When Xiao Jinyi heard that Shen Shixu was going to take him to meet his older brother, he suddenly felt very nervous, more nervous than he had been the first time he went to battle.
It was only after Shen Zexi arrived in the capital that he learned from Little Stone that his younger brother had not only placed first in the imperial examinations, but had also become Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, solving a major case right after taking office.
He was so proud, happier than if he himself had won first place in the exams, that he even held a promotion at the family shop: for the next three days, everything purchased under the Shen family name would be thirty percent off.
Hearing that his brother would come see him after finishing work for the day, he moved a chair to the doorway and waited eagerly, chatting with the neighbors while he waited or more accurately, bragging to them.
He went on about how amazing his little brother was, not only obedient and sensible, but now a top scholar serving in the Court of Judicial Review.
The circle of old folks around him was green with envy, and they all asked Shen Zexi for advice on how to raise a child so well.
When Shen Shixu returned with Xiao Jinyi, he found his brother sitting in the middle of a crowd of aunties and uncles, a handful of sunflower seeds in hand, chatting away animatedly with everyone around him.
“Brother!”
He didn’t even hear Shen Shixu calling him. Seeing Shen Shixu’s speechless expression, Xiao Jinyi couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Shen Shixu’s face flushed red with annoyance, his brother was ignoring him, and on top of that, laughing at him.
“Brother! I’m back!”
Only then did Shen Zexi hear him. Seeing his precious little brother return, his eyes lit up. He stopped chatting with the aunties and uncles, picked up the chair he’d been sitting on, and trotted over.
“A-Xu, you’re back! Oh is the person next to you that friend you mentioned?” Carrying his stool over, Shen Zexi’s first glance went to his precious little brother, and his second glance landed on Xiao Jinyi standing beside him.
After sizing up Xiao Jinyi, Shen Zexi couldn’t help nodding to himself. Truly worthy of being his brother’s friend, just as outstanding as his brother.
Tall and handsome, and judging from his clothing, clearly from a wealthy family. He looked about the same age as Shen Shixu, so Shen Zexi guessed he must be a student who had come to the capital for the exams like his brother.
Seeing his brother come over, Shen Shixu led him into the courtyard, and once inside, introduced the two to each other.
“Your Highness, this is my eldest brother, Shen Zexi!”
After introducing Shen Zexi to Xiao Jinyi, he turned to Shen Zexi, who had been startled by the form of address and said, “Brother, this is a friend I made after coming to the capital, Prince Jing, His Highness Xiao Jinyi!”
Xiao Jinyi greeted Shen Zexi first. “Brother Shen!”
Shen Zexi nodded dumbly, then, a beat behind, turned to Shen Shixu and asked, “Should I bow or something? Do I need to kneel?”
Hearing this, Xiao Jinyi quickly said, “Brother Shen, I’m here today as Shixu’s friend, not as Prince Jing. There’s no need to be so formal with me, and definitely no need for any bows.”
Shen Zexi didn’t quite dare take him at his word, and glanced at Shen Shixu. Only after seeing him nod did he finally relax a little.
Shen Shixu knew that if Xiao Jinyi stayed any longer, Shen Zexi would surely feel awkward, so he took the initiative to say, “Brother, His Highness and I have plans to have lunch together, so I won’t be eating at home. No need to prepare food for me we’re off!”
After Shen Shixu and Xiao Jinyi left the courtyard gate, Shen Shixu stole a glance at Xiao Jinyi. Seeing that his expression was calm, with no sign of offense over what had just happened with Shen Zexi, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“I haven’t been in the capital for long. I’ve heard of Tianxiang Restaurant, but I don’t know what their signature dishes are.”
Once the two of them boarded the carriage, Shen Shixu deliberately brought up a topic of conversation otherwise, the ride to the restaurant would be nothing but awkward silence.
Xiao Jinyi answered very honestly, “Actually, I don’t know either. Tianxiang Restaurant opened while I was still at the frontier. I’ve never been there once, today will be my first time.
It’s just that I wanted to treat you to a meal, so I made a point of asking around. People spoke highly of Tianxiang Restaurant, so that’s why I chose it.
I don’t know if it’ll suit your taste, though. If it doesn’t, we can always go somewhere else.”
Shen Shixu shook his head. “It won’t be a problem. I’m easy to feed, I’ll eat anything. I just can’t handle sour food very well.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jinyi felt that the two of them were truly fated he couldn’t handle sour food very well either.
“Really? Me too. I have no dietary restrictions, except my tolerance for sour things isn’t very high. I prefer spicy food, it feels more exciting.”
Shen Shixu was a little surprised. “I would have thought you’d prefer lighter fare. I didn’t expect your tastes to be so strong, but they match mine exactly. Looks like we can arrange to eat together more often in the future, or swap recommendations for our favorite restaurants.”
Xiao Jinyi was delighted to learn that he and Shen Shixu shared the same tastes.
But then he sensed that something was off. He seemed to care about Shen Shixu far too much. Just now, he had been inexplicably nervous about meeting Shen Shixu’s brother, and now he was feeling happy simply because they liked the same food.
It was a very strange feeling, and it frightened Xiao Jinyi, who had never experienced anything like it before.
Once he recognized what emotion he was feeling, Xiao Jinyi couldn’t help but find it absurd. He hadn’t been afraid even when facing three thousand enemy cavalry alone, yet here he was, frightened now.
Seeing that he had gone quiet for so long, Shen Shixu couldn’t help waving a hand in front of his face. “Why did you suddenly stop talking? Your expression looks a little off, too. Are you feeling unwell? Should we stop by a clinic first? Or go to the palace and see the imperial physician?”
Xiao Jinyi seized the hand waving back and forth in front of him and, looking at Shen Shixu’s now flustered eyes, said, “There’s nothing wrong with me. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
As Xiao Jinyi said this, he had no idea how terrifying the look in his eyes must have been. He was like a wolf that had fixed its gaze on its prey, and the look he directed at Shen Shixu carried a longing and possessiveness that even he himself was unaware of.
Staring into those wolf-like eyes, Shen Shixu panicked inside, so much so that he forgot to shake off Xiao Jinyi’s grip on his hand.
The atmosphere between them fell into silence, and it wasn’t until Moyu outside announced that they had arrived at Tianxiang Restaurant that the frozen air slowly began to flow again.
Only then did Xiao Jinyi realize he had been holding Shen Shixu’s hand the whole time. He quickly let go, but the moment he did, he felt an unexpected reluctance.
“Sorry for holding your hand the whole way, I didn’t squeeze too hard, did I?”
Shen Shixu tucked the hand Xiao Jinyi had been gripping behind his back and shook his head. “It’s fine. Let’s hurry and get something to eat, I’m getting a bit hungry.”
Xiao Jinyi nodded, falling a step behind Shen Shixu. As he watched his back, there was something predatory in his eyes.