NOVEL NEXT Chapter 53 - 53: Half a Master
Chapter 53: Half a Master
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Whether she lives or dies is beyond our control,” Lu Chen remarked while clasping Fang Jiayi’s hand. “Shall we dine at the restaurant across the street?” “Sure.” To keep an eye on Fang Yuan’s situation, Fang Jiayi opted for a window seat, granting her a view of Fang Yuan post-work.
In the top-tier private room of the Starry Night Restaurant.
“Young Master Bo, Young Madam Bo, please have a seat.”
From the opulent and spacious private chamber, they could gaze upon the scenery beyond. Perched atop a mountain, this upscale eatery offered a celestial view if one were to lift their eyes to the open ceiling.
Seated beside Fang Yuan, Bo Yi’s grasp on her hand remained firm, his other hand presenting an iPad before her. “What tickles your palate?”
Fang Yuan skimmed the menu and placed an order nonchalantly.
Bo Yi appended a few more selections. As the manager exited the exclusive enclave, Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow and inquired, “Could you release me now?”
Bo Yi, with earnestness, inquired, “A little longer, perhaps?”
Fang Yuan.”….”
Bo Yi: “Just a tad longer.”
Fang Yuan.”….”
Swiftly diverting, Bo Yi suggested, “The daytime view from this establishment is rather splendid. Would you permit me to bring you here to behold it next time?”
“…” Fang Yuan withheld a response. After a brief pause, the manager arrived with a cadre of chefs, bearing the array of dishes.
From today’s luncheon at the Cheng Family residence, Bo Yi had gleaned Fang Yuan’s preferences and aversions regarding cuisine.
“Are you sure you’ve ordered enough?” Fang Yuan questioned, eyeing the spread on the table before her.
“Take your time,” Bo Yi reassured, still tenaciously holding her hand. With his chopsticks in the other hand, he even served her food.
Fang Yuan was rendered speechless. “Could you please let go…” How could she possibly eat like this?
Bo Yi promptly released her right hand and smoothly intertwined his fingers with her left, seamlessly continuing their interaction.
“…Is this really how you want to dine?” Fang Yuan struggled with this unfamiliar arrangement.
Bo Yi: “Yes.”
Fang Yuan: “Boyi, 1 think we need to have a serious conversation.”
“We’ll talk after we’ve eaten,” Bo Yi responded, presenting a peeled shrimp with one hand. “Want to give it a try?”
Fang Yuan: “Just put it in the bowl, I can manage.”
As she spoke, Bo Yi took the opportunity to slip the shrimp into her mouth.
Fang Yuan warned him with her eyes, but Bo Yi feigned ignorance, his tone affectionate. “How does it taste?”
Fang Yuan huffed, “It’s not a big deal.”
Beside her, the Western chef appeared alarmed. In broken Chinese, he inquired, “Young Madam Bo, is there something wrong with the dish? Please tell me, and 1’11 make it better right away!”
Fang Yuan tried to explain with a sigh, “I’m not talking about the food, I’m talking about people.”
Utterly perplexed, the Western chef struggled to understand.
Bo Yi intervened: “You can all leave.”
Upon hearing this, the manager and chefs hastily departed. Their expressions seemed as though they had just survived a crisis.
“Are you upset?” Bo Yi regarded the young woman before him with tender eyes. “I was overly anxious.”
Fang Yuan: “Could you sit across from me?” To be honest, a bit of distance would be appreciated!
Bo Yi: “I’d rather sit next to you.”
Fang Yuan found herself momentarily speechless, struck by the sincerity in Bo Yi’s gaze. She had to summon her determination to remain awake until their meal concluded. As the lights in the dining area dimmed, the ceiling slid open, unveiling a magnificent starlit sky.
Gazing upward, Fang Yuan was transported back to her youthful days in the countryside. She hadn’t anticipated encountering such a breathtaking vista atop this mountain. Back then, Fang Liguo and Song Ling hadn’t yet established their careers, often being away from home, engrossed in their pursuits. It was Granny Fang who filled the void, spending night after night with her. Those rural nights mirrored the one she found herself in now, stars strewn across the firmament. Yet, despite the unchanging sky, people had transformed…
A sudden strain of violin music erupted from a corner of the private chamber. When the melody concluded, a burst of multicolored fireworks erupted in the night sky. Fang Yuan watched the display, then shifted her gaze to Bo Yi. The reflection of the fireworks seemed to intensify the clarity of her eyes, but if examined more closely, a hint of sorrow appeared to linger within them?
Bo Yi yearned to delve into that emotion, but like fireworks, the sorrow vanished in the blink of an eye.
“All of this was your doing?” Fang Yuan queried, captivated by the pyrotechnics.
“Yes,” Bo Yi confirmed, uncertain whether this composed and slightly distant woman would appreciate such a surprise. “Do you lean more towards men in the medical profession, or those outside of it?”
Amused, Fang Yuan decided to play along. “Medical men, definitely. They’re practical and useful.”
“Even those outside of medicine can be practical in various ways. There’s a type of usefulness you’ve yet to witness,” Bo Yi murmured into her ear suddenly.
His cool tones seemed to carry a subtle suggestion, causing Fang Yuan’s cheeks to flush. Unintentionally, her thoughts ventured into territory she probably shouldn’t have…
After a brief interlude, the fireworks subsided, the ceiling gradually sealed shut, and the private room’s illumination gradually intensified. As the lights fully restored the ambiance, the violinist in proximity took a bow in acknowledgment of the audience’s appreciation. Just as she was poised to depart, her gaze inadvertently brushed Fang Yuan’s figure at the periphery, causing her to startle. Huh? Wasn’t this almost her mentor? The woman who had once imparted valuable advice on her violin skills, yet had been reluctant to formally mentor her.. Encountering her in this setting was beyond her expectations!