“Come, prepare a feast!!”
The old man did not decline the man’s invitation, so the man cheerfully gave orders and began instructing the servants to clear away the wedding decorations and red cloths.
For such a significant event as a wedding, this guy, just because his precious daughter was upset and decided not to proceed, canceled it without even consulting the Wei family, completely disregarding them and starting to dine with others.
This clearly showed the extent of his doting love for his daughter and his arrogant temperament.
After such a series of events, by the time the food was served, it was already dusk.
However, due to the runaway drama caused by the eccentric sisters, neither the man nor the beautiful woman seemed to have eaten lunch.
The old man and the servant sisters, not to mention, had also not eaten while searching for me.
As for me, having been dragged into this mess and running around, I was so hungry my stomach was practically sticking to my back.
So, when plates of delicious dishes were placed before us, we didn’t hold back and immediately began eating and drinking heartily.
“What should I call you, sir?” Amid the meal, the old man didn’t forget his manners.
It wouldn’t do to shamelessly eat and drink at someone’s place without even knowing who they were.
“My surname is Cao, given name Song, courtesy name Jügao,” the man said calmly, picking up a piece of meat and putting it in his mouth.
Clatter.
The old man’s chopsticks fell to the ground, his lips slightly parted in shock as he stared at the man who introduced himself as Cao Song.
I, however, remained focused on the delicious food in front of me, completely unmoved by the man’s words.
I didn’t think there was anything amiss with what he said because I had no idea what the name Cao Song signified.
The old man was different. He immediately stood up and bowed to the man, saying, “This commoner pays his respects to the lord.”
The Lengyu sisters stopped eating, looking at the smiling Cao Song with some confusion.
However, they showed no intention of paying respects—probably because I was still sitting there, unmoving.
“Just an empty title, no need for formalities,” Cao Song said, standing up to help the old man to his feet.
Pointing at me, still seated, he smiled and said, “You’re this foolish boy’s master, so you’re not an outsider. Let’s dispense with these formalities.”
Excuse me, who’s the foolish boy? Who?
“You foolish boy, hurry up and pay your respects to the lord!” The old man, seeing me still sitting there, was exasperated.
“This is Lord Cao, the Grand Administrator of Agriculture!”
Grand Administrator of Agriculture?
What’s that?
Is it edible?
Faced with my blank expression, I’d bet that if I were the food in front of him, the old man would have swallowed me whole without hesitation.
“Haha, this foolish boy is indeed amusing,” Cao Song said, looking at my reaction and laughing carelessly.
I swear, if he calls me “foolish boy” one more time, even if he’s not food, I’ll swallow him whole.
The banquet continued.
Even though the man’s prestigious identity was revealed, the old man, aside from being more mindful of etiquette, showed no trace of flattery, maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor.
As for me, I naturally didn’t flatter either, but unlike the old man, I lacked his noble qualities.
I simply didn’t know why I should care about this man named Cao Song.
Grand Administrator of Agriculture?
Sounds like a big official… but I couldn’t muster any nervousness.
Am I thick-skinned?
No, it’s just that this guy’s earlier behavior made it impossible for me to sense any air of authority from him.
But maybe even he himself doesn’t feel his own authority—otherwise, how could he be so thoroughly tamed by his wife?
Ignoring the old man and Cao Song, who were now chatting away, I turned my attention back to the food on the table.
Rustle.
“…”
Rustle, rustle.
“What are you doing?” Iæ— å¥ˆåœ° turned my head to the chuunibyou girl slightly tugging at my sleeve.
“About what we discussed earlier…” Cao Cao looked at me pitifully, as if I’d betrayed her or something.
“Huh? What are we talking about?” Was she going to apologize for dragging me into this mess earlier?
Oh, come on, I’m not that petty.
Besides, giving me money would be too vulgar, right?
Of course, if you insist on giving me something, I wouldn’t refuse.
I’m not greedy, but to show sincerity, ten thousand taels wouldn’t be too much, right?
Right?
No problem, right?
“Hm?” Seeing me extend my hand as if asking for something, Cao Cao tilted her head in confusion.
Her big eyes darted around, looking for something to hand me, but finding nothing, she looked at my hand again.
Hesitantly, she lowered her head, placed it in my hand, and looked up at me.
“Not that!!” I lifted my hand, raising her head, and shouted.
What’s wrong with this kid?
She’s too adorable, isn’t she?
So, it wasn’t about compensating me?
Then we’ve got nothing to talk about.
“Forget it… What were you talking about?”
Cao Cao’s face flushed with shy embarrassment as she said, “You once said… about changing the world with me…”
I instinctively raised my hand to flick her forehead, but this sharp girl sensed my ill intent, covered her forehead, and stepped back warily, staring at me.
Regretfully withdrawing my hand, I took a sip of soup.
“Did I say that?”
I vaguely remembered saying something about being a man who’d change the world in a moment of passion, but I don’t think I ever said I’d do it with this chuunibyou girl, right?
“Mm.”
“I forgot.”
“Eh~~? How could you? As my vassal, you should dedicate your life to me to save the world. We made a pact, so why are you betraying… ouch!”
She didn’t escape my clutches after all.
My fingers hurt a bit, and her forehead hurt a lot.
“Who betrayed you? Who’s your vassal? We didn’t make any pact, did we? We’re not even related! If anything, it’s a relationship of you screwing me over, right?”
That’s the truth, but this girl didn’t seem to think so.
Cao Cao, teary-eyed, gently rubbed her red forehead and said aggrievedly, “Since we clasped hands, that’s a pact. If you forgot your oath to me, that’s betrayal!”
Who made an oath with you?
I sighed, ignoring the chuunibyou girl, and continued eating.
Cao Cao seemed very dissatisfied with my dismissal but didn’t press further and quieted down.
Just when I thought she’d given up, she spoke again.
This time, unlike before, her voice carried a tone of dejection and doubt, trembling slightly.
“Is a dream like changing the world… really so foolish it’s beyond saving? Is it… truly impossible?”
“…”
I think it was because of what that Wei family young master said to her earlier, causing her to doubt her dreams.
I should affirm her, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
As someone familiar with the Three Kingdoms, I know Cao Cao’s background all too well.
Even with some gaps in my memory, I know Cao Cao’s life was far from peaceful.
This revered hegemon, who rose from a mere cavalry captain to the King of Wei, endured hardships and dangers that I, a person from a later era who’s never experienced war, could never imagine.
I don’t have dreams.
If I had to say, my dream might just be to live idly and wait for death—a small, unremarkable dream.
Even though I once declared I’d change the world in a moment of fervor, I know the likelihood of that.
Talking about changing the world in this broken era is practically the height of foolishness.
Moreover, I’m not of this world.
I was born here by chance, after being expelled from another world by Lingshan for disrupting the timeline.
Since I’m in a situation where pursuers could appear at any moment, I can’t and shouldn’t lightly do anything to affect the course of history, lest things become irreparable.
So, I won’t interfere with Cao Cao’s affairs. Besides, even without me, according to history, her dreams will come true, right?
I shifted my gaze away from Cao Cao, not answering her, not even looking at the girl curled up to the side, seemingly yearning for comfort.
Feeling inexplicably irritated, I quickly finished my food and, under Cao Song’s arrangements, returned to my room to rest.
From start to finish, Cao Cao just sat in the corner with her head down, motionless.
And Cao Cao’s mother, after a glance in her direction, turned back to continue her conversation with the old man and the others.
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