Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

Sure enough, there was a dish of chilled seaweed on the table at dinner.

The translucent, emerald-green seaweed is a common ingredient on the dining tables of the Ocean Empire, resembling elongated green coral. Each branch has a round, spherical object filled with sweet juice that bursts in your mouth with a bite. Paired with a specially prepared broth, it's so delicious you'll want to swallow your tongue.

Commoners' tables usually feature simple mixed dishes, but nobles are obviously much more particular. They would grind some of the ice with milk into ice crystals and carve some into cute little snowflakes to sprinkle on the plate.

Jiang Yu still remembers the slight widening of Fan Qingyin's eyes when she first ate it, and the slight smile that appeared in her eyes when she saw the snowflakes.

Feeling guilty, she proactively served Fan Qingyin several dishes, and he actually ate more than usual. Jiang Yu finally relaxed and urged Lin Yi to eat more. This earned her a light, slightly jealous remark from Lin Yi:

"Xiaoyu knows Qingyin likes ice silk seaweed, so she specially asked the kitchen to add it, right? Does Xiaoyu know what my favorite dish is?"

Jiang Yu really didn't know what Lin Yi liked to eat. It seemed that he ate meat more often than vegetables. Jiang Yu was a little embarrassed and was about to apologize when she heard Lin Yi say, "Anything that Xiao Yu puts on my plate or that she prepares for me with care is my favorite dish."

It was practically saying something like, "My expectations are so low, Xiaoyu, and you still don't treat me the same way. I'm so heartbroken."

"Did you go to the kitchen to add this especially for me?" As if the atmosphere wasn't chaotic enough, Fan Qingyin chimed in, "I really like it, thank you for your thoughtfulness. Please eat more too, it's not good to just eat desserts all the time, you should also eat more vegetables and meat."

As she spoke, she moved the plate of stewed vegetables and ham in front of her to Jiang Yu, and then gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Jiang Yu's ear with her slender fingers.

"Just like you said, we'll handle some business together tomorrow afternoon. Should you come to my room or should I go to yours?"

"Um, I'll come to your place, it'll save me the trouble of moving things around." Under the gentle gaze of those icy blue eyes, Jiang Yu had no time to think about anything else and could only follow the other person's lead, answering blankly. Then, a loud bang was heard.

It was the sound of a chair being thrown back, harsh and jarring, just like the stiff smile on Lin Yi's face as he stood up.

He said, "I'm full, you guys take your time," and strode away.

The flickering candlelight seemed to sense his displeasure, as did Jiang Yu. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Although she hadn't planned to develop a real emotional entanglement with them so quickly, she felt deeply uneasy that Lin Yi's emotions had been affected to such an extent. Just as she was struggling with this dilemma, Fan Qingyin took her hand.

“Let him go. He’ll have to figure it out himself eventually.” Fan Qingyin paused before continuing, “I was numbered first, and the default rule is that I have priority, but he wants to compete for everything. I can understand his affection for you, and I can let it go, but you will have other partners in the future, and he can’t keep doing this forever.”

"Qingyin, you know I don't want to hurt any of you. I'm afraid that my choice will be a misfortune for you, but it's true. I don't have the same attitude towards marriage as other women. I know this is unfair to you, and I'm sorry..."

Jiang Yu's mind was in turmoil, and her words were somewhat incoherent. Fan Qingyin didn't let her finish, but leaned forward and hugged her, pretending not to notice the body in her arms that instantly stiffened, and gently comforted her:

"Xiaoyu, don't say anymore. I don't mind. I believe Lin Yi won't mind either. Just like you said, we can take it slow. Don't put pressure on yourself."

Jiang Yu resisted the urge to immediately break free and jump up, forcing herself to relax: "Thank you, Qingyin."

“I believe that I will wait until the day when you truly accept us. I think you may have some special experiences, and I am willing to wait until the day when you share them with me. You chose me as your partner, and I feel very happy to be able to stay by your side for a lifetime. We still have a long time to be together.”

Fan Qingyin knew that things couldn't be rushed; getting Jiang Yu to fully accept him and fall in love with him would be a very long process. He could only try little by little and couldn't be too hasty. So he simply gave his wife a light hug and then released her from his arms.

Jiang Yu finally relaxed. "Qingyin, from now on, let's not address each other like 'you' in private. It sounds too formal."

"Yes, everything is as you wished." Fan Qingyin stroked her hair.

Even as she went to bed that night, Jiang Yu was still a little dizzy. She had been completely fooled by Fan Qingyin. What a first impression! It was the biggest deception she had ever seen in all her years. What happened to her otherworldly aloofness and cold indifference? This guy was clearly a master at flirting; in modern times, he could practically have a whole Pacific Ocean of girls.

Jiang Yu wondered if it was just his imagination, but Fan Qingyin, who came from a family of priests, was indeed very good at bewitching people. If he wanted to, his eyes and actions could become his weapons. Jiang Yu wondered if it was because his skills were too shallow to resist the temptation, or if he had this ability on everyone.