Chapter 121 - Bitter Pill
When Ru walked back to the sitting area, Xiao Zhi Ren was about to get up. He was planning on seeing if everything was alright with her since she took about twenty minutes.
"There you are! What took you so long?" Ru was expecting that question which was why she didn't get fl.u.s.tered at all.
"This place is huge. I lost my way back. Took a while to find my way back here. Phew!" Ru added a wiping sweat gesture to emphasize on the point that she was indeed lost.
"Oh, dear! It's alright as long as you found the way back. And I agree, this house is really like a maze. When I first came here after marriage, I often forgot my way as well." Old Madam Ji obviously believed Ru's excuse and even added her own old stories to make sure that Ru didn't feel embarrassed at all.
But Xiao Zhi Ren wasn't as easy as his grandmother. He narrowed his eyes at Ru and when she didn't avert her eyes at all, he was certain that she was lying. Usually, people would get fl.u.s.tered up when they lie, but she wasn't one of those.
Seeing that the tea was cold now, Old Madam Ji asked for adding more boiling water. "Young Master Rong, if you have any tea preferences do let me know."
"Old Madam Ji doesn't need to worry at all. I'm quite fond of Chrysanthemum tea. I especially love its floral aroma. Floral-based infusions had always been my favorites." The way Ru talked about the tea made Old Madam Ji look at her with even more appreciation.
"Young Master Rong seems to have insightful knowledge about tea culture," Old Madam Ji remarked with a slight smile on her face.
"The credit should go to my mother. She always said that a man should know about all aspects of his culture. Tea had been her companion for years. Therefore, I eventually had to adapt to it as well." From her tone, anyone could see that she had a strong sense of respect and love for her mother. And it made Xiao Zhi Ren feel a bit lost. If it was her parents who made her disguise as a male for all her life, she should have a little bit of resentment for them. But she didn't seem to do so.
"Your mother sounds like a great lady." Ru smiled genuinely at Old Madam Ji's words.
"She is indeed great..." Ru mumbled softly but since Xiao Zhi Ren was right by her side, he heard her clearly. "Anyway, I think you should bring Kuding[1] for your grandson here. He is quite fond of bitter coffees and I'm sure Kuding will suit his taste."
Old Madam Ji chuckled heartily at Ru's words.
"Did you just shade me right before my own grandmother?" He questioned incredulously.
"Yup, I did!" Ru didn't deny it at all.
"You should be glad that I like bitter things."
"Oh, really? And why is that?"
"If I didn't like bitter things, I wouldn't have been able to be your sworn brother."
"Huh? How does being sworn brother have anything do here?"
"Rong, only someone like me who likes bitter things can swallow a bitter pill like you."
"You! How dare you!"
"Haha..."
The sound of hearty laughter made both of them stop their banter and shift their gazes towards the elderly lady who was enjoying herself seeing them bickering like husband and wife. And oddly, she didn't even mind the idea at all. What a pity that they both were men!
"Grandma, are you laughing at my expense right now?" Xiao Zhi Ren didn't like it that his grandmother was enjoying herself while Ru was shading him big time.
"Sorry!" The old lady didn't sound apologetic at all. "I heard from Ran Zi about your banters but seeing is truly believing. You both are really one of a kind." The way they started arguing over absolutely nothing was indeed amusing for her old soul. It had been a while since she actually laughed this much.
Xiao Zhi Ren scratched the back of his head before saying, "I should be the bigger person. I knew this was a bitter pill but I still insisted on swallowing it." 'And oddly I'm loving every moment of her bitter taste.' He left his last thoughts to himself.
Ru wanted to retort but realized that she was indeed a bitter person. There was no shame in accepting who you really are, is there? Definitely not for her.
[1] 'Kuding': A bitter infusion of tea