-----
He paused dramatically, as though he were about to reveal some great secret. His expression grew unusually serious, and he even lifted his chin slightly, seemingly determined to make his next words sound as important as possible.
However, before he could continue, his stomach suddenly let out a loud growl.
The sound echoed through the courtyard, loud enough for all three of them to hear.
Silence immediately fell.
Zhi Zun blinked, momentarily frozen in place. For a brief moment, his dignified expression seemed to crack.
Then, as though nothing had happened, he calmly straightened his robe and lifted his chin, once again assuming his usual air of importance.
"I'm hungry."
Lin Xin stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words.
"You're hungry?"
"Mm!"
Zhi Zun nodded firmly. His earlier grievances seemed to have vanished completely, replaced by the far more pressing matter of filling his stomach.
