Chapter 24 : Dinner

Seeing Huo Zhen’s worried expression, Song Ying replied, “It’s just a meal. I can afford it.”

In response to Song Ying’s indifferent attitude, Huo Zhen said anxiously, “I’m not worried about whether you can afford it, I’m worried about Wen Jun’s attitude toward you…”

Song Ying asked, “Do you think he has plans for me?”

Huo Zhen half-opened his mouth, then nodded. “He asked you to treat him for no reason, doesn’t that say enough?”

Song Ying replied, “General Huo, you’re overthinking it. Wen Jun doesn’t like me. The only thing he wants from me is the money in my pocket.”

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. The less you care about someone, the more you can see them clearly. Wen Jun was exactly this kind of person. He was good at using appearances to confuse people, making them think he was easygoing, when in reality, he was cold-hearted to the core.

Huo Zhen wanted to say more, but just then, his stomach growled loudly.

Both of them froze.

Embarrassed, Huo Zhen clutched his stomach and said, “I-I’ll be leaving now.”

Song Ying called him back. “Stay and eat. Aunt Dong is already cooking. I need to thank you and your brothers properly.”

At that moment, Huo Zhen had only one thought: ‘Aying invited me to dinner! The kind where I can actually sit at the table!’

But when the food was finally on the table, Huo Zhen was like a fool, he couldn’t even pick up his chopsticks properly.

Song Ying raised her cup. “I was in a rush today, so I didn’t prepare any special dishes. I’ll use tea instead of wine to thank you.”

Yang Hu said bluntly, “No need for all that, we’re family now.”

Mo Qi jabbed him in the ribs. “You’re already speaking like a drunk and we haven’t even started drinking.”

Song Ying simply smiled. Liu Lingyan, who was standing nearby, noticed that Huo Zhen was still dazed and called out, “General Huo? General Huo?”

Huo Zhen snapped back to reality. “What? What is it?”

Liu Lingyan: “Aying is toasting you.”

“Oh—oh, right! Drink, drink.” Huo Zhen hurriedly picked up his cup and stared at the tea inside, remembering how he burned his tongue the first time Song Ying served him tea because he got too excited.

This time, he was more cautious, sipping it slowly like a refined scholar.

His mannerisms made Yang Hu and Mo Qi extremely uncomfortable.

It was totally unlike his usual self.

After dinner, it was time to leave.

As usual, Huo Zhen followed Song Ying toward the backyard, but Liu Lingyan stopped him and said, “General Huo, you should return to the barracks. Your brothers are waiting outside.”

Huo Zhen looked at Song Ying disappearing into the house and said, “I’m worried about her tomorrow…”

Liu Lingyan replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll go with her tomorrow.”

Huo Zhen bowed slightly. “Thank you.” His gaze involuntarily drifted toward the figure inside the room.

Liu Lingyan sighed softly. “Aying’s had a hard time. She can’t afford to be hurt again. I can tell you’re sincere, but she needs more than sincerity, she needs reassurance.”

Huo Zhen lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and said seriously, “I understand. Thank you. I’ll take my leave.”

Liu Lingyan: “Take care.”

Watching him climb over the wall again, Liu Lingyan shook her head helplessly. She had said all she could, the rest was up to him.

Outside Xiaohanju, Yang Hu and Mo Qi were still waiting. When they saw Huo Zhen exiting from the neighboring courtyard, Mo Qi teased, “Brother, you’ve climbed that wall so often you’ve forgotten how to use the front door.”

Huo Zhen waved them off. “You two go back first. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Mo Qi: “Don’t tell me you’re going to accompany Miss Song to the banquet tomorrow?”

Huo Zhen gritted his teeth. “I don’t trust that shady bastard Wen Jun. Asking Aying for a meal out of nowhere, he’s clearly up to something.”

Yang Hu nodded. “Our big bro’s worried that sister-in-law will be taken advantage of. Fine, Mo Qi and I will return to camp first. The brothers support you.”

Mo Qi added, “Just make sure to come back early tomorrow. The old general will be back soon. If he finds out you’re sneaking out of the barracks again, he’ll beat you for sure.”

Huo Zhen scoffed, “I’m not afraid of him.”

Yang Hu: “That’s my brother so fearless.”

Mo Qi gave Yang Hu a slap on the shoulder and pushed him toward the horse. “Alright, let’s go.”

After watching them leave, Huo Zhen turned around and headed back home.

The next day, he disguised himself as a farmer and followed Song Ying’s carriage to Juya Pavilion.

Juya Pavilion was one of the most renowned restaurants in the capital. Unlike Shangyue Pavilion, which was more casual, Juya Pavilion was upscale and refined, catering exclusively to nobles and officials.

Song Ying and Liu Lingyan, both wearing hats that covered their faces, were led by the attendant into the innermost courtyard.

Wen Jun greeted them casually, “Come on in, Liu Lingyan, you came too.”

Liu Lingyan replied, “Yesterday was all about finding the child. Today, let me treat the Young Marquis and Aying to a proper meal.”

Wen Jun didn’t stand on ceremony. “Alright, have a seat.”

They sat in a waterside pavilion while the servants brought water for them to rinse their hands and mouths. Soon after, dishes were served one after another.

“Try it.”

Without any warning, Wen Jun used the serving chopsticks to place food into Song Ying’s bowl.

Liu Lingyan stared in shock. Was something wrong with this man?

Song Ying looked at the food that had appeared in her bowl and calmly set down her chopsticks. “Young Marquis, what exactly do you want?”

Wen Jun feigned innocence. “Why are you upset? I just wanted you to try more dishes. Hah… Are you overthinking it, or am I?”

Rolling her eyes, Liu Lingyan reached over, took the food from Song Ying’s bowl, and dropped it into her own. She ate it with exaggerated satisfaction. “It’s really delicious. Thank you, Young Marquis.”

Wen Jun wasn’t fazed. He simply picked up more food and placed it into Song Ying’s bowl again. He then gave Liu Lingyan a smug look, as if saying: ‘Go ahead and keep eating. As long as Song Ying doesn’t eat it, I’ll keep giving her more. Let’s see who bursts first.’

Liu Lingyan really wanted to jab her chopsticks up his nostrils.

Song Ying gave Liu Lingyan’s hand a subtle pat under the table, then calmly picked up her chopsticks and ate the food. “It’s quite good.”

Wen Jun clapped in delight. “No wonder Shaozhi always says you’re sensible. Alright, I was just teasing. I’ll stop.”

Song Ying ignored him and turned to Liu Lingyan. “Shall we order a few more dishes? We can take them back for the children.”

Liu Lingyan nodded. “Exactly what I was thinking. I heard they also have that Taoist-style dish here…”

The two women chatted among themselves, even ordering a performer to sing a few tunes. They completely disregarded Wen Jun’s presence.

Wen Jun merely smiled, unfazed. He sipped wine and listened to music alone. Every now and then, his eyes drifted past Song Ying and Liu Lingyan toward the entrance.

When a certain figure appeared, he set his cup down. “He’s here.”

Liu Lingyan asked, “Who’s here?”

The courtyard doors opened, and Yue Shaozhi entered.

He gave Song Ying a brief glance, then turned to Wen Jun. “Where’s the stuff?”

Wen Jun raised his hand slightly, signaling You Yin to pass the item to Yu Liang.

“Shaozhi, my bad for standing you up yesterday. Want to stay and join us? My treat, on Liu Lingyan’s tab.”

Liu Lingyan clenched her fist. ‘Where’s your shame? Did you toss it into the latrine?’

Yue Shaozhi turned to leave. “No need.”

Wen Jun leaned forward slightly and said to Song Ying, “What’s inside that box is what Shaozhi gave Song Ruoer. Song Ying, has he ever given you anything like that?”

He didn’t speak loudly, but it was just loud enough for Yue Shaozhi to hear.