At the doorway, several pairs of eyes exchanged glances.
Axi raised an eyebrow, peering towards the kitchen, his eyes seeming to pierce through it. "Lady Feng's cooking preparations are quite grand. It seems the things she's prepared will surely surprise us!"
Si Xin Xin's tender face was filled with apprehension. She lowered her head slightly, blaming herself, her small hands tightly clenching the hem of her clothes. "Mother is cooking for Xin Xin's sake. Xin Xin shouldn't have been so glib. I'll go in right now and tell Mother I won't eat!"
Before she could step into the kitchen, a graceful figure emerged, carrying a large bowl.
A smudge of soot graced Feng Ning He's clean, fair cheeks. Her bright red lips curved upwards in a radiant smile. "Everyone's here, so it's perfect. Let's all try the taste together."
She carried the large bowl to the pavilion and then proceeded to take out bowls and chopsticks.
Axi stretched his neck, peering into the bowl, muttering intermittently, "The presentation is alright. It looks quite presentable."
Feng Ning He deftly spooned the food into bowls, beckoning everyone to taste. "Come quickly and try the flavor."
Si Xin Xin held her small bowl and picked up a piece of chicken to taste.
Feng Ning He's gaze was fixed on her, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry. "How does it taste?"
Si Xin Xin's eyes moistened slightly, and a look of emotion appeared on her tender face. "Mother, it's delicious! This is the most delicious food I've ever eaten!"
She ate the chicken with big bites, tears streaming down her face.
So, this was Mother's taste.
She was also a child with a mother.
"You child..."
Feng Ning He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the large streaks of tears on Si Xin Xin's cheeks. "If it's delicious, eat more. Why are you crying?"
She didn't forget to wave to everyone, spooning food into bowls and handing them out one by one.
As her gaze fell upon Si Jian Ye, her expression subtly shifted. "I've never cooked before in my life. This is my first time. If you want to eat my cooking again, who knows when that will be."
Her expression clearly conveyed to Si Jian Ye that he should be happy with what he was given.
Staring at the small bowl of chicken in front of him, Si Jian Ye's heart sank. An ominous feeling began to creep into his heart.
He sat still on his chair, making no move to pick up his chopsticks.
A moment later, as if a thought struck him, Si Jian Ye glanced at Axi beside him and moved his lips slightly. His cold male voice slowly uttered, "Axi, try it."
Axi unhesitatingly picked up the bowl and put the chicken into his mouth, continuously exclaiming, "Miss was moved to tears, it must be truly delicious. I must savor it carefully..."
The moment the chicken entered his mouth, the male voice abruptly stopped.
Axi, usually calm and composed, showed a trace of strangeness on his face, his chewing motion stiffening.
Seeing Axi's expression, Feng Ning He couldn't help but click her tongue. "If you like it, eat more. There's no need to make such an exaggerated face."
She even thoughtfully added a little more chicken to Axi's bowl.
Axi felt the bowl in his hand become exceptionally hot, and the smile on his face stiffened slightly. "There are many people here. I'll eat it in my room."
With that, Axi fled as quickly as he could.
Feng Xing, who was enthusiastically holding his chicken, quickly picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
His expression also changed instantly.
The master was exceptionally talented, a cultivation prodigy, but her culinary skills were truly difficult to compliment.
Feng Xing calmly put down his chopsticks, his handsome face showing no significant change. "I just ate and I'm not hungry yet, so I'll eat a little."
"Xiao Zhao, you try it too. Don't let down Ning Ya's kind intentions."
Old Man Xu chuckled and pushed Xiao Zhao into the fire pit.
Seeing everyone's evasive expressions and hesitant murmurs, Old Man Xu suddenly understood.
Xiao Zhao looked down at his bowl with some apprehension. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to try the taste.
The moment the chicken entered his mouth, Xiao Zhao regretted it. He suppressed the urge to gag and shoved all the chicken from his bowl into Old Man Xu's bowl. "I just ate and I'm not hungry yet. Old Man Xu, you haven't eaten much today. Eat more."
Xiao Zhao vanished instantly, as if his feet were greased.
Old Man Xu's mouth twitched, and he quickly got up. "The smoke from the kitchen is quite heavy. I'll go see what's happening."
Even Si Jian Ye got up and left on his own.
In just a short while, everyone present had dispersed.
Feng Ning He curiously picked up a piece of chicken and ate it.
The chicken was sour and salty, with a peculiar taste, but it was still edible.
Seeing Si Xin Xin eating with gusto, a smile unconsciously appeared on her face. "Xin Xin, if you like it, eat more."
Si Xin Xin nodded obediently, shoveling chicken into her mouth and occasionally praising, "Mother, this is the best chicken I've ever eaten!"
Although the taste wasn't the best.
But this bowl of food was prepared by Mother.
She felt Mother's abundant love in the food, a unique love that she had always yearned for.
Not far away, Axi poured out the excess chicken from his bowl.
His eyes were filled with doubt, and he scratched the back of his head in confusion. "This bowl of chicken is truly awful. How could Miss eat it?"
In the kitchen, Old Man Xu was busy preparing food.
In a short while, a rich aroma wafted from the kitchen.
Xiao Zhao was instantly drawn by the aroma and eagerly went to help in the kitchen.
His mouth stuffed full, he said, "Old Man Xu, your cooking is still the best. Heaven opened a window for Master, but it also closed one. Next time she prepares food, I'll have to stop her."
He didn't want to become an ancient Qilin poisoned by food; such a death would be too humiliating.
Old Man Xu prepared a large table of food, and everyone gathered around.
Axi ate with great enjoyment, constantly praising, "Immortal Xu, your cooking is truly excellent. However, the chefs in Xiyou Continent are also not bad."
Si Jian Ye casually picked up a piece of meat with his well-defined fingers and ate it, his dark eyes unfathomable, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
He turned his gaze, unhurriedly, to Feng Ning He.
The sunlight cast freely upon Feng Ning He's face, her clean, fair complexion bathed in a bright golden light.
She looked at Si Xin Xin beside her and said softly, "Xin Xin, after this meal, I will be leaving Medicine Valley. I still have many things to attend to."
Si Xin Xin understood what she meant. She blinked her bright eyes and readily agreed, "Mother, please attend to your matters with peace of mind. I will stay with Father obediently."
Looking at the tender face before her, Feng Ning He smiled. "When I've finished all my tasks, I'll come find you."
Si Jian Ye raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
Logically, Feng Ning He should have preferred to take Xin Xin with her. Why would she entrust the child to him?
Had something happened?