"Yeah, I had the same reaction as yours when I found out." Master Zhang voiced heartily.
"Auntie Lu, You can start to serve the dishes," Yuxi said as she sat beside Zhang Chen.
After the dishes were served, an appealing aroma wafted around.
"I can't wait anymore. Dear, Quick Ahh.." Master Zhang turned to his wife and opened his mouth.
"Don't be ill-mannered in front of father. Let him eat first." Madam Zhang bellowed.
"Don't worry, Mom. I will take care of him. You two enjoy the dinner." Yuxi uttered as she put one handkerchief on his shirt and the other one on his lap.
"Let me feed you, Grandpa," said Yuxi, placing the porridge in front of him.
"My dear wife, Can you?"
Madam Zhang sighed and helped him eat the meal. She also took a bite of the braised chicken while Yuxi was feeding her grandfather.
"Yuxi, T-This.." Hearing her father calling her out, she looked at him.
Seeing the sight in front of her, she was speechless. "Why are you both crying?"
Wiping the tears off her face, Madam Zhang spoke in delight "We are just proud. Our daughter has matured so much without our knowing. I have never eaten such an appetizing braised chicken ever in my life. Don't you agree, Honey?"
Zhang Long, who was munching on the meal tears brimming on his face, nodded his head. "Princess, where did you learn cooking? From whom? I wish to show my gratitude to the chef."
"Whom?..Um..I..Ah, The thing is the chef...I mean I can't tell you. I happened to help him once; he noticed I didn't know anything about cooking. Thus, he decided to help me learn from the start. He especially mentioned not to disclose his identity but he didn't tell me the reason. To avoid being rude, I didn't ask." voiced Yuxi.
"Really? That's bad. Yuxi, don't forget to thank him in our stead. Trust me, this feels like heaven. You must be hungry. Start eating, I will help dad." Madam Zhang praised as she took another bite.
"N-No, It's fine. I am on a diet. I will eat something later. Today, I want to stay and take care of grandpa." Yuxi said, softly blowing on a spoonful of porridge.
"Grandpa, Open your mouth. Ahh.."
Zhang Chen gradually opened his mouth and ate the porridge.
"Is it good?" Yuxi asked with a smile.
Zhang Chen didn't respond instead he slowly lifted his trembling hands and patted Yuxi's head. The Zhang Couple also stopped eating and exchanged glances within them before smiling wholeheartedly.
Tears began to roll down Yuxi's cheek as she gave him a warm hug. She whispered, "I will miss you, Grandpa."
'I wanted to have my last dinner with him. But, Am I being selfish? Was it wise of me to make such a request to master since she already said he won't actually die? Yet, the warmth of his hands every time he pats my head, the gentle smile he gives me every time I tell him about my achievements..'
'The affection he showed me since I was small, Why..Why it is so hard to let go? Even though you are in front of me, I already miss you, Grandpa.'
Thoughts swarmed her mind as she gently tightened her grip.
***
-A dimly lit room-
"Ah, my headache is worsening day by day. It feels like someone is squeezing my skull. " voiced Shen Xiu Ying, massaging her temple.
"Supreme Deity, Spirit God has arrived." A soft voice rang from outside.
"Let him in."
The door opened as a middle-aged man entered, lowering his head. Kneeling down, he kowtowed with the utmost respect "Spirit God pays respect to Supreme Deity."
"Rise."
He rose to his feet, still lowering his head before asking "Deity, What is the matter that you called for me so urgently?"
"Maste-"
The man cleared his throat "*Ahem* with due respect Deity, I hope you won't call me that from now on."
Xiu Ying knitted her brows. She uttered "I called you because I am having trouble with headache nowadays. Err..To be honest, since I have already sealed the room, is it necessary to converse so formally? At least look at me while we talk, Hmm?"
As she spoke she started to uncover her veil.
The man panicked, he hastily spoke "Please don't ever do that. You mustn't reveal your face to anyone."
"Then, let's have a normal conversation."
*Silence*
"Oh Supreme Deity-" He was cut off by a loud thud.
Stunned by the sound, he lifted his head to take a quick glimpse.
"XIU YING!!" Horror-Struck, He hollered as he dashed towards the collapsed Shen Xiu Ying.
"Xiu Ying..Xiu Ying, What happened?" He voiced anxiously, holding onto her body.
His quivering hands moved towards the veil, yet halted. He mumbled various chants. A blue layer began to form in front of him.
"I am sorry." After contemplating thousands of times, he eventually took off the veil.