Adorable Food Goddess

Xia Chunyu spent a long time waiting at the back door. He thought that the restaurant business was just so good today that Yaoyao could not leave early.

However, this was way too late.

Xia Chunyu could not wait anymore so he told Song Qi to go and have a look.

Song Qi ran to back door and saw that it was already closed. He ran to the front just as the staff was preparing to lock it.

“Hey, is Li Yao available?”

Little Lu, the person who was closing the door, said, “Brother Yao has already left.”

“He already left? No way! Can you go in and check?”

Little Lu replied, “It’s true. He left with Young Royal Highness earlier.”

“Was it Young Royal Highness Jing?”

Little Lu nodded.

Song Qi’s heart sank as he looked up at the dark sky. He did not know how he would tell this to the Heir-Son Lord.

Xia Chunyu’s face clouded over at Song Qi’s report. He was angry and hurt. He knew that Yaoyao could not really get rid of Helian Jing, but couldn’t she have asked someone to send him a message? How could she just leave without even a thought for him? What was he to her? Was he really that dispensable?

“Let’s go back,” Xia Chunyu told Song Qi coldly.

Ye Jiayao hid behind bushes. Under the dimness, she saw a guy in a moon-white clothing get off the horse cart. Even though it was just a silhouette, his long body shape and the movement of his feet gave away his elegant nature.

Zhao Qixuan came up quickly to welcome him but he was so excited that he could not speak. He simply stared at him like an idiot.

Susu started first, “How are you?”

His voice was so nice, warm and smooth.

Chunyu’s voice was also good. It was low and hoarse, especially when he was feeling emotional. It was magnetic and has a charm that could kill people.

Umm… what?  Ye Jiayao berated herself silently. Why was she thinking of Chunyu? And why those specific thoughts? She shook her head, trying to dump the impure thoughts.

“What are you doing?” Helian Jing looked at her strangely.

Ye Jiayao blushed. “There are bugs. Don’t mind me.”

Ye Jiayao thought that Zhao Qixuan would complain about Susu’s apathy and demand where he went for three years. She thought that Zhao Qixuan would be in tears by now, confessing his love and longingness for Susu…

Zhao Qixuan smiled and giggled. “Susu, you haven’t changed at all.”

Susu lowered his brows. “And you are still the same.”

Wait. What?   That’s what a gay couple say to each other after they reunite for the first time in three years? No kisses, no tears, no passion?  Ye Jiayao was feeling a bit disappointed.

“Will you go away again after your mother’s party?” Zhao Qixuan asked with a forced smile.

Susu looked up at the moon and sighed softly. “Why are you so persistent?”

Zhao Qixuan smiled at him indulgently. “You know me. I’ve only been obsessed with one thing in my life.”

Ye Jiayao grinned. The show would begin soon.

“I think it is better if I just leave.” Susu still had an indifferent tone, but there was still an underlying touch of sadness in it.

“Why? I said I won’t force you. I only need to see you occasionally and know where you are, to know that you’re okay. Is there something wrong with that?” Zhao Qixuan said hurriedly, feeling a bit panicked.

Susu did not say anything and just simply looked at him.

From where Ye Jiayao was hiding, she could not see his face. She could only see his silhouette so she could not tell what expression was on Susu’s face.

“Let’s move to the other side,” Ye Jiayao mouthed to Little Jing, pointing at a closer hiding spot.

Little Jing shook his head and mouthed back, “Susu’s Kungfu is strong, he’ll spot us.”

“Qixuan, your persistence is dedicated to the wrong thing. You’ll just make your life hard,” Susu told him.

“I don’t think it is wrong. And even if it is hard, I enjoy it. I am willing to suffer for it,” Zhao Qixuan responded.

Ye Jiayao secretly cheered for Zhao Qixuan. He’d been pining for Susu for way too long, it was time that he reached his goal.

“You may be willing, but I am not. Qixuan, I have already given up,” Susu said emotionlessly.

Zhao Qixuan sneered, “Who are you lying to? Even if you’ve deceived everyone, you can’t fool me. You haven’t let it go. Why else would you be wearing those jade beads on your neck?”

Susu looked away uneasily, his hand flying to the beads on his neck. “So now I can’t like jade beads?”

“You like it because I gave it to you.”

“Anyway, I will leave after Mum’s birthday.”

“Susu, you are a coward!” Zhao Qixuan shouted.

They stared at each other wordlessly, emotions a knot in their throats.

Ye Jiayao felt anxious for them.

After a while, Susu said defeatedly, “I am done with this meeting. Take care, Zhao Qixuan, and goodbye.”

Susu turned away but Zhao Qixuan pulled him back. “I know you’re worried, but don’t you think all of this is too cruel to us? If you want to leave, tell me. I am willing to leave everything behind to be with you.”

Susu refused to look at him. “I told you, I am not a willing participant in this. You said you won’t force me.”

Zhao Qixuan’s face crumpled with sadness which tugged at Ye Jiayao’s heart.

Poor Zhao Qixuan! He looked so cheery all the time, no one knew the desolation he was carrying inside.

Zhao Qixuan, don’t give up!  Ye Jiayao silently urged him to fight harder. She didn’t want to see her friend continue on with a broken heart.

Zhao Qixuan loosened his grip on Susu little by little.

Susu choked a bit and strode away.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Helian Jing sighed. How could it end the same way as before?

Ye Jiayao couldn’t stand it anymore. She stood up and yelled, “Susu, stop!”

Helian Jing looked at Yaoyao, his jaw falling open.  What are you doing, Yaoyao?

Zhao Qixuan was so immersed in his sorrow that he did not really pay attention to Yaoyao. However, Susu turned around and stopped, his eyes curious.

Helian Jing stood up, too, scratching his head embarrassedly. He waved to Susu sheepishly and said, “Hi, Susu.”

Ye Jiayao recklessly rushed forward and stood in front of Susu.

She got her first look at the man and she almost stumbled back. What? How could a man look this enchanting and beautiful?

“Zhao Qixuan’s right, you are a coward. Do you think you’re the only one with family? He has people he cares about here, too, but he’s willing to give them up. And what do you do? You just run away, hoping that the problem would solve itself when you get back. Well, news flash, Susu, Zhao Qixuan loves you. He will always love you and it doesn’t matter how much time passes, that will still be true.

“Are you just going to be forever afraid of doing things because your parents don’t approve of it? Every problem has a solution! If you are strong enough, if you are persistent enough, things will work out! You want love, but you can’t give it back. You are just torturing Zhao Qixuan! What do you even want? The way you’re stringing him along… I have two words for you: pretentious and stupid.”

Susu was completely stunned. Who the f*ck is this guy? 

Zhao Qixuan looked at Li Yao, deeply moved by his devotion and his defense.  Li Yao, you’re really a good friend.

Helian Jing had seen Yaoyao scold people, but this was a whole new level. He was almost scared of his friend.

Ye Jiayao continued, “Why are you so afraid of coming out as a gay man? Even emperors have been gay! Who says you can’t be one? I know you love him, I see it in your eyes, so why are you punishing the both of you?”

She then turned to Zhao Qixuan and proceeded to rebuke him, “Are you a fool? Why do you just accept what he says? Why don’t you just take him down and drag him home with you?”

Zhao Qixuan opened his mouth to reply, but he saw Susu’s face darkening so he swallowed back his words.  If I can do that, I would have already done it a long time ago. Unluckily, I cannot win a fight against him.

Ye Jiayao looked at Zhao Qixuan’s uncomfortable expression and remembered what Little Jing said about Susu’s Kungfu. “If you can’t fight him, then use other tactics! Knock him out with a medicine if you have to! You can even declare your love in front of the Su’s mansion. People already knew about the two of you, so why not own it? After a few times, Governor Su and other people will just get used to it.”

The three men looked at Ye Jiayao, all in varying degrees of shock.

Susu turned to his lover.  Zhao Qixuan, don’t listen to this kid’s nonsense!

Zhao Qixuan felt a renewed sense of hope. Why did he not think of that? If they were to move past this hurdle, he would have to force Susu.

If this was how Yaoyao deals with her offenders, Helian Jing would do his best never to cross his friend in the future.