“It’s you.”
Zhongli’s expression was calm as ever. “Would you like to try it as well?”
“NeiNei!”
Guoba shook his head furiously and reached for the small knife in Zhongli’s hand.
Gu Sanqiu’s lips twitched. What’s this, a deep psychological trauma? Or is it because he sees his old friend about to suffer and feels the need to intervene?
Zhongli glanced at Gu Sanqiu, then at the visibly panicked Guoba.
“I see.”
Zhongli carefully sliced open the egg coating with the knife. The rich aroma of egg seeped through the incision as golden yolk slowly oozed out. With his other hand, he gracefully picked up a small curry pot and poured a precise stream of curry over the section of omurice.
Then… he scooped up a spoonful, swiftly inserting it into Guoba’s mouth!
Gu Sanqiu, watching from start to finish, stood dumbfounded. Who knew such a maneuver was possible?
“!!”
Guoba clutched his cheeks, his initial shock quickly replaced by curiosity, then astonishment, and finally the serene enjoyment of someone savoring an exquisite delicacy.
(=′ω｀=)
Judging by that expression, I’d say it was a success.
Gu Sanqiu hadn’t expected the old man to assist in such an unexpected way.
Still, timing the spoon perfectly with Guoba’s open mouth amidst his startled flailing was no ordinary skill—it was practically combat experience.
With quick intuition, Gu Sanqiu handed Zhongli a new spoon, as the previous one had already been seized by Guoba. The little creature had leapt onto Zhongli’s knee, ready to launch a full-on assault on the omurice.
Xiangling rushed over and scooped up Guoba, bowing deeply to Zhongli. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Zhongli! I have no idea why Guoba is acting this way!”
“It’s fine.”
Zhongli calmly resumed his meal, his usually impassive demeanor softening ever so slightly. Perhaps it was the joy of tasting a new dish—or the sight of an old friend.
Gu Sanqiu patted Xiangling on the shoulder. “Go eat. I’ll make another serving for Guoba.”
Not long after, Guoba sat at the table with a bowl of plain white rice and another of curry-covered omurice, happily fighting for dishes with everyone else. His tiny hands moved with such speed they seemed to leave afterimages.
Gu Sanqiu took a sip of fruit juice, smiling as the courtyard grew lively once again.
Burp—
Xingqiu and Chongyun leaned back against their chairs, simultaneously letting out long, satisfied burps, before immediately blushing furiously.
The bookish young master and the principled exorcist had completely lost their composure.
“See? That’s what happens when you overeat,” Gu Sanqiu teased, patting Xingqiu’s stomach. “What are you, a few months along?”
“Talk nonsense again, and I’ll—!” Xingqiu huffed, grabbing the digestive tea Gu Sanqiu handed him. “That burp was only because everyone kept bringing up old dirt while fighting for food! I couldn’t help it!”
“Never mind that.”
Xiangling pointed toward the others, who were still in the midst of their chaotic skirmish. “Are they not done eating yet?”
“Close enough. At least they’ve managed a few bites,” Chongyun observed, watching intently. “It’s like practicing a technique—if you can’t figure it out, everything around you becomes irrelevant.”
Xinyan and Xiangling nodded in agreement. Xiangling, sharp-eyed and quick-handed, yanked Guoba back just as he lunged for more food.
“Sigh, this group…”
Gu Sanqiu paused, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face.
“How about we play a little game?”
“Count me in!”
Xingqiu leapt from his seat, feeling Gu Sanqiu’s chaotic energy ignite.
“Let’s do some feeding.”
Gu Sanqiu grinned wickedly. “I’ll take my sister. Xinyan, you handle Beidou. Xingqiu and Chongyun, take care of Brother Zhongli. Xiangling, you and Hu Tao can tackle Keqing. Sound good?”
“I want to feed Zhongli!”
Hu Tao chuckled darkly. “I’ve dreamed of this day!”
Ψ(￣∀￣)Ψ
Gu Sanqiu thought for a moment. “Fine. Zhongli switches to Chongyun and Hu Tao. Xingqiu, you and Xiangling take care of Keqing. Deal?”
“Sounds good!”
Chongyun, Xiangling, and Xinyan hesitated. “Um… is this really okay?”
Xingqiu shot a glance at Chongyun. “Your tone already betrayed you—you’re in.”
“Alright, team! Let’s move!”
ヽ(￣ω￣ヽ)
They crouched like thieves, stealthily positioning themselves around the stone table according to their assignments.
Hmm, this guest consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… Ningguang mused as she observed Zhongli. I never realized he was so quick-witted and resourceful.
She began seriously considering poaching him.
“Elder sister, sis~”
“Later. I’m busy.”
Ningguang didn’t even spare Gu Sanqiu a glance, continuing to adjust her strategic plans.
“Here, open wide. Aaah~”
Startled, Ningguang turned to see Gu Sanqiu smiling cheekily, holding a spoonful of aromatic omurice inches from her face.
“Come on, be good. Say ‘ahh~.’”
“You little brat! What are you up to?” Ningguang’s cheeks turned faintly pink. “Ah—”
Gu Sanqiu succeeded effortlessly, even using the spoon to scrape away stray curry with precision.
“Good girl. Another bite~”
Meanwhile—
“Zhongli! As head of the parlor, I command you to open your mouth!”
Hu Tao cackled, while Chongyun stood by with exaggerated seriousness, holding a plate of omurice. Hu Tao gleefully scooped up a massive spoonful, her martial-artist’s steady hand ensuring not a grain spilled.
To ensure success, Gu Sanqiu had activated an array long beforehand, ensuring absolute tranquility in the Gu family courtyard. No outside interference was possible.
Chongyun’s brow twitched. Would Zhongli choke on this massive bite?
“If the parlor master insists, I have no objections,” Zhongli replied serenely.
“See? That’s my good Zhongli! Now, here comes your kind, beautiful, and generous parlor master with some food~!”
Compared to this side, Beidou’s situation was far simpler. The hearty captain initially froze in surprise but soon burst into laughter. She welcomed Xinyan’s feeding with no reservations.
After all, Beidou and Xinyan had grown quite familiar with each other during Xinyan’s travels.
The way Beidou alternated between bites of food and swigs of wine, occasionally laughing heartily, made her look every bit like a bandit leader doted on by her “second-in-command.”
“Guoba, attack!”
Guoba leapt and clung to Keqing’s leg. Xingqiu smiled serenely, balancing a plate in one hand while resting the other on Keqing’s shoulder.
Xiangling giggled, spoon extended.
“Come on, Keqing. Open wide, aaah~”
“No—no need! I can eat by myself!”
If Ningguang’s cheeks were faintly pink, Keqing’s entire face had turned the color of a ripe apple.
The Yuheng Star glared at Xingqiu. “After the holidays, I’m auditing Feiyun Commerce Guild’s accounts!”
“Feel free.”
Xingqiu shrugged nonchalantly. His family was too upright to bother with tax evasion, so he had nothing to fear.
Besides, Keqing’s threats were clearly fueled more by frustration than actual intent.
Xiangling leaned in, her face almost touching Keqing’s.
“Say ‘ahh,’ Keqing. Be good~”
Tears welled in Keqing’s eyes as she begrudgingly accepted the spoonful. Her resolve barely kept her from breaking down into shy tears.
Through watery eyes, she glared at the instigator feeding Ningguang.
This guy is the real villain here!!
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