33 Chapter 33 Tasting
"You want to see me..."
It was not until she actually sat at the same seat with Yunhe that Yuliu realized this.
——She never seemed to understand Yunhe very well.
In fact, Yuliu didn't quite understand from the beginning why Yunhe was so obsessed with staying by her side.
Although she later learned of the existence of the "destined one" from the system, which barely provided an answer, even if her destined one was Yun He, the rules were that the dead were alive. Yu Liu never believed that such a vague title could truly determine the future of two people.
After all, even the two protagonists, Xiao Tianmin and Su Yunyue, who had a melodramatic script of a tragic love story but were destined to be together for life, almost broke down in the end, and they still needed her, an outsider, to save the plot.
But the strange thing is that Yunhe not only seems to not understand the truth of this world, but also doesn't know about the so-called "destined person" who exists beyond the rules. He even has no memory, but he is still willing to try so hard to understand himself?
Yuliu believed that even if she knew that her destined person was Yunhe, she would definitely not be able to respond in the same way.
——She currently cannot match Yunhe's level of thoughtfulness and consideration.
The tips of Elm Willow's green fingers unconsciously brushed the edge of the white porcelain teacup.
The tea in the cup is warm and lingering, while the outer edge of the white porcelain feels cold. The pink fingertips slowly move down, following the lines of the teacup, from cold porcelain to warm jade, and the touch from the fingertips gradually warms up.
It was not until she touched the hottest part of the cup that Yuliu suddenly came to her senses and realized that her fingertips were a little hot.
The slender white wrist turned, and her eyes fell on the slightly red and swollen fingertips stimulated by the slightly higher temperature of the tea. She unconsciously pursed her thin lips, and found that even between her lips and teeth was filled with the light fragrance of tea.
Even the tea to quench her thirst was handed to her by Yunhe just now.
Yunhe seemed to have always understood her very well.
Even small details like her dry mouth and sore throat can be noticed at all times.
In the nine worldline instances she had completed in the past, Yuliu had long since become accustomed to keeping to herself and avoiding risks.
Don't love, and don't be prepared to accept love.
Yunhe is the only one so far who broke in unexpectedly. No matter whether she is happy or angry, he can gently and firmly accept all her emotions, and then use a subtle way to comfort and calm her.
Yuliu felt that she had been slowly adapting to getting along with Yunhe long before she accepted Yunhe.
Compared to the aggressive and corrosive penetration of water dripping through stone, Yuliu felt that Yunhe's existence was more like "dripping water makes stone grow" to her.
It is because of the seepage of the solution in the grotto that the stalactites with curved flow lines slowly form from the top of the cave.
——In the empty and quiet cave, there grow clusters of upside-down weeping willow branches that exude a unique vitality.
Not destruction, but symbiosis.
Yuliu seemed to understand what the destined person meant.
Just as Yuliu knew, as long as she tilted her head slightly and looked to the side, she would definitely meet Yunhe's lowered gaze.
Different from the light-colored pupils of Elm Willow.
Yunhe's pupils were an extremely pure black, even darker than the thick night sky.
Perhaps because of this reason, whenever Yunhe cast his gaze on Yuliu, the emotions in his eyes seemed extremely deep, comparable to the endless night.
Their eyes met.
Yuliu noticed that Yunhe's left eyebrow seemed to raise slightly, then his eyes curved slightly, and with a hint of a smile, he tilted his head and asked, "What's wrong?"
Compared to Yunhe's more reserved and peaceful mood, Yuliu's expression is always lively and smart when she smiles. Her eyes, which are covered with mist, are curved like silver hooks. The thin layer of bags under her eyes is like the reflection of the moon in the night river. Her pair of peach blossom eyes seem to be born to show a happy smile.
"Nothing." Yu Liu suddenly felt that she couldn't stand Yun He's focused gaze, so she turned her light grey pupils to the side. At the same time, like a boat guiding the direction on the lake, she took the opportunity to signal Yun He to look at the wooden wall covered with dishes. "I just want to ask, Master Yun, do you have any dietary preferences or taboos?"
As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly and smiled faintly, a bit embarrassed and modest. Her voice, like the trickling of a clear spring, suddenly lowered a few degrees and whispered softly, "This is also my first time hosting a banquet. If there is anything I have not taken care of well, Master Yun, please tell me directly."
Yuliu specifically mentioned this matter at this moment, and Yunhe's eyes moved slightly. For the first time, he cast his gaze on the wall of wooden signs covered with dishes. He scanned them up and down at a glance, and in just a few blinks of an eye, he quickly took in the whole thing.
However, when Yun He's gaze lingered on the red premium delicacy specially marked in the middle, his brows visibly lowered a little, as if he was frowning in displeasure.
But this was just Yun He's own feeling. When he faced Yu Liu, his voice was still as clear and mellow as usual: "Those high-quality ones seem to be a bit spicy, right?"
"Yeah." Yuliu nodded. She had noticed this a long time ago. However, she could always order more food later if she wanted to. So, she only asked Yunhe about his taste with concern. "If you prefer a light meal, why not add a few more dishes?"
"Then let's add a few more." Yun He didn't say yes, but he didn't say no either. He just shifted his gaze away from the conspicuous wooden signs in the center, took a few more glances, and then slowly replied, "I think the crab stuffed with orange, the golden stewed jade quail and eggplant, and the lotus and chicken soup are all pretty good."
As Yun He spoke, he gently shifted his gaze from the emerald wooden sign, and once again gazed sideways into Yu Liu's eyes. He then slowly said, "How about we try it together today?"
"Okay." Yuliu hadn't expected that the dishes Yunhe had chosen were exactly the ones she had eaten most at the dinner at the Fourth Prince's Concubine's Palace last night. She subconsciously agreed, "It just so happened that the food at the palace was a bit spicy last night, and I just felt a dryness in my throat. Something light and refreshing to relieve the heat is naturally good."
Yuliu nodded in agreement with a smile, then suddenly remembered Yunhe's identity, which was completely blank due to amnesia, and couldn't help but jokingly said, "However, judging by the customs and tastes of different countries, Master Yun shouldn't be from the Xiao Kingdom, right? His tastes seem to be similar to mine, more like those of the Chu Kingdom, who don't like spicy food."
Upon hearing this, Yunhe just looked at Yuliu and smiled faintly. His eyes seemed to accidentally sweep over Yuliu's right hand, which was resting on the Dalbergia odorifera table and was slightly red. He lowered his eyelids and did not respond immediately.
However, the dishes Yunhe added were exactly what she wanted, and it was convenient for Yuliu to save herself the trouble of picking out more dishes to add to the meal, so she only added a honey-fried five-color Chongyang cake, which she had seen before and was a little greedy, as a dessert after the meal. Then, with a chuckle, she asked the maid who was standing restlessly beside the wooden sign to take the ordered dish sign and leave.
Probably because Yuliu had specially shown the title deed of Chunfeng Brushlan before, the maid was afraid that someone would be arrogant and rude to this meal, so after taking the wooden sign and leaving the private room, she specially reminded others. Although Yuliu had ordered nearly ten kinds of meals, Yunhe had not had time to savor the cup of tea handed to her by Yuliu before a row of little maids came in immediately, holding standard white porcelain plates and glass cups in their hands, and taking small and light steps in a circle. Dozens of people pushed the door and walked in in unison as if they were one person.
The maids were all dressed in the same pink and blue embroidered double-breasted, chest-length skirt. They all had smiling faces and graceful figures. Every time a dish was served, they would sweetly announce the corresponding elegant dish name.
No wonder everyone says that Chunfeng Fulan is an elegant place.
Just looking at the process of serving the meal, if it were accompanied by some stringed instruments playing or blowing, and someone said that this was a pre-arranged song and dance opera, some people would be convinced.
The sandalwood table, which seemed a little empty before, was gradually filled with plates and bowls that looked like carved jade as the maids came one after another.
The fried, stir-fried and dry-fried dishes are bright and attractive in color, while the cooked and stewed dishes have rich and mellow broth, which can be said to be full of color, aroma and taste.
After the table was filled with exquisite dishes, the maids came and went quietly, walking in a circle in an orderly manner with the same light and graceful steps as when the Tathagata came, and turned around gracefully. The last maid to leave was even considerate enough to turn back and gently close the sliding wooden door.
Only the table full of delicious food was left, quietly emitting an enticing aroma.
Fangyue opened her almond-shaped eyes wide and looked at them greedily ever since the dishes and cups were put on the table. If Yuliu didn't know the daily expenses of Yuqingyuan, he would have thought that someone had cut the amount of meals, which made this little girl so greedy that she couldn't bear to take her eyes away from the table even for a moment.
Recalling how Yumei would occasionally add some Losing Powder to her daily meals, Yuliu looked at the table full of dishes that were as sumptuous as a full banquet, and naturally his appetite was greatly increased. He was the first to pick up the silver chopsticks and picked up a small piece of tender and plump braised sea bass with water shield and sauce. He nodded and smiled, saying, "Everyone, don't be shy. I've been waiting for so long, and I'm feeling a little hungry. So... I'll be polite for now?"
Yunhe was courteous, while Fangyue was humble. When they saw Yuliu picking up the chopsticks, they also picked up the silver chopsticks at hand.
Just as she had picked up a piece of tender white sea bass belly from the fish and it had just melted between her lips and teeth, three knocks were suddenly heard at regular intervals from behind the wooden door that had been carefully closed by the maid.
Fangyue always kept silent and didn't care about other things. She just focused on the delicious food in front of her, eating it with chopsticks one after another.
Instead, Yuliu and Yunhe stopped their actions at the same time.
After the two of them exchanged a glance, Yuliu took out a handkerchief and wiped the almost-dry soup from the corner of her mouth. Then she raised her head and fixed her gaze on the tightly closed wooden door: "Who is it, and what's going on?"
Yuliu did not deliberately raise or lower her voice.
However, the setting of this guest room is quiet and quiet, and when the sound comes out, it feels like the sound of a spring flowing in a stream and lingering around the beams, layered and interwoven, and transmitted to the outside of the door.
The man outside the door laughed when he heard it, and his tone was long and casual: "The young lady asked to see me..."
"...Why are you asking who I am now?"
【Author’s words】
Note: The grottoes and stalactites mentioned in "Dripping Water Makes Stone Grow" are based on public information released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Famous karst caves in my country include the Dragon Palace in Guizhou and the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin. As a child, I had the privilege of experiencing these karst wonders during a summer camp in Guilin. I couldn't help but marvel at China's vastness and richness. (It's a little cold, though; summer vacation is coming soon, so remember to pack warm clothes when you go there.)
Note: The names of the food are still based on "Dongjing Menghualu"
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