When dinnertime arrived, Cousin Chu Ci’s visit prompted Father and me to carefully prepare a welcoming banquet at the residence.
Chu Ci was the first person I had felt like pursuing after transmigrating into this world.
Although I had no intention of taking responsibility for him to the very end, nor did I plan to “pounce on him” and devour him before successfully slimming down, this was my first time pursuing a man. Naturally, it needed a beautiful opening, didn’t it?
After we finished admiring the flowers, I hurried back to my courtyard and quietly busied myself like a hardworking little bee, making thorough preparations for tonight’s surprise.
The setting sun gradually sank toward the horizon, spreading across the sky like a magnificent painting. Dinnertime had arrived.
Father sat upright in the center of the seat of honor, while Chu Ci and I sat on either side of him.
I gently tugged at Father’s sleeve and gestured with my eyes for him to lean closer.
“Father, remember to have a few extra drinks with Cousin later. But don’t get him drunk—I have a surprise for him.”
I lowered my voice, my face full of mystery.
“A surprise? What kind of surprise? Can Father come take a look too?”
Father looked curious, excitement sparkling in his eyes.
“You just need to handle the drinking. Leave young people’s affairs alone. That’s how you become a cute little old man!”
I playfully blinked at him. Then I released Song Deli’s sleeve and sat properly in my seat.
Seeing that he still looked curious, I deliberately raised my brows at him and gave him a vaguely threatening look of warning.
Song Deli understood at once and gave me an ambiguous, knowing smile. He then turned toward Chu Ci, instantly switching into the role of a kind elder.
“Aci, you’re the Young Master Cousin of the Song Residence. Treat this place as your own home and don’t hold back. Eat and drink your fill! Come, have a cup with your Uncle!”
Father warmly urged him on, his face brimming with affection.
“Uncle, you’re too kind. I should be the one to toast you!”
Chu Ci bowed slightly, holding the white jade wine cup steadily in both hands before tilting his head back and draining it in one go.
His Adam’s apple moved gently as the liquor slid down his throat. The line of it was elegant and alluring.
Tsk, tsk, tsk—handsome men really were handsome men. Even their Adam’s apples were so captivating.
A ripple stirred in my heart. Collecting a little “interest” tonight wouldn’t be a bad idea!
“Aci, every year you insist on traveling from Jincheng to visit me and Yuan’er. I’m truly touched. Let your Uncle toast you another cup!”
“It’s only what a nephew should do. Uncle, you flatter me.”
Chu Ci responded modestly and once again raised his cup and drained it.
After all, Chu Ci was still young, and his capacity for alcohol was only average.
After just seven or eight cups between the two of them, a faint flush of intoxication had already risen across his fair face, like the splendid evening clouds on the horizon.
Seeing this, Song Deli stopped urging him to drink.
Judging by Chu Ci’s condition, I estimated that he was already five or six parts drunk.
Heehee, with those hazy, drunken eyes, everything looked beautiful. That suited me perfectly!
By then, the sky outside had darkened completely, like an enormous black curtain shrouding the earth.
I gave Taohong and Luzhu, who stood behind me, a slight nod. The two of them immediately understood and quietly slipped out with light footsteps.
About fifteen minutes later, they returned. Taohong stepped forward and whispered into my ear, “Miss, the matter you instructed us to handle has been taken care of.”
I smiled in satisfaction, secretly looking forward to Chu Ci’s reaction when he saw the surprise.
Chu Ci, prepare to receive a domineering CEO-style romantic gesture!
I cleared my throat and pretended to speak with concern. “Father, you’ve had too much to drink. Have the servants help you back to your room so you can rest early. I’ll escort Cousin back myself.”
Song Deli was quite cooperative. As soon as he heard my words, he lightly furrowed his brows, pressed a hand to his forehead, and pretended to be suffering from drunkenness.
“Aci, let Yuan’er stay and keep you company. Your Uncle is getting old—just a few cups have given me a headache. I’ll return to my room first.”
As he spoke, Father slowly rose to his feet.
“Take care, Uncle!”
Chu Ci quickly stood as well, respectfully bowing and cupping his hands as he watched Song Deli leave.
Even such a simple salute carried an air of elegance. When it came to ancient people’s bearing, one really had to look at ancient people. He had that refined aura down perfectly.
“Cousin, are you accustomed to the food prepared by the cooks here?”
“Of course. Your household’s cooks are all renowned chefs Uncle hired at great expense. Even ordinary dishes taste exceptionally delicious when they prepare them.”
“Then eat a little more, Cousin. I have a surprise for you after dinner!”
I mysteriously blinked at him, deliberately whetting his appetite.
“A surprise? I’ve finished eating already. Let’s go see your surprise now, Cousin!”
A hint of curiosity appeared in Chu Ci’s slightly drunken eyes. He looked straight at me, as though urging me to take him to see the surprise without delay.
My inner thoughts: He’s so pure and innocent! No wonder men all like delicate little white flowers. Isn’t Chu Ci the classic little white flower among men?!
With his handsome, harmless-looking face, slender and graceful figure, and refreshing light-colored clothes, he looked exactly like a beautiful young man from an ancient-style painting who had stepped into the real world.
“Then come with me, Cousin!”
I curved my lips into a mysterious smile, rose gracefully, and waited for him before walking beside him.
The broad cuffs of our ancient-style robes swayed gently with our steps whenever we drew close, brushing against each other. Somehow, it gave the contact an entangled, lingering quality.
As expected, once the love-struck haze took hold, everything looked full of affection. Even this tiny touch made my heart flutter.
We strolled along the winding covered corridor. Rows of lanterns hung high overhead, casting warm, dusky halos of yellow light. Circle after circle, the glow seemed to drape the entire world in a layer of fantastical gauze.
After becoming accustomed to the brightly illuminated night scenes of the modern world, who could understand the atmosphere of this classical Chinese night? It was truly beautiful, as though I had stepped into a poetic dream.
I looked at Chu Ci’s profile. Under the lantern light, his features appeared even more striking and charming. I couldn’t help staring, sighing inwardly: He’s so handsome!
After walking for about ten minutes, we arrived at the lotus pond.
Every blooming lotus in the pond had a tiny candle burning in the center of its flower.
Illuminated by the candlelight, the petals of the lotuses shone with a hazy, gentle luster, resembling a young maiden’s bashful face.
The evening breeze drifted softly past, and the candle flames swayed lightly with the lotuses, as though little spirits were dancing among them. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful.
A look of astonishment and emotion instantly flashed through Chu Ci’s eyes. They glittered brightly, like stars sparkling in the night sky.
As expected, simple-hearted people—whether men or women—were all easy to fool. Hahaha… I secretly gloated to myself.
“Cousin, you arranged this?”
Chu Ci turned to look at me, his gaze gentle and his voice carrying a trace of surprise and emotion.
“Yes. This is the romance I prepared for you, Cousin.”
At the word “romance,” a shy expression rose on Chu Ci’s face, like a flower blooming in spring—delicate and radiant.
Seizing this perfect opportunity, I gently took his hand and said with a beaming smile, “Cousin, let’s go to the pavilion. There’s another surprise waiting for you!”