"Yiling, please try this pheasant and reed root stew I made!"
Cheng Xiaofan served Bai Yiling a full bowl and placed it on the bamboo table in front of her.
The verdant coriander floating on the soup's surface, the golden chicken pieces, and the white reed roots created a vibrant, distinct combination of three colors.
An intoxicating aroma filled the air.
Bai Yiling gently poked the chicken skin with her chopsticks. The springy resistance made her lips curve into a captivating smile.
Achieving such elasticity in the skin indicated excellent control over the cooking time and heat.
If cooked too early, the skin would be tough and the meat rough; too late, and the skin would become mushy, and the meat dry.
Although Bai Yiling wasn't a chef, she had experience enjoying good food.
She poked her chopsticks into the pheasant meat. A hint of chicken oil seeped out, and a layer of fresh fragrance joined the pervasive aroma.
Bai Yiling picked up a piece of pheasant meat and put it in her mouth.
Instantly, a unique, rich fragrance burst forth from the meat, making her eyes light up!
In a daze, Bai Yiling felt as if she had drunk fine wine, slightly intoxicated. That marvelous aroma filled her entire mouth, captivating her taste buds and lingering for a long time.
She took a sip of the delicious soup, then picked up a tender piece of reed root and chewed it a few times. The sweet juice, mixed with the chicken soup flavor, seeped into her heart, as if immersing her in a beautiful, wondrous realm.
"It's exquisite!"
Bai Yiling exclaimed, "To think there is such magical, delicious food in this world!"
"Xiaofan, if you were to work as a private chef, I imagine those influential figures would be fighting tooth and nail to get you!"
"Haha, Yiling, you're exaggerating too much!" Cheng Xiaofan chuckled.
Bai Yiling replied, "I'm not exaggerating at all. With just this bowl of pheasant and reed root stew, it would be difficult to find anyone else in this world who could make it."
As they ate and talked, night had fully fallen.
At that moment, a stream of fireflies flew out from the reeds surrounding Bai Mang Lake.
After yesterday's thorough spiritual rain, the fireflies seemed to have gained heightened intelligence. As if they knew Cheng Xiaofan had brought a beautiful woman, they formed bright lines and flew towards the center of the lake.
They then combined and dispersed, instantly reforming into giant butterflies, dancing gracefully on the lake's surface.
"Wow, how is this happening?"
Bai Yiling cried out in surprise, "It's like someone taught them! It's so beautiful!"
Even Cheng Xiaofan was mesmerized!
Had they gained sentience after being bathed in the spiritual rain?
Or were these little sprites flying out to perform for us in gratitude for the spiritual rain I bestowed, knowing Bai Yiling was on the boat with me and hadn't left yet?
What else could explain it?
Just as he thought this, the fireflies rapidly shifted formation, transforming into swans, flapping their wings and dancing on the lake.
"Ah, these fireflies have become spirits!"
Bai Yiling shrieked repeatedly, constantly taking photos with her phone.
In the blink of an eye, the fireflies turned into large white rabbits, chasing and playing with each other on the lake, a dazzling spectacle...
Night was growing deep!
Only then did the fireflies return to the reeds.
At this point, Bai Yiling realized that at some point, she had leaned her head on Cheng Xiaofan's arm, her pretty face flushing.
"Xiaofan, I'm really sorry. I was too engrossed watching the fireflies earlier!"
Embarrassed, Bai Yiling quickly changed the subject, "I feel this is truly a place full of spiritual energy. Even the air is sweet, and it's very nurturing!"
Bai Yiling's words sparked a revelation in Cheng Xiaofan.
"Your words have truly reminded me,"
Cheng Xiaofan said with bright eyes, "When the time is right, I'll build some recuperation centers here, allowing the villagers who have worked hard their entire lives to rest here for free."
"As for those big shots from the outside, they'll have to pay a hefty fee to come here."
He then chuckled, "Yiling, it's getting late. Shall I take you back?"
"Okay, let's head back!"
Bai Yiling also felt they had stayed too long and might cause her cousin Han Jie to worry.
Cheng Xiaofan summoned the Sky Breaking Eagle, and the two of them, along with the dog, sat on its back. They left Bai Mang Lake and flew towards Zhuxi Village.
On the way back, Bai Yiling's courage was noticeably greater than on the journey there.
Although her hands still clasped his waist, they weren't quite as tight.
"Xiaofan, that piece you played this morning, does it have a name?" Bai Yiling suddenly remembered the melody and asked.
Cheng Xiaofan replied, "Yes, it's called 'Tian Qu' (Heavenly Tune)."
"'Tian Qu', what a wonderful name!"
Bai Yiling praised, "Did you compose it?"
Cheng Xiaofan shamelessly admitted, "Yes, I composed it."
Bai Yiling asked with a touch of envy, "Xiaofan, you're so talented! How did you come up with this piece?"
Cheng Xiaofan lied with a straight face, "It's very simple. One night, I dreamt I was floating in the sky, and celestial maidens were dancing for me with accompanying music. It felt beautiful. After I woke up, I organized it, and thus 'Tian Qu' was born!"
Oh my!
Good heavens!
I'm admitting this so brazenly!
If Shennong found out, he'd beat me until I spat blood.
How can I claim someone else's work like this!
After a period of inner struggle and self-consolation, Cheng Xiaofan reasoned that since he was Shennong's successor, inheriting his works along with everything else seemed acceptable.
Bai Yiling, however, believed him and marveled, "Oh my, so this piece was actually composed in your dream!"
...
By the time they returned home, it was already midnight.
Cheng Fugui and his wife were still awake, chatting with Han Jie in the living room and snacking on sunflower seeds.
"Girl, Xiaofan, you're back!"
Miao Xiuhua immediately greeted them with a smile, "Are you hungry? What would you like to eat, I'll make it for you right away!"
Before Cheng Xiaofan could respond, Bai Yiling interjected, "Auntie, we already ate at Bai Mang Lake. Xiaofan made a pot of pheasant and reed root stew, and the taste was truly exquisite, better than any delicacy!"
"Girl, you must have been inconvenienced!"
Miao Xiuhua shot her son a fierce glare, "Xiaofan, this girl is a precious guest of our Cheng family, and you gave her reed roots you messed around with as a child? You're being outrageous!"
In Miao Xiuhua's eyes, Bai Yiling was worth billions, and her status was incredibly noble. To fob her off with wild reed roots, had her son lost his mind?
"Mom, please don't blame your son,"
Cheng Xiaofan said with a wronged expression, "What I made was delicious, and Yiling really liked it!"
"Yes, Auntie, the pheasant and reed root stew Xiaofan made is genuinely delicious, I loved it!" Bai Yiling said with a delighted smile.
Seeing Bai Yiling defending her son so earnestly, Miao Xiuhua felt both excited and anxious.
She was excited that this beautiful young woman seemed to like her son.
She was anxious that the Cheng family's threshold might be too low, and they wouldn't be able to handle the favor of such a wealthy lady!
"You should rest early. I need to go back to the rear mountain!"
Cheng Xiaofan, fearing his mother might bring up any more troublesome topics, fled the house as if escaping.
Miao Xiuhua watched her son's receding back, shook her head, and said to Bai Yiling, "Girl, please don't take offense. My son was spoiled by his father since he was young, he has no manners at all."
"See, you haven't rested, and he's already run off!"
Cheng Fugui looked completely bewildered.
It's like a black cat steals, and a white cat takes the blame!
Who did I offend?