Pet Ancient Husband

Chapter 14: Rong Yan Si's Love

"Yan Yan! Is the food here really that good?" I pointed to the unassuming tavern that Yan Yan had brought me to, puzzled by the steady stream of customers.

"Go inside and you'll find out," Yan Yan wrote on my hand, keeping her secret.

I pouted, a bit dissatisfied with her answer. But who cares! As long as there's food, I'm happy. I dragged her in, hopping and skipping along the way. The tavern fell silent the moment we entered. Did my veil fall off? I subconsciously touched my face—it was still there. I glanced up at Yan Yan; her face, which had been smiling moments ago, turned cold again. It seemed the title of "Chi Nu" had taken deep root in the hearts of people from both kingdoms. I pulled Yan Yan towards the second floor.

"Wait a moment, miss. You may enter, but your servant cannot. It would spoil the mood of our other guests," the waiter said politely, though his eyes were filled with contempt as he looked at Yan Yan. I sighed inwardly, the anger I had felt earlier towards Ah Fu now gone. It wasn't easy to completely erase years of prejudice from someone's mind.

"Who said she's my servant? My sister is so beautiful—how could she spoil anyone's mood? If anyone here feels uncomfortable, they can come straight to me. I'm always ready to teach them a lesson," I said slowly, lifting my eyelashes and speaking softly but with undeniable authority. My gaze swept over all the guests in the hall, and a pair of smiling eyes caught my attention. Wow! So handsome. He was the second good-looking guy I'd seen since arriving in the Shengyuan Dynasty. Unlike Rong Zhe Si, he gave off a natural and safe vibe. Why did he seem familiar? I gathered my thoughts—what was I doing, ogling at handsome guys when I should be focusing on something else! I shifted my attention back to the waiter. "You! Take us to the best private room and serve us your finest wine and dishes. As for your slander against my sister today, I won't hold it against you, but there won't be a next time," I said firmly. The waiter, stunned by my words, nodded unconsciously.

"Why don't you move?" I urged.

"But miss, our private rooms are fully booked. Would you mind dining in the inner hall?" the waiter said meekly, a typical example of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

As I hesitated, a male voice came from behind, "Take the two ladies to the Tingyu Pavilion I've booked."

I turned around curiously and saw the man from earlier walking towards me. His white robe fluttered gracefully as he moved, like a TV drama hero. "Then thank you for your kindness, sir," I said. Since he was being so gentlemanly, it would be rude to refuse.

"Since Master Rong has spoken, the two ladies, please follow me," the waiter said, heading upstairs.

"I wonder if Master Rong would be so kind as to treat us to a meal?"

"Hey? You're the one who should feel honored to have us dine with you," I said dramatically, earning a low chuckle from the man. It sounded so pleasant!

"Ladies first," he said.

"Let's go, Yan Yan!" I pulled Yan Yan, who looked a bit uneasy, up the stairs.

"I never expected such an ordinary-looking place to have such an elegant private room. It's truly a hidden gem!" I exclaimed as I pushed open the door to the Tingyu Pavilion. The moment I entered, I saw a curtain made of bamboo and silk, partially revealing the scenery behind it. Lifting the curtain, I saw a round table in the center of the room. The left window was draped with white gauze, gently swaying in the breeze. A bamboo wind chime hung by the window, producing a clear and elegant sound. The walls were adorned with calligraphy and paintings by unknown masters. A faint fragrance came from a potted lotus in the corner, instantly calming my mind. I took a deep breath and said, "This is truly a place that soothes the soul!" I smiled at Yan Yan and the white-robed man who were already seated at the table.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rong Yan Si. May I have the honor of knowing the ladies' names?"

"Wow! You're Zhe Si's brother? Are you the eldest or the second brother?" I excitedly rushed to Rong Yan Si and grabbed his sleeve.

Hearing me mention Zhe Si's name, he frowned. "I am Zhe's elder brother. Do you know my younger brother?"

"Yes, yes!" I had just been saying how I wanted to meet the person who designed the unique business model of Nei Shang Fang, and now he was right in front of me. I happily twirled around him, lifting my skirt. "Yan Yan and I are wearing these beautiful clothes that he gave us! They're so soft and comfortable." This man was indeed extraordinary, just as I had imagined.

A cold look suddenly crossed the man's face as he said calmly, "So you are my brother's confidante!"

"What do you mean, confidante? Don't say nonsense! These are gifts he gave us as an apology," I explained, though I didn't understand why I felt the need to explain so much to a stranger. But I just couldn't help myself.

"I apologize for my misunderstanding, miss. I almost tarnished your reputation. I truly deserve punishment," he said, though a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"No need for punishment. I'm a magnanimous person and won't hold it against you. But if you do it again, I won't be so forgiving," I said, putting on a queenly demeanor.

"Yes, ma'am. I've taken note," he replied. We both laughed, and even Yan Yan, sitting beside us, was moved to smile gently.

The door creaked open, and the waiter placed bowls of exquisite dishes on the table. The aroma of the food filled the small Tingyu Pavilion, making my hunger grow.

"Master Rong, the wine and dishes you ordered are all here. Please enjoy your meal. I'll take my leave now," the waiter said, leaving after arranging the dishes.

"Hmm. You may go," Rong Yan Si said, his smile disappearing.

After the waiter left, Rong Yan Si's warm smile returned. Seeing the question in my eyes, he said lightly, "I've spent years dealing with businesspeople, most of whom are insincere. I've grown accustomed to hiding my true emotions in public." A hint of loneliness flashed in his eyes.

"You must feel very lonely," I said, not knowing why I was saying this, only feeling a strange pang of sympathy.

He looked at me in surprise. "Why do you think I'm lonely?"

"There are thousands of ways to be happy, but loneliness is always the same. Your eyes can't lie."

He looked at me and said with a touch of sentiment, "No wonder my proud younger brother is smitten with you. You truly are extraordinary."

"Alright, let's not talk about that. I'm starving!" I awkwardly changed the subject. "All these dishes look so delicious!" My hunger, which I had been ignoring, suddenly became overwhelming.

"I was so caught up in chatting that I forgot to let the ladies eat," he said.

"It's okay! I've been hungry for so long anyway. It doesn't matter," I said, shamelessly staring at the food.

"How could you have been hungry for so long? Now, please eat quickly," he urged, placing some dishes on my bowl. The concern in his voice was unmistakable. Concern? I was puzzled.

Not thinking too much, I picked up my chopsticks and was about to eat when I remembered the troublesome veil on my face. I put down my chopsticks with a sigh. "Ah! With this thing on, I can't enjoy my meal properly!" I leaned towards Yan Yan, hoping she would help.

Yan Yan, with a look of indulgence, removed my veil. For some reason, I really liked Yan Yan's indulgent smile. I would never admit to having any special preferences. I smiled gratefully at Yan Yan and, ignoring Rong Yan Si's shocked gaze, began to eat heartily. I knew that once I was hungry, I lost all sense of propriety. There was nothing I could do—I just couldn't go long without food. Only when my empty stomach was completely filled did I feel satisfied. I picked up my teacup and took a sip of the fragrant tea. Phew! I'm alive again.

Glancing at the two statues sitting beside me, I chuckled, "Did I scare you? Or have you never seen a woman eat so heartily?"

"You are truly the most extraordinary woman I've ever met. You don't care about appearances at all."

"Thank you for being polite and not saying I eat like a man," I mimicked the way my old friends used to eat in front of others, like birds pecking at food. "Eating in such a self-abusing way is a waste of good food. I, Ruo'er, would never do something so unfair to myself."

"It took us so long to learn your name, Ruo'er," the man said meaningfully.

"Yes, she's my sister Yan Yan," I said, looking at Yan