“Zhen’er, come sit beside your master.”
Chen Xi patted the spot next to her. Her usually aloof features were now softened by a gentle glow, resembling the Madonna herself.
“Yes, Master.”
Yan Zhen obediently knelt and sat down beside his beautiful master. He picked up the wine jug and filled a cup to the brim.
The aroma of wine mingled with the scents from the dishes, creating the very essence of simple happiness that ordinary folk cherished.
“Please, Master.”
Chen Xi lifted the small wine cup to her lips and took a delicate sip.
The liquid moistened her lips, making them shimmer faintly under the intense starlight filling the space, adding an air of delicate allure.
“Not bad wine… Zhen’er, why don’t you join your master for a drink?”
Yan Zhen wasn’t much of a drinker, but he didn’t refuse his beautiful master’s suggestion. After pouring her another cup, he filled one for himself.
“Master, to you. Thank you for all your guidance these past few months.”
With that, Yan Zhen squeezed his eyes shut and downed the cup in one gulp. A fiery burn raced from his mouth to his throat, and a thin flush quickly spread across his cheeks.
He had a constitution that made him tipsy easily.
Chen Xi watched as her disciple’s face turned red after just a small cup. Ripples of delight stirred in her heart—she found it utterly adorable.
Yan Zhen opened his eyes to find his beautiful master staring at him, leaving him a bit embarrassed.
“Master, try the food. It’s all made by the family chefs back home—quite tasty.”
Chen Xi glanced over the spread and asked, “Which one do you like best, Zhen’er?”
“Me?” Yan Zhen blinked. “I prefer meat dishes—braised pork belly, roast duck, fried chicken, that sort of thing. But I figured your tastes might run lighter, Master, so I didn’t bring too much meat. What would you like? I’ll go fetch it.”
“No need. This is plenty. Your master will start with that braised pork belly you like.”
Chen Xi picked up her chopsticks and clamped a piece of braised pork belly. The square chunk was so tender it was like tofu—one firm press of the chopsticks sliced right through.
She cut off a small piece and popped it into her mouth. It melted on the tongue.
Of course, to her palate, accustomed to every delicacy under heaven, the flavor was merely average. But her heart brimmed with joy.
This was the New Year’s Eve dinner Yan Zhen had specially prepared for her.
“How is it, Master?”
“It’s good.”
“Then have more, Master.”
“Mm.”
Chen Xi sliced off a larger piece with her chopsticks and lifted it toward Yan Zhen’s mouth.
“You eat some too, Zhen’er.”
Yan Zhen froze, flustered. “Master, no need to fuss over me. I can get my own.”
“Can’t you eat what your master gives you?”
“Uh, that’s not what I meant.”
“Open up, Zhen’er.”
“…”
Under his beautiful master’s steady gaze, Yan Zhen had no choice but to open his mouth with an “ah” and let her feed him the morsel from her chopsticks.
“Is it good?”
Yan Zhen nodded vigorously. It somehow tasted even better than what he’d eaten straight from the table.
“Then have another bite?”
The gentle tone of his beautiful master’s voice nearly made Yan Zhen nod again. He caught himself and quickly said, “I can manage, Master. Try some of the other dishes.”
“Very well.”
Chen Xi didn’t press the issue. This time, she picked up a jumbo shrimp and placed it in her bowl. She eyed it for a moment, unsure where to begin.
Noticing this, Yan Zhen ventured, “Master, shall I peel it for you?”
Chen Xi nodded slightly.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Zhen’er.”
“No trouble at all. Easy enough.”
Yan Zhen deftly stripped off the shell and dipped the shrimp meat generously in garlic vinegar before placing it back in his beautiful master’s bowl.
Chen Xi ate the shrimp coated in garlic vinegar and smiled faintly.
“I brought two dips—one’s garlic vinegar, and there’s also scallion oil. You should try the shrimp with scallion oil sometime, Master. It has its own unique flavor.”
“Then I’ll trouble you to peel another for your master.”
“Leave it to me. Just eat up, Master.”
Yan Zhen swiftly peeled another jumbo shrimp and dipped it in scallion oil. He was about to set it in his beautiful master’s bowl when she used her free left hand to brush back a lock of her silver-white hair. Then she parted her lips slightly, leaning forward to take the shrimp straight from his fingers.
Yan Zhen went rigid, staring blankly as his beautiful master snatched the shrimp from his grasp. He felt the lingering softness and slick warmth on his fingertips, and he swallowed hard.
Chen Xi chewed slowly before swallowing gracefully. She dabbed her lips and said, “It does have a unique flavor. Let’s try the rest… Don’t just stand there, Zhen’er. Eat up. There’s too much for your master alone.”
“Oh~”
Yan Zhen began eating heartily, occasionally picking out bites for his beautiful master.
Chen Xi returned the favor, feeding him morsels now and then.
Gazing at the tender smile melting the ice from her features, Yan Zhen didn’t overthink it. He chalked it up to New Year’s cheer and happily accepted the feeding.
“Come, Zhen’er. A toast with your master.”
“Sure.”
“This wine really is good. Another cup?”
“Mm.”
“Happy New Year’s Eve. Cheers.”
“Happy New Year’s Eve.”
“Your master will toast you now.”
“Ah? Oh.”
One cup after another, Yan Zhen—poor with his liquor—soon felt dizzy.
Chen Xi showed no signs of being affected, save for a faint blush coloring her cheeks, like a touch of rouge.
“Your face is so red, Zhen’er. Drunk already?”
“A little.”
“Then scoot closer. Lean on your master.”
With that, Chen Xi wrapped her left arm around Yan Zhen’s waist, drawing him intimately against her.
Buoyed by the alcohol, Yan Zhen’s head felt heavy, his thoughts sluggish. He didn’t resist—instead, he leaned right in, using his beautiful master’s shoulder as a pillow.
“You smell so nice, Master,” Yan Zhen murmured after a sniff, his voice dazed. “Makes me wanna sleep.”
Chen Xi smiled to herself at his words and pulled him closer. “If you’re sleepy, then sleep. When you wake, your master will give you a big red envelope.”
“Red envelope… a cultivation technique?”
“The most precious thing your master has.”
“Your most precious… You’re too good to me, Master~”
“Good boy. Sleep now.”
“Oh~”
Yan Zhen’s eyes drifted shut, his body going limp as it slid from her shoulder.
Chen Xi caught him steadily and gently settled him across her lap, cradling his head on her thighs.
She gazed down at his peaceful sleeping face. Long-suppressed emotions surged forth unchecked. Unable to hold back any longer, she reached out with a jade-like hand to caress his cheek, her fingers threading softly into his hair to comb through it.
“It tickles, Master~” Yan Zhen mumbled drowsily.
That adorably dazed voice made Chen Xi smile warmly. She leaned down and pressed a light kiss to his forehead.
A soft peck.
She pulled away quickly, leaving only a faint trace of wine on his skin.
Kissing Yan Zhen’s forehead while he slept was something Chen Xi had always longed to do in her previous life but never could. Now, she had done it effortlessly.
Yet she wasn’t satisfied.
She wanted to kiss him openly, without restraint.
“Tomorrow, then,” Chen Xi resolved.
