Chapter 148: A meal with Jinwei [2]

Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, Ming Yuelin and Chen Zin were still casting sharp glances at each other.

Despite the delicious spread of food, their rivalry was evident in every little action they took.

Ming Yuelin would reach for a dish, and Chen Zin would quickly do the same, their chopsticks clashing in the air more than once.

*clak* *clak*

The tension between the two reached its peak when they both reached for the last dumpling on one of the plates.

Their chopsticks hovered over the same piece of food, neither willing to back down.

"Let go..." Ming Yuelin hissed under her breath, her fingers gripping her chopsticks tightly. "I was going to take it."

Chen Zin narrowed her eyes, her voice low and cold. "In your dreams. I got here first."

The two glared at each other, both unwilling to surrender, their chopsticks now locked in a battle of wills over the last piece of food.

Zhang Yuan raised an eyebrow at the spectacle but said nothing, allowing the situation to play out. He found their petty rivalry amusing in its own way.

Meanwhile, Jin Wei, still recovering from her earlier embarrassment, is fully immersed on her food.

Just as it seemed like the chopstick war was about to escalate, Xue Hua, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, finally intervened.

With a swift and elegant movement, she plucked the dumpling from under their chopsticks with her own and popped it into her mouth with a faint smile.

Eh? Both Ming Yuelin and Chen Zin froze, their eyes wide in disbelief.

"Mmm, delicious," Xue Hua said, chewing slowly as if savoring the victory as much as the food itself. "You two were too slow."

Ming Yuelin and Chen Zin exchanged frustrated glances, but before either could protest, they both broke into reluctant laughter, their rivalry momentarily forgotten in the absurdity of the situation.

"Pfft.. Haha..."

Zhang Yuan, seeing Xue Hua's playful expression, smiled warmly and continued eating his food.

As the meal progressed, the waitress returned with more dishes, refilling their plates as the group indulged in the feast.

The city outside was still recovering, but here, in this small room, the weight of the world felt distant.

After a hearty and satisfying meal, the group relaxed into their seats, chatting idly as the last few plates were cleared away.

The waitress returned to the room, bowing politely as she collected the empty dishes, her movements swift and efficient.

Zhang Yuan smiled dryly and nodded his head "Hm. We can attend tomorrow."

"Then it's settled..."

Wang Mun gave a nod "Tomorrow morning, royal carriage will come here to escort you to the capital."

"En."

With a final nod, Wang Mun turned and, in a blur of crimson light, flew off into the distance, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

Once he was gone, Jin Wei let out a soft chuckle, her earlier tension dissipating. "It seems this is not our last meeting after all, Senior Yuan," she remarked, her tone light. "We'll be seeing each other again tomorrow."

"We can meet tomorrow."

"Yeah..."

They parted ways as Zhang Yuan and his disciples walked towards the mountain, while Jin Wei and her disciple went to book a room in the city.

Meanwhile, Ming Yuelin was bubbling with excitement, still clinging to Zhang Yuan's arm. "Master! Master! We're going to a palace—a real palace! Can you believe it?" she gushed, hopping with every step.

"We'll meet royalty, see amazing things, and eat such delicious food! I can't wait! Sight see the royal capital. It is going to be fun."

She turned her gaze to Xue Hua, who was walking silently on Zhang Yuan's other side. "Right, Junior Sister? You'll come with us, won't you?"

Xue Hua, who had been lost in thought, blinked as Ming Yuelin called her.

Her quiet demeanor softened as she saw the excitement in her fellow disciple's eyes. "I suppose it could be interesting," she murmured, her voice gentle.

Ming Yuelin's face brightened instantly. "See! Junior Sister agrees! You're coming with us, right?"

Zhang Yuan turned his attention to Xue Hua as well, "What do you say, Hua? Will you join us at the banquet?"

Xue Hua hesitated for a brief moment, her gaze flickering between her master and Ming Yuelin.

Though she wasn't one for grand events or royal affairs, the thought of being with her master warmed her heart.

Finally, she nodded softly. "I'll come."

"Yaaaayy!!"

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!