"Lord Xiao Wang," Qilin said sheepishly, "forgive me for being impolite, but I haven’t eaten in an entire day and night."
Hearing this, Wang Cang Hai felt a soft pang in his heart. His tone, too, softened as he said, "Come here. There are some pastries on the table behind me."
Qilin stepped closer as instructed, but as he brushed past Wang Cang Hai, his skin accidentally touched Wang Cang Hai’s bare shoulder—smooth, cool, and flawless.
His face flushed immediately.
Eyes cast downward, he caught another glimpse of the water's surface, rippling gently with a glimpse of warmth.
His blush deepened, and he whipped his head to the side, hurrying forward. But in his haste, he nearly crashed into the edge of the pool and the table beside it.
Looking up, he saw that the table was indeed laid out with various delicacies and fruit wine, arranged in the elegant shape of a plum blossom.
"Red bean cakes!" Qilin exclaimed in delight. "They're my favorite!"
Wang Cang Hai’s heart stirred slightly.
Qilin, do you know…
Red bean cake is also called “Lovesick Cake.”
For sixteen years, I have endured longing and torment… only to realize it was a one-sided infatuation.
Qilin, unaware of Wang Cang Hai’s thoughts, happily ate four cakes in quick succession. When there was only one left, he licked his lips and asked, "Lord Xiao Wang, do you still want the last one?"
Wang Cang Hai’s gaze lingered on Qilin’s lips—plump, red, and enticingly soft.
No rouge, and yet they look so naturally seductive… Was he born with such an alluring mouth?
Qilin, oblivious to the scrutiny, sighed in satisfaction. "These pastries are amazing. They're the best thing I've ever eaten!"
Looking at his eager, expectant expression, Wang Cang Hai simply said, "If you like them, go ahead and eat the last one."
Qilin beamed. "Thank you, Lord Xiao Wang! You’re so kind."
Wang Cang Hai watched him merrily devour the last red bean cake before abruptly turning his face away. He couldn’t bear to watch anymore—seeing this half-naked little immortal grinning like that was far too dangerous.
If he kept looking, he wasn’t sure he could restrain himself from doing something utterly inappropriate.
To distract himself, Wang Cang Hai stared at the water and mentally recited passages from the Tao Te Ching. But it did little to settle his thoughts.
So, instead, he decided to speak. "I made the red bean cakes myself. I modified the traditional Cantonese tea pastry recipe slightly—adding water chestnut flour and coconut milk for a hint of creaminess, and replacing the sugar syrup with cane juice to bring out a fresh sweetness."
Qilin's eyes lit up in admiration. "Lord Xiao Wang, that’s amazing! I never expected you to be able to make pastries."
Wang Cang Hai's face tinged slightly red. "Actually… I only know how to make red bean cake."
Because it’s your favorite.
That’s why I learned.
Qilin, why have you forgotten me? Or… did you never remember me at all?
Qilin smiled brightly. "Even if it's just one type of pastry, you've made the best red bean cake in the world! Lord Xiao Wang, you’re truly incredible."
Just then, Xia Xia entered with four attendants, each carrying a tray of clothing.
The moment she laid eyes on Wang Cang Hai and Qilin sitting together in the hot spring, talking and laughing, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
Lord Xiao Wang… bathing with someone else?
Impossible.
Her master was famously fastidious, never willing to use a bath that someone else had even touched, let alone bathe with another person. Even if the bath had been completely drained and scrubbed clean, he still refused to enter it if someone else had used it first.
Yet now, he was sharing a bath with Qilin?
Xia Xia hesitated, unsure whether to step forward and interrupt.
But Wang Cang Hai had already noticed their arrival. Without looking at her, he spoke aloud, “Xia Xia, leave the clothes here and return.”
Xia Xia was shocked again.
Normally, when Lord Xiao Wang bathed, he required four sets of clothing to be prepared so he could choose based on his mood.
0 Comments