Chapter 85: 黏黏糊糊
[Sticky and gooey]
Unaware that someone had already taken a liking to him, Tang Xiaobao was earnestly preparing the most crucial ingredient for the dishes he’d be serving soon. Since the place had recently gained fame, even though both the number of tables served daily and the items sold were limited, the combined volume remained substantial.
To ensure the efficacy of the dishes, Tang Xiaobao personally handled many tasks, often ending up thoroughly disheveled in the process. It wasn’t until Lühe couldn’t bear to watch anymore and complained to Ji Ling several times that change came. Threatened by Ji Ling that the shop would be shut down if this continued, and warned the servants here as well, Tang Xiaobao was finally forced to lighten his load.
Once Tang Xiaobao personally prepared the raw materials, the servants who had been watching his every move immediately stepped forward. They swiftly took over his tasks and got to work with deft efficiency.
After this period of adjustment, the staff at the small shop had become highly proficient. Thus, once Tang Xiaobao finished his portion, he stepped aside to rest.
Ji Ling had specially prepared a small rest room for him here, where he could go to rest when tired. Though compact, it still accommodated a bed and a table for storing items, and the space didn’t feel particularly cramped.
The moment Tang Xiaobao opened the door, he spotted the person sitting there and immediately broke into a wide smile, preparing to run over. After two excited steps, he seemed to sense something amiss and abruptly halted. He then cautiously observed Ji Ling, his instincts telling him the man was deeply displeased. The gloom radiating from Ji Ling’s entire being—much like when they first met—instilled an inexplicable fear in Tang Xiaobao.
Perhaps hearing the commotion, Ji Ling turned toward the sound and saw Tang Xiaobao standing there, staring blankly at him. He froze. It had been ages since he’d seen someone look so afraid of him. Remembering the matter he’d been worrying about, he still waved at Tang Xiaobao.
Watching Ji Ling’s gesture, Tang Xiaobao hesitated. He scrutinized Ji Ling’s expression repeatedly, finding nothing amiss, and cautiously approached him.
As Tang Xiaobao drew near, the icy chill surrounding Ji Ling spread out like a tangible substance. When Tang Xiaobao was just a step away, Ji Ling pulled him close and embraced him. Burying his face in Tang Xiaobao’s neck, he sighed softly, “You, huh.”
Tang Xiaobao looked up at the man holding him, utterly baffled. He simply reached up to ruffle Ji Ling’s hair, asking in confusion, “What’s wrong? I haven’t done anything lately.”
Hearing Tang Xiaobao’s oblivious tone, Ji Ling lifted his head to look at him seriously. “Did you put that ability you used to save me into the soups you’ve been making?” Sure enough, the body in his arms stiffened. Xiaobao murmured a defense, “I only used a little bit.”
One hand wrapped around Tang Xiaobao’s waist, the other pinched his cheek, forcing his gaze to meet him.
Seeing the reproach deep within Ji Ling’s cold, clear eyes, Tang Xiaobao felt incredibly guilty, yet he couldn’t look away. After a moment, perhaps stung by Ji Ling’s grip, tears welled in Tang Xiaobao’s eyes. He looked up at Ji Ling pitifully.
Seeing this, Ji Ling sighed silently. He loosened his hold, gently wiping the tears from the corner of Tang Xiaobao’s eye. His voice was soft but firm: Are you a child? You cry so easily.”
Tang Xiaobao knew this time he was at fault. Seeing Ji Ling’s anger subside, he tugged at his sleeve, eyes still wet with tears. “I know I was wrong. Please don’t be angry. I haven’t seen you like that in so long. I was scared.”
Ji Ling paused, then realized what Tang Xiaobao had truly feared upon entering. Looking at the pitiful little crybaby before him, even the hardest heart would soften. He quickly explained, “I wasn’t scolding you. It’s just that what you did this time was too reckless. If it attracts unwanted attention, you’ll be the one in trouble.”
Ji Ling had told him all this from the start. Hearing it again now, he still nodded sensibly before quietly defending himself. “I was really careful this time. I just hoped those medicinal dishes would work, but there’s absolutely no way they could bring about a miracle like yours. And even if I wanted that, there’s no way I could make it happen.” A hint of lingering frustration crept into his voice.
Seeing Tang Xiaobao’s expression—part aggrieved, part hesitant to say more—Ji Ling found him utterly adorable. He couldn’t resist kissing his cheek. As he looked at him with a puzzled expression, he said with complete seriousness: “I’ve never asked how you cured me, but I do want to know. That way, if you use it again later and I can’t cover for you, we can avoid trouble. If the person targeting you this time hadn’t happened to be someone I know, things could’ve gotten messy.”
Tang Xiaobao listened, aware of the double meaning in Ji Ling’s words, yet his face still flushed.
Staring at Ji Ling, who was looking at him with intense seriousness, Tang Xiaobao paused to think for a moment. Then, shifting into a face-to-face position, he held out his open palm toward Ji Ling.
Gazing at that plump, pale little hand, Ji Ling looked up at him with confusion. Soon, a translucent blue orb appeared in his palm, rolling continuously yet hovering just above his hand.
Witnessing this phenomenon materialize out of thin air, Ji Ling’s pupils suddenly contracted. He then looked up at Tang Xiaobao with disbelief, struggling to ask, “Is this your secret?”
Tang Xiaobao nodded. After a moment of internal conflict, he decided to withhold part of the truth. Looking at Ji Ling earnestly, he said, ” I’ve had this thing since I was a child. And don’t be fooled by its gem-like appearance—it’s actually like water.” He took Ji Ling’s hand and lifted it, letting him gently touch the sphere. Sure enough, the once perfectly round ball was instantly distorted into various shapes by their fingers.
Staring at this peculiar sight for several seconds, Ji Ling turned to Tang Xiaobao and asked earnestly, “Since this is the treasure that saved me, how do you use it?”
Clearly prepared for this question, Tang Xiaobao gestured for Ji Ling to focus on the object in his hand before explaining lightly, “This thing can spread over ingredients like a layer of mist, granting them magical properties.” As he spoke, the sphere in his hand transformed into a thin watery veil that dispersed outward. Yet, seemingly lacking anchorage, it drifted for a moment before coalescing back into its original spherical form.
Ji Ling watched him as he curled his open hand back into a fist, clasping the object securely within his palm. Then, looking at Tang Xiaobao with earnestness, he said, “You must never speak of this to anyone else.”
“Hn.” Tang Xiaobao looked back at him, the lingering redness and swelling making him appear unusually docile. He knew Ji Ling cared for him deeply, which was why he had dared to bring this thing out. “Don’t worry. No one else can see this. As for how you saw it, I don’t know either. But I just feel like it wanted you to see it.”
Ji Ling saw that Tang Xiaobao didn’t seem capable of grasping the concept, so he nodded. Still, he cautiously repeated his warning several times, as if afraid Tang Xiaobao might forget.
Tang Xiaobao stood nearby, looking like he dared not speak his mind, even puzzling over why Ji Ling—once so reserved—had suddenly become so talkative. Yet he still couldn’t bring himself to voice these thoughts in front of her.
From that day onward, the bond between Ji Ling and Tang Xiaobao visibly strengthened. Where once they might have been together when one was available, now they clung to each other whenever time permitted—inseparable, practically glued together.
Beyond their deepening romance, another significant development unfolded: the business Ji Ling had partnered on with Lei Ming and others began to expand rapidly. It was even starting to quietly build a reputation within the capital’s circles. Even the perpetually busy Patriarch Ji had heard whispers of this success and suspected Ji Ling’s involvement. When investigators returned with their findings, it was revealed that while the primary players remained unidentified, the pivotal figure smoothing the way was none other than the eldest son of the Lei family.
Upon learning this, Da Lao Ye pondered long and hard before summoning Ji Ling back.
Observing Ji Ling, who now appeared even more distinguished than when he’d first returned, and reflecting on how vastly different he was from his childhood self, the patriarch couldn’t help but sigh. Looking at him, he asked, “Do you resent the Ji family for neglecting you back then?” His question addressed the entire Ji family, encompassing every member present.
Ji Ling looked at him, waved his hand with a calm and composed air, then turned his gaze to the window, speaking with apparent indifference: “If you ask about the past, I was only puzzled—puzzled as to why they chose that path. But later, I came to accept it. For I am a member of the Ji family, born with Ji blood flowing through my veins. What is there to resent?”
Hearing Ji Ling’s words, the Patriarch grew visibly excited. He clapped his hands twice, then fixed him with a sharp gaze, his voice tinged with unnamed agitation. “Do you know about that organization that’s recently emerged?”
Even without the Patriarch spelling it out, Ji Ling understood exactly what he meant. Before the Patriarch could ask, he spoke up: “That was me and Lei Ming, working together.”
At Ji Ling’s words, the Old Master’s eyes lit up. He quickly uttered several “good”s before stepping forward, patting Ji Ling on the shoulder. “Though the Ji family treated you poorly in the past, hearing you say that truly brings me great joy. I am old now, but the Ji family endures. It will still need a capable head to lead it in the future.”
Ji Ling kept his head bowed, his expression difficult to discern.