Did he see it?!
Wei Ping clenched the red leaf in his palm, letting his wide sleeves fall heavily to conceal it.
Did Song Qianji see the red leaf? Did he notice the change in my expression?
The leaf was an ordinary object, devoid of any trace of magic, like a six-pointed snowflake drifting among plum blossoms—coming and going silently, disturbing no one.
Where was the one who sent the leaf?
Could they have just passed outside the courtyard wall?
The snow was thin, the wind cold, and plum blossoms fell.
"Are you alright?" Song Qianji asked softly. "Are you cold?"
Seeing his expression unchanged, Wei Ping forced a smile and shook his head. "I'm fine. I'm not cold."
"Who said there'd be 'Stirring Rosy Clouds' today? Am I late?"
A hearty laugh rang out. Ji Chen strode into the courtyard, his golden cloak with red floral patterns fluttering in the wind, the collar trimmed with thick white fox fur, standing out boldly.
Wei Ping looked up, a cold glint flashing briefly in his eyes.
Could it be Ji Chen? He oversees the formations of Song Courtyard. The leaf had just arrived, and he appeared immediately.
Impossible. He doesn't have the wit for this.
"You're early. I haven't prepared the dipping sauces yet. How about we go to the market for some barbecue? What do you think, Master Song?" Wei Ping showed no sign of unease.
Ji Chen complained, "On a snowy day like this, we should have hotpot—rolling broth like waves, meat slices like rosy clouds. 'Waves surge over clear rivers of snow, wind flips to illuminate the evening glow.' What's the point of barbecue? It doesn't suit the mood. Besides, your 'Thousand Canals Sixteen Spices' marinade is already exported overseas. Why bother eating out?"
Wei Ping smiled. "The head chef there learned from me and even improved the marinade recipe. They're more particular about the charcoal and oil used."
Ji Chen was skeptical. "Could it be better than 'Thousand Canals Sixteen Spices'?"
"Of course. In Hongfu County, food connoisseurs line up half a month in advance just to get a seat for freshly grilled meat."
Song Qianji knew that shop was owned by Wei Ping, and the chef there used to be a cook by the river. "Let's go and try it."
...
Though snow fell, the long street was warm, bright, and bustling.
Lanterns shone brilliantly, lighting the area as if it were daytime. Pedestrians streamed past in a continuous, surging tide.
The three set out, with Ji Chen leading the way:
"Tiancheng has truly changed beyond recognition, Brother Wei. You've really opened up the trade routes of Thousand Canals. You once said that one day, Tiancheng would never sleep, and everyone would yearn to come here. I think it's possible—we're not far off now."
Wei Ping didn't respond.
He hadn't wanted to stay in the courtyard where the red leaf had fallen, but going out made him regret it even more.
He stayed close to Song Qianji the whole way, his gaze drifting uneasily. Wealthy merchants on tall horses, peddlers pushing donkey carts, old stall owners hawking their wares, young shop assistants soliciting business, drooling children in women's arms, giggling young girls in groups, every passerby brushing shoulders with them...
With guilt in his heart, he saw everyone as suspicious, as potential assassins here to kill Song Qianji.
Ji Chen noticed something amiss. "Wei Ping, why are you so distracted tonight?"
Song Qianji turned to look at Wei Ping. "If you're tired, we can go back."
He wore a veil hat tonight, so others couldn't clearly see his face or expression.
It wasn't by choice—if an Immortal Official walked the streets at night, excited commoners might crowd around, causing traffic jams.
"I'm not tired." Wei Ping made up an excuse on the spot. "I just saw a girl pass under the lanterns. She was very beautiful, and I was captivated."Who knew Ji Chen would immediately perk up: "My younger sister is also quite beautiful, what do you think of her? Would you consider it? You sent her red blossom stewed with snow clams—does that mean you're interested? Yesterday she even praised you to me, saying whoever becomes your cultivation partner would be very fortunate to eat your cooking every day. This is incredible—one of you loves eating while the other excels at cooking—a match made in heaven, perfectly seamless, enough to make heaven and earth jealous..."
Song Qianji couldn't help but smile.
Wei Ping remarked, "Brother Ji, if not for tonight, I'd almost forgotten you're still such a chatterbox."
If it were Meng Heze, he would have turned and slipped away, but Wei Ping knew how to steer the conversation:
"We're here. This is my shop—please do me the honor, Brother Ji."
Customers waiting in line at the entrance were swallowing saliva and sniffing the air. The aromas of oil, meat, and spices blended into a complex, unique fragrance that was utterly captivating.
Ji Chen looked up: "Taiping Records? Why is your barbecue shop called 'Taiping Records'? The signboard is rather plain too."
"My name is 'Ping'—naturally, it's plain and unremarkable."
Ji Chen spun around, pointing: "Look, to the left is 'Wealth Records,' to the right is 'Glory Records,' and across the street is the 'Brocade Pile' silk fabric branch of Hongfu First Commerce. Their plaques are all bigger and brighter than yours—aren't you bothered?"
Wei Ping was left speechless.
"I actually think the name is quite good," Song Qianji said, looking up at the plaque. "It's easy to enjoy wealth and honor, but difficult to attain peace. The calligraphy is nice too."
Ji Chen exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Wei, did you write this sign yourself? Brother Song was the top scorer in the Calligraphy and Painting Examination! On the Star-Picking Platform, he defeated all literary heroes with a single Hero Summons. If he says your calligraphy is good, it must be exceptional!"
"I... I've practiced a little. Master Song praises me too highly."
The speaker might have been careless, but the listener took it to heart. Wei Ping's breathing rhythm faltered slightly.
"Patron Wei, you're here! Please, come inside!"
Fortunately, the alert attendant at the door recognized Wei Ping immediately, ushering them inside and up to a private room on the second floor.
Customers waiting in line watched enviously: "They must be the legendary Heaven-rank guests."
Another person cherished his number tag: "Just two more meals, and I'll be promoted to Earth-rank! It's not far off!"
"I'm only Yellow-rank. Besides eating your way up to Heaven-rank, is there any other way to skip the line?"
"There is—if we move from Hongfu to Thousand Canals, sign up for work at the Immortal Official Manor, and earn titles like 'Canal-Opening Pioneer' or 'Road-Opening Pioneer,' not only can we skip the line, but we also get discounts when paying."
"That method might as well not exist!"
Hearing this, Song Qianji chuckled inwardly at Wei Ping's clever tricks and flexible thinking.
The grill sizzled, smoke swirling and rising.
Freshly sliced meat, bright red and thinly cut, with delicate, evenly distributed marbling, changed color instantly upon hitting the heat. Chopsticks picked it up and dipped it into the seasoning bowl.
The marinated skewers were even more flavorful, bursting with juices at the first bite.
Ji Chen ate with his head down, the clinking of bowls and chopsticks forming a rhythmic melody.
Wei Ping didn't eat himself, only grilled and seasoned meat for Song Qianji: "It's snowing outside, and we have snowflake beef inside—quite fitting for the occasion, isn't it?"
Ji Chen mumbled with his mouth full, "Fitting, fitting! So fragrant, so fragrant!"
Song Qianji said, "I can manage myself."
The other's sometimes overly meticulous care made him uncomfortable.
Even a biological son wouldn't serve his father in every little thing, right?
Just as Wei Ping was about to refuse, they suddenly heard a faint, distant song:"With gleaming blades I avenge injustice, with gold I care not for gain. Killing amidst the mortal dust, repaying favors in an instant..."
Their private room faced the street, and the drunken, intermittent singing drifted in from outside the building.
"Is someone singing on the second floor of the silk shop across the street?" Ji Chen exclaimed in delight.
Wei Ping lowered his gaze, his dark eyes slightly cold.
A voice transmission reached his ears: "Wei Zhenyu, do you think I look like a girl?"
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