Master of Nine Stars

In a private room at a barbecue restaurant in West City, six people sat around a grill table. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Normally, it would have just been the four of them—the teachers and students—plus Rong Yuanshan, making five people. But after leaving the gymnasium, Rong Taotao realized his father had brought a driver.

’He was clearly planning to drink, wasn’t he?’

The driver didn’t look very old, maybe twenty-five or twenty-six. The young man had a buzz cut, a slender build, and a ramrod-straight posture. He might as well have had three words written on his face: "I’m a soldier."

Judging from the young driver’s respectful attitude toward Rong Yuanshan, they were likely superior and subordinate. This made Rong Taotao click his tongue in amazement, because...

Because Rong Yuanshan was a bodyguard himself. A bodyguard who was assigned a driver?

On the way, Rong Taotao had tried to strike up a conversation with the young driver, hoping to fish for some information. However, the driver was very quiet and didn’t talk much, so Rong Taotao didn’t bother him anymore.

’Who cares about some guy? Barbecued meat smells way better!’

At that moment, Rong Taotao sat at the table, his eyes fixed on the meat on the grill. The longing in his eyes and his greedy expression made Yang Chunxi, who was sitting beside him, chuckle to herself...

’Good grief, he’s never even looked at Gao Lingwei like that...’

"It’s ready. Here you go." Yang Chunxi picked up a large piece of grilled meat, placed it on Rong Taotao’s plate, and then snipped it into a few smaller pieces with her scissors.

"Tsk..." Rong Taotao hurriedly picked up his chopsticks.

The meat exuded waves of fragrance, made a beautiful SIZZLE SIZZLE sound, and glistened with golden fat. That first bite... Whoa~

"Here’s the dipping sauce for you." Yang Chunxi had just brought over the sauce container when her expression stiffened slightly.

She looked at the empty plate, then at Rong Taotao, whose cheeks were puffed out...

"Eat slower!" Across the table, Rong Yuanshan, who had been enjoying drinks and conversation with Xia Fangran, couldn’t help but put on a stern face and feign a scolding when he saw this.

"Haha," Xia Fangran suddenly burst out laughing. "It’s impossible to get this kid to eat slower. You could try grilling slower, though."

Rong Taotao took a napkin, wiped his greasy lips, and said, "That’s a sound argument."

Rong Yuanshan: "..."

’What kind of response is that?’

’I’m a foodie and I’m proud?’

Rong Taotao stared at Yang Chunxi as she continued grilling and suddenly blurted out, "Of all my desires, appetite is the easiest one to satisfy."

"Huh?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Rong Taotao looked up. "Case closed."

Rong Yuanshan: "What case is closed?"

Rong Taotao shrugged. "The real reason why middle-aged men get fat."

Rong Yuanshan: ???

Rong Taotao licked his lips, seemingly unable to wait for the meat to finish cooking. His chopsticks reached for a side dish to tide him over. "Good thing I’m still young."

"You don’t have to worry about that," Xia Fangran said with a grin. "You’re the type who probably won’t get fat no matter how much you eat in this lifetime."

As he spoke, Xia Fangran raised his small liquor cup, clinked it against Rong Yuanshan’s, and drained it in one go. Though the liquor was just as strong, it was much better than the one they had at the Gao Family’s place.

After a short while, Rong Yuanshan watched as one plate of meat was grilled, only for Rong Taotao to clear it completely. Realizing this couldn’t continue, he asked the restaurant to open another grill and help them cook, since there were six people at the table, after all...

When it came to food, there was no such thing as "sating his immediate hunger" for Rong Taotao. He was always hungry. That craving for food came from the two-petaled Lotus inside him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Fortunately, the restaurant served generous portions, and order was restored to the dinner table.

At the table, Rong Yuanshan was also sizing up the quiet and well-behaved Gao Lingwei. The more he looked, the more he liked her. To be honest, this rascal of his really had top-tier taste in partners.

’Hmm, perhaps it’s genetic?’

"Is your family doing well?" Rong Yuanshan asked.

"Yes, they’re all doing very well. They live in Songbai Town now," Gao Lingwei replied, putting down her chopsticks.

"Don’t be so formal. Please, eat. We’re just chatting," Rong Yuanshan said with a smile and a wave of his hand. "My apologies. I should have brought Taotao to visit you all formally, but..."

As he spoke, Rong Yuanshan glanced at Rong Taotao and said, "This kid never mentioned a thing to me."

Gao Lingwei’s face flushed slightly as she said softly, "It’s not what Taotao made it sound like. I just went home to see my parents before we left the Snow Realm to come to the Imperial Capital for the competition."

’Wow, Da Wei is blushing!’

Rong Taotao blinked, clicking his tongue in amazement. It was rare to see this side of her.

Then again, during this meal, Rong Taotao had seen a lot of "rare" sights.

Normally, Gao Lingwei could be very quiet, but you would never find the word "well-behaved" on her face. ’Come to think of it... she must be a little nervous, meeting Rong Yuanshan for the first time, right?’

Rong Taotao suddenly said, "Oh, right. My Uncle Qingchen likes to drink—baijiu. Can you get me two bottles? I’ll give them to him for the New Year."

"No problem," Rong Yuanshan replied immediately.

Beside them, Xia Fangran listened to the exchange between father and son and couldn’t help but feel that something was a bit off.

’Such a big decision, and Rong Taotao was really making it himself? Rong Yuanshan didn’t say whether he approved or not, didn’t even offer an opinion?’

’Good heavens...’

Rong Yuanshan turned to Gao Lingwei and asked, "I heard from Taotao that after your family finished accompanying you for your studies, they moved back to Liaolian?"

"Y-Yes." Gao Lingwei hesitated for a moment, then explained the reason, recounting what happened when she and Rong Taotao were on a mission with the Twelfth Squad outside the Wall.

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