"Haha, I have never met Madam Cheng, but we have heard of your name before."
The second manager laughed heartily, sounding quite sincere. "Gentlemen, you've come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Why don't you come and take your seats first, and we can discuss things in more detail later?"
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Second Manager." Cheng Ruyi had come here to eat, and was also a little curious about what the other party would say to her, so she followed them in without hesitation.
The second manager led the Cheng family to a private room on the second floor, then walked to the window and proudly introduced, "This Tingchao Pavilion is the most scenic spot in our Baizhenlou. Outside the window is the bustling Luoyang River, the most prosperous area in Qionglin, lively day and night. Dining here will not only allow you to enjoy delicious food but also experience the vibrant beauty of Qionglin—a perfect combination!"
Tingchao Pavilion seems to be located on a relatively high elevation. The view from the second floor feels like it's at least three or four stories high. The scenery on both sides of the river below is fully visible, making its location truly excellent.
While the Cheng family was enjoying the beautiful scenery, servants kept bringing in various fruits, flower teas, and appetizers.
"Please enjoy the tea and snacks at Baizhenlou first. Dinner will be served shortly." Before Cheng Ruyi could ask, the second manager immediately continued, "Madam Cheng, Master Wen is also dining upstairs today. Would you mind coming up to see him?"
Wen Jingqing is actually able to go out? And to such a far place at that?
No, it seems she'll need to mix in some lower-grade spirit rabbits next time, otherwise the effect will be too overpowered!
With things on her mind, Cheng Ruyi's expression naturally became more serious as she walked upstairs.
After a moment's hesitation, the second manager spoke: "To be honest, the reason I know of Madam Cheng's reputation is because of the 'Bo Xia Gong' at Zhiwei Restaurant. I heard that you first went to our branch in Huaishan County, but unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. What a pity!"
"I see, that's a real pity."
What a pity! Those kitchen staff at Baizhenlou were all arrogant and conceited. As the saying goes, if the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too. Their century-old reputation was ruined by a few bad apples.
Having operated in the prefectural city for many years, the second manager could naturally detect the perfunctory tone in Cheng Ruyi's voice. "Hehe, our Baizhenlou is a century-old establishment. The reason we have been able to stand in the prefectural city for so many years is because of our strength and reputation. Please rest assured, Madam Cheng. I look forward to having the opportunity to cooperate with Madam Cheng."
The Baizhenlou in the prefectural city has a much richer history than the Baizhenlou in Huaishan County, so it is naturally incomparable. However, Cheng Ruyi will not be staying here for long, so cooperation will be a bit difficult. Of course, she greeted her with a smile and replied sincerely, "Second Manager, you are too kind. I also very much hope to have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."
For a moment, both of them were all smiles and chatting happily. Regardless of how much of it was genuine, the atmosphere at least seemed very harmonious.
The private rooms on the third floor of Tingchao Pavilion are larger, more exquisite, and more luxurious than those on the second floor.
Wen Jingqing was still dressed in plain white, without any fancy decorations, yet he exuded an even more imposing air of nobility than the opulent private room. The book he casually held in his hand added a touch of gentle elegance to this air of nobility, softening the oppressive atmosphere.
Cheng Ruyi glanced at him and found that the other person seemed to be in good spirits, but was still very thin. Well, what could you expect from a top student who had booked the Mingxin Cold Pool for a month? How much time would he spend on conditioning his body and eating?
"Madam Cheng, how have you been?"
Wen Cheng stood by the window and greeted Cheng Ruyi with a smile. Although her words were brief and polite, her tone was very gentle.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, causing the gauze curtains by the window to rise and then slowly fall back down. Behind the curtains, Wen Cheng's smile was more dazzling than the sunset glow behind him.
Beautiful women are truly pleasing to the eye, regardless of gender.
"Ahem, Mr. Wen, it's been a long time."
Coming to her senses, Cheng Ruyi felt a little embarrassed. She hadn't expected to be so distracted by the handsome man. So she quickly changed the subject: "Although it's past the Lesser Heat, it's still a bit chilly by the river after nightfall. It would be best if Master Wen didn't linger by the window for too long."
Wen Cheng's smile seemed to deepen upon hearing this. "Madam Cheng is right. I was careless."
After he finished speaking, he walked to the table, sat down, and began to drink his tea, looking completely relaxed and content.
Cheng Ruyi sat down as well, her eyes inadvertently glancing at the thick stack of books on the desk by the window. She remembered Huang Youcai saying that this talented Wen always brought books with him when he came to the spa, and he would read them while soaking!
She couldn't help but admire him in her heart, "Wow, what does it mean to be a top student? Look at him! He's incredibly talented and still so hardworking. If he's not amazing, who is?"
While internally complaining, Cheng Ruyi picked up her teacup and began to drink tea elegantly.
She certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to ask how they knew she was there, since the Cheng family was on the Gu family's passenger ship, someone would definitely have informed them.
As for why the talented Wen was here, there were naturally reasons. In any case, she wouldn't be so arrogant as to think that he deliberately arranged it because he wanted to see her.
But after a quarter of an hour, she couldn't keep up the act any longer. The other party hadn't spoken yet, and she was afraid that if she stayed any longer, her family would worry. After thinking for a moment, she decided to get straight to the point: "I just heard from the second manager that it seems that Master Wen has something to discuss with me? I wonder what it is?"
"I've heard that Baizhenlou's tea is supplied by imperial merchants and is exceptionally precious, but I feel it's not as good as Lingyunge's tea. It's just a pity that your Manager Huang said that tea isn't for sale to the public..."
Instead of answering Ruyi's question directly, Wen Cheng handed her a cup of tea with a color as clear and translucent as jade. Her slender, fair, and well-defined fingers made the jade teacup look like a work of art.
Cheng Ruyi: "......"
Understood. She will definitely lower the spiritual energy content of the tea in Lingyun Pavilion when she gets back!
"Mr. Wen, you flatter me. Our shop only offers ordinary tea, how can it compare to the tea of the imperial merchants? If you like it, I can send some over next time I deliver rabbits, would that be alright?"
The tea was indeed of high quality and quite expensive, but the key to the tea in the shop was that some ingredients had been added later, and it was brewed with diluted spiritual spring water. So, if she were simply sending the tea to the Wen family, she wouldn't be worried.
Wen Cheng was slightly surprised that Cheng Ruyi agreed so readily, but he didn't take it too seriously, since it was just a casual remark anyway.
But Cheng Ruyi continued, "However, drinking too much tea may affect your sleep at night. I heard Manager Wen mention that you often have trouble sleeping. For your health, I hope you can pay a little more attention to it."
"In my opinion, the Dream Lotus Fragrant Pool or the Nourishing Vein Spirit Pool might be more suitable for your health, Mr. Wen... Of course! I'm not trying to influence the customer's choice, but Mr. Wen and his wife are the living advertisement of our shop, and I naturally sincerely hope that you both live to be a hundred years old."
Hearing such blunt words again, Wen Cheng couldn't help but chuckle, "Madam Cheng is still as straightforward as ever."
Seeing the other party's attitude, Cheng Ruyi knew that the other party had not listened at all. Oh well, it's his life after all. If he doesn't cherish it, then you shouldn't meddle in other people's business.
She just couldn't understand what could be more important than her own life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com