Song Xiangyu was contemplating whether to pinch his nose and try the dish first, intending to criticize the Dragon Liver Phoenix Marrow Soup as utterly worthless regardless of its taste. By the time he realized it, Song Yan had already vanished. He stamped his foot in anger:
"Old man, Yan Yan is becoming more and more ill-mannered. She's abandoned you, who just returned from the brink of death, to entertain someone downstairs."
As if determined to infuriate Song Kaichao, Song Xiangyu paused and then added with all his might:
"Hmph! It must be that fellow Chen Xiao again, trying to swindle for food, drink, money, and women. He's truly despicable!"
Song Kaichao's expression turned extremely grim. The veins on the back of his emaciated hands bulged, and his frail body trembled. If he hadn't been leaning on the sofa, he likely would have collapsed.
But then, a flicker of relief replaced the anger on his face. He shook his head repeatedly as if comforting himself, saying:
"No, no, no! Since that Chen fellow has already been taken away by the Dragon King's men, even if he doesn't face a firing squad, he's certainly destined for a long prison sentence. How could he possibly have the chance to harm Yan Yan and Nuan Nuan anymore? In my opinion, the person Yan Yan is so eager to entertain downstairs is most likely Ye Qingtian."
"I heard that Young Master Tian was practically driven out by Chen Xiao at Partridge Heaven yesterday, losing all face. Now he suddenly shows up, could he be here for revenge against our family?"
Thinking this, Song Xiangyu was immediately terrified. He quickly helped the equally panicked Song Kaichao downstairs.
...
In the spacious, antique private room downstairs, Chen Xiao and Zi Dan were already seated, personally attended by Song Yan.
Song Yan, attracted by Zi Dan's unfamiliar face, couldn't help but politely inquire:
"Dr. Chen, may I ask who this elder sister is?"
Although the Border Army, led by the Dragon King, was renowned, they were elusive. Very few ordinary people had ever seen their true faces. If it hadn't been for Jun Dao stepping forward half a year ago to understand Song Kaichao's condition and identify herself, Song Yan might not have even met Jun Dao, let alone Zi Dan, who had never publicly revealed her identity as a formidable female general.
"This..."
Chen Xiao didn't know how to introduce Zi Dan and was momentarily speechless.
Zi Dan, having anticipated this, calmly interjected:
"I am Chen Xiao's distant cousin, nicknamed Zi Dan. I've just come from my hometown in the countryside to tour the city."
"Zi... Sister Zi Dan, h-hello. I am Dr. Chen's good friend, Song Yan."
Song Yan, usually gentle and sophisticated, found Zi Dan, who stood nearly two meters tall and had a ferocious scar on her left eye, to be striking in every way. She couldn't help but lose her composure for a moment before saying:
"Sister Zi Dan, may I ask what you would like to eat? How about trying our restaurant's newly launched signature dish, the Dragon Liver Phoenix Marrow Soup? It's a peerless delicacy specially prepared by Dr. Chen!"
The quietness of Partridge Heaven had not diminished Song Yan's admiration for Chen Xiao in the slightest. As she spoke, her beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliance.
However, as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized it might not be appropriate and added with an embarrassed shake of her head:
"Since Sister Zi Dan is Dr. Chen's cousin, she must have already had the good fortune to enjoy the Dragon Liver Phoenix Marrow Soup, perhaps even to the point of being tired of it. How about something else?"
"Cough cough..."
Chen Xiao, fearing that any more words would lead to trouble, couldn't help but cough repeatedly:
"Miss Song, there's no need to be so polite. Actually, Zi Dan and I are passing by and wanted to borrow a few things from you."
Song Yan, both polite and loyal, nodded without hesitation:
"Dr. Chen and Sister Zi Dan, please don't hesitate to ask for anything. As long as I, Song Yan, can provide it, I will offer it immediately!"
Chen Xiao didn't stand on ceremony and got straight to the point:
"I need a bowl, a cucumber, two eggs, and then Bai Jili, Bai Fuzi, Bai Zhi..."
"This..."
Song Yan had already prepared herself to fulfill Chen Xiao's every wish, even if he asked for the stars in the sky, at any cost. Hearing Chen Xiao's request, she was suddenly stunned.
"Hahaha—"
At the same time, Song Xiangyu's laughter suddenly erupted from outside the swaying curtain. Holding her sides with laughter, she unceremoniously lifted the curtain and sneered:
"As expected of someone from the countryside, daring to ask my Song family for a cucumber and eggs, hahahaha..."
Following closely behind, Song Kaichao, who had just barged into the private room, felt utterly humiliated. With a grim expression, he forcefully threw a check he was carrying at Chen Xiao's face:
"Chen Xiao! As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. It doesn't matter if you and your poor relatives are shameless, but the face of our Song family, the richest in the land, is extremely precious! Get out now, and go as far away as you can. This check is enough for you to buy ten thousand broken bowls, cucumbers, eggs, and countless worthless traditional Chinese medicines!"
Song Yan immediately became anxious:
"Grandpa, what are you doing? Dr. Chen is your savior..."
"Savior, my foot!"
Song Kaichao interrupted Song Yan unceremoniously:
"Yan Yan, you need to be more sensible. That Chen fellow is suspected of poisoning me and the Dragon King. Disaster is surely imminent. If we continue to associate with him, we will eventually be implicated!"