“Oh? It’s the owner of Sweet Pastry Shop!” the younger beauty spoke first.
Lu Zheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted, smiling and cupping his hands, “Are you two Old Man Liu’s family?”
“Greetings, Young Master Lu.”
The older beauty gave a faint smile, nodding gracefully with a bow, her demeanor elegant and refined.
Good heavens, a classic ancient beauty, a refined lady from a good family, Lu Zheng blinked, returning the gesture with a bow.
After exchanging names, Lu Zheng learned the older beauty was Liu Qingyan, and the younger was Liu Qingquan.
The Liu family, four in total, had just moved into their new home today. Old Man Liu and his wife were still directing the servants to arrange the household, while these two couldn’t wait to go shopping in Cong’an Lane.
Indeed, women across all worlds share some traits, transcending the boundaries of the universe.
“Young Master Lu, the sugar frosting in your shop is so sweet,” Liu Qingquan’s eyes sparkled.
Poor child, in 21st-century China, who still eats rock sugar plain!
“Is that so? I’ve made some special candies, you can try them later.”
“Better than sugar frosting?”
“Definitely better than sugar frosting,” Lu Zheng nodded seriously, “but don’t eat too much, too much sugar can harm your teeth.”
Liu Qingquan shook her head like a rattle, “My teeth won’t get damaged, look!”
She stepped closer to Lu Zheng, tilted her head, and bared her teeth, revealing a set of small, pearly whites.
Neat and tidy, white as jade, better than modern whitened teeth.
“Yes, yes, I see,” Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly, stepping back two paces.
First meeting, mustn’t show my true nature!
“Young Master Lu must find this amusing, my little sister hasn’t yet come of age, she’s still naive,” Liu Qingyan reached out to pull her sister back.
“No, no, your sister’s lively nature is, well, quite nice.”
Lu Zheng’s courtyard wasn’t far from the lane’s entrance, the Liu residence even closer. After a brief chat, they reached the Liu family’s gate.
“Young Master Lu,” Old Man Liu happened to step out, spotting Lu Zheng.
“Greetings, Old Man Liu, I just met your daughters at the lane’s entrance and chatted briefly.”
“No matter, no matter. By the way, I don’t know many people in Tonglin County. I planned to visit you this afternoon to invite you for dinner, as a housewarming feast,” Old Man Liu said with a smile.
“When an elder invites, I dare not refuse, so I’ll respectfully accept.”
I’m definitely not just eager to see the pretty young ladies, absolutely not!
The Liu sisters bid farewell to Lu Zheng and entered their home. Lu Zheng also took his leave of Old Man Liu and returned to his own residence.
“Young Master, the Liu family next door…”
Li Bo had just come to greet him when Lu Zheng waved his hand, “I just met them at the entrance, it’s a housewarming feast, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Got it, then I won’t eat dinner at home,” Lu Zheng nodded and headed to the back courtyard.
“Hmm, a housewarming feast, they’re hosting, I’m a guest, so I should bring a gift. What to bring?”
Lu Zheng slipped back to the modern world, changed clothes, and headed to the Carrefour supermarket at the community entrance.
“Judging by the Liu family’s attire, they don’t seem short of money, probably well-off.”
“Hmm, candies are a must.”
Lu Zheng passed the candy aisle and picked up a tin of imported fruit hard candies for the younger beauty, Liu Qingquan.
The little beauty is adorable, and we’ll likely meet often, so a box of hard candies is a good start. Chocolates, breath mints, and the like can come later, step by step.
Hmm, adults can have a drink in the evening, so Lu Zheng grabbed a bottle of 35-degree Wuliangye, which should please Old Man Liu.
Who knows, if Old Man Liu gets tipsy, might he let something slip?
As for the ladies…
Lu Zheng also picked up two bottles of fruit wine, one plum and one peach blossom.
For a first meeting, this should suffice, right?
So, Lu Zheng left the supermarket with three bottles of wine and a box of candies, then stopped by the tea shop next door for a set of engraved purple clay teapot and cups.
“Done!”
“For a first meeting, can’t give anything too expensive, might cause misunderstandings.”
Purple clay teapots exist in the Great Jing Dynasty too, and while Lu Zheng’s is more refined, it’s still an ordinary item.
As for candies and wine, everyday consumables, their value is vague.
Lu Zheng carried the items home but sighed as he walked.
“Sigh… life is tough…”
Early after crossing over, Lu Zheng had thought about buying a pretty maid in the Great Jing Dynasty, but later reconsidered and gave up.
A personal maid, unlike Li Bo and Aunt Liu who live in the front courtyard, would be too close. His occasional disappearances would be impossible to hide from her.
With his current status still unstable, even staying at Spring Breeze Pavilion in the Great Jing Dynasty or hooking up at a modern bar was too risky to bring someone home.
So…
Lu Zheng calmed his thoughts, circulating his inner energy through a full cycle.
“First meeting, what am I thinking? Truly, my principles follow my eyes! Have you already picked out names for your kids?”
“Boundless Heavenly Venerate, my apologies!”
“Exhale… inhale…”
“Of course, getting closer isn’t a bad thing, just appreciating beauty.”
“A classic ancient beauty, if I hadn’t seen her in broad daylight with no reaction from my safety talisman, I’d have thought she was another corpse ghost.”
“No idea about her personality… bah!”
Back home, change clothes, prepare gifts, then cross to the Great Jing Dynasty.
…
Lu Zheng placed the rebottled wine and unpackaged tea set into a wooden box, checked the time, and headed out.
“Young Master Lu, please come in!”
An elderly man opened the door, no idea why ancient gatekeepers are always old.
The Liu residence’s layout was similar to Lu Zheng’s courtyard. Passing the screen wall, he saw the four Lius waiting outside the main hall.
“Greetings, Old Man Liu, Madam Liu, and the two young ladies.”
It was Lu Zheng’s first time seeing Old Man Liu’s wife. Though her hair was graying, she was well-preserved, with traces of youthful charm.
“Young Master Lu, come, take the seat of honor. Our family is small, no strict formalities, just a casual meal together.”
“Perfect,” Lu Zheng smiled, handing the wooden box to the elderly man beside him.
Old Man Liu laughed, “You’re too polite.”
“First visit, it’s only proper,” Lu Zheng reached into his sleeve, pulled out a cloth bag, and handed it to Liu Qingquan, “The candies I promised.”
Liu Qingquan’s eyes lit up as she eagerly took it.
“Qingquan!” Liu Qingyan softly chided.
But Liu Qingquan had already opened the bag, pulling out a bright orange hard candy.
“What’s this…”
“Tangerine flavor.”
“Candies can taste like fruit?” Liu Qingquan popped the candy into her mouth.
Her eyes curved into crescents.
Liu Qingquan: (´◊ω◊｀)
“So delicious!”
Lu Zheng forcibly resisted the urge to pat her head.
“Young Master Lu must find this amusing,” Madam Liu said, embarrassed, “My younger daughter has been spoiled by me.”
Lu Zheng smiled, “Qingquan’s innocence is charming, it’s wonderful.”
“Please, Young Master,” Madam Liu gestured for Lu Zheng to enter the hall, but Old Man Liu suddenly sniffed.
“Is that… the aroma of wine?”
