"I can't. I really can't."
Lin Xi clutched her stomach and slumped onto the table, her cheek pressed against her arm. She looked so limp she might as well have raised a white flag.
"Sister Su, I really can't eat another bite."
Only then did Chen De draw his gaze back from the window.
He couldn't help it. What was happening outside was far more entertaining than anything at the table.
Xia Luo had climbed a tree. With both feet planted on a forked branch, she hugged the trunk with one arm and stretched the other toward the roof.
Rainbow had moved to another chimney and perched on top of it, the wallet pinned beneath its claws. Its head tilted slightly.
It looked as though it were grading her performance.
The oversized parfait and lemon tart on the table were gone.
The Crème Caramel, Lava Cake, and Mango Pomelo Sago still sat there untouched.
Lin Xi lifted her head, glanced at the three desserts, then quietly lowered it again.
"There are still three left."
"I know."
"Then why aren't you eating them?"
"I can't. I really can't."
She sounded utterly sincere. Then she looked up at Chen De.
"Why don't you help me finish them, Sister Su?"
Chen De pointed her fork at the unfinished Tiramisu in front of her.
"I haven't even finished mine. How am I supposed to help you?"
"Come on, Sister Su. Help me out."
"You picked them. You finish them."
"Please help me."
Lin Xi drew out the words, resting her chin on the back of her hand as she gazed at her pleadingly.
"Please, Sister Su."
Chen De's fork stopped in midair.
She watched Lin Xi for a while, then finally set the fork back on her plate.
"Just this once."
"Yay!"
Lin Xi