Staying in Goose City for a couple of days, it seemed like Guan Shanjin had some work to handle. After assigning a guard to follow Wu Xingzi, he disappeared.
Of course, Wu Xingzi would not let go of such a rare opportunity. Waking up early, he headed for the Peng Society with the guard following him.
When the familiar-looking salesman saw that it was him, he went up to them with a warm attitude. “Adviser Wu, our manager has been thinking about you since the past few days.”
“I’m grateful that Manager Rancui has been thinking about me. May I ask if he’s available to see me?” Wu Xingzi cupped his hands at him, his head had long been filled with thoughts about The Pengornisseur.
“Of course he is. The manager has reminded us over and over again that if we see Adviser Wu, we must invite you in for a chat.” The salesman’s friendliness made Wu Xingzi bashful yet happy. Who did not like to be missed?
Even more so when this had to do with fifty coins.
It was evident that the guard knew what the Peng Society and The Pengornisseur was about. He silently followed five steps behind Wu Xingzi. If not for the salesman’s glance towards him, Adviser Wu would have forgotten that someone was following behind him.
“This is?” Actually, the salesman did recognise this guard. Last month, when Manager Rancui wanted to stop the general from going to Qingcheng County, they had exchanged quite a few blows.
“This is…” Wu Xingzi was unable to answer. He looked at the guard apologetically and asked, “I’ve been negligent. May I ask, Sir, how should I address you?”
Wu Xingzi only knew that he was Guan Shanjin’s guard.
“I’m Hei’er.” The guard replied respectfully, then cupped his hands towards the salesman. “I’ve been commanded by the general to protect Adviser Wu. We fully trust Manager Rancui, but since we can’t defy our orders, we would like to request the manager to bear with us.”
“Uhh…” The guard had been very polite, and the salesman was unable to criticise him on any point. He also still clearly recalled the frightening memories of the conflict that had happened a while ago. There were still a few pavilions in the courtyard that could still not be used today. “I can bring you along, but when the manager is chatting with Adviser Wu, you should stand further away!”
“I understand, thank you very much.” Since the guard was bent on following him, Wu Xingzi did not reject him. He soon placed all his attention on The Pengornisseur and Rancui.
The salesman led the two people towards that familiar pavilion. Manager Rancui was already seated within and was sipping on his tea. When he looked up to see Adviser Wu, he revealed an indescribably beautiful smile.
“Adviser Wu.” Putting down the teacup, Rancui stood up and cupped his hands at Wu Xingzi, welcoming him. Looking behind Wu Xingzi, his smile turned colder. “Commander Hei, we meet again.”
“I’m Hei’er. We’ve caused a disturbance to the manager a few days ago.” Hei’er’s head was bowed, and his expression could not be seen clearly. He was also standing far away, but his voice was loud enough. Rancui snorted with an icy look on his face, then turned to Wu Xingzi immediately and smiled intimately at him.
“Please take a seat, Adviser Wu. I haven’t seen you in a month.”
“Thank you Manager for thinking about me.” Wu Xingzi hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks, cautiously taking a seat. “Manager, it’s like this. I’d like to ask about The Pengornisseur…”
He turned his head and glanced at Hei’er, before lowering his voice and carefully continuing, “I was unable to come and collect last month’s Pengornisseur. Manager, please accept the fifty coins for next month’s edition.” He secretly sneaked out a little coin pouch and pushed it towards Rancui. Wu Xingzi’s face flushed red, looking uneasy yet excited as though he was doing something naughty.
“So Adviser Wu means…” Rancui did not accept the little coin pouch. He gestured at the salesman outside the pavilion. The salesman instantly understood and walked over to Hei’er, distracting him with conversation.
“My meaning is, I’ll like to continue receiving The Pengornisseur.” Adviser Wu’s face reddened further, but he was very determined. Rancui eyed him for a moment, and the smile on his face turned even more radiant.
“Don’t General Guan and you have plans on becoming life partners?” Rancui was furious when he mentioned that. A month and a half ago, he had confirmed that Adviser Wu had only wanted a tryst. He had immediately handled the matter with the great General Guan, even causing some trouble in Southern Xinjiang. Although the small commotion would not affect the lives of the civilians, Guan Shanjin would still need to spend some effort in settling it.
That little thing about General Guan was supposed to be a secret, but Rancui knew about it. A person whose heart was occupied was really unsuited to join the Peng Society to make friends through the pigeon express. However, his boss had wanted Guan Shanjin to participate based on this point, wanting to stir the waters. He had said that if someone like Guan Shanjin could meet his life partner through the Peng Society, then the society’s future would be even more assured.
Rancui did not know if he would be able to find a life partner, but it could not be denied that Guan Shanjin had brought trouble to the members. The heart of the accountant in Sushui Village was as dead as ashes after Guan Shanjin’s departure. In the end, he had actually ended up marrying a woman. Two days ago, Rancui had received the bridal cakes, and in a fit of anger, he ate them all. Even now, his stomach still ached slightly.
With how General Guan never had feelings for anyone, Rancui had thought that after settling the commotion in Southern Xinjiang, he would just forget about Adviser Wu. Who would have thought that not only did he not forget, he even returned to Goose City and demolished half his courtyard. Pointing Chenyuan Sword at Rancui’s throat, he smilingly told him to not reach his hand out too far, or he would chop it off the next time.
To tell the truth, Rancui had completely lost all hope. Especially after Wu Xingzi had not come the previous month to collect The Pengornisseur, he had thought that maybe the cakes Adviser Wu would send might be a little blander, and he would not be afraid of a stomach ache when he ate them all.
Who would have guessed…
“No such thing, no such thing.” Wu Xingzi waved his hands with a blushing face. “General Guan and I are not on the same path in life, how can I ever go above my station like that?”
“Adviser Wu doesn’t have to be so modest. In my eyes, General Guan is the one going above his station.”
After demolishing the courtyard, the general had tossed enough money at them to build a whole new manor. However, that did not relieve Rancui’s anger. Having done his work conscientiously in the Peng Society for ten years, he would never have thought that in two short months, two members would be ruined under the hand of one person!
What a slap to his face this was!
Who was going above his station, Wu Xingzi did not have any interest in arguing over it. All he was concerned about was The Pengornisseur.
“Manager, can I take the last month’s edition?”
“Of course, that’s not a problem. However, you’re now still living together with General Guan, right?” Rancui glanced over at Hei’er. That man still had his head lowered. The salesman was talking his tongue off at him, but he still stood there motionlessly, towering over the salesman. No one knew if he could hear their conversation.
“Yes yes…” Wu Xingzi sighed as he rubbed at his nose. He was a little unhappy, but soon he perked up again. “He’s about to return to Bastion City. Why don’t I come back and collect The Pengornisseur once he leaves?”
“Of course, we can definitely do that.” Rancui replied with a smile. However, he was very curious and could not help asking, “You don’t seem to be very bothered by General Guan’s imminent departure?”
It could even be said that Wu Xingzi seemed to be looking forward to it. Although Rancui did not like Guan Shanjin, he could not deny that that man was truly very attractive. In the matters of romance, he was definitely very successful, and who knew how many hearts he had stomped on, to this very day?
Adviser Wu did not look as though he had been snared by love, and this was very surprising.
“Uh… Even if I’m bothered, he still has to leave, and I don’t want to leave Qingcheng County. I’m not afraid that you’ll laugh hearing this, but I’ve already selected my gravesite. It’s a good place that’s great for my long rest.” His yearning look seemed as though he was not talking about his grave, but a scenic spot instead.
“I would have never thought that Adviser Wu was so easy-going.” In Rancui’s sharp eyes, Wu Xingzi was a man of great affection. On top of that, with his loneliness, he should be the type to fall in love easily and find it hard to get out of it.
Looking at him now, not only did Wu Xingzi not seem to have any great affection for Guan Shanjin, it seemed as though he did not even have a place for him in his heart.
“Am I easy-going?” Wu Xingzi blinked, picking up his teacup and drinking from it. He gave a vague, wry smile, “You’re overestimating me. This isn’t being easy-going, it’s just that it’s impossible for some people to be together forever, so why seek this trouble?” This sounded logical, but there was a poignancy to it.
Rancui did not respond to that. Instead, he asked Wu Xingzi to enjoy the snacks.
The two of them chatted for a little while more. When another member arrived, Rancui then pushed the little coin pouch back into Wu Xingzi’s hand, speaking gently, “Adviser Wu, take these 50 coins back. It was the Peng Society’s inadequacy that caused General Guan to be able to find you. Fortunately, you weren’t harmed, but the Peng Society has to compensate you for that. Before you find your life partner, The Pengornisseur will be provided to you for free, please accept it.”
“How can I accept that?” Wu Xingzi anxiously pushed the coin pouch back to Rancui, but Rancui had already stood up, signalling that he would not accept it.
“Adviser Wu, you’re an important guest of the Peng Society. Don’t worry and accept our apologies. This little book is not worth mentioning, I await respectfully for your good news.” Rancui motioned the salesman over, instructing him to lead Wu Xingzi out.
Seeing that he was unable to object, Wu Xingzi again cupped his hands gratefully and thanked him. Only until Rancui had disappeared from sight did he leave.
When he exited the Peng Society, it was already a quarter to two.
Wu Xingzi rubbed his belly. Although he had eaten some snacks and tea, his stomach still felt empty. He spoke apologetically to Hei’er, “Commander Hei, I’ve been negligent. You must be hungry as well? Why don’t we look for a stall to fill our stomachs?”
“The general has instructed that once you’re done at the Peng Society, I have to bring you to Restaurant of Songs to meet him. Also, Adviser Wu can just address me as Hei’er.”
“Uh…” Adviser Wu scratched at his nose. He was just a commoner, an adviser of a little county, how could he just call the commander by his name like this!
“You’re with the general, and so naturally you’re the master of Hei’er. There’s no need to be bothered by this.” Hei’er bowed his head, his tone respectful, and it made Wu Xingzi feel even more at a loss.
Seeming to notice his uneasiness, Hei’er no longer mentioned the matter of address and led Wu Xingzi towards Restaurant of Songs.
Speaking about Restaurant of Songs, it was one of Goose City’s most famous restaurants. It was also the oldest one, and its prices were the most unadorned. A meal with three dishes, one soup and half a bucket of rice could be had for around ten coins, the cooking style simple and grounded, and the restaurant would never cut corners and do things carelessly. With its reputation, Wu Xingzi had also eaten there twice before.
Guan Shanjin’s choice had made him feel a lot more relieved, and he was even hungrier.
Although it was past the meal time, Restaurant of Songs was still full of customers. Seeing Hei’er and him, the server came up immediately and welcomed them warmly. “Customers, you’re here for a meal?” Restaurant of Songs had something that set them apart from other restaurants. They had a license to brew alcohol, and they could supply their own liquor without purchasing from other merchants.
The exclusive Kongsang liquor was brewed from mulberries. Its colour was similar to the liquor brewed from grapes, but a little lighter, like agate. It tasted slightly sour and sweet, with a lingering spiciness to it. It felt warm and mild upon drinking it, but the throat would tingle as it slid down, feeling a little spicy. When it hit the stomach, it heated up like a fire, bringing with it a kind of comfort to the drinker.
Many customers came just to have a few glasses of the liquor and did not have any food.
“We’re looking for Master Guan.” Hei’er told the server.
“Master Guan?” The server thought about it for a moment, and his smile turned warmer. “Master Guan is waiting for the two of you in the Room of Rain, please follow me.”
They climbed all the way to the top. The building that housed Restaurant of Songs was the tallest in Goose City, and there was a bird’s eye view of the surroundings.
There were only four rooms on the top floor, and they were all very spacious.
The Room of Rain was the first room on the left. It had the best view, and it was no wonder the server smiled till his eyes could not be seen.
Opening the door, the first thing to be seen was Guan Shanjin’s tall and slender figure. He was still dressed in black, sitting by the window. Hearing the noise, he turned his head towards them. Those alluring eyes were hazy, with a little glimmer in them. Seeing Wu Xingzi, they curved slightly.
Although he did not smile, his face looked even more enchanting than if he had smiled, and a lingering affection could be seen.
Wu Xingzi could not drag his eyes away. His face flushed deeply, and he made his way floatingly towards Guan Shanjin.
“Have, have you been waiting for long?” Only after he smelled the cool scent of the man did Wu Xingzi stop, and stammered.
“Not too long, I’ve only had a flask of liquor.” Guan Shanjin reached out to pull him into his arms, stealing a kiss.
The sweet and sour taste of the liquor from his lips transferred to Wu Xingzi. Wu Xingzi clearly had yet to drink anything, but he felt slightly intoxicated.