Chapter Four: First Encounter at the Restaurant

Update time: 2013-05-09

It wasn't long before the voice of the attendant sounded from outside the door. "Miss, all your dishes are ready. Shall I serve them now?"

Ziling opened the door and nodded to the attendant standing outside. Four young servants in blue entered in a line. The first placed an openwork charcoal brazier at the center of the table, then set a brass pot from the tray of the second servant atop the brazier. The last two servants arranged an array of small dishes on the table, bowed, and quietly withdrew.

Seeing the meal laid out, the attendant stepped forward and addressed Yue Lianyue, "Miss Yue, all your dishes are here. For fresh vegetables, we have prepared taro slices, crisp greens, and lotus root segments. This serving of fish paste is made from the freshest carp, just delivered today. Please enjoy."

"Excellent. You may go now. We'll call if we need anything," Yue Lianyue replied, gazing eagerly at the feast before her, unable to contain her anticipation.

"I'll take my leave, then. Please enjoy your meal, and let me know if you require anything else." The attendant, sharp as ever, noticed Yue Lianyue's impatience and wasted no words, turning briskly to attend to other guests in the private rooms.

As Ziling closed the door, Yue Lianyue could no longer hold back. "Sister Lan, Ziling, come quickly. The water's boiling—time to start cooking. Hurry…!"

Lan Shui and Ziling, summoned thus, took their seats without hesitation. The three of them began, each placing ingredients into the simmering pot with practiced hands—clearly, this was not their first time.

"Seven up, eight down… It's ready… It's ready…"

"Miss… The crystal noodles are done…"

…

After the meal, satisfied and a little tipsy, Yue Lianyue washed her hands with the help of Lan Shui and Ziling, then walked to the window of their private room. She gazed out at the hurried passersby in the light snow and couldn't help but sigh, "On an early winter day like this, with snow drifting down, nothing is better than finding a window seat, setting up a hot pot, savoring delicacies while watching the snow. If there were music to accompany us, it would be perfection…"

Before her words had faded, the sound of a flute suddenly rose from the adjoining room. The melody was pure and bright, each note as clear as pearls or jade. The snowflakes outside seemed drawn by the music, swept by the wind toward the window, swirling closer. Gradually, the flute's song softened, fading in and out, until finally all was still; the snowflakes, too, dispersed, returning to their own wandering paths.

Yue Lianyue turned to look at Lan Shui and Ziling in wonder, her lips parted in astonishment, her expression adorably bewildered. "This… is incredible… almost uncanny…"

Ziling, amused by her mistress's dazed cuteness, gave a soft laugh. "Sister Lan, it seems our Miss has found a kindred spirit. Judging by the flute's tone, the player must be a cultured young gentleman…"

Lan Shui mused, "Indeed. The music suited the moment, and to inspire the snow to dance at a whim—this person must possess extraordinary martial skill. I wonder whether he channels his martial arts into his music, or plays music to hone his martial arts. If it's the former, that's even more astounding…"

"Why must he be a martial artist? Could he not simply be a master of the flute?" Ziling asked, her curiosity piqued.

Having recovered from the spell of the music, Yue Lianyue cast a scornful glance at Mingye, still annoyed by Ziling's earlier teasing. "If he didn't possess profound inner strength, how could he have heard my words? The private rooms here at Auspicious Pavilion are famous for their soundproofing. Coincidence? Who would believe that!" She turned to Lan Shui, seeking affirmation. "Sister Lan, am I right?"

Lan Shui nodded slightly.

"Come, let us meet this mysterious eavesdropper in person!" With that, Yue Lianyue strode out, opening the door to the next room. Ziling skipped after her in delight, while Lan Shui shook her head in resignation and followed.

When the three entered the neighboring room, they found only the attendant clearing away dishes—the flutist had already departed.

"Where are the guests who were just here?" Ziling asked briskly.

"They've just settled the bill and left. They should be right outside the restaurant now…"

Before the attendant could finish, Yue Lianyue hurried to the window and opened it, leaning out just in time to see two tall young men—one in blue, one in white—step out of the restaurant with their attendants. The one in blue said something to his companion, who then glanced up toward the private rooms.

In a heartbeat, the handsome face of the man in white filled Yue Lianyue's vision—brows as though painted with ink, temples as if carved by a blade, eyes dark as lacquer. She was utterly transfixed. The man in white frowned slightly, then turned away. The man in blue quickened his pace to catch up, and the wind carried fragments of his hearty laughter back to them.

Although Yue Lianyue was stunned by the man's striking features, she could not help but notice the jade flute tucked at his waist—it was clear he was the musician.

Lan Shui, standing behind Yue Lianyue, took in the entire scene. Watching her mistress and Ziling still gazing after the two men, she gently reminded them, "Miss, they are already gone."

"Oh…" Startled back to reality, Yue Lianyue drew in her gaze, straightened her slightly wrinkled gown, and instructed, "Let's return home. Ziling, settle the bill."