Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The day drew closer and closer.

Though the guests from every faction had yet to arrive, their lavish gifts had already been delivered ahead of them, filling two entire storerooms.

The day before my hairpin ceremony, the manor grew even livelier. As the person at the center of it all, I was not allowed to receive guests the day before.

Taking advantage of the rare free time, I changed into an ordinary dress and slipped out through the side gate.

The sun was just right. With no particular destination in mind, I strolled down Zhouwu Street.

At the city gate, I happened to see a young lady with cheeks flushed scarlet, trying to stuff a pouch embroidered with mandarin ducks into Lu Qi’s arms.

Lu Qi seemed rather helpless. He was lifting a hand to refuse her when the corner of his eye caught sight of me, and his movement froze.

Seeing someone approaching, the young lady hurriedly took back the pouch, turned, and ran off.

Lu Qi rubbed his nose and walked over to me.

“Well, well. My lady, what refined leisure you have. Tomorrow is your big day, yet you still have the mood to wander about?”

I smiled. “With Mother and the elders handling everything, I’m happy to be idle. I thought I might as well come out for some air.”

“True. Occasions like that come with endless rules. Exhausting.”

He tilted his head and looked at me, his smile lazy. “I thought a young lady like you cared deeply about rules. I didn’t expect you to have such carefree moments too.”

“Rules are a framework. Breathing is instinct.”

“One can’t stay tense every moment of the day.”

Lu Qi nodded, then glanced up at the sky before looking back at me.

“Tomorrow is your hairpin ceremony. I’m a nobody, so I probably don’t have the status to come to your door and offer congratulations.”

“Never mind. Since we happened to meet today, I’ll spend a little money and treat you to a meal at a restaurant. Consider it an early birthday celebration.”

I answered, “Sure.”

He raised a brow. “You really dare to go?”

I raised a brow as well. “It’s only a meal. Weren’t you the one who said you were going to spend money?”

Lu Qi burst out laughing and shook his head. “Fine. It is my honor that my lady is willing to grace me with her presence. Where would you like to go? I hear the calabash chicken at Jinqiao Villa is excellent.”

I looked over his plain, shabby clothes and couldn’t help laughing.

“Forget it. One trip to Jinqiao Villa would cost you three months’ salary, wouldn’t it? Let’s go to the place you usually visit.”

He did not argue. “All right. Today, I’ll let you have a taste of the real world.”

In front of a small noodle stall, a few wooden tables had been set out simply.

Lu Qi seemed very familiar with the owner.

“Old Zhang, two bowls of saozi noodles and two cornmeal buns.”

“Coming right up!”

When the saozi noodles were served, Lu Qi personally handed me a pair of chopsticks. “Old Zhang’s saozi noodles are as authentic as they come. Hurry and eat.”

As he spoke, he slurped up a mouthful first, then picked up a cornmeal bun and took a hearty bite. Satisfaction showed in his eyes.

Watching him, he looked like a leopard that had basked in the sun to its heart’s content. For a moment, I couldn’t help smiling.

“What are you grinning about? Try some.”

He passed me a piece of cornmeal bun, then suddenly drew out his words.

“But… around here, we have an old saying. If you eat my bun, you’ll have to become my wife.”

His tone was frivolous, but it felt more like a probe.

I looked at the fragrant cornmeal bun in his hand.

Then, under his reckless gaze, I reached out and steadily broke off half of it.

“Mm. Not bad.”