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It was as if he slowly woke from that lazy state he had been resting in earlier, and he showed great interest when he saw the little dishes on the table.

Daoist Yangmei said to Qin Xi, "I didn't expect we'd still get to eat such a hearty meal. This really is wonderful."

Then, without the slightest hesitation, as if he were in his own home, he picked up the bowl and chopsticks first and took a bite. To his surprise, it was crisp and refreshing, with a faint fragrance, and truly delicious.

He looked toward the old man and casually gave him a thumbs-up. In a tone full of praise, he said to the old man, "Sir, your cooking really is excellent. The chefs outside are no better than this."

Hearing Daoist Yangmei praise him like that, the old man looked extremely embarrassed. He sat down very stiffly and said to them, "They're just a few ordinary side dishes. Please eat as you like, honored guests."

Qin Xi and the others were not polite. They picked up their bowls and began eating bite by bite.

But the old man acted the whole time as if he were a guest in someone else's home, even seeming a little embarrassed while eating. Qin Xi did not think that speaking more politely to the old man would help; it might only make him seem even more constrained.

After the meal was finished, Qin Xi felt as if much of the fatigue from the day had already eased.

Ao Xin and Di Qun cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks with very nimble movements. Seeing the old man about to reach out and start helping, Qin Xi said to him, "No need. The two of them can handle it."

But the old man could