Song Jiaye sat at the dining table. He picked up his chopsticks, twirled some noodles, and popped them into his mouth without responding to her.
Ming Yuexuan watched this with a sense of satisfaction. "Unlike some people with foreign tastes," she said, "it's only natural for Chinese people to eat Chinese food. There's no reason to be uncomfortable with it."
Li Xichi: "..."
Li Xichi suddenly felt a twinge of regret. She wondered if this impulsive act of hers was really worth it. This somewhat desperate bout of pique, using her past friendship with Song Jiaye as a wager, seemed to be a losing game even before it had truly begun.
She didn't just lose because Li Xiyu was no longer as easy to deceive. She also lost because of Song Jiaye's attitude.
Her mother once told her that if she couldn't win a man's love, guilt was a more effective emotion for capturing his attention. Sometimes, guilt could be more powerful than love.
Li Xichi had always followed this advice, and it had worked, even when dealing with Song Jiaye, the most unromantic man in the world.
But everything seemed to change after Li Xiyu jumped into the river.
Li Xichi's own emotional grievances paled in comparison to Li Xiyu's experience of losing a life and a child. Her feelings now seemed a bit trivial and even a bit melodramatic.
Li Xichi smiled bitterly to herself. What was the use of calculating the formula of love so carefully? All her efforts over the years to turn Li Xiyu and Song Jiaye into a feuding couple had gone to waste. It was as if they had gone back to square one.
Two months ago, who would have thought that a couple who used to quarrel at the mere sight of each other and wished never to see each other again would now be in a situation where one could calmly cook at home and the other would stand up for his wife?
Li Xichi suddenly felt discouraged. She had no appetite for making toast. After drinking a glass of hot milk, she went to the balcony to exercise.
This was one of the basic routines for a female celebrity. Of course, she had her reasons - there was no better time to show off her figure than during exercise.
Moreover, knowing that Song Jiaye had a penchant for classical things, Li Xichi even chose Taijiquan for her exercise.
After Li Xichi finished her warm - up, Li Xiyu had already finished her breakfast. She looked out of the French window at Li Xichi, who was practicing Taijiquan.
Li Xichi was indeed beautiful. In her past life, she was even hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Mu Dynasty. When she wasn't making vulgar gestures and had a serious expression, her face exuded an elegant and noble charm.
Li Xiyu was a bit spellbound.
No wonder it was her own face. It was truly beautiful.
She suddenly thought narcissistically that she had never realized how good - looking she was. If she hadn't married Song Jiaye back then, aside from her status as the eldest daughter of the Li family, with this face, she could have married into a good family, led a peaceful life with her husband and children, and been carefree.
It was a pity that she hadn't listened to her mother's advice. She hadn't heeded her mother's words: "It's better to be a poor man's wife than a royal concubine."
Stop thinking about it. It was all in the past.
Li Xiyu suppressed the tears that were about to well up and walked onto the balcony.
By now, Li Xichi had finished her warm - up and started practicing Taijiquan.
As soon as she started, Li Xiyu frowned.
What was this?
It was so weak. Was she dancing?
No, even the court dancers were more energetic than her.
When Li Xichi finished a set of Taijiquan, Li Xiyu couldn't stand it anymore. She said to Li Xichi, "When practicing Taijiquan, you need to be energetic. Your punches should be as fast as the wind."
Seeing someone who looked exactly like herself practicing Taijiquan like she was dancing, Li Xiyu couldn't bear to look.
What was the modern term for this?
Oh, right. It was an eyesore.
Li Xichi was very indignant. At first, she practiced on her own. But Li Xiyu was so annoying, trying to teach her. Fed up with her nagging, Li Xichi said defiantly, "If you're so good, you do it."
After all, they were both from the Li family, and Li Xichi knew exactly what kind of person Li Xiyu was. This young lady had never practiced such things. Li Xiyu was well - known for her clumsiness. At every social dance, she would step on her partner's feet. Eventually, no one dared to invite her to dance, and they even gave her the nickname "Queen of Foot - Stepping".
Such a person dared to boss her around. Of course, Li Xichi was not convinced.
But Li Xiyu misunderstood completely. She thought Li Xichi wanted her to teach, and she immediately got excited.
She picked a hydrangea branch from the balcony and quickly coiled up her long hair into a bun, using the branch as a hairpin.
Li Xiyu bowed to Li Xichi and said, "Please give me some pointers."
Li Xichi scoffed.
Humph, just putting on a show.
"All these fancy moves. Don't end up not knowing how to do it at all. I have an iPad here. Do you need me to play a tutorial for you?"
Li Xichi was clearly mocking Li Xiyu.
Tutorial?
Li Xichi actually found an online tutorial. There was a middle - aged man in it practicing Taijiquan. He looked quite professional and was much more energetic than Li Xichi.
But Li Xiyu watched for a while and couldn't stand it anymore. She shook her head and said, "There's strength but no qi."
This qi was not physical strength.
Qi was the essence, the spirit.
Li Xichi slammed the tablet shut.
"Fine. I'd like to see what kind of qi you have."
Li Xiyu took a stable horse - riding stance and gently closed her eyes. It was as if she had returned to the military camp, learning Taijiquan from her father.
Her father's words echoed in her ears.
"Xiyu, the foundation of Taijiquan is crucial. First, you need to have a stable horse - riding stance, as immovable as a mountain."
She raised her hand and began the form.
This single move caught everyone's attention.
Song Jiaye, who was about to change clothes and go out, was also mesmerized as he watched from behind the French window.
Pushing hands and generating power, life and death could be decided in an instant. When moving, everything moved together; when still, everything was still. Her strength was like an arrow, and the whole set was executed seamlessly.
Taijiquan was originally a gentle and soft exercise, unlike gymnastic boxing. But Li Xiyu managed to infuse it with a heroic and lofty spirit.
As she breathed in and out, it seemed as if she was riding on clouds and fog, surrounded by an ethereal aura. But when she exerted force and led the movement, she was like a knight's sword being drawn from its scabbard, sharp and intimidating.
Yes, a knight.
Although she had a face that was naturally alluring to men, there was not a trace of flattery or obsequiousness. Instead, she exuded an air of arrogance, as if she were the only one who could do it. At this moment, Li Xiyu was like a female knight at the entrance of a tavern, dressed in strong - fitting clothes, holding a long sword, with unique skills, looking down on the world.
In everyone's mind, such a picture emerged -
The female knight Li Xiyu passed by a tavern. She used her sword to pick up a pot of wine and tossed a few pieces of silver on the tavern table. Holding the sword in one hand and the wine in the other, she was unrestrained and free. The young men in the tavern couldn't keep her, and the glitz of the world couldn't tempt her. She was alone, smiling at the mundane people troubled by mundane things, leaving only a graceful back view for the world.
Song Jiaye was completely enchanted.