Chapter 223: A Visit
Two days later, Mo Hua once again visited Mister Zhuang and played a few rounds of Five Elements Chess with Old Kui.
When leaving, he happened to run into Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi at the door.
During the New Year, Mister Zhuang had grown lazy and gave the Bai siblings a few days off as well.
They had come at that moment to pay their respects to him.
When Bai Zisheng saw Mo Hua, his eyes lit up. "Mo Hua, you're here to pay respects to Mister Zhuang too?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded. "I've already seen him. I was just about to head home."
Bai Zisheng looked slightly disappointed before suddenly asking, "Can I come to your house to play?"
"Of course," Mo Hua replied, a little puzzled. "But why do you suddenly want to come to my house?"
Bai Zisheng said bluntly, without the slightest attempt to hide it, "I want to eat meat."
"You're not exactly short on meat, are you? Even if you don't eat monster meat, you have spirit meat."
Bai Zisheng looked around furtively, then whispered, "Aunt Xue's cooking is… terrible."
Bai Zixi glared lightly at him.
Mo Hua could not help laughing helplessly.
"Don't tell Aunt Xue, or she'll be angry," Bai Zisheng pleaded.
"Don't worry," Mo Hua said. After a thought, he asked, "But will Aunt Xue even let you come?"
"I've already thought of an excuse," Bai Zisheng said proudly. "I'll tell her that you and Aunt Liu have taken good care of us, so I want to visit and express my thanks."
"Fine then, as long as you can convince her."
Bai Zisheng nodded happily. "It's settled then. I'll go tell Aunt Xue when I get back."
"Anything you especially want to eat? I'll ask my mother to make it ahead of time," Mo Hua said.
"I'm fine with anything, as long as there's meat," Bai Zisheng said, completely unpicky.
Mo Hua then turned to look at Bai Zixi.
After thinking for a moment, she softly said, "Anything is fine."
When Mo Hua returned home, he told his mother about it.
Liu Ruhua was rather surprised.
She had heard Mo Hua mention that there were a brother and sister studying with him under Mister Zhuang, children of a distinguished clan, well-mannered and talented, but she had never met them.
Now that they were coming to visit, she was naturally delighted.
"Even if you are all only registered disciples, studying together under one master for years forms a bond even deeper than ordinary sect brotherhood. You must treat them well."
Mo Hua nodded.
...
That evening, Aunt Xue personally brought Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi to visit.
Aunt Xue still wore a veil, but her attire was much simpler than before, and her cold demeanor was softened, giving her a more approachable air.
The Bai siblings wore elegant light-white Daoist robes. The fabric was fine, yet the style was restrained rather than ostentatious.
However, their beauty and bearing were far too exceptional. No matter how modestly they dressed, their refined presence could not be concealed.
When they entered the house, Liu Ruhua froze for a moment.
Bai Zisheng was handsome and sharp-eyed, while Bai Zixi's skin was fairer than snow, her eyes bright as starlight, her entire person delicate as carved jade.
Liu Ruhua glanced at the two of them and could not help but sigh inwardly:
"So there truly are children this beautiful in the world."
Aunt Xue presented a gift, an exquisitely crafted first-grade hairpin of refined beauty.
Liu Ruhua, in turn, brought out an assortment of pastries and snacks to serve them.
In the clean and cozy sitting room, Mo Hua sat with the Bai siblings on one side eating treats, while Liu Ruhua chatted with Aunt Xue on the other.
Bai Zisheng stole a glance at Liu Ruhua and thought to himself that other people's mothers were so different, warm, kind, and gentle, smiling as they cooked for their children and looked at them with affection.
His own mother was not like that, and she rarely smiled at all.
Bai Zixi's expression was calm, but a faint trace of melancholy and envy flickered in her autumn-water-like eyes.
Not understanding why they seemed slightly downcast, Mo Hua pushed the food box toward them. "My mother made these especially for you. They're delicious."
Bai Zisheng's attention immediately shifted to the food box. After taking a bite of the meat, his eyes widened. "What kind of meat is this?"
"It's from a kind of rabbit. The texture is more delicate than ordinary monster meat, yet still chewy and fragrant. But it's a hassle to prepare," Mo Hua explained. "Usually when I crave it, my mother won't even make it. This time I'm only getting some thanks to you."
He took a bite himself, closing his eyes in satisfaction.
Bai Zisheng was deeply touched. "Thank you, Aunt Liu!"
Liu Ruhua smiled warmly. "If you like it, eat as much as you want."
Bai Zisheng nodded repeatedly, his earlier complaints completely forgotten.
Bai Zixi, meanwhile, stared at the colorful pastries in front of her.
They came in a variety of shapes and hues, each adorned with a different floral design: osmanthus, plum blossom, peach blossom, and orchid. Exquisite and fragrant, they exuded a gentle sweetness.
She hesitated, unsure which to try first, then decided to taste them all in order, some soft and glutinous, others crisp and flaky, each with a faint floral aroma.
The taste was sweet and pleasant…
Seeing that Bai Zixi enjoyed them so much, Liu Ruhua could not help but smile, thinking to herself, "Even the way this girl eats is so graceful."
As Bai Zixi quietly ate, she suddenly felt Liu Ruhua's gentle gaze upon her. Flustered, she lowered her head slightly, a faint blush tinting her pale cheeks.
The sight made Liu Ruhua like her even more. She poured a cup of tea, handed it over softly, and said, "There are plenty more pastries. If you don't mind, take some home later."
Bai Zixi nodded lightly. "Thank you, Aunt Liu."
Aunt Xue, watching this, asked with genuine curiosity, "Sister Liu, if I may ask, how do you make these pastries?"
Aunt Xue could cook basic meals but had no real skill, just enough to be edible.
During their travels and studies with Mister Zhuang, she had been the one preparing meals for the siblings.
Originally, Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi had eaten without complaint, but ever since tasting Liu Ruhua's cooking, Aunt Xue's food had lost its appeal.
Everyone has their strengths; Aunt Xue knew she was not gifted in cookery. Still, for the siblings' sake, she wished to learn.
Seeing her refined demeanor and realizing she likely had little experience in the kitchen, Liu Ruhua started with the basics: ingredients, temperature control, and the techniques of steaming, boiling, and frying, explaining each step patiently.
Only then did Aunt Xue understand how intricate the art of cookery was. To create a dish that was beautiful, aromatic, and delicious required both craftsmanship and patience.
Bai Zixi appeared calm, but her gaze never left Liu Ruhua, listening intently.
After some time, Mo Shan returned home. Seeing guests in the house, he was slightly surprised.
With the New Year approaching, he had been busy with social obligations, visits, gift exchanges, and occasional gatherings with his fellow Demon Hunters. Having spent most of the day running about, he was finally home.
Liu Ruhua briefly introduced everyone. Mo Shan smiled in greeting, but when he saw the Bai siblings' exceptional appearance and refined bearing, he was quietly astonished.
Such dragon-and-phoenix-like children of a great family studying under Mister Zhuang proved beyond doubt that their teacher was an extraordinary master.
That his own son could become even a registered disciple of Mister Zhuang was indeed a rare stroke of fortune.
Mo Shan's respect for Mister Zhuang deepened further.
Bai Zisheng, noting Mo Shan's tall, strong frame and the keen, predatory sharpness in his eyes, asked curiously, "Uncle Mo, are you a Demon Hunter?"
(End of Chapter)