Cheng Bai was usually arrogant and unrestrained, rarely this cautious. Wang Jin couldn't quite describe his feelings, only that his heart felt stifled. For Cheng Bai, and for the original owner.
He remembered clearly from the memories how much effort the original owner had expended making this robe.
Yet, when the original owner had presented this robe to Cheng Bai back then, Cheng Bai had rejected it with disgust.
Afterwards, the robe had been buried at the bottom of a chest by the original owner. This time, Wang Jin had dug it out, modified it, and presented it to Cheng Bai again, only for him not to remember it.
He had forgotten all the pain he had caused the original owner, or perhaps those actions had been unconscious, and he had hurt the original owner without realizing it.
And now, he held this robe with such joy, as if he had obtained some incredible treasure... it felt deeply ironic.
The robe he once scorned was now held in his hands like a treasure...
If only he could have been like this back then, the original owner would never have...
Wang Jin sighed. "This robe... I gave it to you once before, years ago. You said it was ugly and gave it back to me."
"!" Cheng Bai's joy froze on his face. He held the robe and examined it carefully, finally dredging up the long-buried memory from his mind.
The robe had been altered from its original form. It was once an overly elaborate and ornate design, still in that same light pink. Back then, Xi Yao had held it out timidly, making it seem particularly awkward and, in Cheng Bai’s eyes, quite ugly.
Cheng Bai had thought back then that only a ger would wear such a flashy robe, and his face had immediately darkened. He had lectured Xi Yao harshly, saying all sorts of unpleasant things.
The little delicate one had still saved face for him by saying he had "given it back." In reality, back then, he had thrown it at Xi Yao's feet...
Cheng Bai's face turned pale. Wang Jin said, "I'll wait for you up front. You should go take a hot bath. Your body is completely frozen stiff." With that, he led his servant toward the front.
Cheng Bai watched Wang Jin's back, a wave of regret sprouting from the depths of his heart, completely drowning him.
Lost in thought, he walked back to his room and obediently took a hot bath. As the warmth spread through his body, steam filled the room. Cheng Bai stepped up to the mirror.
The person in the mirror had a deathly pale face. Even though he had just taken a hot bath and was warmed by the steam, his face showed no trace of flushed color, still as pale as paper.
He suddenly remembered that when the little delicate one had been rejected with the robe, his face had also been utterly devoid of color. Back then, he had thought the little delicate one was simply weak, so weak he had no vitality, and had inwardly mocked him severely.
Cheng Bai raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face, his heart aching as if cut by a knife.
Cheng Bai looked at the pink robe, pursed his lips in thought, then picked it up and put it on. The robe fit perfectly, even the waist was extremely tailored. Cheng Bai's waist had always been somewhat smaller than the normal proportion. Usually, when having clothes custom-made, he had to specifically remind them to make the waist a size narrower. But this robe fit just right...
Cheng Bai thought carefully but could not recall the little delicate one ever having taken his measurements. Without taking measurements, yet knowing... the little delicate one had truly been attentive to him back then.
Cheng Bai felt slightly better. He went out, cut off more than half of the Haiqiong meat, used all the skills he had learned before, and prepared a large table of dishes.
When all the dishes were laid out, Wang Jin somewhat regretted his lie. He was already full. Now, no matter how he looked at these dishes... he couldn't eat any more.
He reluctantly tried a few. The skill was far inferior to Yuan Heng's, and the Haiqiong, having been frozen, wasn't very fresh either...
Wang Jin forced himself to eat a little before putting down his chopsticks.
Seeing this, Cheng Bai picked up food for him. "Eat more."
"... No need, I'm full," Wang Jin said. "You eat. I heard you've been locking yourself in the ice room and haven't eaten much. Go ahead."
Cheng Bai said, "So you'll just watch me eat?"
Wang Jin nodded: Best to let this man eat before discussing matters, lest he lose his appetite again.
Cheng Bai smiled faintly. "Keep me company. I made all this for you. What's the point of me eating alone?" As he spoke, he again picked up food for Wang Jin.
Wang Jin frowned and refused. After refusing two or three times, the man kept serving him. The fishy smell alone was already making his stomach very uncomfortable, constantly making him feel nauseous, and now this person kept serving him over and over. Wang Jin felt inexplicably irritable.
"I said I'm not eating anymore!" Wang Jin pushed his bowl and chopsticks away and shouted.
Cheng Bai's movements halted. Wang Jin glared at Cheng Bai angrily.
"..." Cheng Bai's fingers trembled slightly, feeling like he could hardly hold the chopsticks. He set them down, subtly retracting his trembling hand into his sleeve.
"It's just... I thought, since this Haiqiong was hunted for you, I always hoped you would eat more of it." As he said this, his expression held some grievance, and even his voice trembled, as if harboring countless emotions.
"..." Wang Jin felt a twinge in his chest. Cheng Bai had always been teasing and confident around him; this vulnerable, remorseful side was unsettling.
Wang Jin frowned as he looked at Cheng Bai for a moment. Seeing he wasn't picking up his chopsticks, Wang Jin's frown deepened.
He's not going to eat? Well, if he's finished, then we might as well get down to business.
A thoughtful gleam flickered in Wang Jin's eyes. He cleared his throat and began to speak. "Cheng Bai, think back. Wasn't the old 'me' always clinging to you? I cooked for you, but you never tasted it. I made you clothes, and you're only wearing them now. All I wanted was to be near you, but you always sent me away."
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