Chapter Seventy-Five: The Male Companion

In the lounge of the fish exhibit hall, four people gathered around a round table to eat.

However, the scene was rather peculiar.

Chen Zi’ang did not touch his own meal, instead focusing on using his chopsticks and spoon to feed his younger sister, Chen Xiaozhu. She only opened her mouth when food was brought to her lips, chewing and swallowing, but otherwise kept her hands resting on her knees, her body perfectly still, looking demure and quiet.

Since their senior temporarily couldn't feed himself, Suzuna Tsukimi thoughtfully lent a hand, likewise using a spoon to bring food to Chen Zi’ang’s mouth. Unable to refuse her any longer, he shyly took a bite, then kept chewing without swallowing, deliberately hinting to Suzuna not to feed him again.

As a result, Suzuna Tsukimi ended up being the one left without a meal.

Gorou Emmon looked at his own chopsticks and spoon, thinking to himself that if he tried to feed the young lady, she would surely dislike it.

“Mr. Chen, why don’t I take care of Miss Xiaozhu?” he asked respectfully, deciding to address the root of the problem.

“No need to trouble yourself,” Chen Zi’ang replied with an embarrassed smile. “My sister is very particular about her food.”

“One third rice, two thirds fish,” Gorou Emmon recited fluently. “The fish should be served with broth, let the rice soak in it for one second, and when feeding Miss Xiaozhu, the rice faces inward and the fish outward, correct?”

“You also have to watch the temperature of the broth and make sure there are no bones in the fish,” Chen Zi’ang nodded. “So I’d better do it.”

“No need to stand on ceremony,” Gorou Emmon replied, picking up the utensils with a hearty laugh. “To tell you the truth, when Miss Suzuna was just a baby, I personally cared for her—the Tsukimi family never hired a maternity nurse.”

“Trust Uncle Emmon, senior,” Suzuna Tsukimi said with a smile as well. “When it comes to taking care of others, he’s truly the most professional. When my mom first married my dad, she even rather disliked Uncle Emmon!”

Was it because her domestic skills couldn’t compare to the butler’s? Chen Zi’ang could only laugh helplessly.

Watching Gorou Emmon’s feeding technique, he had to admit that it was as professional as Suzuna claimed: gentle, precise, and quick, with the perfect ratio of food and at just the right angle.

Most importantly, Xiaozhu didn’t show much resistance and ate very happily.

Relieved at last, Chen Zi’ang silently began to eat his own meal.

Suzuna Tsukimi snickered at his side, thinking, See, senior? As long as you’re with me, Uncle Emmon will naturally help you take care of Miss Xiaozhu!

Wait—doesn’t that make me seem useless by comparison?

She quickly caught herself and immediately said, “Let me feed my dear little sister, Uncle Emmon, you go ahead and eat.”

Gorou Emmon paused briefly but immediately understood, while Chen Zi’ang asked in confusion, “Suzuna, are you sure you can manage?”

“Of course, I memorized all the steps!” Suzuna replied confidently.

She picked up some fish and rice with her chopsticks, then placed it onto the spoon.

“The ratio’s off, and there’s no broth,” Chen Zi’ang reminded her. “She won’t eat it.”

“But it’s filled with my love for her,” Suzuna declared righteously, bringing the spoon to Chen Xiaozhu’s mouth.

Chen Xiaozhu obediently took the bite.

This nearly made Chen Zi’ang doubt his own bloodline: Sis, I’m your real brother!

What happened to only eating meals prepared with meticulous care, refusing anything less?

Could it be that the deep sibling bond between us is no match for Suzuna, whom you’ve only known for less than a month?

The fish was indeed delicious, with its rich fat making the milky white broth especially tasty, but a still-bewildered Chen Zi’ang absentmindedly filled his stomach, only understanding a bit more after finishing.

Although I am her real brother, Xiaozhu is autistic, her mind doesn’t work like others’. Perhaps Suzuna has some special method. I’ll have to find a time to ask her about it.

“By the way, senior,” Suzuna suddenly said, “Mimi—my friend from this morning—she’s getting married at two this afternoon and asked if we could attend her wedding.”

“Really?” Chen Zi’ang asked in surprise, “She was just chatting with us this morning—she didn’t seem at all like someone getting married today.”

“She’s pretty carefree. If it weren’t for her father, she might not have held a wedding at all,” Suzuna explained with a laugh. “The ceremony’s right here at Dolphin Bay. You can be my date—how about it?”

“All right,” Chen Zi’ang agreed. Since it was at Dolphin Bay anyway, he didn’t mind attending. “So as your date, what am I supposed to do?”

“Nothing at all,” Suzuna replied with a smile. “It’s just a title. Just eat and drink as you please.”

For most people, who your date is doesn’t matter in the slightest.

However, at Song Xi’s wedding this afternoon, there would be many of their mutual friends from their social circle.

This maneuver was what you’d call “staking a claim.” Senior, you don’t need to understand—just follow my lead!

After lunch and some ice cream for dessert, it was nearly one o’clock.

Chen Xiaozhu stayed behind at the fish exhibit hall to keep listening to educational recordings about fish, while Chen Zi’ang and Suzuna Tsukimi headed to the wedding. Gorou Emmon, of course, was more than willing to stay by Xiaozhu’s side, keeping her company so she could continue her “attack.”

Returning to Dolphin Bay, they saw that a simple stage had already been erected on the open space where performances were usually held.

Some formally dressed staff came to check their guest credentials, but soon Song Xi called out to them.

She had already changed into the traditional Landfolk bridal gown, looking exquisite and dignified as she took Suzuna’s hand and asked, “Well? How does it look? I feel like it’s a bit too gaudy on me…”

“Brides are supposed to be vibrant,” Suzuna instructed her. “Do you think it’s like any other day, where you can just pick whatever you want?”

“Weddings are such a hassle,” Song Xi muttered, then turned to Chen Zi’ang. “What do you think, senior?”

“You look lovely,” Chen Zi’ang replied reservedly. “Not gaudy at all—just festive.”

“That’s exactly what you’d say, senior,” Song Xi giggled behind her hand. “But really, if Suzuna wore it, she’d look even better than she does in a pure white kimono.”

“So, senior, you’d better work hard! Then I can be your bridesmaid someday.”

Since this was her wedding after all, Chen Zi’ang could only pretend not to hear and let the comment pass.

“Song Xi, who’s this?” A young man in a groom’s suit approached, first nodding in greeting to Suzuna, then looking to Chen Zi’ang.

“A… friend of Suzuna’s, Chen Zi’ang,” Song Xi introduced, stretching the word “friend” just enough for the young man to catch her meaning. He paused only briefly before smiling and offering his hand to Chen Zi’ang.

“Hello, I’m Qin Song, Song Xi’s fiancé.”

“Hello,” Chen Zi’ang replied, shaking his hand. “Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you,” Qin Song nodded.

Yet, Chen Zi’ang found it odd—this groom, Qin Song, didn’t seem particularly close to Song Xi. Song Xi kept chatting with Suzuna, paying no attention to her fiancé, and Qin Song didn’t seem to mind, making small talk with Chen Zi’ang instead, as if to build rapport.

They each carried on their own social interactions, more like two guests at a gathering than a bride and groom. If not for their wedding attire, most people might not have realized who they were.

Could this be a political marriage? The upper crust really is complicated…

As he pondered, someone in the distance called out, “Suzuna!”