Chapter 409 Drinking Buddies

It seems I absolutely have to treat them to a drink.

But Song Chunxue didn't let Chunshu go to her house to say hello.

It's better not to know. If those brats find out, they might get together and come up with some terrible ideas.

"Then let's go to Zuiyunlou. The food and wine there are excellent."

Song Chunxue thought that since she was going to invite Lord Xie for drinks, she couldn't just pick any place; Zuiyun Tower was the most suitable.

“No need,” Lord Xie pointed to the barbecue stall across the street, “the barbecue over there smells good, is that alright?”

“Yes, I was just about to buy it,” Song Chunxue said without stopping her. “Let’s go inside and sit down.”

To everyone's surprise, the barbecue stall owner said, "Sorry, there's no room inside. I'm the only barbecue stall on this street, and it gets quite crowded at night."

Since the curfew was relaxed, more people have been going out at night.

Song Chunxue wondered if it would be very profitable for Hongying to set up a barbecue stall.

There were two tables set up outside. The other table was occupied. The people at the other table seemed to recognize Lord Xie, and they had excited smiles on their faces, but they did not go up to disturb him.

Song Chunxue felt a little awkward. "What would you like to eat, Lord Xie?"

"I haven't eaten it yet. Sister Song, you can have whatever you want to eat."

Song Chunxue ordered ten skewers of red willow mutton, ten skewers of beef, two bowls of mutton noodles, and a pot of wine.

I originally wanted to bring a dozen or so skewers of lamb tendons, but if Lord Xie has bad teeth and can't chew them, the scene would definitely be awkward.

Song Chunxue believes that the quality of one's teeth is inherited.

The Wang family in Lijiazhuangzi lost their teeth early; some lost their front teeth as early as forty years old.

Many people start by losing their molars, and by the time they are in their forties or fifties, many only have one or two molars left.

Perhaps the reason she was able to live so long in her past life was because she had good teeth.

"Why is Sister Song still out so late today?"

"Today is the opening day of the cloth shop that I co-own with Meiyang. I just finished my business."

Xie Zheng pondered for a moment, "That Mei Yang who used to chase after you wanting to marry you?"

Do we really have to talk like this?

"Yes. But her child is over a year old now." She looked down and rubbed her fingers, thinking that this person had changed too much.

"Should I send a congratulatory gift?" Xie Zheng asked, rummaging through his sleeves.

Song Chunxue quickly stopped her, "No need, it's just a small business, don't worry about these formalities."

Debts owed must be repaid. She didn't give a gift when Lord Xie's daughter got married. How will she repay it in the future?

"It's still necessary. I've been in officialdom for a while, so I know these etiquettes." As he spoke, he looked at Liu Chunshu, who was not far away, eating roast chicken with his hands covered in oil. "I'll make it up to him tomorrow. Don't blame me."

"Need not."

"Since we've come across this today, if you still refuse, I'll personally deliver it to the cloth shop."

Helpless, Song Chunxue scrutinized him closely. "Are you really Lord Xie?"

Xie Zheng smiled slightly and sat up straight. "The real deal."

He was dressed in a stone-green round-necked robe with a white belt around his waist. Sitting in the increasingly dim light of day, he resembled a clump of strong bamboo, as clear as a gentle breeze.

Song Chunxue thought to herself that he was even more dazzling than before.

The teeth should be in good condition.

He would be much easier to deal with if he weren't so all smiles and so quick-witted.

"Shopkeeper, I'd like ten more skewers of pig's trotters, a pot of apricot blossom wine, and a pot of red sorghum wine."

"Okay~"

The waiter brought over two bowls of noodles. "Mutton noodles, please enjoy."

Then, the mutton and beef were served, and Song Chunxue handed him a piece of beef.

"I don't eat beef."

Xie Zheng accepted it with both hands, saying, "Thank you."

He couldn't help but smile, and the dim light of the lanterns made his eyes appear exceptionally bright.

"The jade flute can convey distant sentiments, but the colorful brush cannot capture the autumn light. I have traveled to many places, but I have never felt that the early autumn night is so beautiful. The wind blows the fireworks and people are surrounded by the night, the warm light caresses the face, and we talk about poetry and wine. This scene is something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after."

"..." She has only just learned to read and write; she hasn't studied poetry yet.

Xie Zheng poured a glass of wine and handed it to Song Chunxue. "Thank you for your hospitality, Sister Song. It would be even better if the autumn moon were shining. I didn't know that it's the Mid-Autumn Festival. Would you be willing to treat me to a drink, Sister Song?"

Song Chunxue took a sip of wine and continued eating her noodles.

Xie Zheng ate two bites of mutton noodles.

"I thought this noodle soup would be very gamey, but I didn't expect it to be so delicious. The noodles are springy and chewy, and the soup is also very fragrant."

“This noodle dish is really good. I used to be reluctant to eat it.” Song Chunxue pointed to the meat on the plate. “You have to eat the meat while it’s fresh, otherwise it won’t taste good when the oil cools down.”

As she spoke, she grabbed five red willow lamb skewers and gave one to each person, saying, "These are the best."

Xie Zheng took the red willow kebab and thought to himself that he used to only buy one skewer of this meat, and two skewers were enough to fill him up. How could he possibly eat five skewers?

But seeing Song Chunxue eating meat and noodles in large bites, he followed her example, eating meat and drinking wine in large gulps.

He can't bring himself to eat meat and noodles together.

Song Chunxue noticed his hesitation and embarrassment. "It's alright, give me what you can't finish. Lamb is warm in nature and benefits the spleen and kidneys, so it's very suitable for adults."

Xie Zheng lowered his head and chuckled, "Are you saying I'm physically weak?"

"No, it's much better than before. But you probably still have dampness and cold in your body, and your appetite isn't very good. If you don't dislike mutton, drink some mutton soup to soothe your stomach."

Song Chunxue said earnestly, "I know someone who was as thin as a stick when he was young, and his face was ashen. Later, he had a serious illness and used mutton to nourish his body. As a result, the wrinkles on his face were less than they were ten years ago, and I almost didn't recognize him."

Xie Zheng nodded, "Then I'll drink it often from now on."

Soon, Song Chunxue's true colors were revealed.

Tendons were also brought over, and she took out two skewers and handed them to Xie Zheng, saying, "Try some."

Xie Zheng chewed a couple of times. "Hmm, the garlic flavor is strong, it tastes good."

But when Song Chunxue offered it to him again, he refused.

Song Chunxue had almost finished eating and had two glasses of wine, and then she wanted to leave.

"Has the Taoist priest been on the mountain lately?"

"Your senior brother is in seclusion. Is there something you need to see him?"

Song Chunxue glanced at the carriage not far away; Liu Chunshu had six attendants, including himself.

"Are you just passing by or..."

"I heard there are disaster victims here, so I came to check. The food will arrive in a couple of days, and I'll leave again in half a month."

Xie Zheng took a sip of wine and wiped off the oil that had accidentally gotten on his face.

"Oh, I see." She didn't dare to ask any more questions.

"I'll be staying at the inn. Sister Song, won't you invite me to your place for a visit?"

Song Chunxue couldn't handle it, "My children are here, I'm afraid it will make Master Xie uncomfortable."

"It seems Sister Song doesn't welcome me."

"..." She looked at Xie Zheng, "How could that be? You can come anytime you're free."

Xie Zheng stood up and threw the silver on the shopkeeper's table. "Let's go, I'll take you back."

"It's my treat!" Song Chunxue pretended to take back his money and handed over her own.

Xie Zheng raised his hand to stop him.

"If I hadn't insisted that you treat me to drinks, I would have had to eat alone tonight. Sister Song, there's no need to be so formal. You can treat me next time."

“Alright,” she said, turning to look at the noodles on the table. “You haven’t finished eating yet, I can go back by myself.”

"I've witnessed Sister Song's prowess, but I want to finish my drink with you. Life is so boring; it's really hard to find a comfortable drinking buddy."

I've gotten into a fight with my drinking buddy.

"Xie Zheng, you don't have to do this. Can we talk this out clearly? I..."

Seeing Xie Zheng's slightly nervous expression, Song Chunxue suddenly realized that he had only just arrived in Zhuanglang County and hadn't even had a chance to rest.

Seeing that she seemed hesitant to speak, Xie Zheng stopped and spoke in a low voice.

"Since you're unwilling, I'll feel more at ease having Chunshu following behind you."