Jingcheng's chili workshop is located in Qilipo, a place on the outskirts of the city. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, making it a scenic spot.
Having just finished dealing with the tedious accounting matters, Ling'er finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She dragged her somewhat tired body slowly to the edge of the field, and then sat down with a thud.
It is harvest season, and as far as the eye can see, the fields are covered with bright red, juicy chili peppers hanging from the branches, resembling a sea of burning flames.
Ling'er gazed quietly at the bright red chili pepper field before her, her thoughts drifting away. She became completely absorbed in her own world, oblivious to the passage of time.
"Boss, boss..." A few shouts suddenly broke the silence.
As if waking from a dream, Ling'er came to her senses. Her previously confused eyes gradually focused, and then she slowly turned her head in the direction from which the sound came.
In that instant, her gaze met that of the person who had just arrived, and her heart skipped a beat.
Tang Luoheng was seen jogging towards them, his steps light and agile, as if he were walking on air.
As they drew closer, it became clear that his face was beaming with excitement, and his bright eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
Finally, Tang Luoheng stopped in front of Ling'er. He was slightly out of breath from running too fast, but this did not affect his mood at all.
He looked at Ling'er with a big smile and said happily, "Master, there's no problem this time. The accountant also highly approves of the bookkeeping method I taught him!"
At this point, he couldn't help but laugh out loud, a clear and melodious laugh.
Ling'er was delighted to hear this. "That's wonderful! Excellent! You truly are educated; your mind is far more agile than ours. In that case, starting this month, your monthly allowance will be doubled."
"Thank you, boss." Tang Luoheng then sat down at the edge of the field, captivated by the endless chili pepper field before him.
The two started chatting casually, and got more and more excited as they talked.
From their past experiences to their hopes and plans for the future, the two got along very well.
Looking at the chili pepper field, Tang Luoheng was filled with emotion: "I used to spend most of my time studying, but I never realized that there was such a beautiful sight in this world."
Speaking of this, Ling'er was extremely proud: "Of course, we started our business with these chili peppers. If it weren't for Xiaoxi, we wouldn't have discovered this business opportunity."
Hearing her speak of General Li with such pride, Tang Luoheng lowered his eyes slightly, his expression filled with admiration and longing. "General Li is truly a pillar of the state, capable of both military prowess and civil administration."
Upon hearing this, Ling'er's face instantly lit up with an incredibly proud smile, and she excitedly said, "That's for sure! Come on, I'll show you around."
As Ling'er spoke, she stood up and led Tang Luoheng deeper into the chili field.
As she walked, Ling'er accidentally stepped on a loose stone and leaned forward.
Tang Luoheng reacted quickly, grabbing her arm and supporting her steadily.
As their eyes met, the atmosphere became subtle, and it seemed as if only their breathing could be heard around them.
"Th...thank you." Ling'er blushed slightly and quickly turned her head away. Tang Luoheng was also a little embarrassed, scratching his head and saying, "It's my pleasure, the road is a bit rugged."
The two continued on their way and came to the top of a small hill.
In the distance, the setting sun casts its last rays upon the vast fields of chili peppers, creating a breathtaking scene.
After spending a few days in Jingcheng, they returned to Kyoto, and the distance between them suddenly shortened considerably.
When Li Xi returned from her trip, she passed by Zhongji Restaurant and decided to go in and take a look.
As soon as she stepped into the backyard, her gaze was drawn to two people in the pavilion not far away.
They were each holding a book, sitting there quietly reading. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a soft golden glow on them.
The scene was truly picturesque, a perfect blend of talent and beauty, serene and lovely. Li Xi was smitten; she had already sent someone to investigate.
Tang Luoheng is the second son of the eldest son of Tang Lingneng, a renowned Confucian scholar of our time.
This person is twenty-two years old this year. Three years ago, he participated in the autumn imperial examination and won the top score.
Regardless of his outstanding talent, his appearance alone is exceptionally handsome.
With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a face as handsome as jade, a posture as upright as a pine tree, and an elegant demeanor like an orchid, he exuded a dashing and debonair air. Such a man was a perfect match for Ling'er.
What's even more remarkable is that he was chaste and never married, nor did he have any concubines at home, and he never frequented brothels, which is truly commendable.
Their family had strict traditions, and both parents were exemplary in monogamy, with no concubines or mistresses. They were a truly prestigious family, worthy of respect.
If such a person were to fall in love with Ling'er, it would surely be a beautiful story.
Li Xi stood there for a while, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
She coughed lightly and walked towards the pavilion.
Upon seeing Li Xi, Ling'er immediately put down her book and ran towards her. "Xiao Xi, you're back," Ling'er greeted her with a smile.
Li Xi nodded and joked, "You two seem to get along quite well."
Ling'er's face turned bright red, and Tang Luoheng also felt a little uneasy.
Seeing this, Li Xi burst out laughing, easing the awkward atmosphere. "Just got back, just passing by and thought I'd grab a bite to eat."
Upon hearing this, Ling'er pouted and said, "What are you talking about? Even if you come back in the middle of the night, I won't hesitate to get up and cook you a big meal. Come on, let's go to the kitchen and see what you want to eat, I'll cook it myself."
After saying that, she pulled Li Xi and walked towards the kitchen.
Li Xi specifically observed Tang Luoheng's reaction, and sure enough, his face turned dark instantly.
I didn't expect these two to make such a quick progress, but they haven't broken through the barrier yet. It seems she needs to add fuel to the fire.
Seeing their intimate behavior, Tang Luoheng felt uneasy sitting in the pavilion.
He knew he had secretly developed feelings for Ling'er, but he feared she didn't reciprocate. Besides, she was acquainted with General Li, and the two seemed well-matched...
Just then, a servant rushed in and handed him a letter from home…
When he had free time, Li Xi would often come to the restaurant to find Ling'er, deliberately passing by the accounting office.
Tang Luoheng, in the accounting office, overheard the two whispering and laughing intimately. His heart ached as if pricked by needles.
Whenever he saw Ling'er with Li Xi, an indescribable bittersweet feeling welled up in his heart.
"Young Master Tang, Young Master Tang?" The shop assistant outside the accounting office called softly, interrupting his thoughts.
Tang Luoheng snapped out of his daze and forced a smile: "What is it?"
"General Li is looking for you. He's waiting for you at Tianxiang Pavilion on the third floor," the waiter said.
Upon hearing this, his heart skipped a beat. General Li was looking for him?
Although he was puzzled, he had no choice but to put down the account book, straighten his clothes, and walk towards the Tianxiang Pavilion on the third floor.
When he arrived at the entrance of Tianxiang Pavilion, he paused slightly.
Just as he hesitated whether to knock, Li Xi's clear and melodious voice suddenly came from inside: "Come in."
So, Tang Luoheng gently pushed open the door and went inside.
As soon as he entered, he saw Li Xi sitting upright at the table, smiling at him, and saying politely, "Please sit down, Young Master Tang."
Just then, Ling'er came in carrying osmanthus wine. Seeing the two chatting happily, she was a little surprised: "What's wrong? Why are you having such a good time?"
Li Xi and Tang Luoheng exchanged a smile, as if they had reached some kind of tacit understanding.
Li Xi stood up, took the wine pot from Ling'er, poured a cup for each of the three, and said with a smile, "It's nothing, just a casual chat. Come, let's drink this cup together, wishing our friendship will last forever, and that lovers will be united in marriage."
Although Ling'er didn't understand what was going on, she was amused by Li Xi's words and raised her glass to toast the two of them.
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