Chapter 68: 螃蟹
[Crab]
The two ahead weren’t walking particularly fast, and Ji Ling caught up to them in just a few strides. But just as he was about to draw near, he felt his actions seemed a bit too eager. So he slowed his quickened pace back to his usual walking speed.
Tang Xiaobao felt fairly positive about Sang Jiayi. Though she’d mistaken him for someone else upon their first meeting, that could be attributed to his rather ordinary appearance—hardly something to blame her for. Glancing at the person trailing behind him, Tang Xiaobao hesitated briefly before leading Sang Jiayi to a stone bench in the courtyard. This spot offered the best view of the entire garden, and with the weather still pleasantly warm, sitting here wouldn’t cause anyone to catch a chill.
“Just wait here for me. I’ll tidy this up and be out shortly.” “Tang Xiaobao pointed to the stone bench beneath him, his voice brimming with cheer. “I’ll have Lühe bring you some pastries later to fill your stomach.”
“Hn.” Sang Jiayi glanced at Tang Xiaobao, whose face was glistening with fine beads of sweat, and nodded. “I feel a bit embarrassed about barging in like this. t’s me who being rude.”
Tang Xiaobao waved dismissively, signaling it didn’t matter. After settling Sang Jiayi, he turned to take the crabs he’d bought to the kitchen. But when he looked back, Ji Ling—who’d appeared without warning—was standing there, staring at him intently with an inexplicable look in his eyes.
“Did you forget something?” Ji Ling asked, his gaze sharpening as he fixed it on Sang Jiayi behind Tang Xiaobao. Tang Xiaobao sensed an uneasy tension in the air.
His instinct to avoid trouble and seek comfort urged Tang Xiaobao to speak carefully, lest he suffer consequences later that night. He waved the items in his hands and plastered on a fawning expression. “Didn’t you say last time you wanted steamed crab? I’ll make it for you right now.”
Ji Ling was about to retort when he suddenly recalled mentioning it in passing once. Looking into Tang Xiaobao’s wide, innocent eyes, his resolve melted completely. He hadn’t expected that offhand comment would stick with him. Ah well, no need to make things difficult for him. With that thought, he opened his mouth and instructed, “Go ahead and make it. I’ll wait here for you.”
“Hn hn.” Hearing Ji Ling’s words, Tang Xiaobao nodded like a chick pecking at grain. Then, under his watchful eye, she dashed toward the kitchen with the maid who had been following her.
After Tang Xiaobao departed, both present individuals simultaneously withdrew their gazes. Yet after Sang Jiayi looked away, she continued to scrutinize the courtyard, as if assessing something. Ji Ling stood there, watching the person whose blush faded remarkably fast, his confusion deepening. Unable to fathom her, he settled down and sat. The two remained seated in silence.
Shortly after, Lühe arrived carrying a plate of exquisitely crafted pastries, followed by a young maid bearing an elegant teapot. They placed the items on the table, bowed in greeting, and departed.
Observing the delicate pastries—Tang Xiaobao’s specialty—Ji Ling thought inwardly how meticulous the hospitality toward outsiders was. Picking up one of the exquisitely crafted pastries, she calmly placed it in his mouth under Sang Jiayi’s gaze. After taking two bites, he spoke slowly, “This is my husband’s most skilled pastry. You may try it.”
Sang Jiayi nodded, picking one up with restrained grace and placing it in her mouth. The first bite revealed a delightfully tender texture—sweet yet not cloying, clearly exquisite. Though she ate slowly, the small pastry vanished quickly, and she naturally reached for a second. As she savored it, thoughts turned to its maker, and a wave of happiness washed over her. How she wished she could take him home and raise him. She sighed inwardly before turning her gaze to Ji Ling seated beside her. A fleeting shadow of disappointment crossed her eyes.
Ji Ling appeared to be leisurely eating, but in reality, he was subtly observing every one of Sang Jiayi’s movements. Noticing the peculiarity in her movements and expressions, he couldn’t help but frown. She felt increasingly strange to him. He knew clearly that this woman had no feelings for him, yet he couldn’t fathom the reason behind her series of actions.
Sipping the tea worth a fortune, Ji Ling thought to himself that if she showed any signs of trouble, he would find a way to deal with her no matter what.
Though she ate slowly, the pastries served were sparse and modest in portion. Sang Jiayi finished them, bite by bite, in no time. Afterward, the two fell back into an awkward silence.
Ji Ling had assumed this tense atmosphere would persist until Tang Xiaobao arrived. Unexpectedly, Sang Jiayi spoke first, her voice soft as she inquired, ” I wonder how the Third Brother and Sister-in-law met?”
Gazing at the maid diligently cleaning nearby, Ji Ling paused for a long moment before slowly replying, “There was a time when the family discussed splitting the household. I agreed, and so I was sent away. It was there that I met Xiaobao.”
Even though Ji Ling spoke with remarkable understatement, as an adult who had endured a brutal education, Sang Jiayi understood the implication—she had clearly been banished from her family. Yet even so, she had been incredibly fortunate to meet such a husband. Sang Jiayi thought this, but kept it to herself.
Just as the silence between them grew heavier, Tang Xiaobao cheerfully arrived with several maids carrying trays of food. Seeing the couple, she exclaimed happily, “The crabs I bought this time are big and delicious! Let’s eat them while they’re hot!”
In the end, the three decided to dine at the stone table outside. When the lids were lifted, each plate held a crab twice the size of a fist. The crustaceans glowed a vivid crimson, their glossy shells tempting the appetite, while a faint, fragrant aroma wafted from the steaming dishes.
Seeing such fine crabs, Tang Xiaobao looked thoroughly satisfied. He picked up the special tools and got to work, not forgetting to say to the person sitting beside him, “Hurry up and eat. All are delicious.”
Hearing his words, Sang Jiayi—who had been watching him intently since his arrival—nodded. She picked up her own tools and began elegantly picking at the crab meat. As she lifted the pale white flesh and took her first bite, a wave of pure happiness washed over her. Her gaze toward Tang Xiaobao grew even more satisfied.
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