The scene was very quiet, everyone’s eyes fixed on Xing Zizhou and Shen Rong’er.

The first box, the second box, the third box… the final box.

Shen Rong’er was a step ahead of Xing Zizhou, reaching up to untie the red cloth over her eyes.

Xing Zizhou wasn’t slow either — the moment he finished smelling the last box, he yanked off the red cloth and started writing.

“I’m done.”

“Me too.”

The first one to raise their paper was Xing Zizhou; Shen Rong’er was a beat behind.

A maid collected both answer sheets and returned to Xiao Yingtao’s side.

“Miss Xiao Yingtao, please take a look.”

“All right.”

Xiao Yingtao took the answer sheets and turned around. “Who should we get to check the answers together?”

“I’ll do it.”

Yu Jingfeng stood up, not forgetting to glance down at Leng Xuepiao first.

“Xuepiao, I’ll be right back.”

Leng Xuepiao only gave him a casual glance in response; as he walked off, there was practically a swagger in his step.

Xiao Yingtao opened a red box and took out a sheet of paper from inside.

“The answers are right here — prepared by a maid at home, so we don’t actually know them either.”

“We trust you.”

Yu Jingfeng took the answer sheet and set it down.

He bent over and laid Xing Zizhou’s and Shen Rong’er’s answer sheets beneath the answer key.

“Let me have a look.”

Yu Jingfeng extended a long finger and checked them one by one.

Finally, he straightened up and let out a breath.

“So? What’s the situation?”

“Did they lose?

Did they win?”

Those who couldn’t hold back their curiosity started asking.

Yu Jingfeng held up both answer sheets with a smile. “Identical answers, and both correct.”

He looked down at Xiao Yingtao, looking rather pleased with himself.

“If I remember right, Xing Zizhou finished writing first, so this round, we win — right?”

Xiao Yingtao raised an eyebrow and nodded. “Right, you win!”

She had watched carefully too when Yu Jingfeng was checking the answers just now.

“Congratulations to Brother-in-law for passing this round!”

Xiao Yingtao cupped her hands toward Feng Jiang at the head table.

“Next up is the meat-tasting, meat-guessing contest — you two can head back for now.”

Once Yu Jingfeng, Xing Zizhou, and Shen Rong’er had all returned to their seats, Xiao Yingtao continued, “Qinchun came up with the name for this meat-tasting, meat-guessing game.”

“Very easy to understand, right? No one should be confused.”

“I’ll do the meat-tasting.”

Long Shiyi stood up.

“Eleventh Brother, good luck!”

Gong Xing’er stood up too.

“I’ll be waiting for good news.”

Long Shiyi gave Gong Xing’er a smile and turned to walk off.

“Xing’er, which side are you rooting for?”

Yue Qinchun turned back to look at Gong Xing’er as she walked out, pouting slightly.

Gong Xing’er smiled and said, “Same difference, really.”

“And besides, you’re a food expert now — Eleventh Brother’s definitely going to lose.”

“Good, you’ve got a discerning eye.”

Yue Qinchun raised an eyebrow, walked over, and sat down.

The maids cleared away the herbs and brought out bowl after bowl of delicacies.

Yue Qinchun and Long Shiyi sat on opposite sides of the table, both blindfolded.

“The meat-tasting contest is simple — it’s a race to answer. Whoever says the correct answer fastest and most accurately wins.”

Xiao Yingtao looked left and right at the two of them.

“Both ready?”

“Ready.”

Yue Qinchun stuck her head out and took a deep breath.

“Let’s begin.”

Long Shiyi rested his left hand on the table, looking utterly composed.

“All right, starting now.”

Xiao Yingtao said the words and, together with a maid, put a piece of meat into Yue Qinchun’s and Long Shiyi’s mouths.

To be fair, the two of them serving the meat exchanged a glance each time to make sure the timing was identical for both contestants.

“Pork.”

The moment the meat touched her mouth, Yue Qinchun called it out.

Having called it, she chewed away smugly at the fragrant meat in her mouth.

“Is that even possible, that fast?”

Long Shiyi, still chewing with meat in his mouth, spoke less than clearly.

“It’s pork, I know that too, but that fast? Is that even possible?”

“Is our Eleventh Brother doubting our fairness?

With so many people watching.”

Xiao Yingtao looked at Long Shiyi and frowned.

“Never mind.”

Long Shiyi swallowed the meat and waved a hand. “Could I trouble someone for a sip of water?”

Long Shiyi took a sip of water, but Yue Qinchun refused the cup offered to her.

“I don’t need it! We can start.”

“Let’s begin then.”

Long Shiyi set down the cup and straightened his back.

Once again, Xiao Yingtao and the maid fed both of them a piece of meat at the same time.

“Lamb.”

Yue Qinchun called it out immediately.

Long Shiyi chewed thoughtfully for a while and frowned. “This is pork too, isn’t it? What’s different from before?”

“It’s lamb, lamb with the gamey smell removed.”

Yue Qinchun turned her face toward where Long Shiyi sat, tilting her head.

“That’s right, it is lamb.”

Xiao Yingtao said with a smile, “Second round, the winner is still Qinchun.”

“Third round — if Qinchun wins again, that makes it a win for the women’s side.”

There were only five kinds of meat in total; three wins would decide the victor.

As the third round was about to begin, Long Shiyi’s back had never been straighter.

“Let’s begin.”

He closed his eyes, facing forward.

Xiao Yingtao and the maid continued bringing meat to Yue Qinchun’s and Long Shiyi’s mouths.

“Pigeon meat.”

“Chicken.”

A woman and a man called out at the exact same time — the first was Yue Qinchun, the latter was Long Shiyi.

Long Shiyi frowned, chewing again. “This is clearly chicken.”

Xiao Yingtao picked up a piece and took a bite.

“It’s pigeon meat.”

And besides, she could actually see it.

“Long Shiyi, you’ve lost — lost completely.”

Long Shiyi pulled down the cloth blindfolding his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

“I just haven’t eaten enough meat.”

Gong Xing’er ran over pitter-patter and picked up a fresh pair of chopsticks.

“The contest’s over — can I eat now?

Looks so delicious.”

“Mm.”

Yue Qinchun picked up a pair of chopsticks too and started eating.

“Really not bad — this is the Yicheng style of cooking. I can’t believe I only mentioned it yesterday and they already made it today.”

“Is it really that good?”

Xiao Yingtao took another bite too.

“Sisters, why don’t you all come over and eat — it’s quite a novel flavor.”

“What’s this?”

Xiao Yingtao lifted the lid off the fourth bowl.

At once, everyone except Qiao Mu, Gong Xinyue, and Feng Jiu’er went over.

After being fed a couple of bites by Gong Xing’er, Long Shiyi’s mood improved too, and he ended up eating happily along with the girls.

He never once considered whether the brothers might have any opinion about it.

“Why aren’t you going over?”

Long Yi turned his head to look at Gong Xinyue.

Gong Xinyue withdrew her gaze from the group of sisters and curved her lips up slightly.

“They’re all young kids — I’m not.”

“Why not?” Long Yi frowned. “Miss Gong is still very young, at an age like a flower in bloom.”

“Wow!” Feng Jiu’er poked her head out from in front of Di Wu Ya, looking over at the two seated at the next table.

“Since when is Long Yi this smooth-talking?” She blinked, withdrew her gaze, and looked up. “How did I not know that?”

Di Wu Ya’s large hand landed on Feng Jiu’er’s head, ruffling it, thoroughly doting.

“Do you like smooth talk?” The man’s crisp voice rang out.

Feng Jiu’er shook her head, leaned in closer, and lowered her voice. “I… like you.”