"Nothing." Ye Lanshan's voice was calm. She slowly sat up and stood from the bed. Though her whole body still ached, she at least had some strength now.
Ye Yutian looked at her still-pale face and took out a pill, intending for her to take it, but she refused. Not because she didn't trust Ye Yutian, but because she didn't need it.
"This dinner looks quite appetizing." Ye Lanshan's stomach involuntarily felt empty as she gazed at the colorful and fragrant dishes.
"The taste truly lives up to its appearance." She squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
Seeing how much she enjoyed eating, Ye Yutian unconsciously took a few more bites himself.
"This tofu is tender and smooth, melting on the tongue—truly a delicacy of the world." Ye Lanshan picked up a piece of the soft white tofu, commenting as she ate.
"Who made these dishes?" When she was nearly full, Ye Lanshan finally asked the question she most wanted to know.
"Jia Xunshi made them. Shuanghong, go call him over." Ye Yutian watched quietly as Ye Lanshan finished eating contentedly, a hint of doting in his eyes.
"Him? I remember he couldn't even cook porridge properly, yet he made such a feast—truly an odd chef." Ye Lanshan shook her head in wonder, though she didn't mean to blame him. After all, in the modern world, some chefs pursued ultimate flavors while looking down on ordinary dishes, making them terrible at cooking simple meals—much like that country across from China.
"Dark Lord, what instructions do you have for this humble cook?" Jia Xunshi trembled slightly, his teeth chattering from fear as he spoke.
"What ingredients did you use for this tofu? What are the steps?" Ye Lanshan studied him with interest. Someone who could make tofu this delicious was a rare talent.
"Huh?" Jia Xunshi was stunned, not just by the question, but because this was the second time he'd seen a woman speak before the Dark Lord without incurring any displeasure.
"I'm asking how you made this tofu. To achieve such tenderness and smoothness, melting on the tongue and never tiring the palate—few can make tofu to such perfection." Ye Lanshan picked up another piece of tofu and put it in her mouth as she spoke.
"First, I shocked the tofu with cold water..." Jia Xunshi rattled off a long explanation, taking nearly fifteen minutes to finish describing the entire process.
"Is it really that troublesome?" Ye Lanshan had originally asked out of a desire to learn, since she couldn't stay here long, and the tofu was so delicious. She'd thought she could make it herself if she left and craved it, but if it was this complicated, she'd forget it.
"If you want to eat it, just have him make it. What's so troublesome about that?" Ye Yutian had already set down his chopsticks and spoke calmly.
"I have my own things to do. I can't stay here forever. After today, I don't know when I'll see you again." Ye Lanshan's voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.
Ye Yutian waved his hand, dismissing Jia Xunshi. When they were alone, he spoke slowly: "You won't be able to leave for some time."
"Oh? Is the Dark Lord trying to imprison me?" Ye Lanshan thought of the romance novels she'd read.
"It's not about imprisoning you. The Holy Land and the Moon Kingdom have been hunting you outside. You're only safe staying here with me." Ye Yutian had never intended to trap her, because he knew Ye Lanshan was no caged bird.
"Heh, hunting me?" Ye Lanshan lowered her eyes, hiding all her emotions beneath her lashes. After a long moment, she said softly, "So what? My grandfather has been controlled by Zhou Haiming's puppet technique. I need to find Zhou Haiming to undo it."
"Puppet technique?" Ye Yutian frowned. He had no solution for this method; among all the races he'd encountered, no one knew puppet arts.
"Yes, I have to go out." Ye Lanshan's voice was gentle but carried an unshakable resolve.
"It's just Zhou Haiming. I'll capture him." Ye Yutian spoke with unmatched authority.
"This is my matter. You don't need to interfere." Ye Lanshan was clear on that boundary. She'd always been good at drawing lines, but because of Ye Yutian, she'd inexplicably owed him several favors.
"You don't have to separate us so clearly. We were once engaged, and we've lived together." Ye Yutian now deeply regretted breaking off the engagement.
"But we're not engaged anymore, and you were the one who forced me to swear I wouldn't marry you." Ye Lanshan shrugged, indicating they had no connection left.
"Can't you give me a chance?" Ye Yutian's lips twisted in a bitter smile, his eyes equally pained.
"A chance? If a year from now you haven't changed your mind and are willing to plant a peach grove for me yourself, then I'll give you that chance." Ye Lanshan lowered her head in thought for a moment, recalling Yu Ying's words from her dream.
Ye Yutian's eyes lit up, and a smile curved at the corners of his mouth. That smile was like ice melting, a spring breeze arriving, carrying the scent of a hundred flowers and the brightness of sunlight—so captivating that Ye Lanshan unconsciously stared, entranced.
So the coldest person, when smiling in the sun, could be this beautiful? Ye Lanshan hastily looked away, no longer meeting his gaze.
Ye Yutian noticed her small gesture and felt even more pleased.
"Oh, right. I need two hundred steamed buns and fifty jin of roasted meat. Can you make that now? I'll pay." Flustered, Ye Lanshan suddenly remembered the dozens of people still hungry in her space, and her mind cleared of other thoughts.
"What? Why do you need so much food? Didn't you just have dinner?" Ye Yutian's smile froze completely. He hadn't expected her to make such a request.
"What, can't your estate even produce two hundred buns and fifty jin of roasted meat?" Ye Lanshan shot him a sidelong glance, deliberately provoking him.
"I can. I'll have someone bring it immediately."
"Wait—" Ye Yutian was about to call for someone, but Ye Lanshan stopped him.
"Hmm?" Ye Yutian looked at her in confusion.
"Have them deliver it to my room." Ye Lanshan sighed helplessly. She still didn't want Ye Yutian to know about the dozens of people hidden in her space. After all, a space that could hold living things was probably unique to her.
If others found out, they might try to take it—even him. After all, even Yan Fansheng, a friend as close as family, had betrayed her. Who could she truly trust?