Pacifying Liu Erlong

It wasn't that he did not want to eat. He simply could not.

His bowl was piled high with all kinds of dishes—served to him by Liu Erlong, Tang Yuehua, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong.

Every time he ate one bite, two more appeared. The food in his bowl was never-ending.

Dinner ended in a subtle atmosphere.

The maids stepped forward to clear the bowls and chopsticks. Liu Erlong set down her chopsticks, rose, and walked to Xiao Yun's side. "Come to my place tonight. I have something to tell you."

Xiao Yun looked up at her. Her expression was calm, and so was her tone, but her fingers lightly twisted the corner of her clothes.

Xiao Yun stood and followed Liu Erlong out of the dining hall.

Behind them, Tang Yuehua watched their backs, lifted her teacup for a sip, then set it down.

Dugu Yan poured herself another cup of wine. Zhu Zhuqing closed her book and stood. "I'm going back to Bai Lu Courtyard." Xivia and Shenghua also got to their feet. "We're going back too." Ning Rongrong looked from one to another, not knowing what she should say, then silently stood and left.

Only Tang Yuehua and Dugu Yan remained in the dining hall.

Tang Yuehua looked at Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan looked at her wine cup. Half a cup of wine still remained inside, the amber liquid gleaming under the candlelight.

Tang Yuehua sighed softly. "Yan'er, don't drink too much." Dugu Yan picked up the cup, drained it in one gulp, then rose and walked out. When she reached the doorway, she stopped without turning back. "Sister Yuehua, tell me... should I not have made that request?"

Tang Yuehua stood and walked to her side. "Your grandfather was thinking of you. The Dugu Family needs