Given the situation, Kael felt he had no real choice but to accept.
After all, a clear conscience feared nothing.
He still didn't know why Ningguang wanted him to stay in the Jade Chamber, but since he hadn't done anything wrong, there was nothing to fear.
And honestly… staying a few days in a place as luxurious as the Jade Chamber didn't sound bad at all.
He could just treat it like a stay in a five-star hotel.
"But before that, I need to stop by Wanmin Restaurant and tell Xiangling and the others what's going on."
The last thing he needed was disappearing without notice and having Mona storm the Jade Chamber looking for a fight.
Ningguang agreed with a nod.
---
The Millelith escorted Kael back to Wanmin Restaurant.
"Lady Ningguang instructed us to return by nine tonight," the captain said.
Kael glanced at the sky. It was only midday.
With that deadline, he had more than enough time.
Ningguang had left him plenty of room to say goodbye.
This genuinely didn't feel like being detained.
The moment Kael stepped into Wanmin, he saw Xiangling, Chef Mao, and Mona sitting anxiously in the main hall, waiting for him.
As soon as he walked in, all three rushed over.
Chef Mao scanned him from head to toe. "Kael, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Lady Ningguang just invited me to stay in the Jade Chamber for a while."
"What?!"
Chef Mao and Xiangling gasped. Being Liyue locals, they understood exactly what that meant.
Chef Mao looked uneasy. "Why would she suddenly ask you to stay up there?"
Kael didn't want to scare them with the details, so he deliberately downplayed it. "Lady Ningguang wants to hear stories about my original world. It's nothing serious."
Mona suddenly froze, dead-fish eyes appearing instantly.
"Oh great. Here we go again…" she muttered under her breath.
Chef Mao guided Kael to a seat.
"Wait here. Dad will cook something for you. Eat before you leave."
---
"Lady Ningguang, these are the documents delivered by the various merchant guilds today."
Baishi entered Ningguang's study with a thick stack of files in her arms.
Ningguang said calmly, "Bring them to the main hall. I'll work there today."
Baishi blinked, surprised.
Ningguang had never chosen to work in the main hall before.
But she still bowed. "Yes, my lady."
Ningguang settled in the main hall, positioned so she faced the Jade Chamber's main entrance.
At first glance, she looked as composed and focused as ever, reviewing documents with professional precision.
But if someone watched carefully, they would notice her pace was much slower than usual.
Every now and then, she would lift her head, glancing—almost accidentally—toward the entrance.
---
After Kael finished his meal and packed the late-night snack Chef Mao prepared, he returned to the Jade Chamber.
The moment he opened the door, his gaze locked with a pair of deep red eyes.
"Uh…"
Why was Ningguang working here of all places???
Her intense gaze pinned him in place, and Kael felt a flicker of pressure settle on his shoulders.
He awkwardly lifted the food container.
"Lady Ningguang, are you hungry? Want some late-night snacks?"
"Yes."
"…Uh, alright. Then I'll leave it here and go back to my room—"
Kael froze.
He'd been making polite conversation. He didn't think Ningguang would actually accept. She usually didn't eat casually.
Yet she agreed without hesitation.
Ningguang rose slowly, walking toward him with graceful, deliberate steps.
A faint lily fragrance drifted with her movement, brushing against his senses.
Normally lilies brought to mind images of pure, innocent girls.
But the scent clinging to Ningguang carried subtle spices—warm, mature, lingering. It was a fragrance that only belonged to an adult woman.
She stopped right in front of him, lifted her red eyes, and looked straight at him.
"Weren't we eating together?"
"Oh. Right."
Kael came back to his senses and set the food down on the table.
Chef Mao had prepared Sesame Tangyuan for him.
In Liyue, tangyuan symbolized family unity and warmth, the heartfelt intention behind the dish clear as day.
Xiangling had ground the sesame filling fresh. One bite made it melt in your mouth, soft and fragrant.
Ningguang tasted one. The warm, sweet filling slid down her throat, and her entire expression softened with warmth.
Seeing her relax, Kael knew the flavor suited her perfectly.
Ningguang glanced at him. "…You're not eating?"
"You go ahead."
Chef Mao had packed so much that it was easily enough for two.
However, he'd only included one set of utensils.
And the only spoon was currently in Ningguang's hand.
Kael couldn't exactly eat with his hands.
Suddenly, a smooth white porcelain spoon stopped in front of his lips, holding a perfectly round tangyuan.
Startled, Kael lifted his gaze—right into Ningguang's soft, gentle eyes.
"You should taste it too. It's very good."
"…"
He dazedly opened his mouth, letting the warm tangyuan slide in.
He chewed slowly.
It really was delicious…
Ningguang withdrew the spoon as calmly as if nothing had happened, unfazed by sharing it with him. She continued eating—and then offered him another bite.
And another.
Just like that, the two finished the entire box of tangyuan together, sharing the same spoon.
"Thank you for the treat. I'll rest now."
Ningguang gave him a slight nod, turned, and glided away with quiet elegance.
Leaving Kael staring blankly at her retreating figure.
Was… Ningguang flirting with him?
These small intimate gestures, that subtle teasing distance…
It was impossible not to feel something stir inside.
He found himself suddenly, deeply intrigued by her.
So this was the allure of an adult woman.
Kael couldn't help thinking—
He wanted to peel away that calm, composed mask of hers…
And see what she was really thinking.
---
Next Target 900PS :)