Lucia Lu: "What kind of metaphor is that...?"
"For now, let’s not worry about whether he’ll ever like tofu. First, we need him to actually notice the tofu and give it a try. Don’t you all agree?"
Lucia Lu: "You know... I think you actually make sense! So how do we get him to reach for the tofu?"
"Easy!" Mia Quinn beckoned her over with a finger. "We just disguise the tofu as a plate of rich, fragrant, irresistible braised pork!"
...
The next morning, the divine sons and daughters headed off for early reading at the Instruction Hall, just like always.
On the way, people kept glancing in one direction, their faces full of surprise.
Adrian Drake thought their reactions were odd and turned to look.
Then he saw a woman.
Her Divine Robe was outrageously flashy.
Her makeup was equally flamboyant.
He stared with his mouth open, pointed at her, and rushed over.
He stammered in shock, asking: "Luna Lian! Are you Luna Lian?"
Luna Lian smiled and tossed him a teasing look: "What do you think?"
Oh my god! What's with you today? Why dress up so weirdly? This doesn't suit you at all, it's ugly as sin!
Luna Lian: "..."
Lucia Lu: "..."
Mia Quinn hurriedly slipped away.
...
That night, the strategist trio sat facing each other.
Lucia Lu eyed Mia Quinn, her gaze icy.
"Big Sis Lucia, don’t look at me like that. I had no idea Adrian would... turn out to be a bachelor by nature."
Lucia Lu: "..."
Sean Shaw spoke up: "Tofu should just stay tofu. Turning it into braised pork really changes the flavor. I don’t find it appealing either."
Lucia Lu: "So what’s your idea?"
Sean Shaw thought for a moment and said, "He really likes the food your sister makes. There’s a saying in the lower world: to conquer a man’s heart, you have to conquer his stomach. She should put more care into making him special dishes."
Lucia Lu said, "Sounds good to me."
"Next time I go back to the palace, I’ll bring some good ingredients," Sean Shaw added.
Lucia Lu nodded.
...
Later...
Lucia Lu, Luna Lian, Mia Quinn, and Sean Shaw sat together, watching the lively and popular Adrian Drake from a distance, all looking rather dejected.
Saint Maiden Nina Ning, have a piece! It’s especially delicious.
Saint Maiden Cora Shang, you too.
Come on, everyone gets some!
Saint Maiden Cora Shang asked, "Adrian, these pastries are really delicious! Did your household chef make them?"
"What chef could make something this tasty? My senior sister made these!" Adrian Drake said proudly.
Your senior sister? Which one?
Luna Lian! Her pastries are the best in the world! Adrian Drake gave a big thumbs up.
Wow! Your senior sister treats you so well.
Of course!
...
Luna Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: "I feel like, in his heart, I’m kind of like his mother."
Lucia Lu: "..."
Sean Shaw: "..."
Mia Quinn sighed: "I think he just treats both of his senior sisters as real siblings. He’s never thought about them that way. Don’t you agree?"
Lucia Lu nodded.
Luna Lian looked very frustrated.
Mia Quinn said, "Just confess to him! There’s no other way. Success depends on fate!"
Luna Lian: "No!"
Why not?
"At least not now," Luna Lian said. "Otherwise, if he rejects me, we still have a long time together in the Divine Army barracks. How would I face him or get along?"