Fortunately, summer had already arrived.
The weather wasn’t scorching yet, but it wasn’t cold either.
The two of them walked the whole way back in wet clothes, and by the time they reached their room, the clothes had nearly dried on their own.
While Fa led Azula and the other two off to dinner, Ren and Zuko slipped back to their room to change.
Ren leaned against the wardrobe, watching Zuko straighten his collar, and asked quietly: “Didn’t you say before that you wanted to find a chance to make peace with Azula?” Zuko nodded, but he still did not want to trouble his friend.
After all, only he truly knew just how awful his sister’s personality could be.
“Yes.
But you don’t need to worry.
I’ll find a chance to talk to her privately.” In the corridor, the two of them walked side by side.
Ren bumped Zuko lightly with his shoulder and said casually, “We’re friends.
Why are you being polite with me?
Don’t worry.
I’ll definitely help.” Ren meant every word.
Knowing how tight-lipped Zuko was, if he were left to handle this alone, the knot between the two siblings would probably never come undone in their entire lives.
As a friend, Ren had no intention of letting that happen.
Seeing how earnest Ren looked, Zuko—who had never been good at turning people down, the sort with an agreeable nature to a fault—could only sigh and nod silently.
When they reached the dining room, Ren pulled out a chair.
Noticing the head seat was empty, Ren looked over at Fa, the chief steward, and asked curiously: “Senior Brother Fa, Master isn’t eating with us?” Fa nodded and said very calmly, “Master Piandao has gone to visit a friend.
He may not return for another two or three days.
“Dinner isn’t quite ready yet.
I made some desserts—you can try them while you wait.” As he spoke, Fa lifted the lid off the tray he carried, revealing a set of freshly baked little cakes.
Each one was a different flavor—apple, strawberry, blueberry, cherry, dragon fruit, and more—the whole spread practically showing off.
Fa’s cooking skills were no exaggeration; this was the kind of culinary talent he’d once used to barter for lessons in top-tier swordsmanship.
“You made these yourself, Senior Brother Fa?
Then we’re in for a treat!” Ren said, grinning as he praised him.
Fa gave a small nod.
His expression betrayed nothing, but he was clearly pleased to have his cooking praised.
After setting the tray down on the table, he went off to attend to other things.
Ren’s memory had always been good, and with the recollection ability he’d gained, it had only gotten sharper—he remembered exactly which flavor each person preferred.
On top of that, since he hadn’t even sat down yet, he took the opportunity to help divide up the cakes.
Mai liked cherry.
Azula liked strawberry.
Ty Lee wasn’t picky, but leaned toward sweeter flavors.
Zuko was similar, though he leaned more toward sweet-and-sour.
But as Ren went around handing out the cakes, he ended up causing trouble for himself.
“Why did you give the cherry cake to Mai first?” Azula, sitting directly across from him, raised an eyebrow and questioned him.
Ren looked innocent and a little stunned.
He had clearly distributed them according to everyone’s preferences.
What exactly had he done wrong?
Left with no better option, Ren said helplessly: “Then how about you switch with Mai?” Ren looked toward Mai beside him.
But Mai said nothing.
She only gently scooped up a spoonful, placed it into her mouth, glanced at Azula, and said softly, almost provocatively, “It’s delicious.” Azula’s face went round with frustration.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Mai, wondering whether she’d been too lenient with her lately, letting her get this bold.
Ren sensed the mood turning sour—why did it suddenly feel like swords were about to be drawn?
“I’ll go check on the kitchen, see if Senior Brother Fa needs help with the main course.” Ren had just tried to find an excuse to escape the danger zone when Azula’s warning cut him off.
“Sit down!” Azula snapped the words out, then picked up her spoon, scooped the strawberry off her soft cake, and bit into it viciously, as though she were biting into someone in particular.
It seemed to improve her mood somewhat, and she added flatly: “Never mind.
If it can’t belong to me entirely, then I’d rather have nothing at all.” “Mmm, so good!
I want another piece!” Just then, Ty Lee’s lively voice broke the tense silence at the table.
Seeing everyone look at her, Ty Lee asked somewhat guiltily, “Wh-what’s wrong?” “Nothing.
If you like it, eat as much as you want.” Azula pushed her own cake—now missing its strawberry—over to Ty Lee.
Though Ty Lee was a bit of a foodie, she cared more about her friends than about food.
Seeing Azula push the cake toward her, she asked, looking adorably puzzled: “What about you, then?” Azula crooked a finger at Ren.
Thoroughly exasperated, Ren had no choice but to push his own cake over to her.
Taking the cake, Azula looked at Mai, the corner of her mouth curling into a triumphant smile, and said: “The cake really is delicious, isn’t it, Mai?” Mai picked up a napkin and lightly wiped her mouth.
Then she pushed her half-eaten cake in front of Ren.
In her slightly hoarse voice, she said faintly, “It really is delicious.
It would be a pity not to get to eat any.” At this point, even the relatively slow Ty Lee realized something was wrong.
She chewed on her spoon, glancing with wide-eyed innocence at Azula, then at Mai, and finally letting her gaze settle on Ren.
Suddenly the center of attention, Ren felt the spoon in his hand grow uncomfortably hot.
It looked like he wasn’t going to get to eat his cake after all.
Ren chose to change the subject.
Looking toward his good friend Zuko, he forced a smile and said, “Zuko, didn’t you say you lost something?
Let’s go back and look for it together!” “Did…
did I?” Zuko looked bewildered.
He did not remember saying anything like that to Ren.
“Yes, yes, you did.” Ren blinked rapidly, sending his friend an urgent signal for help.
Before Zuko could respond, Azula glanced at her older brother and said lightly, “Zuzu, what did you lose that’s so important it can’t wait until after dinner?” Zuko turned his gaze toward Ren, somewhat at a loss.
“Right, what did I lose?” You lost it, and you’re asking me?
Ren pressed a hand to his forehead and stammered helplessly: “That, uh, important thing.
The one you mentioned to me so many times.” Watching the two of them put on such a clumsy act, Azula found herself laughing despite her irritation, and slapped the table.
“Are you two trying to form a duo and join a comedy troupe on Ember Island?” “Dinner’s here!” Fortunately, right at that awkward moment, Fa arrived carrying the main course, setting down a steaming, thick-cut sirloin of komodo rhino on the table.
The steak was as big as a wash basin, carefully drizzled with black pepper sauce, seared over high heat to a perfect medium, and giving off a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
Yet the center still kept all the tender, delicate texture of the meat.
Golden juices mingled with the sauce and ran down onto the crisp greens beneath—one glance was enough to tell it would be incredible, the kind of dish you simply couldn’t pass up.
Ren seized the opportunity and quickly spoke up: “We can talk about the comedy troupe later.
Since we’re already here, let’s just eat.”