The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 405: The Uncertain Feast

Chapter 405: The Uncertain Feast

Si and San exchanged a subtle glance across the dining table, their thoughts veiled behind reserved expressions.

The meal laid out before the participants was modest, a far cry from the extravagant feasts they had become accustomed to.

Even the once abundant offerings from the greenhouse had dwindled, a reflection of the changes that had befallen Nanshan Estate since Xu Feng’s absence.

This was the food directly served to Xuan Jian, the only one of the three original masters of the Nanshan Estate after it became a Xu family property.

This meal, however ’humble,’ held significance beyond its simple appearance.

It was a symbol of Xuan Jian’s dedication and efforts to preserve Xu Feng’s memory as much as possible, a sentiment echoed by the two honorary Xus who served food at the table side in silence.

Si and San moved quickly as they each thought about the uncertain future of the estate.

With Xu Feng gone unofficially, the property was still in his name, but was it Xu Zeng’s property as his closest blood relative, or would the estate go to the two cubs who had yet to break their shell?

Their thoughts turned to the impending hatching of Da Long and Xiao Long.

According to human standards, the dragon cubs should emerge from their shells within the next month or two. but that was according to human standards after all. It was not a guarantee.

While Xuan Jian still seemed to think the children might be Xuan Yang’s offspring, Xu Zeng would bet his life they were dragons and said, "dragon" had sired them. But Xu Zeng wouldn’t argue with the man.

He knew Xuan Jian would care for his nephews no matter who sired them, regardless of their true lineage.

The atmosphere at the table was noticeably stiff, a strange contrast to the lively gatherings that had once graced Xu Feng’s halls.

Xuan Jian occupied one end of the table, while Xu Zeng sat at the opposite end. Bai Mo, a welcomed presence in the tension, sat to Xu Zeng’s right, offering a sense of familiarity in the unfamiliarity.

There were currently three other ’guests’ who wouldn’t usually dine in this area.

Seated to Xu Zeng’s left was Xu Hu Zhe. Flanking Xuan Jian were Jie and Bo, his trusted aides and confidants, their expressions mirroring the solemnity of the occasion.

This wasn’t the custom of the people of Donghua—for those of a lower standing to sit with their masters—but the only natives of this land at the table were Bai Mo and Xu Hu Zhe.

Even then, the two men were of immortal bloodline, so in truth, their ancestors were banished to this continent several hundred years ago.

The customs of the land didn’t matter, Xu Feng had never followed them, so why should they be followed after his passing?

Si and San moved swiftly around the dining area, setting the table with practiced efficiency.

The air hung heavy with an uncomfortable silence, punctuated only by the occasional glance directed at Xu Zeng, who now wore Xu Hu Zhe’s mask.

The unusual sight raised eyebrows, but no one questioned it openly, preferring to let the mystery linger rather than risk adding to the awkwardness that already filled the room.

To top that off, Xu Zeng looked a bit different, but it was uncomfortable enough. The girls were ready to grab the two young masters and disappear from sight as soon as their task was completed.

Despite the subdued atmosphere, the table was adorned with a feast fit for kings despite it being ’humble,’ showcasing a bounty of freshly hunted meats.

At the center sat a magnificent barbecue display, boasting an array of cuts from various game animals recently captured in the mountain forests.

From succulent goat to tender pheasant and hearty boar, the spread was a hunter’s variety menu and a show of the abundance of the land.

While the portion size might have scared most people with lesser appetites, the six individuals gathered around the table were no strangers to feasting.

As demon beasts or carriers of immortal bloodlines on the brink of unlocking their full demon beast blood, they had big appetites. In short, they were the biggest of big eaters. No two ways about it.

Among the dishes served was a vegetable based soup infused with the flavors of summer produce, including the blue bok choy that Xu Feng was so excited to taste.

The vegetable was known for its versatility and ease of cultivation and was more hardy than the modern version found in Dongmen.

While the plants were now lacking the vibrant vitality of plants tended directly by Xu Feng’s skilled hand (and a healthy bit of his secret, not so secret, abilities), it served as a practical solution to prevent overcrowding in the greenhouse.

The plot with the blue bok choy was almost like a box of weeds growing rampant and barely restrained.

With the extra work Xuan Jian had done, he expanded the greenhouse, but there was no Xu Feng to plant new plants, so the unused space was currently vacant.

Xu Zeng, who had similar abilities to his brother, didn’t have the same exact green finger. Nurturing life wasn’t his thing at all.

For a wood user, his abilities were very volatile and violent. One thing he could do well was drain plants of their vitality and command of plants in a defensive or offensive manner.

He was like a general when his energy wasn’t restricted, more of a warrior than the healer and nurturer that Xu Feng was.

Xu Zeng loved spending time with the plants Xu Feng nurtured in his greenhouse, but he felt bad he couldn’t continue to care for them with his energy. Instead, it made him feel he should protect his nephews with his skills.

The remainder of the table was filled with treats such as savory meat dumplings, fragrant mixed grain rice, crispy spring rolls, and tender stir-fried vegetables.

Bowls of steaming hot vegetable soup with wontons and plates of stir fried bok choy completed the spread. Each dish carried the essence of traditional Donghua cuisine, a fusion of flavors that danced on the palate with a healthy amount of pepper for good measure.

Yet despite the tantalizing array of food before them, most of the attendants of this dinner were lost in their own distant thoughts, their minds wandering far from the table.