Chapter 133 - Let The Party Start

Surprisingly, dinner was delicious. Every thing was tasty and it meant that they had ample supply of ingredients in the kitchen. Qing Chen knew that it was Feng Xuan who had been in charge of the food. The meals in his father's house were great under Ms. Shao Ai. But nothing could beat his wife's cooking.

It was like he could gobble every bowl and plate there was on the table. There was a room with the sole purpose for meals. Tables were laid down on the floor to form a long one and they crowded around it. Master sat at the head.

There was a slightly loud chatter around the table and the brothers tried their best to memorize their names but not all of them were talkative. The most loquacious one had to be Shao Fang.

One look at him and Qing Chen knew he was a people person. He ought to be the strongest among the bunch and stood as their unspoken leader. He lead the introduction of his friends with a cheery voice and a huge smile. He was tall and his muscles popped out against his shirt. He had an open face but he had rather ridiculously thick eyebrows. Qing Chen could not help but think they looked like burnt caterpillars on his forehead.

He wanted to pay attention to what he was saying but his eyes kept on looking at it. By the way Wuming was toeing his foot under the table. It seemed like he was not the only and he kept a smile to himself.

Feng Xuan sat beside Qing Chen in the middle of the conjoined tables. It took him by complete surprise when Caterpillar Eyebrows suddenly served Feng Xuan a piece of meat from the huge bowl in the middle all the while he was still talking—like it was second nature—like he had done it a hundred times before.

"Thank you," Feng Xuan quickly said, taking a cautious peek at Qing Chen.

"No worries," Shao Fang said and continued on talking about their activities throughout the day. He was like the annoying tour guide that would not stop talking. 

Wuming toed him hard as if saying 'look at what he's doing to your wife.'

Qing Chen toed back harder. 'Shut up.'

In panic, Feng Xuan grabbed the ladle and scooped soup for the Qings. 

"Thank you, MS. FENG," said Qing Chen.

She lowered her head and wished that the ground would swallow her whole. She had completely forgotten to mention how close she had gotten with Shao Fang over the past few weeks.

All throughout the meal, Qing Chen watched in fascination as Shao Fang continued to place food in his wife's plate. He did not do anything about it because he found it amusing. Feng Xuan's shoulders were hunched and he could barely see her face. She must be blushing like a tomato right now.

At one point, Feng Xuan actually said, "Thank you, Shao Fang. But I think I can find meat all on my own."

The other guy just grinned at her. "It's not like I'm choosing the meat for you. It's just that I know you liked the part where there's a little sliver of fat at the side. I just happen to scoop it up and instead of bringing it back in the bowl, I'll just give it to you. Eat up, there's still a lot more here."

Qing Chen was aware that Qing Lok was also assessing his emotions. But really, all he wanted to do was laugh. It was nice to know that someone as nice as Shao Fang was taking care of his wife while they were apart. He just hoped he knew that that was the end of the line.

Finally when the bowls were taken away, they started to file out, leaving the people assigned to kitchen duties to clean it all up. The brothers started to clear the tableware but the Master waved them away. "Get some rest. You'll get your evaluation before lights off. Get ready."

Qing Chen looked at Feng Xuan and she just nodded back at him. The Qings left the dining room and up to their floor.

**

"I can't believe you just sat there and watch," muttered Qing Lok when they were at Qing Chen's room.

"Were you raised a dog?" said Qing Chen. "You don't fight over meals."

"Even so! He was clearly hitting on sister-in-law."

"We shouldn't jump to conclusions. I will ask Feng Xuan about it later. Besides, our real relationship could not be known to them."

Wuming was perched on the windowsill. "No, Chen. He was hitting on her alright?" he laughed. 

Qing Chen also had the same feeling, but if so… surely Feng Xuan would have mentioned it when they visited and when they were talking earlier in this very room. He just did not want to make an assumption. There was no sense in wasting emotions. His wife was somewhere in the building and he could talk to her directly about it. No need for inconveniences of a fight.

But even if he had tried to convince himself with that, he could not help the rising of something burning in his chest. It was as if a thousand ways of killing someone had been conjured in his mind.

"How do you want him?" asked Wuming.

"I'm not even thinking about that," he denied.

"Har-har," said Wuming. "Say it, I'll help you. But before anything else, I will shave those hideous eyebrows. I think I'd take the skin with it. It'll look nice on a frame."

Qing Lok started laughing. "I thought I was the only who noticed."

The brothers were still joking around when they heard a knock on the door. "The Master calls for the three of you."

Wuming immediately jumped from the sill and smiled. "Yes! This is what I came for. Let's go!" he lead the way down to the first floor. "Let the party start!"