Hotpot Under the Glass Moon

In the end, Qin Huairen was awakened by the urgent need to use the bathroom.

She had the chance to experience the RV’s restroom, but felt embarrassed and worried about its waste system.

So she ultimately went inside the house to take care of it.

Swan Lake was built in the style of a traditional Chinese garden.

Mountains, water, pavilions, terraces, and corridors were arranged in harmonious layers.

Every step revealed a new scene.

Standing by the window, Qin Huairen could smell the woody fragrance from the wooden frame.

It was similar to the scent on Wen Yuzhi, only richer.

She liked the natural smell of wood.

The raw scent of nature felt soothing.

“Miss Qin, hello. I’m President Wen’s private doctor, Lu Shiyu.”

After speaking with Wen Yuzhi, Lu Shiyu came to her.

“Shall I check your injuries first? We can eat hotpot afterward.”

“I want to eat hotpot first.”

Qin Huairen’s whole body ached, especially her back, but she could endure it.

“I’m fine. President Wen, on the other hand, should treat her wounds first.”

Lu Shiyu sighed faintly.

“President Wen insists on eating hotpot first too.”

As they were talking, Wen Yuzhi came over.

“A-Ren.”

She called her to dinner and told Lu Shiyu to rest.

Qin Huairen did not dare look closely.

When they reunited, Wen Yuzhi had been refined and beautiful.

In just a few days, she was covered in injuries.

Qin Huairen could not separate herself from the cause.

Xu Jianing’s anger had something to do with her.

But tonight she was too exhausted to analyze anything.

She followed Wen Yuzhi to the dining hall.

From the antique vases placed at the corners, it was clear the décor had been carefully designed.

Even Feng Shui principles had been considered.

This was only one of the Chinese-style dining halls.

It was absurdly large.

Qin Huairen sighed inwardly.

The world of the wealthy was beyond her imagination.

Back in school, she could surpass Wen Yuzhi with hard work and grades.

After graduation, she gradually realized that campus life was perhaps the fairest place in life.

No matter how hard she worked now, some things would never change.

Like Wen Yuzhi’s family background.

Or the wealth and resources she possessed.

Ordinary people could never reach such heights.

But thinking of what happened on the street tonight, Qin Huairen asked herself honestly.

If everything Wen Yuzhi had were handed to her, could she bear it?

No.

She was unfortunate.

But Wen Yuzhi, born into a powerful family, had her own suffering.

They sat at an antique sandalwood table.

The copper hotpot bubbled in the center, steam rising with the aroma of meat.

A chef explained the different cuts of beef.

Each part required a different cooking time and offered a different texture.

Qin Huairen could not tell the difference between diaolong and premium marbled beef.

She only knew it was fresh.

The taste was far better than the frozen beef rolls she bought from the supermarket.

Wen Yuzhi insisted on preparing ten kinds of dipping sauces herself.

Qin Huairen was not that particular.

She simply watched.

She was too tired to talk.

Her brain could barely function.

Otherwise, how could she calmly sit here eating hotpot?

Occasionally, reason would surface.

Qin Huairen, are you crazy?

You’re at Wen Yuzhi’s house eating hotpot.

What exactly are you two?

Her thoughts overloaded and stalled.

She simply observed what was before her.

Wen Yuzhi was mixing northern-style sesame sauce.

The chef instructed softly.

“Two spoons of sesame paste, one spoon of peanut butter, a little fermented tofu… ah, that’s a bit too much.”

Qin Huairen burst out laughing.

Only after laughing did she realize it.

Wen Yuzhi looked up at her.

Under the woven bamboo lamp, a shy light flickered in her eyes.

The chef quickly smoothed things over.

“It’s President Wen’s first time. It’s already very good.”

Qin Huairen coughed and lowered her head.

Inside, she thought with amusement.

Children of wealthy families must even be praised for falling beautifully.

She glanced at her own hands.

They were larger than most girls’ hands.

Her work had left calluses.

The only thing she could compete with was her naturally pale skin.

But even that might not win.

Wen Yuzhi’s hands looked like jade untouched by water.

Slender fingers, faintly pink at the tips.

When she held a porcelain bowl, her knuckles turned pale.

There was a delicate beauty to them.

Perhaps the only comparison left was finger length.

Just as Qin Huairen stared at her middle finger in an indecorous gesture, Wen Yuzhi called her.

“A-Ren, it’s ready.”

Ten kinds of sauces sat before her.

She admired Wen Yuzhi’s patience.

Wen Yuzhi timed the beef down to the second.

“You mind your own bowl.” Qin Huairen said impatiently.

She grabbed a large portion of meat and dropped it into the spicy section of the divided pot.

When it changed color, she dipped it heavily in sauce and took a big bite.

It burned her mouth.

But it was satisfying.

She tried every sauce.

Each was delicious.

Sometimes she looked up and caught Wen Yuzhi staring.

She glared, and Wen Yuzhi smiled.

“Which one do you like best?”

“I like spicy.”

She pointed at the chili oil dip.

“I’ll try it.”

“Stop.”

Wen Yuzhi’s hand trembled and the meat fell into the chili oil.

“You have so many wounds.”

“I shouldn’t eat spicy. Just one bite.”

“No.”

“But it’s already in.”

Qin Huairen stood, took the slice from Wen Yuzhi’s bowl, and pressed it into her own dip.

Wen Yuzhi smiled helplessly.

“You’re injured too. Eat less spicy.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

She stubbornly dipped another slice, then deliberately switched to non-spicy sesame sauce.

“You don’t control how I eat.”

All her rebellion seemed reserved for opposing Wen Yuzhi.

They fell into quiet understanding and focused on eating.

Qin Huairen preferred meat.

Wen Yuzhi ate more vegetables and mushrooms.

The mushroom broth smelled rich.

Wen Yuzhi served her a bowl to taste.

Qin Huairen refused.

Instead she grabbed a chilled orange soda bottle beaded with condensation.

She took a sip and smacked her lips.

“You’re the best. Beer, wine, liquor can’t compare.”

Her mood brightened.

Despite having eaten earlier, she finished two large plates of meat.

Finally, stuffed and breathless, she set down her chopsticks.

“Tomorrow I start dieting.”

Wen Yuzhi’s internal alarm rang.

She herself had forgotten to adjust her meal plan today.

“Rest a bit. Then we’ll apply medicine.”

“I’m too full. I’ll walk around alone.”

“There’s an indoor garden. If you go outside, wear a coat.”

“I’m not afraid of cold.”

Her voice disappeared beyond the door.

Wen Yuzhi fetched a thick coat, scarf, and gloves.

Passing the dining hall, she stopped the housekeeper from discarding a cup.

“Don’t pour it.”

“President Wen, you want soda?”

“Yes.”

She drank the last sip Qin Huairen left.

It was sweet.

She frowned.

“How does she drink it so happily?”

The housekeeper poured a fresh cup.

Cold bubbles pricked her tongue.

She inhaled sharply.

Perhaps it was refreshing.

“Besides the orange one, is there a dark brown bottle?”

“Yes, the original flavor.”

“Prepare that too.”

Later, alone in the vast garden of Swan Lake, Qin Huairen wandered in awe.

Every turn revealed something new.

Bridges, corridors, borrowed scenery.

Nothing repeated.

Eventually, she realized she was lost.

She climbed to a higher pavilion to look over the layout.

A waterfall roared nearby.

At its peak, twin lions played with a silk ball.

The glass sphere glowed like another moon.

Lost in thought, she saw Wen Yuzhi step out from a corridor below.

Mist from the waterfall drifted around her.

She appeared and disappeared in the night.

Then she emerged in a pavilion opposite.

Under the rotating glass light, she shone brilliantly.

Wen Yuzhi was searching for her.

Qin Huairen watched silently.

Turn around.

Turn around.

As if sensing it, Wen Yuzhi turned.

Her profile was bathed in hazy light.

Beautiful beyond reality.

Their gazes met in the night.

Wen Yuzhi smiled.

And walked toward her through the light.