49 Whose First Kiss? (1/2)
'Oh, how excessive and wasteful! Reckless man!'
'Which wanderer carries things like these?'
'And what's that palm-sized thing?'
Meng Fuyao picked up the gown-like object, a big question mark evident in her eyes.
”It's Yuan Bao's robe,” Yuan Zhaoxu explained kindly.
Meng Fuyao turned her head sluggishly, catching sight of Lord Yuan Bao squatting not far away, happily waiting for his owner to dress him.
”He... carries this around?”
”Occasionally.”
”Not heavy?”
”He has a lot of meat and is strong. Plus, he likes crystals.”
”Why didn't he wear it previously?”
”It's cold now, and he wants to keep his belly warm.”
There was nothing more to say. Like owner, like pet – it was something she just had to get used to.
The bottles were small and their content limited, and hence only sufficient for one fish. The meat had started to sizzle, its natural grease and fragrance filling the air, instantly hooking her appetite. Unable to hold it any longer, she took a deep whiff and rubbed her empty belly.
That being said, Meng Fuyao knew how precious that fish was, such that she went on to pick another one, effortfully trying to avoid looking at it.
Yet, a richly scented and roasted fish appeared before her eyes the next moment.
She looked up to see the man smiling at her, his long brows arched. His deep-set eyes, high nose, and slightly curled lips were so tear-jerkingly exquisite that it was ridiculous. His beauty was like that of an unripe maple leaf – he had a perfect amount of luxury amid his delicateness, just as there was a perfect amount of yellow amid the reddening leaf. There was no way one wouldn't feel intoxicated just by looking at him.
Meng Fuyao calmed her heart. 'Stop beating so fast, it's embarrassing.'
Yuan Zhaoxu maintained his smile, his eyes tranquil. Meng Fuyao cleared her throat and proceeded to roast more fish, all while attempting to hypnotize herself. 'Look at him, an extravagant fellow unlike me, roaming in destitute and tasting nothing but salt. All this salt is killing my taste bud.”
Being emotional often led to aberrations in behavior. Meng Fuyao grabbed a roasted fish and started gobbling it up with no regard for table etiquette. As she munched loudly on her food Lord Yuan Bao started gracefully on his fruit, shifting his bum away, in total contempt, from her. He wanted as much distance as possible from that unrefined barbarian.
Meng Fuyao devoured it all within seconds and tossed the bones aside. She then started stroking her bloated tummy and mumbling to herself.
”A handsome man bestowing upon me a freshly roasted fish... how do I return...”
”Return what?” the handsome man questioned smilingly. It was additional proof that his ears were sharp.
Meng Fuyao picked up the scattered fishbones, blinking. ”Bones.”
”Oh,” Yuan Zhaoxu responded, face unchanged. He took the bones over, observing them from his palm. ”Oh, great teeth and jaw work over here. Accurate and forceful. There's not much left.”
At that, he retrieved a handkerchief, placed it down and spread it open, and got ready to store the bones.
Meng Fuyao's face was beet red. There were still teeth marks and saliva on those bones. She had merely made a joke, not expecting him to take it seriously. The way he did things would always be a step ahead of her. She could guess the beginning but never the outcome.
She hurriedly grabbed the bones and tossed them behind, before clapping her hands. ”Next time, I'll do a prettier job, sign it and let you keep it. Keep it for, say, 30 to 50 years, and you can even sell it as a limited edition item and get rich.”
Yuan Zhaoxu laughed while keeping his handkerchief and taking a few bites on another fish. ”How have you been, Fuyao?” he asked abruptly.
”Great,” she answered, turning around and smiling.
”Nothing happened?” he rephrased, not returning the gaze but instead focusing on roasting another piece of fish.
”No,” she replied curtly, with no signs of guilt.
”Then... do you need my help with anything?” he asked, placing a ready fish before her.