Chapter 21: It’s Fine, Continue Eating

"Master…"

"Are there really monsters here?"

Su Chichi asked softly, biting her finger. Rather than fear, as one might expect from a child her age, she showed a spirited curiosity when mentioning monsters.

"There are indeed," Chen An replied affirmatively.

Instantly, Su Chichi's eyes lit up. "Who is it? Is it that older sister's older sister? Or maybe her mother?"

Chen An glanced at her and shook his head lightly. "Neither."

Su Chichi was about to ask more when her little nose suddenly twitched, and saliva involuntarily trickled from the corner of her mouth.

"That smells delicious…"

"Hungry?"

"Mhm!" Su Chichi nodded energetically.

At this moment, all her prior fascination with beautiful immortal sisters paled in comparison to having something tasty to eat.

Moreover, she listened to her Master's earlier exchange with that young woman. Although she hadn't fully grasped it, she noticed the woman's impatience toward her Master. Coupled with the earlier incident at the gate, Su Chichi was actually feeling somewhat upset.

These people had no idea how incredible her master truly was! Yet they dared talk nonsense, labeling him as some wandering charlatan…

Lost in thought, she tugged at her master's sleeve gently. "Master, why don't we just leave without eating?"

Chen An looked down, smiling faintly. "What's wrong?"

Su Chichi lifted her little face with a pout. "They're all big dummies who look down on you, Master. Chichi doesn't want to eat with them."

Chen An gently patted her head. "But we came here to return something. Eating is merely incidental."

Upon hearing this, Su Chichi lowered her head, twisting two fingers together with regret. "If I'd known earlier, I wouldn't have eaten that piece of pastry."

She remained puzzled. "Besides, didn't that older sister give it to us voluntarily? Why must we return it?"

Chen An smiled faintly, leading her toward the banquet hall. "To put it nicely, it's fate."

"What a lousy fate!" The little girl puffed her cheeks disdainfully.

After a pause, she asked curiously, "Then, Master, what if we don't put it nicely?"

"Not nicely?" Chen An pondered briefly. "Well, let's just say it's because we're bored."

…

They soon entered the banquet hall. Countless banquet tables filled the expansive space, surrounded by prominent figures, from refined scholars to high-ranking officials. They chatted eagerly, exchanging toasts and flattering each other incessantly.

"Oh, I've long admired you!"

"Oh, please, you're too kind!"

Everyone smiled radiantly, basking in a joyful atmosphere.

This was indeed the City Lord's manor of Luoyang—a place where great minds conversed, and no commoner tread.

Yet, amid this harmonious scene, an unusual pair had quietly slipped in—a hungry master-disciple duo.

In an inconspicuous corner of the hall, Chen An picked up a piece of candied fruit of unknown ingredients and gently offered it to his adorable disciple. "Say 'ah'."

Without hesitation, Su Chichi eagerly bit into it, smiling contentedly, dimples forming on her little face. "Thank you, Master!"

She bobbed her head happily and selected another appealing pastry.

Probably, among everyone present, only this master-disciple duo genuinely cared about eating.

Both were unaware that their antics had attracted someone's attention.

Young Master Wang Shaoze waved lazily, and his ever-ready lackey hurriedly approached.

"Ergou, look over there—isn't that the swindler who was blocked outside earlier? How did he sneak inside again?"

Following Wang Shaoze's gesture, Ergou looked over and immediately confirmed, "Indeed, Young Master. It's definitely him."

Looking at the master-disciple pair engrossed in their food, Wang Shaoze's lips curled mockingly. "Some people simply can't rise above their station. Surrounded by influential figures, he misses a perfect chance to ingratiate himself, instead fixating only on mere food."

"Tsk, how laughable."

Ergou nodded vigorously, adding obsequiously, "Exactly as Young Master says—someone who crawled out from who-knows-where can't possibly grasp such opportunities."

Gesturing eagerly, Ergou continued, "Should I kick them out?"

Wang Shaoze waved dismissively, sipping from his crescent-shaped cup and smirking. "Why go to such lengths?"

"He's merely worthless riffraff begging for scraps. Targeting him directly would only lower our own status."

Ergou hurriedly nodded, praising enthusiastically, "Truly wise, Young Master! Your magnanimity accommodates even such insignificant fools."

"All right, stand aside now."

Wang Shaoze waved him away and leisurely approached a nearby table where some self-proclaimed cultured scholars were engaged in conversation.

Seeing him arrive, they greeted him warmly, teasing, "Young Master Wang! Long time no see. Heard you recently took in two new concubines. Must be having quite the time with beauties that enchanting!"

"You jest, Scholar Qi," Wang Shaoze smiled gracefully. "If interested, I'll have someone deliver them to you tonight. How does that sound?"

He deftly exchanged pleasantries and comfortably joined their discussion.

As he talked, Wang Shaoze glanced once more at the corner, noticing that the Daoist was still completely focused on his food. He inwardly scoffed, a sense of superiority washing over him.

Indeed, some gaps between people were insurmountable—akin to a majestic king of the jungle compared to a mere countryside dog. They could never be mentioned in the same breath.

Chen An remained blissfully unaware of Young Master Wang's internal monologue. He had currently transformed into an emotionless pastry-feeding machine.

Su Chichi ate happily, and he dutifully fed her.

Time slowly passed until nightfall. Gradually, the noisy banquet grew quieter as attendees realized something was amiss.

The banquet was almost over, yet there wasn't the slightest sign of either the bride or groom.

Even the City Lord Ji Ping and his legendary second daughter, said to possess immortal powers, had yet to make any appearance.

Dissatisfied murmurs filled the hall. Though Ji Ping was the city lord, everyone here was distinguished in their own right—trade guild leaders, high-ranking officials, prominent intellectuals. None of them had ever endured such neglect.

"What's wrong with City Lord Ji? He's kept us waiting so long!"

"Hmph! If you ask me, let's just leave. Ji Ping thinks highly of himself, but I don't buy it!"

"Well said, Brother Li! I see no point in staying."

"Gentlemen, please calm yourselves. I've already sent someone to inquire. We should have an answer shortly."

After this heated exchange, the hall descended into a deathly silence.

The crowd's expressions darkened further. If Ji Ping couldn't provide a satisfactory explanation, they'd not hesitate to openly express their displeasure.

At that moment, the hall was utterly silent.

Suddenly, a loud "crunch, crunch" echoed clearly through the hall, especially noticeable given the current tension.

All heads turned toward the noise.

A little girl, cheeks puffed up adorably, was cheerfully biting into a crisp cracker larger than her head.

Feeling countless gazes upon her, she instinctively shrank her shoulders, her chewing becoming softer.

Just then, a gentle voice beside her spoke calmly.

"It's fine, continue eating."