Chapter Fifteen: The Scene Grows a Little Awkward

The first time Wei Ruo entered the Bamboo Pavilion, she noticed the patch of pale bamboo, but at that time, the bamboo shoots had yet to break through the earth.

Today, however, the bamboo shoots had grown to the length of her forearm—if they weren’t eaten soon, they’d be too old to enjoy.

Once again, Wei Jin Yi was forced to set aside his brush and glanced up at Wei Ruo. “As you wish.”

His expression was cold and detached; his agreement born solely from a desire to avoid further conversation.

“Alright, thank you, Second Brother! I’ll return the favor soon with a plate of fragrant bamboo and pork!” Wei Ruo thanked him cheerfully, then dashed to the bamboo grove and snapped off every tender shoot she could find.

She hurried back to the small kitchen.

From within, waves of delicious aromas drifted out, causing Xiao Bei, whose willpower was not particularly strong, to swallow as he ground ink.

Ah, the young master’s self-control is truly impressive. The rich smell fills the air, yet it doesn’t affect his steady hand in the least. Unlike him—he hadn’t even been hungry before, but now his stomach was the first to surrender.

After a while, Wei Ruo and Xiu Mei emerged. Wei Ruo carried a tray lined with numerous small dishes, each containing some mysterious seasoning. Xiu Mei bore a steaming large pot—the source of the tantalizing scent.

The two stepped into the gazebo. Xiao Bei stared in surprise. “Miss, what are you doing?”

“We’re having hotpot together! Clear the table first, please,” Wei Ruo said, eyeing the only stone table in the pavilion.

At the moment, the stone table was covered with Wei Jin Yi’s writing instruments.

“Take it back and eat it yourself. I don’t need any,” Wei Jin Yi refused icily.

“That won’t do. I promised you a share, and I stand by my word. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be taking advantage of you? I don’t like owing others favors.”

As the saying goes, return what you borrow and you’ll find it easier to borrow again. She’d need to use the Bamboo Pavilion’s kitchen in the future—if she didn’t establish this precedent now, it’d only grow harder.

“Besides, I made enough for four people. If you don’t eat, it’ll go to waste! The seafood was caught by fishermen risking their lives. Only by savoring it properly can we honor their efforts.”

Four portions? Xiao Bei was startled—he had a share too? But he was only a servant...

Wei Jin Yi gazed at Wei Ruo, as if he wanted to object, but the words never left his lips.

After a moment’s silence, he relented, standing to clear away the books, brushes, ink, and paper, making space on the stone table.

Xiu Mei promptly placed the pot down, and at the sight of the bright red layer of oil on top, Wei Jin Yi’s brows furrowed.

Wei Ruo set out the dishes. “This is my secret dipping sauce, Second Brother. You must try it.”

The main ingredient was her special soy sauce, mixed with scallions and a touch of minced garlic—fresh and sweet, perfect for seafood.

Wei Jin Yi eyed the unknown concoction before him, his frown deepening.

Seeing his hesitation, Wei Ruo picked up some fish with clean chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and placed it in his bowl.

“Try it, Second Brother—it’s truly delicious, I promise.”

Urged on by Wei Ruo’s insistence and her expectant gaze, Wei Jin Yi finally relented, picking up a small piece and chewing it cautiously.

Moments later, he began to cough violently.

Wei Ruo quickly poured him a glass of water. “Slowly, slowly—have some water.”

He drained the cup, still coughing, so Wei Ruo gently patted his back.

After a while, Wei Jin Yi recovered, his cheeks flushed from the effort—two rosy patches brightening his pale skin, making him look unexpectedly spirited.

He set down his chopsticks. “You go ahead and eat.”

Well… this was awkward.

“How about you try again? You must have just choked by accident. A few more bites and you’ll discover how wonderful it is.”

“No need,” Wei Jin Yi refused firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

An awkward silence fell.

Without another word, Wei Jin Yi stood and returned to his room, leaving Wei Ruo, Xiu Mei, and Xiao Bei behind.

Xiao Bei explained awkwardly, “Please don’t mind, Miss. My young master usually eats very bland food—there’s much he can’t stomach.”

“I should have considered that. Next time, I’ll make something else for him,” Wei Ruo replied.

There’s going to be a next time? Xiao Bei’s eyes widened.

In the end, only Wei Ruo and Xiu Mei managed to finish most of the hotpot, eating until they were stuffed and had no choice but to leave some behind.

Wei Ruo patted her stomach, left Xiu Mei to clean up, and returned briefly to Pine Listening Courtyard, where she fetched a roll of paper and placed it on Wei Jin Yi’s stack of writing materials.

Only after Wei Ruo had left did Wei Jin Yi emerge from his room to return his books and writing instruments to the stone table and resume his reading and writing.

As he set his things out, he noticed a roll of paper that didn’t belong to him.

Unrolling it, he saw smooth, cold white paper—clearly different from the rest on his desk.

“Where did this paper come from?”

“Oh, I think Miss brought it for you. She said it’s a gift to apologize.”

“This is from the Four Treasures Studio,” Wei Jin Yi remarked, his gaze growing thoughtful.

“The Four Treasures Studio? Isn’t that the paper the master gave you before? I remember he said a colleague gifted him ten sheets—he gave five to you and five to the eldest young master. I also heard the eldest wanted to buy more after using it, but the studio is all the way in Huzhou, too far to get any. How did Miss get her hands on this?” Xiao Bei said, astonished.