Two days later, Mo Hua went to see Mr. Zhuang again and played chess with Gui Laodao for a while. When it was time to leave, he met Bai Zisheng and Bai Zichao at the door. During the New Year, Mr. Zhuang was lazy, so he let the Bai family siblings have a holiday as well. They came at this time to pay their respects to Mr. Zhuang.

When Bai Zisheng saw Mo Hua, his eyes lit up and he asked, “Mo Hua, are you also here to pay your respects to Mr. Zhuang?”

“Yeah.” Mo Hua nodded, “I’ve already seen Mr. Zhuang, now I’m going home.”

Bai Zisheng was a little regretful, and immediately asked, “Can I go to your house to play?”

“Sure.” Mo Hua said, then hesitated, “Why do you suddenly want to go to my house?”

Bai Zisheng said without concealment, “I want to go eat meat.”

“You don’t lack meat to eat, do you? If you don’t eat demon meat, you can still have spirit meat.”

Bai Zisheng looked left and right, and quietly said to Mo Hua, “Aunt Xue’s cooking can be hard to eat.”

Bai Zichao gently glared at Bai Zisheng.

Mo Hua was then a little speechless.

“Don’t tell Aunt Xue, or she’ll be angry,” Bai Zisheng said.

“Don’t worry.” Mo Hua thought for a moment, then asked, “But will Aunt Xue let you go?”

“I’ve already thought of an excuse,” Bai Zisheng said proudly, “Just say that I usually rely on you and Aunt Liu’s care, so I want to visit and express my gratitude.”

“Okay, as long as you can convince Aunt Xue.”

Bai Zisheng nodded and said, “Then it’s settled, I’ll go back and tell Aunt Xue.”

“What do you want to eat?” Mo Hua said, “I’ll go back and have my mother prepare it in advance for you.”

“Anything is fine, as long as there’s meat,” Bai Zisheng was not picky at all.

Mo Hua then looked at Bai Zichao.

Bai Zichao thought for a moment and said softly, “Anything is fine.”

When Mo Hua returned home, he told his mother about it.

Liu Ruyi was a little surprised. She had only heard Mo Hua mention that there were two siblings who studied with him under Mr. Zhuang, and they were children of a prominent family, extraordinary in appearance, character, and learning, but she had never met them. Now that they could come to play, Liu Ruyi was naturally happy.

“Although you are all only nominal disciples, studying together means your relationship is deeper than that of fellow disciples in a general sect, so you must entertain them well.”

Mo Hua nodded.

In the evening, Aunt Xue personally brought Bai Zisheng and Bai Zichao to visit. Aunt Xue was still wearing a veil, but her clothes were much simpler, and her cold temperament was also restrained, making her look much more amiable. Bai Zisheng and Bai Zichao were both wearing light white elegant Daoist robes. Although the material was good, it did not look luxurious. Only their outstanding appearance and temperament made it difficult to hide their extraordinary looks, no matter how low-key they dressed.

As soon as the Bai family siblings entered the door, Liu Ruyi was stunned for a moment. Bai Zisheng was handsome with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, while Bai Zichao was even more fair-skinned than snow, with eyes like stars, like a jade carving. She looked at Bai Zisheng, then at Bai Zichao, and couldn’t help but sigh in her heart, “There are actually children in this world who are so beautiful.”

Aunt Xue presented a gift, which was a first-grade hairpin, exquisitely crafted and magnificent. Liu Ruyi then took out various pastries and small foods to entertain them. In the clean and tidy living room, Mo Hua and Bai Zisheng and Bai Zichao sat on one side eating, while Liu Ruyi and Aunt Xue exchanged greetings on the other side. Bai Zisheng glanced at Liu Ruyi, thinking to himself that this is what someone else’s mother is like, she smiles very kindly, will personally make things for her child to eat, and will also look at her own child affectionately. Bai Zisheng lowered his eyes, his mother was not like this, and rarely smiled. Bai Zichao’s expression was still faint, her eyelashes lowered, and a trace of melancholy and envy flashed in her autumn-water-like eyes.

Mo Hua didn’t know why they were a little down, so he pushed the food box in front of them: “My mother specially made these for you, they might be delicious.”

Bai Zisheng’s attention was then attracted by the food box. He took a bite of meat, his eyes lit up, and he asked curiously, “What kind of meat is this?”

“It’s a kind of rabbit meat, more delicate than common demon meat, and very chewy, the taste is also fragrant, but it’s very troublesome to prepare.” Mo Hua explained to Bai Zisheng, “Usually, if I want to eat it, my mother won’t necessarily make it for me. I also took advantage of you this time.” Mo Hua also took a bite, his heart satisfied and his eyes narrowed. Bai Zisheng was moved and said gratefully, “Thank you, Aunt Liu!”

Liu Ruyi smiled gently, “If you like it, eat more.” Bai Zisheng nodded continuously, and the troubles from just now all disappeared.

Bai Zichao looked at the pastries in front of her, somewhat lost in thought. The pastries were in five or six colors, in various styles, and each pastry still had different flower patterns. Some were osmanthus, some were plum blossoms, some were peach blossoms, some were orchid flowers, they looked exquisite and delicious, emitting a faint sweet scent. For a while, she didn’t know which one to eat. Bai Zichao struggled for a while, then started from the beginning, tasting each one one by one, some were soft and sticky, some were crispy, and there was still a faint flower fragrance. Everything tasted sweet when eaten…

Liu Ruyi saw that Bai Zichao loved to eat and couldn’t help but smile, her heart couldn’t help but praise, “This little girl, even when eating, is so good-looking.” Bai Zichao ate the pastries with a serene expression, only to find that Liu Ruyi was looking at her with gentle eyes. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do, she lowered her head slightly, and a faint red glow appeared on her fair face. Liu Ruyi liked her even more, poured a cup of tea, handed it to Bai Zichao, and said softly, “There are still many pastries, if you don’t mind, take some back later.” Bai Zichao nodded and said softly, “Thank you, Aunt Liu.”

Aunt Xue saw the situation and asked, “Sister Liu, I wonder how these pastries are made…” Aunt Xue could also cook some meals, but she was not proficient, only barely edible, just to fill the stomach. When the three of them traveled to study with Mr. Zhuang, she cooked all the meals along the way. Originally, Bai Zisheng and Bai Zichao didn’t say anything about eating, but since they ate what Liu Ruyi made, they had a comparison, and they didn’t like eating what Aunt Xue made as much. Each has their own expertise, Aunt Xue knew she wasn’t good at cooking, but for Bai Zisheng and Bai Zichao siblings, she still wanted to try to learn something.

Liu Ruyi saw that she had an extraordinary temperament, and not to mention that she didn’t do housework, she probably rarely dealt with these things. So she started from the most basic, explaining the ingredients, heat, steaming or frying, one by one. Aunt Xue then knew that cooking originally had so many complexities. To make a dish that was complete in color, aroma, and taste, it required many processes and patience, and it was very laborious. Bai Zichao’s expression was faint, but her gaze was all on Liu Ruyi, and she also listened very seriously.

After a while, Mo Shan returned and was slightly surprised to see guests at home. It was the end of the year, and Mo Shan also had many social engagements, welcoming and sending off guests, exchanging courtesies. Occasionally, he would also drink with his brothers in the demon hunting team. He had been busy for half a day and had just returned at this time. Liu Ruyi simply introduced them, and Mo Shan also smiled and nodded. Seeing the appearance and temperament of the Bai family siblings, he was secretly surprised. Children of prominent families with such dragon and phoenix-like appearances would all study with Mo Hua at Mr. Zhuang’s place, which shows that Mr. Zhuang is indeed an extraordinary expert. It is indeed a great opportunity for Mo Hua to be accepted as a nominal disciple by Mr. Zhuang. Mo Shan was even more grateful to Mr. Zhuang in his heart.

Bai Zisheng saw that Mo Shan was tall and heroic, with eyes like swords and light steps, and then asked with interest, “Uncle Mo, are you a demon hunter?”