Chapter 33: A Feast

“Take a break from writing and move around a little.”

Qin Zhao bent down to cover Cao Xi’s clothes with his own, then placed another basin on top as a lid.

Seeing the pile of clothes, Qi Qige’s eyes flickered. He hadn’t expected Qin Zhao to also be washing Cao Xi’s clothes, which was quite beyond his expectations.

“Take a seat first. I’ll grab some snacks for you,” Qin Zhao said, gesturing for Qi Qige to sit under the jujube tree. He then went to the bedroom and brought out snacks Cao Xi had made for him.

Looking at the plates of snacks laid out, Qi Qige clicked his tongue in astonishment.

“Who would’ve thought that the aloof Qin Zhao would be into snacks?”

“These are all made by Cao Xi. I couldn’t not eat them. You should try them; they’re really good.”

Qin Zhao’s tone was full of pride, showing off more than just a little.

“Childish,” Qi Qige said as he grabbed a piece of spicy rabbit meat and popped it into his mouth. The savory, spicy flavor filled his senses.

“This is delicious! A bit spicier, and it’d be perfect,” Qi Qige said, reaching for the crispy cat-ear pastries.

Qin Zhao explained, “Cao Xi knows I can’t handle spicy food, so she toned it down.”

As the crispy pastries crunched loudly under his bite, Qi Qige ignored Qin Zhao and poured himself a cup of tea from the nearby teapot.

“Why is this tea sweet?” Qi Qige asked, puzzled.

Smiling, Qin Zhao said, “There’s licorice in it. Cao Xi added it to prevent me from getting too much internal heat, substituting it for regular tea leaves.”

“Ugh, you’re giving me a toothache with all this showing off. Aren’t you afraid someone might steal Cao Xi away?”

Qi Qige reached for the candied winter melon but was thwarted when Qin Zhao swiftly moved it out of reach.

“What are you doing?” Qi Qige frowned, facing Qin Zhao’s unhappy expression.

Qin Zhao replied, “Take back what you just said, or don’t blame me for flipping out.”

“Fine, fine, fine. I was wrong,” Qi Qige surrendered immediately, having learned his lesson.

“Why are you here today, anyway?” Qin Zhao asked.

“No particular reason, just wanted to chat and hang out.” As he spoke, Qi Qige grabbed another piece of the crispy pastries.

Seeing that Qi Qige truly had no agenda, Qin Zhao dropped the topic. The two of them continued chatting casually.

After learning where Qin Zhao lived, Qi Qige began dropping by frequently, often staying for meals. Qin Zhao’s home became his second favorite place, right after the academy.

Time flew by, and today was the day the exam results were announced. The bulletin area was packed with people. Qin Zhao asked Cao Xi to wait on the outskirts of the crowd while he squeezed his way in.

Before he could even reach the list, Qi Qige, who was being pushed out by the crowd, grabbed him.

“I saw the results,” Qi Qige announced.

“And? How did it go?” Qin Zhao asked eagerly.

“What else? You’re first, and I’m second,” Qi Qige replied nonchalantly.

“Oh, then let’s head back,” Qin Zhao said.

Now that he knew the results, there was no need to keep jostling with the crowd.

When Cao Xi saw him return, she asked, “Back so soon? Did you see the results?”

“Writing all day is exhausting. Take a break.”

Qin Zhao leaned over, covering Cao Xi’s clothes with his own and then placing another basin on top for extra protection.

Qi Qige noticed the clothes in the basin and was startled, realizing that even Cao Xi’s clothes were washed by Qin Zhao. This was beyond his expectations.

“Have a seat. I’ll get you some snacks.”

Qin Zhao gestured for Qi Qige to sit under the jujube tree while he went into the bedroom to fetch the snacks Cao Xi had prepared for him.

When Qi Qige saw plate after plate of snacks, he clicked his tongue in amazement.

“Who would’ve thought? The cool and aloof Qin Zhao has a sweet tooth for snacks.”

“These are all made by Cao Xi himself. I can’t let them go to waste. Try some—they’re quite good,” Qin Zhao said with a smile, showing off unabashedly.

“Childish.” Qi Qige popped a piece of spicy rabbit meat into his mouth, savoring the burst of flavor that filled his mouth.

“This is delicious, but it could use more spice,” Qi Qige said as he reached for some crispy fried dough twists.

“Well, Cao Xi knows I can’t handle spice, so he went easy on it,” Qin Zhao explained with a smile.

The crispy dough twists crunched loudly as Qi Qige chewed them. Without responding to Qin Zhao, he poured himself a cup of tea from a nearby teapot.

“This tea is sweet?” Qi Qige asked, surprised.

“There’s licorice in it,” Qin Zhao explained. “Cao Xi was worried I might overheat, so he used licorice instead of regular tea leaves.”

Qi Qige clicked his tongue again. “That’s so sweet it’s making my teeth ache. Aren’t you worried someone might snatch Cao Xi away with all this flaunting?”

Just as he reached for a piece of candied winter melon, Qin Zhao snatched it away.

“What’s this about?” Qi Qige asked, annoyed.

“Take back what you just said, or don’t blame me for turning hostile,” Qin Zhao said sternly.

“Fine, fine, I take it back,” Qi Qige quickly surrendered. He’d learned not to push Qin Zhao too far.

“So, what brings you here today?” Qin Zhao asked.

“Nothing much, just felt like chatting,” Qi Qige replied, grabbing another handful of snacks.

Since Qi Qige didn’t have anything serious to discuss, they made small talk instead.

Ever since Qi Qige found out where Qin Zhao lived, he had taken every opportunity to come by for a free meal. Qin Zhao’s home had become his second favorite place after the academy.

Time passed quickly, and today was the day the examination results were announced. The crowd was overwhelming, so Qin Zhao asked Cao Xi to wait on the outskirts while he squeezed his way in. Before he could see the board, he was pulled aside by Qi Qige, who had been pushed out of the crowd.

“I’ve seen it,” Qi Qige said.

“What’s the result?” Qin Zhao asked urgently.

“As expected, you’re first, and I’m second,” Qi Qige replied nonchalantly.

“Alright, let’s go back then,” Qin Zhao said calmly.

Having learned the results, there was no need to jostle in the crowd anymore.

When Cao Xi saw Qin Zhao returning so quickly, he asked, “That was fast. Did you see the results?”

“I didn’t see them myself, but Qi Qige said I came first,” Qin Zhao explained.

“Really? That’s amazing!”

Cao Xi’s joy was palpable as he clapped his hands and twirled in place.

“Still, I’d feel better if I saw it myself. What if it’s someone with the same name?”

With that, Cao Xi rushed toward the board without waiting for the two of them.

Qi Qige quickly stopped him. “Sister, there’s no mistake. How could I mix you two up? We were listed right next to each other.”

Although Cao Xi trusted Qi Qige’s honesty, he still wanted to confirm it with his own eyes. Eventually, Qin Zhao relented and accompanied him through the crowd to take a look.

Once back home, Cao Xi finally felt relieved.

“I knew Qin Zhao would come first! He’s the smartest person I know,” Cao Xi said proudly to Qi Qige.

Qi Qige was left speechless, thinking, Birds of a feather flock together—how true.

Just then, a servant ran over. “Young master, the master wants you to come home.”

The servant was from Qi Qige’s family. Presumably, word of his success as a scholar had reached home, prompting the summons. Qi Qige bid Qin Zhao goodbye, and Qin Zhao returned home with Cao Xi.

“When are you planning to announce our relationship?” Qin Zhao asked, finally voicing a question he had long wanted to ask.

“The day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, let’s go grocery shopping, and the day after, we’ll host a banquet for the family to celebrate your success. We can make the announcement then. How does that sound?” Cao Xi looked up at Qin Zhao for approval.

Qin Zhao couldn’t have been happier. “Sounds perfect,” he said with a sweet smile, even more delighted than when he saw the examination results.

---

The banquet was set under the jujube tree, with a large round table specially rented by Cao Xi. Most of the dishes were ordered from a restaurant, but a few signature dishes were prepared personally by Cao Xi. Guests included Qi Qige and some elderly acquaintances from the local Earth Temple, making up a table of nine.

The banquet began in the evening. True to form, Qi Qige was the last to arrive, eager as ever to help—or rather, to sample the food.

“Why are you just hovering around? You’re supposed to be helping!” Qin Zhao scolded.

Qi Qige, realizing he hadn’t done anything useful, laughed sheepishly. “Alright, I’ll help set the table.”

Cao Xi chuckled. “Go give him a hand. He won’t manage it alone.”

Resigned, Qin Zhao sighed and went to help Qi Qige. Together, they set up the table and placed tea and fruit plates for the guests.

One by one, the guests arrived.

“Congratulations!”

The well-dressed Li Feng greeted Qin Zhao with a polite smile, though there was no warmth in his eyes. To him, Qin Zhao’s achievements highlighted the stark contrast in their life trajectories.

“Thank you for coming,” Qin Zhao replied stiffly. Their relationship was awkward at best.

Later, Xiao Rui, a young girl, shyly approached Qin Zhao. “Congratulations, Brother Zhao. I made this sachet for you.”

The green sachet, embroidered with mandarin ducks, was exquisitely crafted.

“Thank you, but I already have a sachet,” Qin Zhao gently declined.

Xiao Rui’s big, watery eyes looked up at him pleadingly, her hand holding the sachet trembling slightly.

“You could always switch it out,” she suggested timidly.

The embroidered sachet was suddenly snatched from Xiao Rui’s hand. She turned around quickly to see Shui Niu, the mischievous young man, examining it with curiosity.

“Just what I needed—a sachet! Since he doesn’t want it, I’ll take it,” Shui Niu said, tucking it into his chest pocket and turning to leave.

Xiao Rui grabbed his arm, her eyes brimming with tears. “Give it back! This is for Brother Zhao!”

While the two continued their tug-of-war, Qin Zhao had already walked into the kitchen.

“Everyone’s here; we can start serving the dishes,” he said, eager to begin the meal so he could make the announcement and put an end to the guests’ speculations.

“Alright,” Cao Xi replied. “Call them over to help carry the dishes.”

With everyone being familiar, there was no need for formalities. Each person brought out a dish, and soon the table was filled.

The diners sat in a circle, the atmosphere warm and cheerful. However, just as they began eating, Cao Xi felt a sudden kick under the table.

Confused, he looked at Qin Zhao, his expression asking, Why are you kicking me?