But does size alone distinguish good from bad?
Is great kindness good, while small kindness isn’t?
It’s a bit deep, beyond the limited understanding that Youmao possesses. She certainly can’t untangle these thoughts nor comprehend the profound sociological insights in her own lady’s simple words, but she knows one thing: since her lady interrupted her ridicule of Song Chaoge, she ought to stop now.
Bickering in private with her lady doesn’t matter, but outside, she must unconditionally obey her.
Of course.
Except in front of Jiang Chen.
Thinking of Jiang Chen, Youmao secretly sighed.
What’s that guy up to?
Soone’s already starting to steal his thunder~
Inside a lotus-shaped winter lon bowl lies bird’s nest soup with snow frog, while the dragon well shrimp is served in a blue-and-white flowering lotus patterned cover bowl, and the chef’s truffle egg white stead giant grouper is presented on a custom-made Jun kiln celadon fish plate.
As the waiter lifted the gilded and engraved do cover, the rich aroma of truffles mixed with the freshness of five-year cured ham hit the senses. The giant grouper sat on a bed of custard stead with scallop broth, its body draped with paper-thin Iberian ham slices. When the waiter poured hot oil over it, the ham instantly blood with golden translucent patterns. In the delicate side dish bowl, matsutake and termite mushrooms lay half-hidden in a secret sauce, the glaze at the bottom of the Tenmoku tea bowl changing color with the temperature...
Who ever said there’s no Heavenly Palace on earth?
Outside, bamboo shadows swayed, and the copper deer chi beside the artificial rock suddenly rang, disturbing the pond’s reflection of the moon with ripples caused by koi fish.
Despite personal feelings towards the host, Youmao harbors no bias against good food. She watched as dishes continued to be served, her eyes gleaming and mouth watering, even involuntarily swallowing a gulp.
"Jin Se, do you really mistreat her?"
Song Chaoge teased.
"I said it already, my lady is very hardworking, working overti every day and eating only takeout. You think everyone can enjoy life like you?"
The lavish food added little to Song Chaoge’s pride.
Again rebuked by Youmao, Song Chaoge showed no displeasure. Few may understand, but at a certain stage, having soone who dares to speak freely with you might actually be... a form of happiness.
"Then shouldn’t you thank ?"
"Thank you for what?"
Youmao lifted her gaze from the table, eyes filled with confusion.
"Without , you might still be eating takeout today."
This... is indeed true.
Youmao’s lips moved but ultimately offered no retort. "There was supposed to be an important eting for the lady today, but it was postponed."
The guest becos the host.
It sounds.
Like the other party should feel honored.
"Really."
Song Chaoge chuckled, "etings can be rescheduled, but good wine and dishes aren’t available every day."
Youmao nodded, for once finding herself on the sa side, acknowledging the truth despite differing opinions. "That makes sense."
"All the dishes are served, please enjoy."
With that, the others withdrew.
"Do you need any other dishes?"
As the host, Young Master Song was undoubtedly generous and open-handed, and his previous words were just a joke.
Actually, there was no need for more dishes. For three people, eight or nine main courses was an impressive spread, leaving even Youmao without any reason to complain.
"Did sothing good happen, being so generous?"
Song Chaoge chuckled, "Since when did I need a reason to ask you and Jin Se out for a al?"
The intensity increased.
Young Master Song’s sudden sentintality caught Youmao off guard, causing her to montarily drift into mories of the past.
Once, she surely wasn’t this wary of the other person.
Who knows when it started?
Perhaps that’s what growing up is.
Always unconscious, silently.
"It’s just a al, why the drama, are we shooting an idol drama?"
Returning to her senses, Youmao impulsively quashed the atmosphere he tried to create.
One cannot live in the past.
What did that poem say?
Reflect on the past without lant, understanding the future can still be chased. The lost path is not far gone, realizing the present is right and the past was wrong.
Hmm.
Viewing things from a parallel universe perspective, past tis happened in another world, where the you, , and them were similar but utterly different from here.
Sigh.
Spending ti with the young master, you always learn sothing.
Youmao shook off the clutter in her mind, picking up her utensils, "Miss, ti to eat."
Though the host hadn’t spoken, she initiated.
Young Master Song didn’t mind being usurped, nodding with a smile, "Mm, let’s eat."
Cao Jinse picked up her real ivory chopsticks.
"Youmao is fine, but you, you don’t look well. Overti is unavoidable, but health can’t be neglected. Perhaps not in other aspects, but in terms of diet, Jinse, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself."
Youmao didn’t interject.
Because such tactics are too low-level, they have no impact, causing no concern.
On the other hand.
If her lady really listened, it would be beneficial anyway.
She’s not a stubborn person, and with the ans, why live tough? Life is short, and substituting takeout for gourt als is just fewer dining experiences, not deceit or trickery; spending money is never shaful.
"Don’t listen to the ramblings of a little bunny."
Although things have indeed been rather "casual" recently, Princess Cao has never been stingy. Oranges that cost hundreds per kilo were bought without hesitation; her spending philosophy isn’t like her brother’s. Expend where necessary.
Hmm.
Can’t bla Cao Xiugo for being overly frugal.
After all, how high can a teacher’s salary be?
"But you really don’t look that well."
Song Chaoge observed Princess Cao, continuing to advise with evident care, "Health is the primary asset for revolution, and the revolution is yet to succeed, so one can’t topple first."
Though quiet, Youmao’s ears were perked, catching every word. Hearing this, her eyebrows twitched involuntarily.
On the surface, nothing seed odd, just usual concern, but why did it feel double-edged?
Oh.
Yes!
Little Song must have caught wind of sothing.
He’s the "Master of All Things," after all.
Especially when it cos to things about the lady, he ought to have been paying special attention.
"My body isn’t that delicate."
Cao Jinse smiled lightly as she reached for the food.
Clay pot black pepper crispy eel.
Not quite Jiangsu cuisine style, but it suited her palate.
Genuine care isn’t in sweet talk, but in subtleties unspoken.
"Even tal experiences tal fatigue. Even while Youmao lants, her health is probably better than yours."
Comnce the performance.
What level.
Treating her as a tool.
"My physique isn’t as good as Miss’s."
Youmao imdiately replied, "The Miss is heavier than ."
So physical sturdiness is based on weight?
Song Chaoge chuckled in disbelief.
Youmao gnawed on her chopsticks, "Why do I feel you’re cursing her? Hoping she’d collapse from exhaustion?"
"Do you think that’s possible? If she did collapse, how does it benefit , I’d have to visit her in the hospital."
A master, indeed.
Youmao wanted to retort, but words eluded her.
Little Song is truly little Song.
So adept at timing!
He must’ve been silently watching, ready to pounce; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so efficient, like a vulture, swooping in at the scent of sothing amiss.
"Thanks. A hospital is a place I’d avoid more than anyone, so I definitely won’t trouble you."
Cao Jinse spoke with a smile, calm and composed.
Youmao naturally understood her lady’s double entendre.
Indeed.
That’s the way!
Such trivial matters don’t require little Song’s attentiveness.
Jinhai is nothing more.
Moreover.
The lady won’t be "trapped by emotions"; issues, once identified, get resolved.
Youmao glanced toward Song Chaoge, curious to see if he was embarrassed, but found him unbothered, even relieved.
"I’m relieved to hear that."
"You’d better keep your mind at ease."
Youmao murmured.
Song Chaoge turned, a smile surfaced, nodding, "Mm" as he reached for food yet couldn’t help but exclaim once more.
"What a Blood Guanyin she is."
Blood Guanyin?
Youmao looked puzzled, bewildered.
Cao Jinse quietly ate, expression serene.
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