When Fan Dazhi saw Linu again, he could scarcely tear his eyes away.
Her cloud-dark hair was loosely gathered into a drooping horse-fall bun, with a plain silver kingfisher-feather dangling hairpin set at an angle. Over her moon-white, cross-collared blouse and skirt, she wore a peacock-blue gauze robe, its hem embroidered with countless lotus blossoms in silver thread. As the lamplight swayed, the petals seemed to bloom one after another amid emerald ripples.
"A-Nu, try this... and this. Oh... this is good too. Ah... this chicken steeped in Huadiao wine really is exquisite..."
Fan Dazhi kept serving her food until the little plate before Linu was piled into a small mountain.
"You should eat too..." Linu picked up a piece of mandarin fish with her chopsticks and slipped it gently between her rosy lips. Seeing Fan Dazhi watching her without so much as blinking, she could not help flushing, two rosy clouds rising over her cheeks.
Fan Dazhi propped his chin in both hands and watched Linu with a smile. "I'm full... you eat more. Whatever you can't finish, take it back later. No wonder people say beauty is a feast for the eyes. If I could look at you like this every day, A-Nu... I'd gladly go without food."
Linu's dark brows drew together slightly. "I thought... you were an honest man. I never imagined... you could be such a smooth talker."
"No... no, A-Nu, don't be angry..." Seeing her displeasure, Fan Dazhi frantically waved both hands. His face reddened as he hurried to explain, "What I meant was... your beauty and talent are peerless. I..."
Seeing his face and ears turn red with anxiety, Linu pressed her lips together in a smile. "I'm not angry... I know you're a good man."
Fan Dazhi immediately sagged with relief. He