"Don't worry about the price. Just order whatever looks appetizing to you."
Jing Yuan, who had been observing Lu Li, naturally noticed the fleeting surprise in her eyes and spoke up, telling her not to feel pressured.
"Exactly, exactly! Gatherings are for having fun, and enjoying your food is the most important thing. This is just pocket change."
Yan Lin also chimed in, hoping the two girls wouldn't feel burdened.
"If you think it's too expensive, you can also choose cheaper options. We're fine with anything."
Compared to the carefree Yan Lin, Ye Tianying clearly understood Lu Li's feelings better.
For an All-Phase Zither Master, it was basic operation to judge a person's current state of mind through their every move and subtle facial expressions.
"I've ordered."
In the end, Lu Li only ordered two inexpensive dishes before pushing the virtual screen in front of her to the center.
Ye Tianying and the others didn't continue to press Lu Li on the matter. They all knew that a change in mindset wasn't something that happened overnight.
Although there were indeed some people in this world who wanted to latch onto a rich person, spending lavishly despite having no money themselves, Lu Li was clearly not one of them.
"It'll be a while until the food arrives. What should we do now?" Yan Lin asked.
"How about we have a fishing competition?" Xiao Bai suggested.
"I refuse."
Yan Lin refused very decisively. 'You know I always come back empty-handed, yet you suggest a fishing competition? Are you doing this on purpose?'
"Ying Zi, play a tune."
Yan Lin leaned back in his seat and snapped his fingers.
"Okay."
Ye Tianying didn't refuse either. He moved his seat back a bit, and an ancient zither appeared on his lap.
The entire zither was made of a jade-like material, radiating a cool luster. Seven strings glowed with spiritual light, and the body of the zither was dotted with stars, like a deep night sky. At the front ends were two cloud patterns, and at the ends of the cloud patterns were exquisite carvings of the Four Divine Beasts.
As soon as this zither appeared, it attracted the gaze of everyone present.
Especially Lu Li; girls had no resistance to beautiful things, and this ancient zither was truly stunning.
Under their gazes, Ye Tianying gently plucked the strings. Melodious zither music flowed from his fingertips, like a drop of morning dew falling onto a lotus leaf, spreading ripples with a crisp sound.
Gradually, everyone became immersed in the beautiful zither music. The music was exquisite and pleasant to hear, sometimes like a biting cold wind, sometimes like soft moonlight, tugging at one's heartstrings.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the zither music slowly ceased.
"Clap, clap."
As the zither playing ended, Lu Li subconsciously started clapping.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap..."
Xiao Bai and the others glanced at Lu Li, then also started clapping.
They naturally didn't need such formalities amongst themselves; clapping along was just to prevent Lu Li from feeling awkward once she came to her senses.
"Thank you."
Ye Tianying was also surprised to hear the applause; it was the first time his buddies had been so formal, but he quickly reacted and thanked them very gracefully.
"Beep, beep."
At this moment, Jing Yuan's smart earring suddenly received a call.
"Young Master Jing, I am Manager Zhang from Food City. Your order has been delivered to the gate."
It was the delivery person from Food City on the phone, the manager of Food City personally delivering the order.
"The main gate outside isn't closed, just bring it in directly."
"Please wait a moment, Young Master Jing."
A few minutes later, a middle-aged man in a suit entered the manor.
As soon as Jing Yuan hung up the phone, the group had already changed tables. The coffee table they had been gathered around earlier had various tea sets on it and couldn't be used for dining.
He took out dishes one by one from his storage ring and placed them on the table. Items placed in a storage ring were in a state of time suspension, so they would be exactly as they were when put in.
It's worth noting that living creatures cannot be placed in a storage ring.
"Please enjoy."
After confirming that Jing Yuan and the others had no other requests, the manager turned and left the manor.
During their meal, the steward of Yunsu Pavilion also sent a box of pastries.
Ye Tianying had specially asked Yunsu Pavilion to prepare this when he saw Jing Yuan bringing Gu Xiao and Lu Li.
After lunch, they played in the manor for a while before Jing Yuan took Gu Xiao and Lu Li back to the Jing Residence.
In the evening, Lu Li still stayed in Gu Xiao's bedroom, climbing into her bed.
Excluding the time they slept in a tent at the graduation party, she hadn't slept hugging Xiao Xiao like this for a long time since junior high.
She didn't know why, even though they were both girls, Xiao Xiao had suddenly kept a little distance from her.
Now that she had the chance again, Lu Li naturally wouldn't go back to her own room.
And Gu Xiao merely thought Lu Li was still unfamiliar with the Jing Residence, so she let Lu Li sleep with her.
Lu Li: Plan successful (＾▽＾)／.
The next day, Gu Xiao woke up again to a suffocating milky scent.
Today was the day Gu Xiao and Lu Li would learn etiquette from Mu Shuyi.
After breakfast, in Wutong Courtyard.
Gu Xiao and Lu Li stood ramrod straight, their hands placed in front of their waists, each balancing a thick book on their heads.
Not far from them, Mu Shuyi looked speechlessly at Jing Hanshuang, who was slouching.
"Second Young Lady, is this really necessary?"
"It is necessary."
Just like senior students coming to mess around during freshman military training, Jing Hanshuang was now sitting however was most comfortable.
She would occasionally raise an eyebrow in Gu Xiao's direction, her meaning self-evident.
Oh, my foolish younger brother, you're going to become a lady too.
At this sight, Mu Shuyi couldn't maintain her composure as she looked at her former disciple, who had no ladylike demeanor whatsoever.
She saw all of Jing Hanshuang's little actions. Wasn't she just here to cause trouble?
Fortunately, Miss Gu Xiao didn't pay her any mind.
"Second Young Lady, if you insist on disrupting my class, perhaps I should inform Her Ladyship that you need to review your etiquette guidelines again."
Just like an instructor scolding senior students who came to cause trouble during military training, Mu Shuyi issued a "stern" warning.
"Don't, Sister Mu. You wouldn't want to see me, at my age, start crying, would you?"
As soon as Mu Shuyi's voice fell, Jing Hanshuang sprang up from her chair and tightly hugged Mu Shuyi's arm with both hands.
If Her Majesty the Mother found out about this, the consequences would definitely be more than just re-learning etiquette guidelines.
"Second Young Lady's reason for threatening people is quite unique and refreshing."
Mu Shuyi said with a smile.
"Sister Mu, I am your student! If I make a fool of myself, it's your reputation that will be damaged. Please reconsider."
Jing Hanshuang's ample bosom pressed tightly against Mu Shuyi's arm, making Mu Shuyi sigh with emotion at how well-endowed this girl truly was.
PS: Earlier, some brothers said that the male body's presence was too little, making it seem like an accessory. After I finish releasing these few chapters of drafts, I will increase the male body's proportion, striving for half and half, to give a better sense of having two bodies.
Also, regarding Fei Xiao being a lady, this is just a short segment, it won't happen again later. The Three-No General should still be flamboyant and spirited, that's the right flavor.
Finally, I won't be writing romance in this book. Brothers who came from the previous book know that I'm allergic to romance and can't write anything about love. Every time the male and female leads are together, it's like Liu Bei. I'll follow the emotional progression of Honkai: Star Rail, focusing on adventure with romance as a secondary element. If brothers want to ship characters, that's fine, as long as it's not male-on-male shipping.