Chapter 82: Chocolate

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Chocolate

By the time the car arrived at the Huo residence, the sun was already high overhead, bathing the entire compound in bright midday light.

It was noon.

The journey back had taken longer than Xi Yunxui expected, and after everything that had happened since morning, she felt as though she had been awake for far longer than a single day. Her stomach gave a faint growl as she stepped out of the car, reminding her that she had barely eaten anything before Huo Patriarch came looking for her.

Four spoonfuls.

That was all she had managed.

She had even returned to her apartment earlier that morning thinking she would finally have some time to rest and eat properly, only for one thing after another to happen.

Today really doesn’t want me to have a peaceful meal.

With a quiet sigh, Xi Yunxui looked toward the three creatures climbing out of the car behind her.

To anyone else, Hui still appeared to be the same ash-grey, tiger-like creature they had seen earlier. Biyu’s illusion was still holding, although Xi Yunxui had already learned not to trust it completely after what had happened with the driver.

King C stretched lazily after getting out of the car, while Biyu fluttered onto Xi Yunxui’s shoulder. Hui remained close to her feet, her tiger-like appearance making her look almost like an unusually obedient little beast.

Xi Yunxui glanced around the familiar compound before leading them through the main gate.

She had barely taken a few steps when a servant spotted her and hurried over.

"Miss Xi, you’re back. The young miss has been asking for you."

Xi Yunxui stopped.

"The young miss?"

"Yes. Miss Yuning asked me to find you as soon as you returned."

"I see."

Xi Yunxui smiled politely, although inwardly she couldn’t help wondering what Huo Yuning wanted with her.

Could she want another massage?

That was probably it.

Huo Yuning had enjoyed the last massage so much that Xi Yunxui wouldn’t be surprised if she had already become accustomed to it.

She turned toward the three creatures.

"You three go to my room first."

King C’s ears immediately twitched.

Xi Yunxui’s gaze settled on him.

"And don’t roam around the mansion."

King C suddenly found the ground very interesting.

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes.

"Especially you."

He finally looked up at her with an expression of complete innocence.

Xi Yunxui sighed.

"Just stay in my room and wait for me. Don’t cause any trouble."

King C gave a reluctant nod.

Biyu fluttered its wings, while Hui followed the other two creatures toward the servants’ side of the residence.

Xi Yunxui watched until they disappeared around the corner before turning toward the main mansion.

The moment she entered the Huo family’s main residence, the familiar coolness of the interior wrapped around her.

The mansion was quiet at this hour. Most of the family members were either resting, working, or away from home, and the sunlight filtering through the tall windows illuminated the polished floors and elegant furnishings. Xi Yunxui crossed the spacious entrance hall and followed the corridor leading toward the residential wing.

She had become familiar enough with the mansion by now that she no longer needed anyone to guide her.

As she walked, she couldn’t help thinking about the antique shop.

There was clearly something strange about what had happened there.

Huo Patriarch and the elderly man had spoken privately for so long, and both of them had seemed unusually serious when they came out. Even more puzzling was the way they had looked at Hui.

They had sensed that something was different.

But neither had discovered the truth.

At least, according to the system.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She still didn’t entirely trust that suspiciously convenient mission completion.

Before she could dwell on it further, she arrived outside Huo Yuning’s room.

She knocked lightly.

"Come in."

Xi Yunxui pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Compared with Madam Huo’s room, Huo Yuning’s quarters were considerably smaller and simpler. Everything was still elegant, of course, but there were fewer decorations, fewer personal belongings, and little of the warmth one would expect from someone who spent most of her time there.

Perhaps that was because Huo Yuning was an actress.

Her career kept her on filming sets for long periods, leaving her with little time to actually enjoy the room that had been prepared for her.

Yet the woman standing inside it certainly looked like someone who belonged on a screen.

Huo Yuning had a naturally striking beauty that required little embellishment. Her features were delicate and well-defined, her skin clear and smooth, and her eyes bright enough to draw attention even without makeup. Even dressed casually, she carried the effortless elegance of someone accustomed to cameras following her every movement.

The moment she saw Xi Yunxui, however, that polished beauty softened into a warm smile.

"Xi Yunxui, you’re finally here."

She walked over happily.

"I was wondering when you would return. I’ve missed your cooking."

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"I was only gone for a while."

"A while is already too long when it comes to your food."

Huo Yuning laughed before adding, "And I’ve missed your massages too. I’ve been filming almost every day recently, and my shoulders feel like they’ve been carrying a mountain."

Xi Yunxui couldn’t help chuckling.

"So that’s why you called me."

"Of course."

Huo Yuning sat down and looked up at her expectantly.

"Can you help me again?"

"Sure."

The warmth in Huo Yuning’s manner made it difficult for Xi Yunxui to remain tired.

She moved behind her and began massaging her shoulders.

It didn’t take long before Huo Yuning let out a satisfied sigh.

"Your hands are really incredible."

"You said that last time."

"Because it’s the truth."

Xi Yunxui smiled as she continued working the tension from her shoulders.

After a moment, Huo Yuning began talking about filming.

"The director changed one of our scenes yesterday, so we had to reshoot it several times. I didn’t get back until almost dawn."

"No wonder you’re so tired."

"You wouldn’t believe how exhausting filming can be. Everyone thinks actresses only need to stand in front of a camera and look beautiful."

Xi Yunxui glanced at her reflection in the nearby mirror.

"You don’t exactly have to work hard to look beautiful."

Huo Yuning paused.

Then she laughed.

"Are you complimenting me?"

"I’m only stating the truth."

"Then I’ll accept it."

Their conversation continued naturally while Xi Yunxui worked on the knots in her shoulders. Huo Yuning talked about the chaos on set, while Xi Yunxui occasionally responded with amused comments. For the first time since leaving the antique shop, Xi Yunxui found herself genuinely relaxed.

By the time she finished, Huo Yuning looked considerably more comfortable.

"That feels much better."

She rolled her shoulders and smiled.

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Xi Yunxui straightened and was about to leave when Huo Yuning suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, wait. I have something for you."

She walked toward a cabinet and opened it.

"I bought some sweets recently, but I don’t think I’ll be able to finish them all."

She took out a small package and returned, holding it toward Xi Yunxui.

"Take them."

Xi Yunxui accepted the package.

The moment she saw what was inside, she stopped.

Brown.

Dark brown.

Smooth, glossy pieces wrapped neatly inside the package.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"What is this?"

Huo Yuning looked amused.

"Chocolate. Have you never eaten it before?"

Xi Yunxui stared at the chocolate in her hand.

She hadn’t.

Not in her previous life.

Not during the weeks she had spent in this world.

And according to the original Xi Yunxui’s memories, she had never tasted it either.

She turned the package over, examining it from every angle with genuine curiosity.

"What does it taste like?"

Huo Yuning’s amusement deepened.

"You really have never seen chocolate before?"

Xi Yunxui shook her head honestly.

"No."

Huo Yuning took one of the pieces from the package and held it out to her.

"Then taste it."

Xi Yunxui hesitated before accepting it between her fingers. She studied the unfamiliar sweet for another moment, then cautiously placed it in her mouth.

The chocolate melted almost immediately.

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

Her lips pressed together, then pulled to one side as she made a strange, comical expression. Her cheeks puffed slightly while she tried to decide whether she liked the unfamiliar taste.

Huo Yuning stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"What kind of expression is that?"

Xi Yunxui swallowed and touched her lips, still looking puzzled.

"It’s... very strange."

"Strange?"

Xi Yunxui nodded seriously.

"It is sweet, but also bitter. Why does it taste like this?"

Huo Yuning laughed even harder.

"That’s chocolate. Some people love it."

Xi Yunxui looked down at the remaining piece in her hand, her expression still suspicious.

She took another tiny bite, and her mouth twisted in the same funny way again.

Huo Yuning could barely contain her laughter.

"You look like a little animal trying to figure out whether it should eat something."

Xi Yunxui glared at her, although the corners of her lips soon lifted.

"I’ve never tasted anything like it before."

"Then you need to try a sweeter kind next time."

Xi Yunxui glanced at the package.

"There’s more than one kind?"

"Of course."

Huo Yuning smiled and pushed the sweets toward her.

"Take them. You can slowly discover which kind you like."

Xi Yunxui looked at the chocolate for a moment before accepting the package.

"Then I’ll try to understand it."