"Lucy Young, is the young master still the same as before?" Liam Young stared dreamily at the painting that Lucy Young had brought back, her long eyelashes fluttering, lost in thought, and a faint blush appeared on her face.

Lucy Young, being quiet by nature, gently tugged at Liam Young's sleeve and gave her a look. The two of them walked over to Emily Lane, one massaging her shoulders, the other fanning her.

"He's a bit different, but I can't quite say how. However, one thing is certain: the young master's skill in calligraphy and painting is profound. I..." Lucy Young spoke softly, but before she could finish, Emily Lane interrupted her, " Lucy Young, you two don't need to say any more. Leave me be, let me have some quiet."

Liam Young and Lucy Young exchanged a glance and left the room. Just as they reached the doorway, Emily Lane spoke softly again, "Go ask the young master if we can have dinner together..."

Lucy Young and Liam Young stood at Ethan Clark's door, nudging each other and whispering back and forth for a long while, until finally Liam Young, blushing, tiptoed inside.

Ethan Clark was lying on the couch in his bedroom, holding a thread-bound book and flipping through it idly. Although his eyes were on the pages, his mind had long since wandered. He was considering and planning his "development goals" and survival strategy in this Ming Dynasty.

Liam Young stood in the outer room, poked her head in, and called softly, "Young master!"

Volume One: The World in a Pot

Chapter 11: Dining Together

Ethan Clark didn't hear Liam Young's call, still half-reclining on the couch, lost in his thoughts.

Liam Young quietly walked in and called out loudly, "Young master, what are you so lost in thought about?"

"Ah?!" Immersed in his beautiful prospects, Ethan Clark suddenly noticed Liam Young's presence and was startled. He collected himself, put the thread-bound book aside, got off the couch, and said calmly, "It's nothing. What brings you here?"

"Young master, the young lady asked me to see if you would like to have dinner with her tonight?" Liam Young said softly, a faint blush appearing on her fair and pretty face as she spoke. The previous Ethan Clark often teased her, so she rarely dared to be alone with him. This was probably the first time they were alone together in a room.

"Dinner? Is it already time for dinner?" Ethan Clark was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright." Emily Lane was Ethan Clark's wife, and since she suggested having lunch together, as her stand-in husband, he couldn't think of any reason to refuse.

"Very well, young master, please rest. I'll go report to the young lady and have the kitchen prepare the meal." Liam Young left with a hint of joy.

...

When Old Clark heard that Emily Lane wanted to dine with the young master, he was overjoyed. He bustled about, instructing the cook to prepare a lavish dinner, filling the table with dishes and bowls.

Emily Lane was stunned at the sight and couldn't help but shake her head and laugh, "Old steward, with so much food, the young master and I can't possibly finish it all."

Old Clark's eyes narrowed into slits as he bowed and said, "Young mistress, it's not too much at all. Please, you and the young master take your time. Liam Young and Lucy Young, you two just stand by and attend to them."

Emily Lane sighed and said nothing more. Seeing Ethan Clark come out of the bedroom, she gracefully stepped forward, folded her hands, and bowed, "Husband, please take your seat for dinner."

Ethan Clark didn't know what to say, so he just smiled at her and sat down. After Emily Lane sat as well, he picked up his bamboo chopsticks, ready to eat in silence. Since he had nothing to say, it was better to keep quiet; with Emily Lane, for now, the less he said, the better.

Emily Lane picked up a piece of vegetable and chewed it slowly and gracefully, her large, bright eyes constantly glancing at Ethan Clark.

The atmosphere was heavy and awkward. Emily Lane sighed softly, put down her chopsticks, and said gently, "I heard that you haven't been out to those pleasure places these past two days. What have you been doing? Can you tell me?"

Ethan Clark smiled faintly, "The past is like a dream. I won't be going to those places anymore, you can rest assured. These past two days, I've been helping Old Morgan and the others make a three-foot painted vase. It'll come out of the kiln tomorrow afternoon; you can come and have a look if you like."

Emily Lane's eyebrows arched, her eyes filled with deep joy as she leaned forward, "Husband, do you really mean it?"

A waft of fragrance drifted into his nose. In the dim candlelight, Emily Lane's features were as beautiful as a painting, within arm's reach. Her ample chest rose and fell gently with excitement, her long eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes were full of tender affection. Ethan Clark was entranced, his heart involuntarily stirred.

Emily Lane's face flushed red. She straightened up and lowered her head slightly.

"I truly won't go again." Ethan Clark slowly stood up, trying to hide his embarrassment. "From now on, I will rebuild the family business..."

"Husband!" Emily Lane's excited voice trembled a little. Ethan Clark turning over a new leaf—she never wished for wealth or fame, only to grow old together. This was her dream! The once wayward Ethan Clark had really changed, even his manner of speaking was completely different. "I truly won't go again"—to her, these words were like a thunderclap!

"Husband!" Emily Lane called out again in delight.

Ethan Clark sighed inwardly, slowly turned around, looked at her with clear eyes, and sat back down. "Let's eat, the food is getting cold."