Chapter 408: Chapter 408 : Traveling Alone (2)

After their identities were exposed, there was no point in fleeing.

Zhang Fengxi landed on the ground with his twin boys tightly clutched against his chest. Qiao Wei too, landed closely behind them.

"Mommy!"

"Mommyyy!!!"

The boys squirmed in Zhang Fengxi’s arms, demanding their father to put them on the ground.

Zhang Fengxi wordlessly let them down.

As soon as their tiny feet hit the ground, they ran toward Qiao Wei like newborn chicken seeking their mother.

"Mommy!"

"Mommy, Mommy!"

Qiao Wei took them into his arms and sobbed harder.

"Mingrui, Junjie," he whispered as he planted kisses on their faces. "I miss you so much."

"Mommy, we missed you too," the boys said as they pressed their tiny hands against Qiao Wei’s face.

Qiao Wei raised his head and looked at Zhang Fengxi, who immediately held up a hand and said with a deep scowl, "Before you say anything, I know that I am supposed to stay away from you. Unfortunately, the boys will not listen. They bother me day and night, asking to meet you again. I have no choice but to take them with me to stalk you. Don’t be angry at me, I just..."

"Fengxi, shut up."

Zhang Fengxi’s eyes flew wide when Qiao Wei grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

"Ooooh," Zhang Mingrui and Xie Junjie mouthed with big eyes as they watched their parents’ display of affection close-up.

Qiao Wei immediately pulled away from Zhang Fengxi in embarrassment.

"Thank you," he said. "I thought I wouldn’t see you again."

Zhang Fengxi knocked lightly at Qiao Wei’s forehead with his knuckles.

"By right, you are not supposed to see me again. I, on the other hand, can see you anytime I want."

Qiao Wei shook his head at Zhang Fengxi.

"How unfair."

"If you don’t like it, then return to your heavenly body as soon as possible," Zhang Fengxi quipped.

"Heh, I wish."

Qiao Wei bounced the two boys in his arms.

"Mingrui and Junjie, why won’t you listen to your father?"

Zhang Mingrui pursed his lips.

Xie Junjie puffed out his cheeks.

"Because Daddy keeps sneaking out to meet Mommy and we can’t," Xie Junjie then said.

Zhang Mingrui nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Daddy is unfair."

"Yes, yes."

Zhang Fengxi clawed into his head.

"Oh, you two. Now that you have seen your mother, I expect you two to return to class tomorrow. The Grand Tutor is going to be very upset with the two of you."

Speaking of the Grand Tutor, Qiao Wei was reminded of many other people in the Heavenly Realm, who he failed to meet during his brief return.

"How is the Grand Tutor doing?" He asked. "And my brother? And Muchen?"

A torrent of questions spilled from Qiao Wei’s lips like a waterfall.

"A lot of updates within these five years," Zhang Fengxi said. "Let’s find a place to sit together first."

"Um."

The twins obediently put on their hoods again.

Qiao Wei carried Zhang Mingrui while Zhang Fengxi carried Xie Junjie.

A silent invitation hung in the air as Zhang Fengxi’s free hand stretched toward Qiao Wei. Qiao Wei grasped it, the gesture speaking volumes where words failed.

Beyond its captivating landscapes, Jiangnan’s allure extended to a vibrant culinary scene, where an array of local delicacies seduced the senses and tempted even the most disciplined visitors.

Zhang Fengxi ordered a private booth on the second floor of a huge restaurant for him and his little family.

Knowing how his sons ticked, he ordered a lot of dishes in one go, almost causing the serving attendant to cry with joy.

The anticipation hung heavy in the air like the scent of simmering savory broth. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doors to the private booth swung open, revealing a symphony of dishes carried in on a parade of trays.

"Wowwwww...!!!"

The boys, eyes wide with excitement, erupted in jubilant cheers as the feast unfolded before them.

First came the undisputed stars of the show -- Soup Dumplings, nestled in a bamboo basket like delicate jewels. Their translucent skin, plump with a savory pork broth and a morsel of tender meat, glistened under the dim light.

Each careful bite was akin to an explosion of flavor. If one was not careful, their tongues could easily get burned by the hot broth.

Next arrived a dish that exuded an air of quiet elegance -- Drunken Chicken, the pale chicken flesh glistening with a subtle sheen from its rice wine bath. The fragrance of ginger and shallots danced around the plate, hinting at the depth of flavor that lay within. This chicken dish was a testament to Jiangnan’s masterful use of subtle spices, a delicate dance of savory and sweet.

Moving on, a plate of red braised pork belly painted a picture of pure comfort. The glistening skin, crackled and caramelized from hours of slow cooking, hinted at the tenderness beneath, ready to melt as soon as it touched anyone’s tongue.

The rich, soy-infused sauce, infused with the aroma of star anise and cinnamon never failed to make guests groan out of sheer culinary satisfaction.

A giant bowl of Lion’s Head meatballs, nestled in a sea of clear broth and vibrant vegetables, drew gasps of awe from the boys. Made of tender pork, the meatballs formed a miniature mountain. One meatball fit just right into an adult’s mouth, promising a satisfying bite of pure comfort.

The vegetables, swimming in the fragrant broth, added a touch of freshness that perfectly complemented the richness of the meatballs.

Finally, a plate of Longjing Shrimps arrived, a riot of color and aroma. The plump crustaceans, stir-fried to a golden crisp, were adorned with delicate green tea leaves and fresh bamboo shoots.

The earthy fragrance of the tea leaves and the bamboo shoots fit perfectly with the subtle sweetness of the shrimp.

Each bite was a burst of contrasting textures and a unique flavor that only Jiangnan could offer.

Qiao Wei’s jaw fell open in amazement.

The attendant respectfully placed a huge basket of warm, fragrant rice on the table.

"Please enjoy, esteemed guests," he said before retreating and closing the doors behind him.

"Isn’t this too much?" Qiao Wei asked in an incredulous tone.

"What do you mean, too much? Don’t worry, the boys can eat. And they waste all that energy playing with their friends."

Zhang Fengxi snapped pairs of chopsticks and distributed them to his excited boys and Qiao Wei.

Worried that the boys might choke on the meatballs, Qiao Wei cut them into smaller pieces on their plates.

As the boys dove into the meal, Zhang Fengxi glanced up and offered Qiao Wei a warm smile.

"Now, we can talk without interruption."

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Author’s note :

Yes, I am a foodie ⊂⁠(⁠(⁠・⁠▽⁠・⁠)⁠)⁠⊃

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay