Different Eye Colors

The midday sun cast a golden glow over the tranquil grounds of Chen Manor, where the aroma of savory delicacies wafted through the air like a siren's call. The warm breeze carried whispers of spices and herbs, enticing even the most stoic souls within its confines.

In one of the distant courtyards, Wei Guang was lost in the book that he found a few days ago from a street vendor. He was sitting in front of the huge window that was left open to allow entrance to the bright sunlight and fresh air. A sudden gust of wind suddenly entered through the window, flipping the pages of the book he was reading.

But instead of returning his attention to reading, Wei Guang found himself focusing on the delicious aroma that came with the wind. Teased by the tantalizing scents, he emerged from the confines of his modest courtyard. His steps quickened as he followed the irresistible trail leading toward the heart of the manor—the main kitchen.

As he neared his destination, the rhythmic clinking of utensils against porcelain reached his ears, accompanied by the soft shuffle of feet. He froze outside the dining hall as his eyes fell upon a familiar figure through the open portion of the south wall, gracefully arranging an array of sumptuous dishes upon the grand dining table.

It was Chen Xiang Ling, her silhouette illuminated by the warm glow filtering through the windows. Her movements were fluid and precise as if she possessed years of culinary mastery. Each dish she touched seemed to radiate with an irresistible allure, promising a symphony of flavors to those fortunate enough to partake.

Wei Guang watched, captivated, as Xiang Ling's skilled hands danced across the table, arranging dishes with meticulous care. Fragrant steam rose in lazy tendrils, enveloping the room in a comforting embrace. The colors of the dishes were vibrant, a feast for the eyes as much as the palate.

Xiang Ling's attention was consumed by her craft, her brow furrowed in concentration, yet there was a serene elegance to her demeanor that spoke of unwavering confidence. She moved with a grace that belied the bustling activity of the kitchen, her every gesture imbued with purpose and finesse.

Wei Guang found himself entranced by the scene unfolding before him, drawn irresistibly towards the woman whom he had never spared a second glance in the past. The woman in front of him looked so different from the one he had been living with in the past, yet, they were the same person.

Unlike in the past, she was dressed in a simple white and red dress with minimal jewelry. Her face barely had any makeup on and her hair was styled simply. Yet, she looked way more beautiful and elegant compared to when she used to dress up extravagantly in the past.

As if he wasn't already enchanted enough, the woman suddenly smiled at something Fu Xiao said and it wasn't only her face that bloomed like a beautiful flower but everything around her bloomed with her smile.

Wei Guang almost forgot how to breathe as his eyes remained glued on the woman who seemed to have cast some sort of spell on him. He was unable to look away, unable to pull himself together.

He watched as Fu Xiao whispered something in Chen Xiang Ling's ear and the latter suddenly looked up, her eyes finding him immediately and she once again smiled warmly while signaling him with her hand to walk over to her.

Wei Guang finally found enough self-control to pull himself together. Shaking off his thoughts, he made his way inside the dining hall.

-

Xiang Ling watched as First Master Wei made his way to the dining table and his eyes landed on the variety of dishes that were displayed there. He didn't even spare a single glance in her direction.

"What's with all these delicious-looking foods?"

The question came not from Wei Guang but from Wen ZheYuan who just entered the dining hall along with Xin Cheng and Li Dao Ming.

Fu Xiao quickly greeted all the Masters before she answered, "Fifth Master Wen, all these dishes are prepared by Her Ladyship. I was about to head over to notify you all about lunch."

While the girl was busy explaining, Xiang Ling took the chance to quickly check Li Dao Ming. The man was busy staring at the dishes but it seemed like he was no longer drunk. As if sensing her gaze on him, he suddenly looked up directly at her and his piercing red orbs met with hers.

A gasp of surprise escaped Xiang Ling's lips, pulling everyone's attention toward her. She quickly looked at Xin Cheng and found him looking at her with a confused expression. His eyes looked mostly black at the moment but she didn't miss the bright red rings of fire that were surrounding his irises. She once again turned her attention toward Li Dao Ming and found that his eyes were back to their normal color - gray.

What was going on? Was she hallucinating?

"Is something wrong?" Wei Guang asked as he looked at her closely. He didn't seem worried but his expression was serious.

Xiang Ling shook her head before she plastered a soft smile on her lips and spoke, "Nothing. Let's sit and enjoy the meal. I'm starving." She didn't wait for their responses and just settled down in one of the chairs. Not too long after, the four men finally settled down as well, only Wei Guang sat next to her while the other three settled down on the seats opposite her.

"You can also go and have your lunch. Go." She told Fu Xiao and the girl smiled brightly and hurriedly left the dining hall.

She again tried to steal a glance in the direction of Li Dao Ming but once again found the man staring at her. His eyes were still gray, making her believe that she had mistaken their color before due to some reason.

Or did she?