Page 131

Not long after, Qin Ke finished his morning training and bathed. He had just put on his outer robe when Rong Xi entered carrying a tray, a particularly lovely smile on his face.

Setting the lacquer tray on the table, Qin Ke lowered his head and saw two bowls of noodles. He could not help asking, "Noodles today? We will not dine with the others?"

Rong Xi nodded. "Just the two of us will have noodles. I have already given the order; we will not dine together today."

Though Qin Ke did not understand why, he did not ask further. After sitting down as instructed, he picked up some noodles and was about to put them in his mouth when Rong Xi stopped him.

"You cannot break them!"

Cannot break them? Qin Ke eyed Rong Xi suspiciously for a long while before a flash of insight struck him. His heart instantly warmed, and he smiled. "Today is my birthday. I actually forgot it completely. Thank you, Lan Zhi."

Though his smile was faint, it was exceptionally handsome, as though his whole person were glowing.

"Hurry and eat," Rong Xi urged, suddenly bashful. "We still have to go to the yamen afterward."

After finishing breakfast, the two left the residence and headed for the prison office.

Along the way, Rong Xi plucked a green leaf and tucked it into his sleeve. Qin Ke asked curiously, "Why did you take a leaf?"

Rong Xi smiled mysteriously. "You will know once we reach the yamen."

When they arrived at the prison office, Cheng Hao had not yet come to work. Rong Xi brought Qin Ke into a room reserved for his use, where he developed various devices.

In recent days, he had shut himself away to study a new device. He had ordered