The Master's Mask Unveiled Again-Chapter 358 - 357: The Cuisine from a Distant Mother

Chapter 358 -357: The Cuisine from a Distant Mother

Lu Xi remembered this person; he was the shoulder-length haired gentleman he had encountered before in the café.

He had exchanged business cards with him, which had their home address on it. He had thought it was just a casual exchange and hadn’t expected any follow-up, but to his surprise, the man had sent them tickets.

The Starlight Symphony Orchestra?

He muttered the name to himself.

Pei Jinlan entered from outside, curious, she came over for a look: “What’s this?”

“Tickets for a concert,” he replied.

“Oh?” Pei Jinlan became interested, and after a few more glances, she grew excited: “This is the Starlight Symphony Orchestra!”

She adjusted the shawl about her shoulders, reminiscing: “You might not be aware, but the Starlight Symphony Orchestra was quite famous back in our youth, far more renowned than today’s Internet celebrities. Their concerts were always sold out, and to listen to one was an unforgettable experience. It’s just that, I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend a live performance. I’ve heard that many people from Jinjing often attend their live concerts…”

After finishing, Pei Jinlan’s curiosity returned: “How did you get these tickets? They usually sell out internally as soon as they’re released.”

Before Lu Xi could say anything, Pei Jinlan answered her own question: “They must be from Miss Sheng, only someone from the Sheng family in Jinjing could get such tickets. Look, Lu Xi, if you want to make it in Jinjing in the future, you can’t do without the Sheng family’s help. Be a bit sweeter to Miss Sheng, and you might even catch up to her. If you put in the effort like you did with your studies, eventually Miss Sheng will be yours!”

Lu Xi did not like this kind of matchmaking, and besides, things had changed. His appreciation for Sheng Zijin from his school days had faded after the events in Wucheng.

What Sheng Zijin valued were noble birth and family interests; she looked down on him deep in her bones.

Lu Xi waved his hand dismissively: “Mom, these things are just not happening.”

“And yet you gave up the opportunity to collaborate with Sufeng because of Lu Mian! Why are you so stubborn?” she questioned.

“That wasn’t any opportunity! That was Miss Sheng leaking the exam questions ahead of time; it was outright cheating,” Lu Xi said with pursed lips. “When Sufeng announces the game contest, I can still participate then. It’s all the same.”

“You…” Pei Jinlan said, a mix of frustration and helplessness in her voice: “But all the conditions Miss Sheng proposed were to Lu Mian’s benefit. We are helping Lu Mian, not harming her… Besides, it gives you an opportunity to prepare in advance. Isn’t that a win-win? She should consider your position too…”

“Mom.” Lu Xi listened to his mother’s grievances, a deep frown forming.

He completely disagreed with Pei Jinlan’s words and spoke with a serious tone: “Mom, the pavilion case was not Mianmian’s doing; why should she compromise for these things? If she accepted Sheng Zijin’s conditions, wouldn’t that be indirectly admitting that she pushed Gu Jingyi? Can’t you understand this simple logic?”

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“This…”

“If Mianmian really transfers, even if she can later go directly to Beijing University, won’t this matter stain her life forever? How will she ever clean her name?”

Pei Jinlan’s voice weakened: “But Lu Mian’s reputation isn’t really good to begin with…”

“That’s because you never tried to understand her!” Lu Xi took a deep breath, “You and dad, including my uncle and the rest, have never taken the time to really understand Lu Mian.”

“You…” Pei Jinlan found herself at a loss for words after her son’s rebuttal. She sighed and didn’t say anything more, pouting slightly: “Don’t be upset. Miss Sheng gave you tickets, three of them in fact, it’s obvious she’s inviting us to the concert.”

“Mom…” Lu Xi pinched the bridge of his nose, “These weren’t given by Sheng Zijin, they were sent to Mianmian!”

“Lu Mian?”

——

Mo Si had just returned from Jinjing, dusty and exhausted when he arrived at Residence No.1 in Jinjing and knocked on Xiao Qimo’s door. Mo Si thought he had come to the wrong place when the door was opened not by Mr. Mo, but by a girl with short hair.

After the girl opened the door, she gave him a faint nod and turned to walk toward the sofa.

Mo Si scratched his head, thinking he had opened the door the wrong way, went out and came back again, and indeed saw a short-haired girl sitting on the sofa in Mr. Mo’s apartment.

A girl in Mr. Mo’s room?

And a woman?

He stared with wide eyes, noting how the girl sat with casual poise, leaning lightly against the chair back, her delicate eyebrows and eyes bearing a hint of wicked audacity and boldness.

When she saw him staring blankly, she simply lifted her eyelids, a flicker of confusion passing through her eyes before her expression became devoid of any other emotion.

Mo Si was so curious.

Could there actually be a girl daring to sit like that in front of Master Mo?

That was way too brazen!

But his mind worked quickly, and recalling Master Mo’s earlier mention of “Mrs. Xiao,” he shook with realization—could this girl be…the future Mrs. Xiao?

Fear surged from the bottom of his heart, Mo Si vividly remembered Mo Nie’s fate and hurriedly offered Lu Mian a smile of greeting on the sofa, then obediently stood to the side.

Wanting to ask something, he didn’t dare to utter a sound.

“He’s taking a bath,” Lu Mian said indifferently, answering his unspoken question.

“Ah…” Mo Si found himself at a loss for words, and promptly placed the things in his hands on the coffee table, giggling awkwardly a few times.

Lu Mian’s stomach rumbled.

“This…was brought by the old lady of my family for Master Mo.” Without Master Mo’s permission, Mo Si didn’t dare to take the liberty of opening it, and so explained.

Lu Mian expressed understanding, and even felt a bit envious of Xiao Qimo. His mother must be a very gentle and patient woman, to bring him food from so far away, and it even smelled delicious.

She licked her lips, how nice.

While Mo Si sat restlessly, feeling as if every second was an eternity, a man wrapped in a bath towel, looking refreshed, soon walked out of the bathroom.

The man casually dried his hair with a towel, and his originally mild expression grew colder upon seeing Mo Si.

“What is it?” Xiao Qimo passed by Mo Si.

Mo Si felt distressed and somewhat bewildered. The master had not shown that expression when he just came out; how could he have learned to change his face during his time in Wucheng?

Grumbling internally, Mo Si glanced in Lu Mian’s direction and hinted softly, “Sir, I have something to report.”

“Speak,” Xiao Qimo said as he walked towards the sofa.

“But…”

Xiao Qimo didn’t give him the chance to hesitate and sat down calmly, “If you won’t talk, get lost.”

Mo Si was speechless and promptly stood to attention.

“Things are getting more unstable in Jinjing. The Sheng Family is trying to forge alliances everywhere, and the Wang Family even plans to annex the Liang Family to boost their family’s power. In the struggle for a position among the top-tier families, several families are silently competing.”

Xiao Qimo listened while moving closer to Lu Mian and started opening the delicacies Mo Si brought from afar.

He showed no particular emotion to what Mo Si reported and softly asked the girl beside him, “Wanna try? It’s a skill from an elder at home.”

Lu Mian was already starving and the smell made her feel even hungrier; she nodded.

Mo Si: ??? Sir, I’m reporting on important matters!

However, the big shot across from him didn’t bother to pay him any heed. Under his incredulous gaze, he arranged the plate for the short-haired girl and set an array of dishes before her, caring for her like a child, even cleaning the chopsticks before handing them to her.

Mo Si’s eyes popped: Master Mo had sent him on an urgent mission to bring the old lady’s homemade delicacies, could it really be just to please this girl?!