

A Er just mentioned that the chef responsible for each dish is determined by a lottery. But what if he was lying? Xie Yin Xue harbored suspicions, so he wanted to double-check with another chef. If it turned out to be true, all the better; if not, he could use this opportunity to keep A Jiu at a distance. Tonight, he would show no more leniency.

The result was unexpected.

Xie Yin Xue fixed his gaze on the man with the ash-colored vertical pupils before him. A Jiu, however, pulled away. He not only released Xie's wrist but also bent down to adjust Xie's attire. Yet, as the man straightened, the white pear blossom embroidery on Xie Yin Xue's robe unraveled.

"I'll send over the sweet soup you requested last night shortly."

The chef with vertical pupils took away the basket of snow from Xie Yin Xue's hand, leaving behind those words before turning and walking away without a backward glance.

Back in the main room, Xie Yin Xue sat silently on the ebony chair, gazing at the frayed pear blossom embroidery on his shoulder. The petals looked as if they had been trampled upon, losing their pristine whiteness, now tainted with dirt and grime.

Liu Bu Hua wasn't in the room. Xie was about to mend the loose threads when there was a knock at the door.

Without looking up, Xie murmured, "Come in."

The aroma of the sweet soup made with juicy pear flesh entered the room first, tickling Xie Yin Xue's nose. He smiled, asking the visitor, "Has A Jiu brought the pear sweet soup?"

"It's snow pear sweet soup," A Jiu's familiar husky voice responded, causing no ripples in Xie's heart, but his words made Xie look at him with a hint of surprise.

"Oh?" Xie Yin Xue asked, puzzled, "But weren't you…?"

"But Mr. Xie is very fond of snow," the chef leaned in slightly, placing the snow pear sweet soup on the table beside Xie, yet he didn't stand up right away. Instead, he stared intently at the young man seated before him, "You're our esteemed guest, and we prioritize your preferences."

Xie Yin Xue couldn't help but smile at the seemingly flattering words, yet he inquired further, "What about you?"

"I've heard there's an old friend of Lord Qin staying in the guesthouse," Xie Yin Xue began, rising and circling A Jiu, letting his gaze roam over the tall man's form. "A Jiu, how long have you been a chef here? Do you know who this old friend of Lord Qin is?"

Instead of answering, A Jiu posed his own question, "Does Mr. Xie need this friend's assistance?"

"I don't," Xie Yin Xue replied, returning to his chair, "With A Jiu around, what more could I need?"

He took a spoonful of the sweet soup, savoring the taste, "Thanks to your sweet soup, my cough has improved considerably. With your thoughtful care, among all the servants in the guesthouse, you're my favorite. Why would I need anyone else?"

Had Lu Shuo been present, he'd surely comment on who exactly was pouring honeyed words for whom.

Xie Yin Xue never held back his sweet talk, which sometimes bordered on flattery. But here he was, employing it again, quickly followed by a jibe, "You seem so eager to cook for me. Would you consider becoming my personal chef?"

It seemed that as long as the topic didn't touch upon 'snow', A Jiu was exceptionally patient and good-tempered. He too broke into a smile, "With Mr. Xie being so gracious, I'd be honored to have such an opportunity."

"It's getting late, and I need to prepare the grand feast for you and the other distinguished guests tonight."

With those words, A Jiu stepped back, giving a brief nod, "I'll look forward to chatting with Mr. Xie another time."

Xie Yin Xue watched him silently until he left.

Liu Bu Hua entered the main room only after A Jiu had returned to the courtyard, preparing tea for Xie Yin Xue.

Xie Yin Xue stared at the pouring tea, murmuring softly, "He's the ferryman."

A word from the author:

Xie Lao: "Seeing how much you love to cook, why not become my personal chef?"

NPC: "You claim to like me every day. Why not be my partner then?"

Xie Lao: "What?"