Chapter 486: All Part of the Plan

Because today Joseph and Mary need to rush to a nearby town to deliver a batch of custom‑made wooden furniture for an elderly client.

The journey was far, so they couldn't return that day and entrusted Jesus to Yu Lin's care, including handling dinner.

Yu Lin didn't plan any elaborate delicacies; he simply prepared a few dishes: a steamed fish, a plate of stir‑fried seasonal wild greens, a pot of corn and pork rib soup, and steaming, fluffy rice.

When the food was set on the table, the aroma filled the air.

In the past, when Jesus smelled this scent, his eyes would instantly sparkle, his little face would unconsciously show an eager, happy smile, he would even secretly swallow saliva, and he would eat with extra focus and satisfaction.

But today, Jesus's reaction was somewhat different.

He looked at the colorful, fragrant, tasty dishes, and in his clear eyes a faint hint of "liking" flashed quickly, as if the memory and instinct of his palate were instantly awakened.

But that tiny spark, a child's natural yearning for delicacy, was like a small stone dropped into a deep pool—only a barely visible ripple, then it quickly sank and vanished without a trace.

In its place was a calm beyond his age.

There was no particular joy on his face, nor impatience; he simply walked to the table as if the dishes before him were not tempting meals but plain, necessary fuel for sustaining life.

That expression was less composure than a near‑detached acceptance stripped of emotional involvement.

Perhaps in a few years even this fleeting "liking" will vanish completely, and food for him will become merely the energy source that keeps his body running, with no pleasure or attraction from appetite.

What is silently eroding or transforming the part of his nature that belongs to the "human"?

Yu Lin observed all these subtle changes, and his doubts grew.

But he didn't rush to question or investigate.

Some changes require time to observe; some answers cannot be rushed.

He simply, with his usual demeanor, gestured to the seat opposite as Jesus entered:

"Sit down. Your parents aren't here today, so we'll just have something simple."

While serving rice to Jesus, he asked casually:

"Do you have anything special you want to eat? Your parents probably won't be back until the day after tomorrow, and you'll have dinner at my place tomorrow."

"You can tell me in advance so I can prepare."

Jesus obediently sat opposite Yu Lin; upon hearing the question, a clear thoughtful expression appeared on his calm little face.

He tilted his head slightly, as if truly scanning his list of preferences.

However, the contemplation lasted only a second or two, and his expression returned to that unruffled calm as he shook his head:

"I don't know, anything is fine."

"As long as I can eat enough, that's fine."

"As long as you can eat enough?" Yu Lin raised an eyebrow, his lips unconsciously curving into a knowing smile.

He hadn't missed that fleeting "thoughtful" look from Jesus.

That indicates he does have preferences, but they are suppressed or covered by a stronger will or cognition.

"Oh?" Yu Lin set down his bowl, leaned forward slightly, hands clasped under his chin, feigning regret:

"As long as you can eat enough? Oh dear…"

He deliberately elongated his tone, a teasing glint in his eyes, and began enumerating names like a storyteller:

"That's really a pity… I was actually thinking whether to make some of the dishes you used to love tomorrow."

"For example… the roast lamb chops with a golden, crispy crust, tender juicy meat inside, seasoned with cumin and spices? Also mapo tofu, cola chicken wings, braised chicken rice, potato beef stew, boiled fish, sour cabbage fish, spicy chicken, chopped pepper fish head, stir‑fried yellow beef…"

"You said it was tasty, didn't you?"

"And for dessert… we could make some chilled cheesecake jelly drizzled with honey and fruit bits, or… you previously said these were tastier than any market snacks, right?"

"Right, right! Didn't you especially like the fruit I gave you before? I got some more from a friend…"

As Yu Lin painted vivid, tempting descriptions, especially mentioning those foods that once gave Jesus genuine palate pleasure and happy memories, the previously unruffled Jesus seemed unable to hold back.

He seemed to 'see' the golden, glistening lamb chops sizzle before his eyes, to smell the alluring mix of cumin and meat; to 'taste' the cool, sweet cheesecake jelly sliding down his throat; and to 'recollect' the burst of fruit juice that once thrilled his taste buds…

The food illusion, accompanied by the remembered aromas, rushed straight into his nose and mind.

"Glug…"

A barely audible swallow—'glug'—echoed across the quiet table from Jesus.

His small face, striving to stay calm, now flushed slightly unnaturally, and his lips pursed unconsciously.

In those eyes, once as still as an ancient well, a faint Light Dot seemed to struggle and flicker.

Just as he opened his mouth, as if to say something—perhaps "I want the lamb chops," or "Cheesecake jelly would do," or merely an instinctive yearning—

Yu Lin suddenly shook his head, a look of regret as if saying "If you say so, never mind," cutting off Jesus's impending words:

"Alas, what a pity, truly a pity."

He sighed, lifted his bowl again, picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks, and said lightly:

"Since you think anything is fine and food is just for sustenance… then let's not trouble ourselves."

"Tomorrow, we'll just have some simple baked flatbread to get by; I'm too lazy to light a fire anyway, it's easier."

Jesus: "........"

The expression on his little face froze instantly.

Those eyes, which moments ago had a flickering Light Dot, now displayed a visible shock, disappointment, and unmasked frustration.

He opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, yet unsure what to say.

That "anything is fine, it's just sustenance" line was his own words; to contradict it now, wouldn't that be…

Sorry, he spoke too loudly just now.

Childish words are unguarded; can they be taken back?

Seeing that little demeanor, Yu Lin couldn't help but nod inwardly, even feeling a bit like laughing.

"There is reaction, struggle, anticipation, and also childlike frustration and entanglement… that's fine."

"It seems that while Divinity is beginning to dominate, attempting to strip away those 'worldly' desires and emotions, the human side—especially the deep joyful memories and instinctive likes from childhood—are not so easily erased or covered."

As long as you pry open a small gap, you can hook them out.

Yu Lin's mind raced: "God, did you ask me whether I agreed or not? Let me give him Baptism!"

He didn't continue to think deeply; these were just fleeting thoughts.

At the moment, let's eat first.

"Eat, eat, don't space out," Yu Lin tapped his bowl with his chopsticks, producing a crisp sound, waking Jesus from his irritation:

"If it gets cold it won't taste good; finish up and rest early. Tomorrow… I'll take you to a fun place."

"Fun place?" Jesus's attention was indeed diverted, temporarily breaking free from the bleak prospect of "only flatbread tomorrow," a childlike curiosity flickering in his eyes:

"Where to?"

Yu Lin, however, started to tease, only giving a mysterious smile, shoveling a big mouthful of rice, mumbling:

"You'll know later; eat first, you need to be full to have energy to play."

Seeing Yu Lin refuse to say, Jesus could only suppress his doubt, pick up his chopsticks again, and begin eating quietly.

However, compared with his earlier "calm," his eating motions seemed slightly… more proactive, especially when picking at the corn in the steamed fish and pork rib soup.

Yu Lin watched, his smile deepening.

Arousing curiosity, sparking anticipation—that's also part of "human nature," isn't it?

The plan has only just begun.

Everything is within his plan.