But when the old man noticed Xiao Xiao turning to look at him, he pushed his thoughts aside and smiled. "Student Xiao, dinner's ready."
"Okay."
Xiao Xiao nodded.
"...Let's eat first... The soup isn't ready yet..."
The old man's introduction was cut off by the closing door.
The courtyard fell silent.
"Phew~"
A cold wind swept by.
It was as chilling as a knife scraping bone.
Dozens of yellowed, curled petals fell.
Then the wind carried them away.
"Student Xiao, sit down."
The old woman poked her head out of the kitchen.
"You two go ahead and eat."
"I still have a few dishes to make. They'll be ready soon."
Out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Xiao saw the generous spread on the table. He looked at the old woman, the corners of his mouth lifting. "This is more than enough."
"Why don't you join us?"
"Any more would go to waste."
"It's not too much, it's not too much."
The old woman waved a hand.
"It's been ages since I really showed off my cooking."
"I've been itching to get back into it."
"It's not often we have a guest over for dinner."
"Especially a young man."
The old woman looked as if her fighting spirit had been roused.
"I know young people have big appetites."
"Student Xiao, you'll have to eat plenty."
"It'd be best if you could finish it all."
"Then this old woman would be happy."
The old woman made a show of threatening him. "If you don't eat much, this old woman won't be happy."
"If there are lots of leftovers, the old man and I won't know how many days it'll take us to finish them."
"Don't put pressure on the boy."
The old man