Yin Zhenluo took the plate and was focused on the food. She didn't notice Xuanyuan's expression, nor did she know what was on his mind.
She took out a small silver knife and cut a tiny piece of pork. She chewed it slowly and enjoyed the delicious flavour.
However, she saw that Xuanyuan and Guxing were eating some old dried meat. She was confused and asked. "Why are you eating old dried meat instead of the freshly cooked meat you prepared?"
Xuanyuan smiled after hearing her question.
"Today I became your disciple, obviously I have to prepare something delicious for you. The hog would've fed Guxing and I for two days, longer if we rationed it. There are always powerful beasts wandering around the forest. It is not everyday that we get to enjoy a full stomach. We don't mind having dried meat as long as we can eat."
Xuanyuan halved the hardened dried meat and gave it to Guxing. They both started to eat their half of the dried, flavourless meat. Yin Zhenluo felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She had grown up in a prestigious family and never wanted for anything. They both lived in very different worlds.
"Xuanyuan, where are your parents?"
He stopped chewing when he heard her question. His eyes revealed a trace of loneliness. In both his last life and this life, he was an orphan. He never had parents who would love and care for him. After a while, he answered,
"I'm an orphan. I have never had parents to care for me. Guxing and Guyue were the only ones to ever care for me, but Guyue is now dead because of the young master Yuejue."
Yin Zhenluo saw the loneliness that was hidden deep in his eyes. It softened her heart and she sighed, she no longer continued to question him.
Xuanyuan was observing Yin Zhenluo as she ate her pork. She chewed very slowly and her every movement was elegant.
Some time had passed and night had darkened the sky. The cold moonlight shone through the window, shining down on Yin Zhenluo. Under the moonlight, she looked like the fairy of the moon, Chang-e, cold and untouchable. He was mesmerised and couldn't look away.
At this moment, he was revelling in the bliss. How nice it would be if this moment could last forever. If he could just watch over her forever.
Yin Zhenluo opened her eyes and saw that Xuanyuan was staring at her while she ate. She pointed at the grilled pork behind him and said. "Dry the meat, in the future I will eat what you eat. There's no need to prepare such special meals for me. Your practice will start tomorrow."
Xuanyuan nodded while drooling.
She stood up and rolled her eyes, half with annoyance and half with amusement. She walked towards the bed and laid down. She then told Xuanyuan. "Go get some rest. I'll take the bed and you can sleep on the floor."
Xuanyuan wiped his drool from his mouth and nodded vigorously,
"Of course. I'm grateful for not having to sleep outside."
"Also, since you are my disciple, there is one rule you have to follow." Yin Zhenluo laid on her side. Her eyes seemed more tender when under the moonlight. Her beauty was making Xuanyuan feel light headed.
"Starting from tonight, if you successfully ambush me at anytime, I will let you do whatever you want.”
Yin Zhenluo's smile was stunning like a blossoming flower.
When she finished her words, a fire was lit in Xuanyuan's eyes. His body trembled and his mouth started watering. He rushed in Yin Zhenluo’s direction and attacked like a hungry wolf.
"That's not an ambush, that's more like suicide."
She sighed and flicked her finger lightly against his forehead. A strong wind hit Xuanyuan's head and knocked him backwards. He rolled across the floor in an embarrassing state.
Guxing didn't growl at Yin Zhenluo this time. It actually looked amused by the schadenfreude.