Chapter 76: A Bitter Meal and a Gentle Threat

Lu Chen stared intently at the young woman, his mind a tempest of conflicting emotions. The more gentle and amiable she appeared, the more his own feelings surged with a bewildering mix of rage, suspicion, and anger.

‘What exactly are you trying to achieve?’

‘You couldn’t possibly have overlooked my strangeness, could you? You must realize you’ve already given yourself away.’

‘Stop enacting this clumsy, repulsive charade while wearing Xia Shi’s face! Do you truly believe you can continue to deceive me?’

‘You could effortlessly crush me with a single finger! Cease this pretense and just do it—’

“Hurry. The food is getting cold.”

The young woman extended her fair hand, offering the chopsticks closer still. Lu Chen gritted his teeth, then raised an arm and snatched the utensils, his movements so crude they suggested he was grinding down a mortal enemy.

A look of satisfaction crossed the girl’s face as she rested both hands back on her lap. Yet, her bright eyes remained fixed on the young man, studying him intently.

‘Damn it, what am I doing…! Just end all of this now!’

Lu Chen bitterly cursed himself in his mind, then abruptly turned his head away from her, focusing his entire attention on the bento box before him.

The bento box was a delicate off-white, its smooth bamboo surface adorned with a simple, etched drawing of a small hedgehog. The clasps on either side were delightfully rounded, resembling a cat’s ears. Every minute detail perfectly aligned with Xia Shi’s known preferences.

A sudden pang struck the young man’s heart. He drew a sharp breath, tightening his grip on the chopsticks.

His current state was far from normal; he hadn’t managed to fully compose himself.

If things continued this way, he wouldn’t accomplish anything. He desperately needed more time to adjust.

‘As long as I consume this box of vile contents, more repulsive than vomit, “Arrogance” should momentarily cease her machinations… Then, I can gradually contrive a plan to kill her.’

The young man tried his utmost to disregard the girl’s gaze, plunging his chopsticks mercilessly into the heart of the rice.

It was evident the young woman had been remarkably careful and meticulous when arranging the dishes within the box; each component lay perfectly neat within its individual compartment.

Lu Chen roughly pushed the rice, meat, and vegetables into a crude mound. With an indifferent expression, he casually picked up a piece and brought it to his mouth.

A rich aroma immediately diffused across his tongue. The sweet, succulent fragrance of pork tenderloin, the crisp, fresh scent of spring onion tofu, the mellow, earthy aroma of the rice… Despite his uncouth manner of eating, the depth of the young woman’s effort was undeniable, and the myriad flavors harmonized exquisitely.

The rice was cooked to perfection, plump and firm. The spring onion tofu and the other accompanying dishes were equally flawless. Only the pork tenderloin was slightly too sweet, a detail that was exactly like one of Xia Shi’s old habits.

Lu Chen was on the verge of relaxing his tense brows, but he managed to snap back to reality at the last possible moment, maintaining his stern expression.

He anxiously and irritably shoveled mouthfuls of food into his mouth, swallowing them whole. He desperately hoped this would make them taste unpleasant and repulsive, or at least alter the flavors slightly for him.

Yet, the nostalgic and deeply familiar taste inevitably spread through the young man’s mouth, conjuring countless memories of days and nights spent sharing meals with Xia Shi.

Unconsciously, his movements slowed as he ate, and he began to meticulously chew every single morsel of food.

The young woman quietly observed the silent young man as he ate, her soft sleeves swaying gently. A profound joy shimmered in her beautiful eyes.

Within moments, Lu Chen had devoured every last bit of the meal.

He instinctively turned to search for a spoon, intending to scrape clean the clinging grains of rice and vegetable scraps from the corners of the bento box. Then, abruptly, he became aware of the young woman’s unwavering gaze.

The small bento box suddenly felt like a venomous snake, lethal to the touch.

Lu Chen instantly snapped back to his senses, slamming the box heavily onto the tabletop with a dull thud. His shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and his breathing and heartbeat grew increasingly rapid and panicked.

‘What exactly am I doing? What is it that I’m so terrified of?’

‘No matter how perfectly she feigns it, she isn’t Xia Shi; she is a monster brimming with malevolence! During this deceptive encounter, Lu Chen finally comprehended the true nature of this strange person. What purpose is there in indulging in this illusory dream? I must expose her at once!’

As Lu Chen’s thoughts twisted into a chaotic knot, the young woman was also gazing blankly at him.

She hesitated for a moment, as if overcome by apprehension, then gingerly pulled out a tissue and offered it to the young man, who was still staring.

“Here, wipe your mouth…”

Lu Chen’s pupils trembled as he snatched the tissue. He took a deep breath, then stood from the chair with an abrupt bang, tearing the tissue forcefully into two pieces.

White paper scraps drifted down listlessly, settling on the young woman’s lap. Lu Chen glared down at Xia Shi’s bewildered and confused face, clenching his fists tightly.

He drew a deep breath, then spoke slowly:

“I’m telling you, stop pretending.”

“Pretending…? I’m sorry, I don’t quite grasp your meaning…”

“I already know who you are. There’s no need to continue with these sickeningly hypocritical pleasantries.”

It was an unequivocally stark revelation, a deliberate threat seething with barely contained rage. Yet, Lu Chen uttered the words with a tremor in his voice, his weakness so profound he wished he could sever his own neck then and there.

He held his breath, his gaze fixed on the young woman, waiting for her to reveal her true nature.

However, she merely tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes remaining innocently clear.

The young woman observed the young man, then rose from her chair and moved closer, a faint fragrance wafting over Lu Chen.

Before he could even contemplate resistance, she had already extended a warm, soft palm and placed it gently against his cheek.

“I truly don’t know what you’re talking about… But please, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. Given your close relationship with the Heart of the Moon, surely you’ve already grasped my intentions, haven’t you?”

As the young woman spoke, she gently stroked the young man’s cheek, her movements so tender and loving they resembled someone cherishing a beloved pet. Her beautiful eyes gazed at him with tranquil intensity.

“I simply wish for your happiness, nothing more.”

“I will accompany and protect you, just as I did a year ago, ensuring you never feel lonely or uneasy.”

“You needn’t do anything, nor need you ponder anything. Simply live well, happily, and contentedly… This path will benefit both of us.”

The young woman’s voice was as soft as flowing water, seeping into the young man’s very skin. Lu Chen stared into her dark, profound eyes, feeling all strength drain from his body, his mind a complete blank.

He recalled Xia Shi’s every expression, managing to reclaim a sliver of his strength. He opened his mouth, intending to utter words of defiance.

However, the young woman extended another slender, fair finger, gently pressing it against his lips.

She curved her lips, revealing a truly gentle smile.

“Mr. Lu, there is no need to rush your decision. Please take some additional time to compose yourself and carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option.”

“You are both intelligent and resilient, and I am confident you will make the correct choice.”

After slowly concluding her words, the young woman withdrew her finger and ceased stroking Lu Chen’s cheek, her smile growing even softer.

“Tomorrow is Sunday, and as is customary, I will invite you to ‘A Bite of Sweetness’ for cake. I shall not trouble you further for now. Please take care of your health and do not forget to eat your dinner.”

The young woman carefully wiped away the rice grains that had fallen onto the table. She then placed the lid back on the bento box, fastened it securely, and returned the box to the plastic bag.

Having finished tidying, she offered Lu Chen a faint smile, then, with her feet together, bowed slightly. Only then did she pick up the plastic bag and silently exit the room. With the crisp click of the door closing, Lu Chen was once again left utterly alone.

Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, and the dense banyan tree rustled softly. He stood numbly by the table, staring blankly at the closed door, remaining silent for a very long time.