Old Man Liu’s eyes locked onto the wooden box, his throat making a “gulp” sound.
Madam Liu tugged at her husband’s sleeve, “What are you doing, how embarrassing!”
Lu Zheng spoke up to ease the moment, “It’s my first visit, I didn’t prepare much, just a tea set and three bottles of wine.”
“What kind of wine?” Old Man Liu asked immediately.
“One bottle of aged liquor and two lighter fruit wines.”
“No wonder I caught a hint of fruit fragrance,” Old Man Liu nodded, decisively adding, “Perfect, let’s drink your wine. Compared to your aged brew, the cloudy wine I prepared isn’t worth showing.”
Madam Liu discreetly pinched her husband, while Liu Qingyan lowered her head, seemingly embarrassed for her father.
Old Man Liu pretended not to notice, instructing the elderly gatekeeper to bring the box into the main hall and open it. Lu Zheng reached in, pulling out three one-pound porcelain bottles.
“This is Wuliangye, brewed from five grains, rich and fragrant. You can savor it later.”
Old Man Liu was practically drooling, and Lu Zheng realized Liu Qingquan’s personality took after her father.
“These two are plum wine and peach blossom wine, sweet and refreshing, good for the skin.”
Madam Liu’s eyes lit up as well.
“What a beautiful teapot.”
As Lu Zheng took out the bottles, the purple clay tea set beneath was revealed, spotted by the sharp-eyed Liu Qingquan.
“Such exquisite tea ware, Young Master Lu, you’re too thoughtful,” Old Man Liu said.
Lu Zheng just smiled, saying nothing.
They took their seats, Old Man Liu at the head, Lu Zheng at the guest’s place of honor, with Liu Qingyan beside him.
Across from Lu Zheng was Madam Liu, and Liu Qingquan sat at the end.
The clear liquor poured into cups, its aroma filling the room. Old Man Liu sniffed and exclaimed, “In all my decades, I’ve never seen such clear yet richly fragrant wine!”
“Thanks to Young Master Lu, I’m in for a treat today,” Old Man Liu raised his cup.
The five clinked cups and drank.
“Good wine!” Old Man Liu’s eyes sparkled as he praised loudly.
Lu Zheng chuckled inwardly. The Great Jing Dynasty lacked distillation; their wines were low-proof, with twenty degrees considered strong. Wasn’t thirty-five-degree Wuliangye top-tier here?
If not for fear of overwhelming him, fifty-two-degree liquor would be the real deal, hitting hard with one sip!
The plum and peach blossom wines, made with modern techniques, were sweet and smooth. Madam Liu and the Liu sisters drank without hesitation.
“The fruit wine doesn’t taste strong, but it has a kick, so sip slowly,” Lu Zheng advised.
“Right, right, don’t overdo it, eat some food.”
Though not as richly seasoned as Lu Zheng’s kitchen, the Liu family’s ingredients were fresh, and their cooking was skillful, giving the meal a unique flavor.
Amid clinking cups and light intoxication, dining and drinking proved the perfect way to bond. Halfway through, Lu Zheng and the Liu family were already much closer.
Old Man Liu, learning Lu Zheng lived alone, insisted he call him Uncle Liu.
Lu Zheng also learned the Liu family had relocated to Tonglin County after offending a local bully back home.
Old Man Liu was a physician, planning to buy a shop in Tonglin to open a clinic.
A clinic…
Lu Zheng’s mind stirred, but he said nothing, only glancing at Liu Qingyan while picking up some food.
After two cups of fruit wine, Liu Qingyan’s cheeks were flushed, her breath fragrant, her eyes captivating. Lu Zheng faintly caught a whiff of her subtle scent.
He blinked, quickly turning away, just as Old Man Liu started boasting.
“When I was young, I studied under a master physician, a miracle worker who could bring the dead back to life. No illness stumped him!”
“I didn’t learn much, but handling minor ailments in the county or countryside? Piece of cake.”
“Heh, and my daughter’s medical skills are my true legacy, she’s quite capable now.”
“Father’s bragging, Sister clearly…”
Madam Liu swiftly stuffed a piece of chicken into Liu Qingquan’s mouth.
“Mmph, mmph!” Liu Qingquan chewed with little hums.
Lu Zheng chuckled, acting tipsy and pretending not to hear.
…
The feast ended with everyone in high spirits.
After dinner, Old Man Liu was drunk, and Liu Qingyan, with light steps, escorted Lu Zheng to the gate.
“Father hasn’t been this happy in ages, thanks to your wine.”
“No need to thank me,” Lu Zheng nodded with a smile, “We’re neighbors, looking out for each other is only right.”
Liu Qingyan gave a gentle smile, “Take care, Young Master Lu, mind the steps.”
Not letting her go further, Lu Zheng waved, then took two steps back to his own home.
…
Waking refreshed the next morning, Lu Zheng lay in bed, channeling another wisp of fortune to enhance his physique, feeling his body’s strength improve slightly.
His inner energy was circulating faster, ready for a boost.
But Lu Zheng held off for now.
“Twelve wisps of fortune’s light in total. Learning the Noon-Midnight Breathing Technique used seven, today’s another one, leaving just four.”
“Opening the candy shop should’ve influenced Shi Tou and Ma San’s fates, right? Why no fortune gained? No impact, or too small?”
“I might visit Baiyun Temple soon. I wonder if Master Mingzhang can sense my cultivation. Can’t change too drastically yet.”
“No rush, it’s been less than ten days since I got this breathing technique.”
Basking in the sunlight streaming through the window, Lu Zheng began planning his next moves.
But before he could think, his phone rang.
“Lu Zheng, you up?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Get up, have lunch with me!”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing bad, good news, come with me to a blind date!”
Lu Zheng groaned, “A blind date, and you need a wingman?”
“She’s bringing a friend to avoid awkwardness, said I could bring a buddy too. Zhao Si and Xiao Leizi are taken, so I’m doing you a favor!”
“Thanks a lot,” Lu Zheng muttered.
He sighed again, “You deserve to be single. She was just being polite. Look it up, it’s normal for the woman to bring a friend, but guys usually go alone. Who brings a bro?”
The caller was his roommate, Old Tong, Tong Muxuan, the oldest of their four roommates and, like Lu Zheng, single for four years.
“As if you’re not single too, lecturing me? I know exactly how many hairs you’ve got!”
“I…”
“Hurry up, eleven o’clock, meet me at Dongshan Park subway station. If lunch goes well, we’ll play a murder mystery game in the afternoon.”
Lu Zheng sighed, “Fine…”
