Arc 1: Part 38
"What's wrong?" Tong Su tried to conceal her nervousness and asked cautiously, "Is there something wrong with the ribs?"
He looked up, his voice cool and indifferent:
"Aunt Chen didn't cook tonight's meal, did she?"
Tong Su diverted her gaze, not answering him. Instead, she chuckled and asked, "So, is it delicious or unpalatable?"
Delicious or unpalatable?
Was there really a need for an answer?
The corner of Xi Chen Zhao's lips slightly curved up. He cast her a gentle glance and didn't speak. Picking up his chopsticks, he simply filled a small dish with more food.
He's not answering?
So, was it delicious or not?
Tong Su couldn't help but grow anxious, leaning closer to him and watching him without blinking. She softly questioned, "Is it good or not? Give me a straight answer."
Xi Chen Zhao ate rather quickly, yet his movements were nothing short of elegant. Seeing the tense expression on Tong Su's face, the amusement in his eyes only intensified.
When her anxiety had reached its peak, he finally, benevolently, broke the silence.
"If you don't start eating, I might just finish everything."
"Eh?" Tong Su turned around abruptly, only to find that more than half of the food on the table had already been consumed!
If the food was unpalatable, could he have eaten that fast?
Xi Chen Zhao was supposed to be indifferent. Had he just toyed with her?
"Wow, you're cheating."
Xi Chen Zhao raised his eyebrows, "How have I cheated?"
"You..." Tong Su was at a loss for words. She picked up a piece of rib and bit down on it fiercely, "You deliberately didn't mention whether it's good or not."
"Indeed."
Xi Chen Zhao surprisingly agreed, nodding with a hint of amusement in his tone, "If you weren't so focused on me, how could I sneak away more to eat? How could anything you make not be delicious?"
He gestured towards his empty bowl and chuckled lightly. "Is there more rice? I could go for another bowl."
"Of course there is! Wait a moment, brother. I'll serve you the rice! Hey, wait—" Tong Su excitedly rose from her chair, but after only two steps, she burst into laughter. "How do you know I cooked tonight's dinner?"
Xi Chen Zhao smiled without commenting, his deep, dark eyes calmly watching her.
Although the girl had changed clothes, the scent of the kitchen's smoke and fire could still faintly linger on her. She had casually gathered her hair into a ponytail without worrying about styling it.
But her casual, at-home style made her seem all the more natural and comfortable.
After they finished eating, they loaded the dishes, chopsticks, and spoons into the dishwasher together. Xi Chen Zhao asked Tong Su to turn on the TV while he rolled up his sleeves to clean up the dining table and room.
By the time he finished, Tong Su had already nestled into the couch, clutching a cushion and intently watching the screen.
However, contrary to what Xi Chen Zhao had thought she might watch, she had selected a documentary.
A history documentary, no less.
"...Xiao Lingchen was posthumously known as Emperor Li. We all know that typically when a deposed emperor is restored, he makes sure to completely eliminate his predecessor, much less select a posthumous title for him. However, after Emperor Mu Sheng was reinstated, he personally suggested choosing a posthumous title for Xiao Lingchen."
On the television, the expert spoke confidently. Xi Chen Zhao raised his cool gaze and glanced at the portrait of Emperor Li, Xiao Lingchen, broadcasted on the screen.
The man in the picture was coldly handsome, appearing to be in his twenties or thirties. A pair of deep black eyes exuded an unshakeable sense of pride.
"Brother, come quickly... wow, this Emperor Li is really handsome."
Without turning her head, Tong Su reached back, accurately grabbed the hem of Xi Chen Zhao's clothes, and pulled him onto the sofa.
She turned around, her eyes filled with laughter. Having cleaned up and changed her clothes, she was faintly fragrant. Just as Xi Chen Zhao was about to speak, she tugged him forcefully, pulling him close to her on the couch.
"Watch the documentary with me."
She leaned against his shoulder without any guard up, her slender arm pulling his, hugging it as if it were a pillow.
Xi Chen Zhao's eyes narrowed, his body instantly tense.
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