Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 417 : Discussion Conference (6)

Chapter 417: Chapter 417 : Discussion Conference (6)

Qiao Wei opened the door to find the Meng siblings, their faces etched with concern.

Meng Xijun stepped into the chamber and looked around. The only thing that attracted his attention was the open window. The gauze curtain that hung from the head fluttered in a slight conspicuous way.

"Hmm, nothing seems to be out of ordinary," Meng Xiyan commented. He picked up Qiao Wei’s sword from the floor and beamed at him. "Were you maybe so tired that you started talking in your sleep?"

"Maybe. I haven’t had good sleep for the past few days."

"I see. I see."

Meng Xiyan nodded in comprehension. And then, his eyes were drawn to the eerie bundle sitting on the table.

"What’s that?"

Qiao Wei’s heart lurched to the bottom of his stomach. That was the food Zhang Fengxi left behind!

"It smells so good," Meng Xiyan stepped closer to the table. "Something sweet and warm, just perfect to round up the night."

Before he could extend his hand for the bundle, Qiao Wei swiftly placed himself between him and the table.

"Apologies, Second Young Master Meng, I bought it for myself."

Meng Xiyan’s face drooped in disappointment.

"Awww, can’t you share a little bit?" he blinked at Qiao Wei, in the hope of getting some of the treats.

"Unfortunately, no," Qiao Wei remained adamant regardless of Meng Xiyan’s plea. "I am sorry."

"Xiyan, how old are you already? Must you ask for Master Qiao Wei’s food so late into the night?" Meng Xijun glared at his younger brother. "We have disturbed Master Qiao Wei enough. Let’s go. Master Qiao Wei, please rest well for the night."

"I will, thank you."

After Meng Xijun and Meng Xiyan left the chamber, Qiao Wei strode towards the window. His gaze swept across the landscape, searching for any trace of Zhang Fengxi. When the search yielded nothing, a wave of disappointment washed over him, settling like a weight on his shoulders. But beneath the sting of unmet expectations, a flicker of relief flickered to life.

With nothing else to disrupt his peace, Qiao Wei directed his focus on the bundle of snacks on the table.

The packaging paper yielded to his touch easily, releasing a wave of warm, milky fragrance. Qiao Wei couldn’t help but gulp. Within a paper bag, nestled like secrets, lay five milk pastries. The snow-white layers were kissed by fire into a deep, inviting brown, glistening with the promise of caramelized bliss.

As Qiao Wei’s fingers brushed against the flaky layers of the pastry, a warm, buttery aroma tickled his nose.

With a cautious bite, he unleashed a hidden torrent of sweetness inside. Thick, creamy, and sweet milk exploded on his tongue; not molten heat, but a comforting warmth that spread through his chest and chased away the chill.

Each subsequent bite was a symphony of textures; crisp shell yielding to soft buttery layers, bursting with the velvety caress of the milky filling at the center.

Before Qiao Wei could register the passage of time, the paper bag was empty, and five little milky volcanoes were extinguished. Lulled by the lingering sweetness and the memory of Zhang Fengxi’s soft but possessive kisses, Qiao Wei drifted off into a calm and peaceful sleep, a contented smile etched on his face.

When morning came, Qiao Wei’s mood was no less than excellent. As soon as he climbed off the bed, he opened the window to breathe in a lungful of fresh morning air. After he got dressed, he tucked his sword at his waist and marched out of his chamber.

"Good morning, everyone," he greeted the other three people as soon as he emerged from his bed chamber.

"Morning," Meng Xiyan yawned at him.

"Good morning," Meng Xijun straightened his robe as he sipped from a cup of tea. "Master Qiao Wei, the disciples of Tian’an Shang Sect have brought us breakfast. Please have some."

This morning, they were having a huge platter of crisp, savory pancakes with minced pork and scallion fillings; a steaming basket of white, fluffy buns with red bean and peanut paste fillings; and also Tian’an Shang Sect’s specialty tea for breakfast.

Qiao Wei sat on an empty chair and bit into a vegetable bun.

Although the food was more than appetizing, it paled in comparison to the delicious milk pastries Qiao Wei had for snack last night.

Speaking about the milk pastries, Qiao Wei failed to catch Zhang Fengxi’s silhouette. Seeing Qiao Wei’s eyes darted around in search, Meng Xijun spoke up, "Sir Zhang went to practice with his spear in the backyard."

Qiao Wei swallowed the bite he was chewing and headed toward the backyard after murmuring a thank you to Meng Xijun.

Dawn tiptoed through the trees, brushing aside lingering wisps of night. Sunlight, still hazy with sleep, dappled the backyard in a mosaic of light and shadow.

Zhang Fengxi, having just ended his morning training, sat by the jade-green pond, the morning breeze whispering secrets through his damp, white inner robe. It clung to his sun-kissed skin, betraying the sculpted grace beneath, a flicker of honed muscle beneath the gentle facade.

Yet, this air of masculine strength was curiously juxtaposed by the gentleness in his act. The hand he held out was not grasping a weapon, but laden with bread crumbs, some offerings for the feathered denizens of the garden.

Birds, emboldened by his stillness, flitted down, their wings brushing his fingers as they snatched morsels from his palm before quickly flying away.

"Good morning," Qiao Wei said as he approached the alpha from behind.

A smile painted an unfamiliar mischief on Zhang Fengxi’s face. His fingers flicked, beckoning him nearer, a silent dare in his eyes. Before Qiao Wei could react, he snatched him forward, landing a fleeting kiss landing on his lips like a whispered secret.

"Good morning to you too," he said afterward with an atrocious wink.

Heat bloomed across Qiao Wei’s cheeks, a blush blossoming like a peony under the sun in a split second. Eyes wide, he spun around, heart hammering like a drum against his ribs as he scanned the surroundings for the Meng siblings’ presence.

"Fengxi!" He hissed once he made sure that he and Zhang Fengxi were completely alone.

Zhang Fengxi was not the least bit bothered.

"Relax, Jianbao. They are busy eating, and so am I."

"... Eat the breakfast and not my face."

Zhang Fengxi broke into a soft giggle.

"Speaking about eating, did you eat the snack I brought you?"

Qiao Wei mumbled something inaudible.

Zhang Fengxi cupped a hand around his ear.

"What was that?"

"... I ate them..."

"And? Delicious?"

Qiao Wei glared at him.

"... Delicious."

"Now, should you not thank me with something equally sweet?" Zhang Fengxi snickered at him.

"... You already took it before you even said good morning."

"I took it, but you didn’t give it," Zhang Fengxi corrected him. For the alpha, no cascade of kisses, no tangle of limbs, could quell the ember burning in his heart. Seeing his Jianbao, draped in the silk of desire, fanned the flames further, threatening to drown him in a quagmire of molten desire.

"Not now," Qiao Wei said in a low voice. "It’s time for the Discussion Conference."

"Oh?"

Zhang Fengxi cocked his head to the side and grinned at Qiao Wei.

"Tonight then?"

Qiao Wei bit into his lower lip. And then, with cheeks burning from utter embarrassment, he gave Zhang Fengxi the briefest nod.