Chapter Fifty-Four: Master, Little Fish Is Very Pitiful

At this moment, I sat on the floor, a little distance away from them. What’s more, that wretched young waiter had deliberately positioned himself between me and Zilian, blocking us apart. So now, I couldn’t hear a single word of what they were saying, nor could I tell what dishes Zilian had ordered this time. My heart was uneasy, yet I was fairly certain he wouldn’t let that waiter serve any more carp dishes.

The young waiter left, swinging his rag cheerfully. Finally, Zilian turned his gaze to me, still crouched on the floor. He reached out his left hand, hooked his forefinger upward, curling and straightening it in a summoning gesture, as if calling for his mount.

“What are you still doing squatting there? Come over here, have a seat! Don’t tell me you’re suddenly not hungry anymore and don’t want to eat?” he said with a laugh, raising his brows to indicate I should sit across from him.

Fine, I’ll sit—who’s afraid of whom?

Fuming, I got to my feet, marched over, and plopped down directly across from him. My gaze wandered out the window, where I happened to catch sight of a few young women dressed in sheer gauze by the lotus pond in the back garden beneath the flower house across the street. They were holding palm-leaf fans, chasing butterflies, laughing, and teasing each other, their laughter drifting up and adding a bit of interest to the scene.

I shook my head, unable to help feeling a trace of regret as I watched those bold young women twirl their robes and kick up their legs. Good heavens—their clothes were far too thin and scanty!

In their playfulness, if they weren’t careful, the scant strip of gauze barely covering their creamy skin would be exposed to all the diners watching from above. I pitied these women for their lack of modesty and could scarcely comprehend the earthly fashion that left arms and legs bare for no reason, granting such a view to every passerby. Why did they do it?

Granted, it was the height of summer and the heat was overwhelming. I could accept the exposure of necks and arms to some extent, but baring shoulders and so much skin was simply too revealing. I had spent over three thousand years in the Demon Realm and never once seen women there so brazen or thick-skinned, daring to wear so little in broad daylight. It was nothing short of an invitation to sin.

“What are you looking at?” Zilian’s voice suddenly sounded at my ear.

I turned to face him. He was studying me with a puzzled expression.

“N-nothing.”

Seeing him put down his wine cup, looking as if he might turn to see for himself, I quickly stood and grabbed his sleeve, urgently saying, “There’s really nothing worth looking at. Truly, nothing at all.”

At my reaction, his face darkened, displeasure flickering in his eyes as he frowned. “Xiaoyu, what did you see that made you so nervous?”

“No, Xiaoyu didn’t see anything. I just suddenly remembered something from long ago, so my eyes drifted off.”

“Something from long ago?” he asked, still doubtful, suspicion writ plain on his face.

“Yes, yes. I was thinking of the winter when Xiaoyu’s father and mother died and how I managed to get through it.”

Worried he wouldn’t believe me, I immediately put on a sorrowful, teary look, gazing up at him with innocent, misty eyes.

Zilian’s smile faded slightly. He said nothing more, nor did he turn to look behind him. He picked up his teacup and drank alone, cup after cup.

“Sir, your food is ready,” the young waiter announced, clearly still unsettled after Zilian’s earlier words. He approached without saying much, set down the food and wine, and quickly withdrew.