Chapter 308: Those Peculiar Questions
Just as Clow Reed had said, good food was not something to be forsaken. With a demeanor of gentle grace that concealed a mind of deep cunning, he embodied this principle perfectly—dining in silence, savoring in silence, and healing in silence.
For a man who knew the hour of his death was approaching, Clow Reed possessed a deep calm. He understood with perfect clarity that he had neither the right nor the inclination to harbor regrets.
He knew that a life lived with regrets was a life still, but one lived without them… that was a life of true worth. He accepted the consequences of his choices with a quiet joy, and when sorrow inevitably surfaced, he found ways to soothe it. He sought to mend his spirit, to find a measure of peace that would follow him even beyond the veil of life.
Clow Reed's gaze drifted to Ren, who was playfully teasing Lucy while occasionally glancing at the book in his hands. If he had to name someone who was so very much like him, yet fundamentally different in every way, it would have to be Ren.
There were only a few final matters Clow wished to attend to, loose ends he felt compelled to tie himself. However, not all of them required his solitary effort. For instance, enjoying one last magnificent meal, or ensuring that the woman currently lost in her own culinary bliss could live a life free of consequence in another world before he passed. She had been alone for a long, long time; it was time she was allowed to enjoy the simple pleasures life had to offer.
Clow Reed was indeed a cunning man, but at his core, he was a gentle one. His gentleness, however, was not for the world at large; it was reserved for the few people he held close. And such a focused kindness could never heal the one who wielded it.
This was why he so desperately wished to see Natsume Takashi one last time before he departed. Natsume's gentleness was of a different sort entirely—a kindness directed at the entire world, at life itself. It was as if he was the very personification of gentleness.
He ate, and he thought, a proof of the boyish heart that often beats within a man, regardless of his years. With a single stray thought, Clow Reed's mind would drift to realms unknown, not unlike a passionate teenager dreaming of the future.
Finally, as he lifted the last piece of Guo Bao Rou to his lips, the perfect, tender crispness of the pork shattered his reverie and pulled him back to the present. He blinked, only to realize that every single plate on the table was empty.
Humans are a peculiar species. They often believe themselves to be at their most capable when their minds are sharp and clear, yet there is an unforeseen potential in a state of mild distraction. Clow Reed was living proof; lost in thought, a person could consume far more than they normally would.
Leaning back in his chair, he let out a contented sigh. "Ah… As expected, not a single scrap is left. That was truly delicious."
Ren gently pinched Lucy's cheek, a playful smile on his face. "You're really something else. You ate so much all by yourself. At this rate, you probably don't have any room left for dessert, do you?"
Ignoring Lucy's flailing attempts to bat his hand away, Ren glanced at the elegant woman who was still savoring her meal with a look of pure enjoyment. "No wonder you two are friends," he remarked with a smile. "You're both genuine food lovers, and you both appreciate a good drink."
Clow Reed chuckled. "In a sense, I am an enthusiast. She, on the other hand, simply loves to eat."
A cold glint flashed in the woman's eyes as she shot Clow a look. This man… he knows, so why must he say it out loud?! What was so wrong with being a foodie? A Queen who was also a gourmand and a connoisseur of fine spirits was a desirable trait, no matter how one looked at it!
"Ren! Let go! Let me go!"
After struggling for a few more moments and realizing she couldn't break free from his gentle grip, Lucy gave up with a distinct lack of backbone. In her mind, surrendering to her lover was nothing to be ashamed of. Of course, whether something was shameful or not was often a matter of public opinion.
Ren met her pouting gaze. "Still want to play?" he asked softly.
"No more…" she grumbled.
"Honestly, Lucy, you always manage to pick up the strangest things."
The moment Ren released her, Lucy immediately leaned back, as if terrified of having her face pinched again. Even if it was an intimate gesture, it was still incredibly embarrassing in front of other people!
Lucy rubbed her cheek, whispering under her breath, "They're all liars… those damn articles… But really, what kind of boyfriend is Ren, anyway?"
Ren sighed, a hint of helplessness in his expression. Lucy, ever the practical one, had a habit of immediately applying anything she learned online. Just a moment ago, she had shoved a questionnaire in his face, demanding he fill it out to determine what "type" of boyfriend he was. The questions grew more bizarre with each passing line, and after Ren had dutifully answered every single one, the results came back: a perfect zero in every category.
Lucy had been dumbfounded. Insisting that she had to get a result, she had produced another list of even more peculiar questions. In the end, it had led to this. But she still hadn't given up; she was convinced she could get a definitive answer!
Ren felt he ought to subject her to a similar test one of these days. Then she would understand just how absurd it was. Could a normal person even conceive of such questions?
'If your girlfriend and your mother both fell into a river, which live-streaming app would you use to broadcast the event?''If Xiaoming has one apple and Xiaoliang has one apple, who will eat a pear today?''When going out, what posture would you use to hold your partner?' This one had started out sounding normal, almost artistic, until the follow-up image involved a rope. Was this about a partner or about walking a dog?
There were a hundred of these strange, nonsensical questions. In a way, the fact that Ren had managed to complete the entire list under Lucy's expectant gaze was a clear sign of just how much he doted on her.
Seeing that Lucy had finally stopped searching for another questionnaire, Ren gently stroked her hair. "If you must know what 'type' I am," he said softly, "then consider this: a person has a thousand facets to their soul. I suppose that means I'm all of them."
"Hmph! I think you're the cat type! Lazy and cunning," she retorted.
"Am I cunning?"
"Cerberus, do you think he's cunning?" she demanded, turning to the small winged creature.
"Hmm… Master is the best!" came the immediate, loyal reply.
Lucy's cheeks puffed out. That little traitor! The moment he gets a master, he forgets who his real boss is! Then again, if someone asked her the same question, she'd probably give the same answer. With that thought, she hummed and, as if possessed by a sudden whim, reached out and stroked Ren's head. Damn it, why does this feel… kind of nice?
"What are you doing?" Ren asked, his voice laced with amusement.
"Uh… petting a cat?"
"I'm not playing anymore… but it really does feel like I'm petting a cat…" she mumbled to herself, her hand lingering.
Clow Reed watched the two of them with a warm smile. "Shopkeeper Ren is truly a good man."
Ren glanced at Clow before smiling back. "Isn't this just what a man should do?"
His simple question seemed to catch both Clow Reed and the woman slightly off guard. After a moment, Clow's smile returned, tinged with something more thoughtful. "Ah… yes. This is a man's duty… isn't it?"
The woman, taking a slow sip of her drink, suddenly grew poetic. "In that regard," she said softly, her eyes distant, "you are far, far worse than Mr. Ren."
"And that," Clow replied, his voice calm and accepting, "is why I have been alone, even unto death."
[Translator's Note: Guo Bao Rou (锅包肉) is a classic Dongbei (Northeastern Chinese) dish of double-fried, thinly sliced pork tenderloin coated in a potato starch batter and tossed in a sweet and sour sauce. It's famous for its incredibly crispy exterior and tender interior.]
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