"Xiaxia, what does it say on this paper?" Ms. Wang asked, holding the sheet of paper.
Yang Chuxia took a look at it, her face distorted with each word she read. What’s with these demands? The eggs had to be cooked to 70% perfection, as if he was frying a steak. He wanted a fish dish with the green onions cut into three pieces, and no more than two chili peppers in it. No ginger and less sugar. As for the soups, he wanted three varieties – sweet, salty, and spicy – as if three kinds of soup wouldn’t make him burst. Also, the rice had to be cooked perfectly, not too soft nor too hard.
"Mom, he said he won’t be eating dinner anymore, so just prepare our usual dishes." Yang Chuxia smiled and handed the paper to Ye Zi’an. Zi’an took the paper and ripped it up without even looking at it.
"Hey, why did you tear it up?" Ms. Wang obviously didn’t believe her daughter’s words, since she gave her a suspicious look. She had initially wanted Qingrui to check the request, but Brother An had torn it up.
Ye Zi’an said, "Auntie, listen to Xiaxia, you’re doing the right thing."
While Xiaxia was looking just now, he had read it all and concluded that the young man was a real lord, expecting people to serve him constantly.
Ms. Wang, observing the same expression on the children’s faces, shook her head and decided to take her time to figure out what to cook. After all, the young master was an esteemed doctor, someone she mustn’t offend easily.
Finally, dinner time came. Mu Shaoling and his servant arrived in the dining room, seemingly right on cue, ready to eat as soon as Wang gave the go-ahead.
Yang Chuxia initially thought that Young Master Mu would frown upon the dishes that didn’t suit his taste. However, he didn’t react at all, eating and drinking whatever was served.
Especially the fish dish, Ms. Wang, not knowing he had requested the green onions to be cut into three pieces, had chopped them finely and scattered it over the fish, making the dish look fresh and delicious.
"Auntie, this fish is really well-made. It’s on par with the chefs in the royal palace." Mu Shaoling actually praised Ms. Wang’s cooking.
At his words, Ms. Wang’s heart swelled with happiness, and she urged him, "Please eat more, eat more as you like."
After dinner, Mu Shaoling didn’t go to Ye Zi’an’s house. He just sat nearby, listening to Yang Chuxia’s family’s conversation and occasionally joining in. He casually asked about the number of families in Yangshu Village and whether they were all locals.
As bedtime approached, Old Yang couldn’t help but head to sleep first. Yang Dachuan and Ms. Wang were also ready to go to bed, but hesitated due to the guest’s presence.
Yang Chuxia saw this and told her parents to go back to their room first. Yang Qingrui had already returned to his room to practice his writing, leaving Xiaxia, Brother An, Mu Shaoling, and his servant in the living room.
Mu Shaoling didn’t say anything, just played with a bead in his hand while his servant stared straight ahead, not looking sideways. Ye Zi’an and Yang Chuxia whispered lowly, their heads close together.
Finally, Mu Shaoling couldn’t take it anymore and said, "Hey, you two, are you done yet? Ye Zi’an, don’t you need to go home?"
"Yeah, it’s getting late, Brother An, you should go home." Yang Chuxia winked at Ye Zi’an.
Mu Shaoling, seeing the pair’s little act, snorted coldly and walked forward. After a few steps, he turned and urged, "Are you going or not?"
Ye Zi’an ignored him, instead weakly asking Yang Chuxia, "Xiaxia, do I really have to go? It would be nice if I could sleep here with Qingrui. You know I don’t know any martial arts. What if I’m sound asleep, and he suddenly slit my throat?"