Chapter 58 Lotus Seeds
Qing Bai, who was silently thinking about 'selling himself to get promoted', didn't notice that when he couldn't express himself clearly, Jiu Nian's expression was not very good either. At a certain moment, a trace of confusion flashed across his eyes, as if he had suddenly heard a long-sealed keyword, which was both familiar and unfamiliar, like the remaining fragments of a distant dream, and the scattered memory puzzle of old events.
Boss Hong and his friend didn't treat them as outsiders, and they prepared a meal that was both grand and casual. Grand in that they managed to prepare six dishes and a soup in such a short time, and casual in that except for the lotus seed soup, all the others were takeout, although they were high-end takeouts with good color, aroma and taste, and exquisite presentation.
Although they said there were four people, the uninformed would have mistaken them for three people with a pet, with Qing Bai being the pet. Boss Hong even prepared a small, easy-to-grab set of cutlery for him.
Qing Bai looked into the eyes of the cute cartoon cat on the baby spoon in front of him, feeling both sweet and heartbroken at the same time - even with the assisted handshake, he still couldn't lift the undivided plum blossom meat pad.
Fortunately, after nine years, he had developed a conditioned reflex and would take the spoon and feed the food to Qing Bai's mouth without Qing Bai asking.
A baby spoon, also known as a baby food spoon, is as cute as its name suggests. It is mostly made of soft silicone and is no longer than an adult's palm. Nine-year-olds are also exceptionally tall, and the way they hold the spoon looks awkward no matter how you look at it, giving the impression of an adult stealing a child's playful toy.
Although this thing is awkward for Jiu Nian, it is extremely friendly to Qing Bai. The size is just right for Qing Bai's current size. He can take a spoonful at a time, and no longer has to worry about the soup and oil stains getting on the corners of his mouth, cheeks, and chin hair.
Qing Baijiunian ate while the other fed him, enjoying himself very much. The atmosphere was harmonious and warm, but it stunned Boss Hong and Pei Ci who were sitting at the same table. If it weren't for the wrong environment, the two of them would have been so out of place that they looked like strangers who were temporarily brought in to share a table.
Boss Hong raised an eyebrow at Pei Ci. Is this the Lord Nine-Year, the Divine Beast Suppressing Yin, who enforces the law with an unwavering integrity yet maintains a kind heart?
Forgive his shortsightedness and the fact that he didn't see the father's integrity and impartiality, but he did see the father's deep love for his children, which was quite touching...the single father's hard work in raising his children.
Pei Ci wanted to cough twice out of habit, but he held it back due to table etiquette and could only smile. He couldn't say that he had known her for nine or a thousand years, but this was the first time he had seen such a scene.
...Is Lingxi now so precious that it needs to be personally raised and cared for by Master Jiunian? But in terms of preciousness, isn't Master Jiunian, who has only existed since ancient times and has become a totem, even more precious?
According to Yin Weihuai's unreliable gossip, this man has never come out since he was tricked into working in the underworld. The Kings of Hell and the Lords of Hell under him are eager to worship him, for fear that he will leave the underworld and go to the human world to enjoy proper worship. After all, whether letting Lord Jiunian guard hell or the reincarnation platform is a true case of "a dragon trapped in shallow water and a tiger in plain land".
Since Qing Bai's body shrank, his appetite has also decreased significantly. He often doesn't even feel hungry, eating only because Jiu Nian feeds him. But today, his appetite has been revved up. He not only ate a plate of lotus seeds from the lotus seed soup, but also drank two bowls of it. He didn't feel bloated at all. Instead, his entire body felt like it was soaking in perfectly warm water, even the cracks between his bones were warm. If Qing Bai hadn't been sober, he would have been able to have a few more bowls.
Seeing Qing Bai's fondness for their only dish, 'Lotus Seeds Boiled in Rock Sugar', Boss Hong finally found a topic to break the silence. He said in a friendly tone, "This soup is made with fresh lotus seeds picked from the lake this morning. We only add a little rock sugar. It's sweet and delicious, and full of spiritual energy. It's perfect for those in poor health and young children. Please bring more when you go back. We can't finish all the lotus seeds in the lake."
When Boss Hong wants to be nice to someone, it's really impossible to refuse. Even if it's just a bowl of soup or some lotus seeds, his words are beautiful and impeccable.
If it weren't for Jiu Nian and Boss Jianhong's attitude, Qing Bai would probably have really thought that these lotus seeds were just a local specialty from Wei Lane that needed to be dealt with urgently due to the overcapacity of lotus flowers in Manhu Lake.
Nine Years: "The spiritual object that Pei Ci took, which contained a large amount of pure spiritual energy, must have come from this lake of lotus flowers, right?"
Although it was a question, it was particularly convincing when it came from Jiu Nian's mouth.
Qing Bai licked his lips unconsciously. He seemed to have eaten and drunk something really awesome...
Boss Hong and Pei Ci exchanged a glance, and it was Pei Ci who spoke last. He nodded and then shook his head, saying gently, "We share the same origin. It's just that I used to eat thousand-year-old spiritual lotus seeds, while these are newly grown. Their spiritual power is limited, and they're only slightly purer than ordinary lotus seeds."
Hearing Pei Ci say this, Qing Bai actually felt relieved. If you don't do anything, you won't receive anything in return. If you eat other people's good things without knowing it, it will be hard to return the favor.
Jiunian's pale and slender fingers pinched the spoon and gently stirred the clear lotus seed syrup in the porcelain bowl. At first glance, his hands were three times more radiant than the white porcelain, and the childish baby spoon in his hands suddenly doubled in value.
Jiu Nian lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was gentle but serious: "Are these lotus seeds... for sale?"
Boss Hong and Pei Ci looked at each other again. This time it was Boss Hong who spoke. His tone was unusually gentle, without a trace of greed.
"Why bother talking about whether to sell or not? Talking about money hurts our feelings... If you need any amount, just tell me directly."
When these considerate and generous words came out, the person who was most surprised was Qing Bai, who claimed to have a certain superficial understanding of Boss Hong... Was this still the same Boss Hong who was costly in relationships and always served with the magic conch?
It seems that Pei Ci is really important to Boss Hong, so important that he is willing to go against the principles of a businessman.
Jiu Nian shook his head: "Let's not talk about money. Jiu Nian owes you a favor."
For people like them, no matter how precious the gold, silver or jewels are, they are just external things, and "love" is the hardest thing to repay.
Qing Bai, who was just worried about not being able to return the favor after eating other people's good things, was now calm and composed, without any sense of being tired or indebted for the past nine years.
Although Boss Hong is a businessman, he has a free and easy spirit and is certainly not someone who would take advantage of others. Although he has roughly understood the importance of nine years in the underworld from Pei Ci's few words, a favor from such a person is worth more than a thousand gold.
Boss Hong's peach blossom eyes sparkled as he smiled and said, "It's just a lake of lotus seeds. How can it compare to the kindness you showed me when you saved me back then?"
Isn't Hongyao's thanks worth a thousand gold?
Jiu Nian and Hong Yao looked at each other for a moment, then compromised: "That would be troublesome."
This is the person who made Yin Ci wait for a thousand years. No wonder... Only a person like this can withstand a thousand years of obsession.
Once the matter was settled, there was finally a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, like old friends meeting again.
Pei Ci asked a few old acquaintances in the underworld about their recent situation. Jiu Nian told them what he knew. Boss Hong was knowledgeable and had a close relationship with Pei Ci, so he could also chat a few words. Only Qing Bai, apart from the few people present, knew that there was a Yin Lord Yin Weihuai, but they had only heard of him but never seen him. He had filled his stomach early... With nothing else to do, Qing Bai simply jumped to the fence beside the pavilion and admired the lake view amid the pleasant conversations of several people, although each had their own merits.
Jiu Nian saw that Qing Bai was still in his sight and was some distance away from the water, so he ignored it. While talking, he kept paying attention to the small white ball.
Boss Hong's eyes were so clear that he naturally saw Jiunian's silent concern. He felt that this scene was very much like parents taking their children to a banquet at relatives' or friends' homes. The children couldn't sit still and finished eating early and ran around to play and have fun. Although the adults were still sitting at the table socializing with others, their minds had long been with their own children. As for the food and wine, no matter how delicious they were, they were probably... tasteless.
It would be even more like it if we played a card game after dinner, Boss Hong thought.
"...Are these lotus seeds prepared for little Lingxi?" Pei Ci had already asked about his old acquaintance's recent situation. In order to keep the atmosphere at the table from becoming dull, he had to find a topic to talk about.
Jiunian just nodded and didn't respond.
This was clearly not a good topic. There was probably something else going on, or perhaps some secret that was too secret to share. Pei Ci was just about to change the subject when Hongyao spoke up, "Although these lotus seeds contain pure spiritual energy, they are ultimately external substances. A small amount will strengthen your body, but taking too much might just... force the issue."
Jiu Nian's voice remained steady: "Thank you, Boss Hong, for the reminder...but his situation is special."
Jiu Nian, who hadn't responded just now, now seemed to be speaking with a clear mind: "Qing Bai's mind has matured, and his human form has reached adulthood, but his beastly form remains at the cub stage, and his control over spiritual power has not improved... At first, I thought it was because he had been living in the Yang world as a human and hadn't inherited the spiritual intuition. Now I think it may be that his spiritual energy reserves are insufficient to support the growth of his beastly form."
Boss Hong glanced at Qing Bai, who was squatting by the railing like a small snowball, and was also a little surprised: "Isn't that just the right remedy? The spiritual energy contained in the spiritual lotus seeds is pure, just right for him to consume."
Jiunian didn't smile, but his brows relaxed a lot, and his black robe with a red background also showed his gentleness: "...I hope so."
Qing Bai did not hear the subsequent conversation between Jiu Nian and Boss Hong because his mind was completely attracted by the things in the lake.
Before, looking down from the wall, I could only see a sea of green leaves and red flowers. Only when a strong breeze blew could I see a glimpse of the water surface. The lake seemed clear and tranquil. But now, looking from a different angle, I realized there was a lot of activity hidden beneath the vast lotus leaves... There were geese in the lake! Not swans, but geese! The kind that chase dogs and children in the countryside!
However, due to the environment, in this lotus lake that is more elegant and vivid than a painting, the country geese swimming in it are also stained with the lotus fragrance and fairy air, and they show their elegance with every lift of their wings and their raised heads.
But… why do those tiny black eyes seem so sharp the more I look at them? It's like they're saying, "What are you staring at? I'll nag you if you keep staring at me." Not only are they unnatural, but they're also quite irritable. And the goslings paddling behind the big goose… who else's goslings could be so neatly aligned following their mother's paddling routine like they're in formation during military training? That's probably the kind of performance they'd get at university military training… No, they couldn't even compare to these geese during their training.
Should we say it's worthy of being called Red Boss's goose? It's truly extraordinary, comparable to an army.
The other side had many geese and was unable to move. Although he had the support of the Nine-Year Plan, the feeling of being unable to beat a primary school kid who called his parents was too strong. Qing Bai's self-esteem would not allow him to fall to that level, so he looked away before the geese could get too strong... and then his eyes met with the face of the person soaking in the water.
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