Two days later, Mo Hua visited Mr. Zhuang again and played a game of chess with Elder Gui.
As he was leaving, he ran into Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi at the door.
During the New Year holidays, Mr. Zhuang was slacking off and allowed the Bai siblings to have a break as well.
They were there to pay their respects to Mr. Zhuang.
When Bai Zisheng saw Mo Hua, his eyes lit up, and he asked, "Mo Hua, are you here to pay respects to Mr. Zhuang too?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded, "I've already seen Mr. Zhuang. I'm heading home now."
Bai Zisheng felt a bit disappointed and then asked, "Can I come to your house to play?"
"Sure," Mo Hua replied, feeling puzzled, "Why do you suddenly want to come to my house?"
Bai Zisheng didn't hide his intention, "I want to eat meat."
Bai Zisheng looked around and whispered to Mo Hua, "Aunt Xue's cooking is terrible."
Bai Zixi gave Bai Zisheng a light glare.
Mo Hua couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't tell Aunt Xue, or she'll be angry," Bai Zisheng said.
"Don't worry," Mo Hua thought for a moment and asked, "But will Aunt Xue let you come?"
"I've already thought of an excuse," Bai Zisheng said proudly, "I'll say that I've been taken care of by you and Aunt Liu, so I want to come to thank you."
"Alright, as long as you can persuade Aunt Xue."
Bai Zisheng nodded, "Then it's settled. I'll go back and tell Aunt Xue."
"Do you have anything specific you want to eat? I'll let my mom know to prepare it for you," Mo Hua said.
"I'm not picky, as long as there's meat," Bai Zisheng was not at all choosy.
Mo Hua then looked at Bai Zixi.
Bai Zixi thought for a moment and said softly, "Anything is fine."
When Mo Hua got home, he told his mother about this.
Liu Ruhua was a bit surprised.
She had only heard Mo Hua mention that he had two siblings studying with him at Mr. Zhuang's place. They were from a prestigious family, well-mannered and talented, but she had never met them.
Now that they were coming over to play, Liu Ruhua was naturally happy.
"Even though you're just registered disciples, studying together creates a deeper bond than ordinary sect members. We should entertain them well."
Mo Hua nodded.
In the evening, Aunt Xue brought Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi to visit personally.
Aunt Xue still wore a veil, but her attire was much more plain and her cold demeanor was softened, making her seem much more approachable.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi wore elegant, light-colored Dao robes. Though the materials were good, they did not appear ostentatious.
However, their exceptional appearances and temperaments made it difficult to hide their extraordinary looks even with simple clothing.
When the Bai siblings entered, Liu Ruhua was momentarily stunned.
Bai Zisheng was handsome with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, while Bai Zixi had skin like snow and eyes like starlight, as if carved from jade.
She looked at Bai Zisheng and then at Bai Zixi, unable to help but think, "How could there be children so good-looking in this world?"
Aunt Xue brought a gift, a finely crafted and beautiful First Grade hairpin.
Liu Ruhua brought out various snacks and treats to entertain them.
In the clean and tidy living room, Mo Hua, Bai Zisheng, and Bai Zixi sat on one side eating, while Liu Ruhua and Aunt Xue chatted on the other side.
Bai Zisheng glanced at Liu Ruhua, thinking that other people's mothers were so kind, smiling warmly, personally making food for their children, and looking at them affectionately.
Bai Zisheng lowered his eyes. His mother wasn't like that and rarely smiled.
Bai Zixi's expression remained calm, but her eyes flickered with a trace of sadness and envy.
Mo Hua didn't know why they seemed a bit down, so he pushed the food box towards them, "My mom made this especially for you. It's really delicious."
Bai Zisheng's attention was drawn to the food box. He took a bite of the meat, his eyes lit up, and he curiously asked, "What kind of meat is this?"
"It's rabbit meat, more tender than regular demonic meat, and quite chewy with a fragrant taste. But it's troublesome to make," Mo Hua explained, "Even if I want to eat it, my mom doesn't always make it for me. This time, I benefited because of you."
Mo Hua also took a bite and squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
Bai Zisheng felt moved and gratefully said, "Thank you, Aunt Liu!"
Liu Ruhua smiled gently, "If you like it, eat more."
Bai Zisheng nodded repeatedly, all his worries dissipated.
Bai Zixi looked at the pastries in front of her, a bit dazed.
The pastries were colorful, in various styles, each with different flower patterns on top.
Some had osmanthus flowers, some had plum blossoms, some had peach blossoms, and some had orchids, looking exquisite and delicious, exuding a faint sweet fragrance.
She didn't know which one to eat first.
After some hesitation, Bai Zixi decided to start from the top and try them one by one. Some were soft and sticky, some were crispy, and all had a faint floral scent.
They were sweet in her mouth...
Seeing Bai Zixi enjoying the pastries, Liu Ruhua smiled and couldn't help but think, "This girl looks so beautiful even when eating."
Bai Zixi was eating quietly but noticed Liu Ruhua's gentle gaze, not knowing what to do. She lowered her head slightly, her pale cheeks tinged with a light blush.
Liu Ruhua liked her even more, poured a cup of tea, handed it to Bai Zixi, and softly said, "There are plenty of pastries. If you don't mind, take some back with you later."
Bai Zixi nodded, whispering, "Thank you, Aunt Liu."
Seeing this, Aunt Xue asked, "Sister Liu, I wonder how you made these pastries..."
Aunt Xue could cook some meals, but she was not proficient, barely able to make edible food to fill the stomach.
During their travels to study with Mr. Zhuang, Aunt Xue cooked most of their meals.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi didn't say anything about it, but after tasting Liu Ruhua's cooking, they were less fond of Aunt Xue's cooking.
Knowing her limitations in culinary skills, Aunt Xue wanted to learn for the sake of the siblings.
Liu Ruhua, noticing Aunt Xue's refined demeanor, started explaining from the basics: ingredients, cooking time, steaming, boiling, or frying, explaining everything in detail.
Aunt Xue realized that cooking involved so much knowledge, and making a dish with good color, aroma, and taste required many steps and a lot of patience.
Bai Zixi kept her calm demeanor but focused entirely on Liu Ruhua, listening intently.
After a while, Mo Shan returned home, slightly surprised to see guests.
During the New Year period, Mo Shan had many social engagements, coming and going, reciprocating visits, and sometimes drinking with his demon hunting team brothers. He had been busy all day and just returned.
Liu Ruhua briefly introduced the guests, and Mo Shan smiled in greeting. Seeing the outstanding appearance and temperament of the Bai siblings, he was secretly amazed.
These well-bred children from prestigious families were studying with Mr. Zhuang alongside Mo Hua, indicating that Mr. Zhuang was indeed an extraordinary master.
Mo Hua being accepted as a registered disciple by Mr. Zhuang was indeed a great opportunity.
Mo Shan felt even more grateful to Mr. Zhuang.
Bai Zisheng, noticing Mo Shan's upright and heroic stature, sharp eyes, and light steps, curiously asked, "Uncle Mo, are you a demon hunter?"