Blossom in Adversity

C158. A Stolen Half-Day of Leisure.

Chapter 158: A Stolen Half-Day of Leisure

Having sent the groveling servant packing, Hua Zhi led the hungry, groaning Shao Yao back to her room.

Soon, Fu Dong arrived with a bevy of maids bearing plates of delectable treats. Shao Yao's eyes widened with longing; she regretted not having her lunch here!

Hua Zhi placed the chopsticks in Shao Yao's hand and watched her with a gentle smile. "Eat up."

"All for me?"

"Yes."

Shao Yao's lips curved into a wide grin. If anyone else had suddenly presented her with such a feast, she might have wondered if there was an ulterior motive. But Hua Zhi was different.

Hua Zhi felt a warmth spread through her as she watched Shao Yao eat so happily. Thinking of the boy still confined to the other room, she turned to her maids. "Close the courtyard gate and invite Ah Jian over."

"Yes, Miss."

Shao Yao chewed thoughtfully, glancing at Hua Zhi. "One person eating isn't as fun. Let him join you."

Shao Yao wanted to say that she was enjoying her food just fine and that she could save the leftovers for a late-night snack, but thinking of the injured boy who claimed to be innocent, she swallowed her words along with the food.

"Sister Hua Zhi, Sister Shao Yao."

"Ah Jian, come and join us," Hua Zhi called out as the boy entered. Ah Jian, now feeling safe and secure, had lost the initial wariness in his eyes.

"Here, try some of this. It's made with ingredients you can't find anywhere else. The beef is a bit spicy, so it might not be good for your wound."

Ah Jian smiled and nodded, sitting down opposite Hua Zhi.

Shao Yao watched him, her mind racing. She wanted to call him Xiao Liu again, as it felt right, but she didn't want to return to the past or remember the things she was trying to forget.

Fu Dong's dishes were always a feast for the senses, and the two of them ate with gusto, their cheeks puffed out in unison. Hua Zhi couldn't help but join in, and as Ah Jian slowed down, she began to chat with him casually.

"Do the wounds still hurt?"

"Not really..." Ah Jian pursed his lips under Shaoyao's gaze, but decided to be honest, "They still hurt a bit, and they itch."

"Not feeling any pain or itching would be strange. If you don't want scars on your body, you'll have to endure it and resist the urge to scratch."

"Okay."

It seemed like Shao Yao expected compliance, as she continued eating her food.

Hua Zhi lowered her gaze, thinking that as a prince, he would lose opportunities if he had scars on his body. Even though they would be hidden under clothes, being a prince meant certain sacrifices.

Didn't Mr. Lu, as the crown prince, have to harm his own face to prove his loyalty?

The royal family, hmph.

"Hua Jiejie, Bai Lin said you'll be leaving for a few days."

Hua Zhi looked up at the anxious prince and nodded, "Yes, I'm going to handle some things at the manor. I'll be back in a few days, and Bai Lin will take care of you."

Ah Jian nodded, feeling uneasy for some reason.

"My courtyard has always been off-limits. You can keep an eye out for any intruders while I'm away. Just take note of their presence, don't worry about what they do."