Chapter 78: Gathering |
It wasn’t until the afternoon that a series of knocks on the door echoed.
Lin Jing awoke and then walked out to open the courtyard door.
Standing at the door was none other than Huang Qingling, and of course, the Black Kite perched on her shoulder.
The Black Kite still glared at Lin Jing with hostility, but it didn’t launch any attack.
Lin Jing was at a loss for words, clearly being the victim himself, yet targeted by the Black Kite as if it were the one aggrieved.
“Lin Jing, I’ve come early, you don’t mind, do you?”
As she spoke, Huang Qingling walked into the courtyard.
“You jest, Qing Ling,” Lin Jing replied.
“Take a seat for a bit, I’ll go prepare the ingredients. By the time Elder Yu returns tonight, it should be just about ready.”
Lin Jing just smiled and left her be.
Although he hadn’t cooked in a while, the skill seemed to be etched into his brain, leaving a deep impression.
By evening, smoke rose from the kitchen as Lin Jing bustled about on his own.
Soon, the aroma wafted out, and Huang Qingling, drawn by the scent, kept glancing toward the kitchen, losing any interest in playing.
Only when it got dark and the meal was fully prepared did Elder Yu finally arrive, just after Huang Qingling had set the table.
“Elder Yu…”
“Hurry over, we’ve been waiting for you.”
Lin Jing opened the courtyard door to welcome Elder Yu inside.
“I’ve just finished dealing with matters at Yuebaolou and hurried over this
“I had planned to invite Elder Bai too, but he was occupied with something
“Did I keep you waiting long?” Elder Yu asked the two.
“Not at all, the meal was just finished. You’ve arrived at the perfect time,” Lin Jing said with a smile.
“Old Man Yu, come quickly, I can hardly wait any longer.”
“Forget Old Man Bai; if he were here, none of us would feel at ease.”
Having said that, Huang Qingling looked at the dishes on the table, already salivating.
The smell of the food had roused her appetite while Lin Jing was cooking.
Now that the dishes were on the table, she was eager to start eating; only the wait for Elder Yu had prevented her from beginning.
“Good… good… good…”
Elder Yu said, walking over with Lin Jing.
After all three were seated, Lin Jing spoke first:
“Come, try this and see how it tastes?”
Both of them reached out with their chopsticks, each picking up a slice of meat and putting it into their mouths.
“MmnF”
Huang Qingling’s eyes lit up, and she quickly reached for another dish.
“This one’s good too…”
Elder Yu, in contrast, was much more elegant.
“Hmm… indeed, it’s good.”
“Didn’t expect you had this trick up your sleeve, Lin,” he commented.
“Excellent, excellent…”
With her mouth full of food, Huang Qingling muttered:
“Indeed, I think it can even compete with the chefs of Drunken Immortal
Pavilion.”
“No way, I must come every day for you to cook for me.”
“That probably won’t do; he still has alchemy to do,” Elder Yu interjected quickly.
Rolling her eyes, Huang Qingling spoke up:
“How about I talk to Elder Bai and have him reduce Lin Jing’s tasks a bit?”
“Fellow Daoist Qing Ling, as an Offering Priest and Pill Master for Yuebaolou, that wouldn’t be quite right,” Lin Jing said.
“How about this instead? I’ll take time each month to cook for you a few times, how does that sound?”
“Oh yes, yes…,” Huang Qingling immediately clapped her hands in approval.
Meanwhile, the Black Kite stared intently at the slowly eating Huang Qingling, fidgeting restlessly.
“What’s the matter, you want to eat too?” Huang Qingling turned her head and asked.
The Black Kite nodded repeatedly.
Clearly, it understood Huang Qingling’s words.
“But the dish was made by Lin Jing, so we definitely have to ask him. You were so fierce to him before, what if you apologized to him?”
Both Lin Jing and Elder Yu were curious, watching the effortless communication between the person and the eagle.
However, the Black Kite didn’t seem convinced and glared at Lin Jing before turning its back on him.
Still, it kept glancing back at the table laden with delicacies, especially at the roasted chicken in the middle that was exuding a delicious fragrance. Lin Jing couldn’t help feeling a bit awkward as he touched his nose.
“Let it eat,” Elder Yu finally spoke, breaking the tension.
“Alright, Elder Yu…” Huang Qingling said cheerily.
She then picked up the roasted chicken from the table and tore off a large piece.
“Little Sparrow, come…”
Ignoring the Black Kite’s feelings, Huang Qingling took a large piece of meat and stuffed it into the Black Kite’s mouth, causing it to flap its wings constantly and roll its eyes until it finally caught its breath after a long while.
Seeing this, Lin Jing couldn’t help but smirk.
“Elder Yu…”
Then, Lin Jing brought out the Qinghua Drunk he had prepared earlier.
Elder Yu chuckled with laughter.
“Ha ha… you really know me. How can there be no wine at the dinner table?”
Lin Jing opened the wine pot, and the aroma of the wine filled the air. Elder Yu took a deep breath and said with emotion:
“Fragrant…”
“Really fragrant…”
Lin Jing poured a cup for Elder Yu and himself. Just then, Huang Qingling decided she didn’t want to be left out.
“I want some, too…”
“Elder Yu, you’ve been sneaking drinks from me. I’ve seen it all.” “With Old Man Bai not here, I want to have a taste as well.”
“Elder Yu…?” Lin Jing looked at Elder Yu, seeking his opinion.
“Since Qing Ling wants to drink, let her have a cup to taste,” Elder Yu nodded.
“Alright..
After saying that, Lin Jing took out a cup and poured one for Huang Qingling as well.
“Here’s to you, Elder Yu…”
“I’d like to toast to you, for taking care of me all this time.”
Saying this, Lin Jing raised his cup towards Elder Yu, then drained it in one gulp.
Seeing this, Huang Qingling also took her cup and mimicked Lin Jing, about to pour it into her mouth.
Shortly after…
“Cough… cough cough..
‘What is this? It doesn’t taste good at all.”
Huang Qingling scrunched up her face and spat the wine out of her mouth.
“Hiss… ha…”
“Why is it even a bit spicy…”
Huang Qingling quickly took a few bites of food to suppress the spicy sensation in her mouth.
“Ha ha ha…” Elder Yu burst out laughing. “Now you know why I didn’t let you drink…’
“Elder Yu, is this what you drink all the time…?”
“Yes, what do you think? Want to drink more?” asked Elder Yu with a nod.
“I’d rather not, I’m never drinking this again…” Huang Qingling shook her head like a rattle drum.
At that moment, the Black Kite had already finished the large piece of meat and looked at Huang Qingling with a puzzled expression, then glanced at the cup that still had half a cup of wine left.
Then, it hopped off Huang Qingling’s shoulder, bent down, and started to sip from the cup.
But soon…
The Black Kite fluttered its wings and flew out the door, going straight to the fishpond to plunge its head into the water.
Then, it glared at Lin Jing angrily.
Lin Jing felt quite innocent; after all, he poured the wine but the eagle drank it on its own initiative—he hadn’t done anything.
Next, the Black Kite transformed into a streak of black light and shot out….