Inside the room, the lights were bright, and an exquisite round table was already set with a lavish spread of dishes.
Zhu Hongxiu entered and glanced at Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, who had yet to take their seats. Her gaze swept over them before she smiled naturally and said, "Chengfeng, you sit in the middle."
"And take care of the two ladies while you're at it."
Dai Chengfeng nodded and followed her instructions, taking the central seat for himself.
Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, under Zhu Hongxiu's guidance, sat down on either side of Dai Chengfeng—one to his left, the other to his right.
"Now that everyone's seated, shall we begin?"
As she spoke, Zhu Hongxiu personally picked up the serving chopsticks and first placed a delicate piece of meat onto Zhu Zhuqing's plate on the left, her tone warm and intimate. "Zhuqing, you've worked hard."
"The Netherworld White Tiger is the foundation of our Dai and Zhu families, and it will be a crucial tool for you and Chengfeng in the future. You must support each other wholeheartedly and remain united in purpose."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to look at Zhu Hongxiu and gave a slight nod. "Yes."
"Good," Zhu Hongxiu replied, then turned her attention to Hu Liena on the right. She picked up another dish, this one vibrantly colored, and placed it on Hu Liena's plate.
"Miss Hu Liena, try this. It's a specialty of Star Luo. Don't be shy."
Hu Liena also nodded. "Thank you, Auntie."
Afterward, Zhu Hongxiu looked at Dai Chengfeng. "Chengfeng, don't just sit there. Serve some dishes to the two ladies. As the host, you should take good care of your guests."
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng instinctively nodded.
He picked up his chopsticks, preparing to reach for the dishes in front of him, but the next moment, he seemed to suddenly remember something and paused mid-motion.
Unconsciously, he raised his eyes and glanced to both sides.
Almost simultaneously, Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing's gazes landed on him as well.
Those two pairs of beautiful eyes—one filled with a hint of lazy charm, the other cold and serene—both silently watched the chopsticks in his hand.
It was as if they were waiting to see who Dai Chengfeng would serve first.
"Hiss!"
Dai Chengfeng inwardly winced, feeling a slight tingling sensation at the back of his head. His grip on the chopsticks grew stiff.
This wasn't about serving food—it was like stepping into an Asura battlefield!
After all, whoever he served first might imply favoritism, potentially triggering unforeseen "consequences."
Thinking this, he almost instinctively turned his pleading gaze toward his mother, Zhu Hongxiu.
However, Zhu Hongxiu was elegantly sipping her soup, seemingly oblivious to her son's silent plea for help.
She even tilted her head slightly, a faint, mischievous smile playing on her lips. Her expression clearly said, "Dear son, managing a harem isn't so easy, is it?"
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng felt utterly helpless…
He knew his mother all too well—she had a playful streak deep down, and now she was clearly enjoying watching him squirm.
Relying on her to save him was out of the question.
"If you want to see me make a fool of myself, Mother, you're mistaken…"
In the blink of an eye, Dai Chengfeng's mind raced through countless thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself to pick up a dish, but at the last moment, he deliberately let his wrist tremble ever so slightly, perfectly controlling the force.
A soft "clink" rang out.
The chopsticks slipped from his hand, landing directly on the table in front of him. A small, delicate dessert rolled off along with them.
"Ah…"
Dai Chengfeng immediately let out a soft exclamation, his face displaying the perfect amount of apology. "Look at me… how clumsy."
As he spoke, he quickly bent down to retrieve the fallen chopsticks, deftly picking up the dessert as well and placing it neatly on the side plate.
It appeared as though the mishap had been nothing more than an accident.
"Heh~" *2
The two women watched Dai Chengfeng's actions, softly chuckling. "Our esteemed Lord Dai, a proud Soul Elder, can't even hold his chopsticks properly?"
"Ha ha…"
Dai Chengfeng looked at the two women and offered an awkward smile.
---
Much later, at the dining table.
"Phew~"
Dai Chengfeng let out a long sigh, as if finally freed from some invisible burden. He watched Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, who were preparing to leave, and couldn't help but marvel at how he had managed to endure until the end of dinner.
"Chengfeng, Auntie, since dinner is over, we'll take our leave now."
At this point, Hu Liena spoke up.
Zhu Zhuqing also gave a slight nod.
"Wait! Don't rush off just yet. I still have a surprise for you today."
Dai Chengfeng suddenly spoke, looking at Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing.
His eyes gleamed with mischief.
They had made things difficult for him during dinner—it was his turn now!
"A surprise?"
"Today? Another one?"
Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing spoke almost simultaneously, then glanced at each other and quickly averted their gazes.
Two identical blushes swiftly crept up their fair cheeks, spreading all the way to their earlobes.
They seemed to simultaneously recall the so-called "surprise" from last night—the whale glue that had nearly driven them out of control.
Thus, upon hearing the word "surprise," a lingering sense of unbearable heat seemed to stir deep within them, filling them with both embarrassment and discomfort.
Zhu Hongxiu, who had been elegantly wiping her lips with a handkerchief, heard the word "surprise" and saw the two women's instantly flushed faces and their bashful, hesitant expressions. A flicker of deep amusement and understanding flashed in her eyes.
"So… something very interesting has happened between them when I wasn't around?"
She thought to herself, her face remaining calm as she set the handkerchief aside and stood up with a smile. "Since you young people still have plans, I won't disturb you."
"Chengfeng, make sure to entertain the two ladies properly."
She gave her son a meaningful glance, then swept her gaze over Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, whose cheeks were still flushed, before gracefully departing.
Once Zhu Hongxiu's figure disappeared beyond the door, Dai Chengfeng turned his teasing gaze toward the two women, who were still blushing and avoiding his eyes.
A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Follow me."
With that, he led them through the familiar corridors once again, arriving at the secluded pool in the inner courtyard.
The moonlight poured down like water, spilling silver ripples across the steamy surface of the pool. The air carried the faint fragrance of flowers and grass.
Standing by the pool, Dai Chengfeng gazed at the two beauties, who seemed even more enchanting under the moonlight. His teasing smile deepened. "Alright, get in!"
"Still… still need to… go in?"
Hu Liena's voice trembled slightly, her gaze wandering anxiously.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, but her body visibly stiffened, and she instinctively pulled her clothes tighter around her.
Seeing the two women's wary, embarrassed expressions, Dai Chengfeng could barely suppress a laugh.
He didn't rush them, merely watching them with an amused and expectant gaze.
But for a long while, the two women remained frozen, hesitating by the edge of the pool.
After all, they really didn't want to relive yesterday's experience.
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