Take the first step.

The banquet was arranged in a secluded courtyard behind Zhao Caiyi’s palace, with a large mountain behind it, and a waterfall cascading down the cliffs, along with a babbling brook.

Divine Deer drank from the stream, butterflies danced among the flowers, and the mountain peaks were wreathed in clouds, with Immortal Qi drifting about; a Secret Realm of the immortals could be no more beautiful.

In the back courtyard was a precious pavilion on a lake, where green lotus shoots emerged, and lotus flowers, green with a hint of pink, were budding, their fresh fragrance wafting over, intoxicating the senses.

It was in this small pavilion on the lake that a table laden with a feast of delicacies was set: Dragon liver and Phoenix marrow, bear paws and ape lips, Immortal Fruits, and divine spring jade liquid and nectar, too numerous to count.

Zhao Caiyi smiled and said, “These are all relatively simple things; I hope Young Master will not mind them.”

“With fine wine and delicious food, and the company of a beautiful woman, how could I mind?” Xiao Fan said with a smile.

Zhao Ling’er stood in front of Zhao Caiyi, separating her from Xiao Fan, not allowing him to get close.

“Please, sit.” Zhao Caiyi also noticed Zhao Ling’er’s actions, feeling a bit helpless.

Xiao Gongzi is clearly a gentleman, so why are you so hostile towards him?

The three sat down; this was considered a family banquet, with servants waiting outside, only entering when called, so there were only the three of them present.

Zhao Caiyi’s jade-like hand lifted a golden goblet and personally poured a cup of clear wine for Xiao Fan, handing it to him.

She said, “Actually, I also considered giving Young Master other gifts of gratitude, but with Young Master’s skill and vision, my Zhao family truly cannot offer any gift that would satisfy Young Master.”

Xiao Fan took it and said, “It was just a small effort, nothing worth mentioning.”

Zhao Caiyi shook her head and softly said, “The Zhao family I control can only barely defend itself against the other two families. Your immediate eradication of those two families truly helped me greatly.”

“Great kindness needs no words of thanks; I ask Young Master to drink this cup to the full.”

Xiao Fan smiled and drank the wine.

The wine was fragrant from the spring and pure, with a long aftertaste; it was good.

The two kept chatting and laughing, and Zhao Caiyi proactively poured wine for Xiao Fan again and again, and picked up her jade chopsticks to add dishes for Xiao Fan, her smile radiant and her eyes full of affection.

This made Zhao Ling’er grit her teeth, holding a chopstick in each hand, secretly pressing down on the jade plate, her gaze constantly shifting between the two.

Even though she was also sitting at the dining table, she felt like an outsider, only able to watch the two of them chat and laugh heartily.

“This Dragon liver was cut from a Golden Dragon in the Heavenly River waters; it tastes good, you should try it.” Zhao Caiyi proactively picked some for Xiao Fan, carefully selecting the tenderest pieces, afraid that Xiao Fan might not be accustomed to the taste.

“Oh, I’ll try it.”

Seeing Zhao Caiyi constantly adding dishes for Xiao Fan, Zhao Ling’er was very angry. She said, “Aunt, I want that Dragon liver too.”

Zhao Caiyi’s smiling face froze for a moment. She said indifferently, “Can’t you pick it yourself?”

Zhao Ling’er was dumbfounded. No, you proactively pick dishes for him and smile so happily.

When I ask you for some, you’re unwilling.

No, I’ve only been back for a few days, and you already dislike me this much?

So, will love disappear?!

Zhao Ling’er’s pretty face fell. She looked at Xiao Fan with a resentful glare, thinking, ‘You little brat, it’s not enough that you’ve charmed my two Revered Masters, now you want to charm my Aunt too.’

Zhao Caiyi saw her expression and felt a little unbearable, so she picked two pieces of Dragon liver for her.

This made Zhao Ling’er even sadder. Her beautiful eyes welled up with tears, and she choked out, “So, Aunt, are you pitying me?”

This made Xiao Fan chuckle. ‘That’s good.’

‘You little brat, you’re even jealous, aren’t you?’

“Ling’er, stop making a fuss,” Zhao Caiyi said.

“I will make a fuss, I will make a fuss! Didn’t you say that your heart was dedicated to pursuing the Dao, with no romantic attachments?”

“How can you forget what you once said, the moment you see him?” Zhao Ling’er demanded, puffing out her cheeks.

Asking such a question in front of Xiao Fan.

This made Zhao Caiyi lose a bit of face. She chided, “How can you talk nonsense? I’m just thanking Young Master Xiao, that’s all.”

Zhao Ling’er snorted, “Whether you have selfish motives, you yourself know, hmph!”

With that, she got up from the table and ran out without looking back.

Xiao Fan seemed to have discovered something extraordinary. ‘So, you also harbor ulterior motives.’

‘Coincidentally, so do I.’

“Young Master Xiao, I’ll be leaving for a moment.”

“No problem, please do.”

With Zhao Ling’er’s angry departure, Zhao Caiyi reluctantly had to follow, leaving only Xiao Fan behind.

However, he was not surprised.

On the contrary, he found it amusing, viewing his relationship with Zhao Ling’er as if watching a play.