The Lin Residence.
Noon.
A quaint, carved rosewood dining table was covered with a fine, soft brocade tablecloth.
Floral patterns, stitched with gold thread, shimmered faintly in the sunlight filtering through the window.
Steamed fish with black beans, red-braised pork, osmanthus-sweetened lotus root, five-spice stewed goose...
Well over a dozen meticulously prepared dishes glistened with oil, their savory aroma filling the air.
The fresh sea bass was still sizzling faintly, its curled tail an enticing sight.
"Ji Xiu, my boy, please, eat up! Don't be shy!"
Lin Zhenhai chuckled as he looked at the black-robed young man to his left. Ji Xiu's expression was composed, his back ramrod straight. Lin Zhenhai couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
'How long has it been?'
'From a mere servant to a Groom, right here under my nose in the Lin Residence... he was never supposed to amount to much.'
