Ich verkaufe meine Kleidung und kaufe etwas Wein, den ich mit dir trinken kann

Kapitel 14

"Ye Qing, do you think running away will solve the problem?" Huai Yuan's voice came from behind.

I didn't answer, but silently blew out the candle and drifted off to sleep, my mind heavy with worries.

I quickly adapted to life in Lujiazhuang. Work wasn't a problem for me—thanks to the Ye Group my father left me. Although my uncles hadn't allowed me to participate in the management for many years, and hadn't even let me choose business administration as my major, I was still nominally the largest shareholder, and I couldn't be kept from seeing the monthly financial statements. Compared to that, the accounts here were much simpler.

It took me quite a while to get used to the terrain of Lujiazhuang. I really don't understand why people like to dig so many waterways and build so many small bridges in their own homes. Although it looks beautiful, can't we just not make it so complicated?

To avoid getting lost and wasting time, I asked them to set up their office at Benlei Pavilion, citing the need to care for Huaiyuan's recovery. After all, as long as I get things done, I don't necessarily need to stay in one place, right? It seems that the name of that Young Master Liu is quite useful; I brought him up, and Master Lu readily agreed.

So, although I've been here for a month, I haven't stepped outside the gates of Lu Family Manor. My usual activities are mostly confined to Benlei Pavilion, with a few occasions spent visiting the nearby Plum Garden. Because Huaiyuan is there, the Lu family doesn't seem to mind—and no one has noticed my tendency to get lost. I even gloated about it in front of Huaiyuan.

But now, gazing at the stone arch bridge before me, I hesitated with a wry smile—I don't think I've seen this bridge before. Which way is that damned Star-Picking Tower? Wu Geng spoke casually: "Young Master Ye, after leaving Benlei Pavilion, go straight south, cross the bridge to Plum Garden, then south again, cross the bridge to Bamboo Garden, then south again, cross the bridge to Lightning Pavilion, then turn left east past the council hall, then left again northeast, cross the bridge, go straight north, cross the bridge, turn right and go east—that's Star-Picking Tower—Master is waiting for you there, hurry up!"

Holy crap! Is this a path for a person to walk on? This is harder than a tongue twister! I don't understand why anyone would insist on turning their home into a maze!

And why did that old man choose to hold meetings at the Star-Picking Tower instead of the council chamber? Even if I went to the council chamber, it would still take me some time—okay, I admit not 'some,' but 'quite a bit'—but I've been there several times before, so I shouldn't be completely lost. And what's worse, I probably won't be able to find the Star-Picking Tower by tomorrow either. Even more ridiculous, I think I'm so disoriented I can't even find my way back.

As dusk settled—since I was already trapped, I decided to stop worrying. With my hands behind my back, I strolled leisurely along the path—it was quiet all around. Birds chirped merrily in the lush woods, the stream reflected the soft, green grass on its banks, and the evening breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers from the flowerbeds. Everything was vibrant with life, and in the glow of the sunset, the silhouette of a painted pavilion was faintly visible in the distance.

A gentle breeze carried a faint sound of laughter—someone's here. I smiled, stepping on the fallen petals, facing the newly risen crescent moon on the horizon, and slowly walked along the winding path towards the small building.

Before me stretched a vast peach orchard in full bloom, the blossoms, as radiant as rosy clouds, appearing exceptionally delicate under the moonlight. I couldn't resist reaching out and plucking a peach branch, closing my eyes to deeply inhale its rich fragrance. When I opened my eyes again, I was met with a pair of sparkling black eyes—a man dressed in white, with a face as handsome as jade, red lips and white teeth. He stood quietly among the flowers, a gentle breeze blowing, petals falling one by one, landing on his head and shoulders. Bathed in the moonlight, he appeared even more graceful, his clothes fluttering, elegant and refined, like a celestial being descended from heaven.

I stared at him blankly, momentarily captivated as if under a spell...

This book was first published on Xiaoxiang Novel Original Website. Please retain this information when reprinting!

[Volume 1: Encounter Chapter 14 - Drinking Together Among the Flowers]

"Have you seen enough?" A mischievous chuckle finally snapped me out of this nightmarish spell. My cheeks flushed red, and I coughed awkwardly a few times before walking toward him.

"Who are you? I've never seen you in Lujiazhuang before." I looked at him curiously.

“You don’t recognize me, but I can guess who you are.” He looked at me with a hint of mockery. “Aren’t you the new accountant, Young Master Ye, who was recommended by ‘Young Master Liu’?”

"Indeed, I am Ye Qingyang. May I ask your name, young master?" Knowing my presence, he must be from the manor. Judging from his attire and demeanor, and the natural air of dominance he exudes, could it be...? "Ah, I know, you must be Lu Jianfeng, the eldest young master of the Lu family. Did I guess correctly?" I looked at him smugly—I never imagined that the Lu family patriarch, despite his unremarkable appearance, would have such a remarkable son.

“Young Master Ye has come under the moonlight. Since this chance encounter has come to us, how about we share a drink under the moon?” He did not answer my question directly, but instead invited me to drink—it seems I guessed right.

"Don't you think it's a bit too quiet with just wine?" I smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his suggestion.

"Oh? Then what good suggestions does Young Master Ye have?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at me with interest.

“I’ve heard that Young Master Lu is known in the martial arts world as the ‘Flowing Cloud Sword.’ Tonight, the moonlight is as clear as water. Why don’t you emulate the ancients and perform a sword dance under the moon to enhance the drinking experience?” I looked with great interest at the very valuable-looking sword at his waist—wow, tonight there are fragrant flowers, moonlight, and fine wine. If we add such a handsome man dancing with a sword, then this life would truly be worthwhile!

"Me, wield a sword? Why should I?" He crossed his arms, clearly waiting for my answer.

"Oh, right, it's because I'm a friend of your brother-in-law, Young Master Liu." I rolled my eyes and grinned slyly—this 'Young Master Liu card' is very useful, so why not play it again here? "I don't need to give you face, but you'll surely give Young Master Liu face, right?"

He glanced at me with a smile, and actually unsheathed the long sword from his waist, let out a long howl, and began to dance in the soft moonlight. At first, I could still distinguish the sword light from the figure, but gradually he danced faster and faster, and all I could see was a chilling aura of swords.

"Once there was a beautiful woman named Gongsun, whose sword dance stirred the four directions. The spectators were as numerous as mountains, their faces filled with dejection."

Heaven and earth trembled in response. Swift as Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful as emperors riding dragons in flight.

"He came like thunder, then subsided with fury; he departed like the calm stillness of a vast ocean..." I was completely mesmerized when he suddenly sheathed his sword, walked over, and flicked my forehead with his index finger. "I'm exhausted, and you're comparing me to a woman?"

"Hehe, my writing skills aren't great, so I can only copy from the ancients. If you're not satisfied, how about we change it to 'Now there is a young master, Lu Jianfeng, whose sword dance moves all directions'?" I chuckled mischievously. "Anyway, it's praising your martial arts skills. Why are you so picky?"

"Who told you I'm Lu Jianfeng?" He glanced at me sideways, looking both amused and exasperated.

"Huh? You're not? Why didn't you say so earlier?" I was even more confused. "Then who are you? Are you some kind of thief who's not in the public eye?" That's what I said, but I looked very relaxed—what kind of thief is so bold and arrogant?

"Who introduced you here?" He looked at me with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Of course it's the future son-in-law of the Lu Family Manor, the second master of the number one manor in the world, Young Master Liu Wufeng! Didn't you just say that... Ah!" I exclaimed, covering my mouth, and belatedly pointed at him, yelling, "You, you wouldn't happen to be that Liu Wufeng, would you?"

"It is I," he said, giving me a knowing look that seemed to say, "You only realize that now?"

Thinking back to how I had boasted so arrogantly in front of him, claiming to be a friend of Young Master Liu, I blushed crimson, wishing I could disappear into a hole in the ground. I lowered my head and stammered, "Ah, it's getting late, I have to go. We'll talk again next time, goodbye." I turned and tried to slip away—no way, being caught red-handed, what better time to run?

"Young Master Ye, please wait."

I didn't hear anything. I walked very fast.

"Could it be that I, Liu Wufeng, am a ghost? Why do you run away at the mere mention of my name?" In the blink of an eye, a figure flashed, and he landed in front of me, blocking my path. "I've already wielded my sword, yet you haven't drunk a drop of wine. Are you trying to leave so soon?"

"Young Master Liu, you're too kind of joking. A dashing and debonair person like you, even if you became a ghost, you'd surely be the most dashing ghost in the world." As the saying goes, "Flattery will get you everywhere." Seeing that I couldn't leave now, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and force a smile. "It's just that Master Lu has important business to discuss with me at the Star-Picking Tower. I really don't have time. I'm so sorry. Next time, next time I'll definitely drink with you until we're both drunk!"

“If it’s Old Master Lu’s order, then you absolutely cannot leave.” He had an inscrutable expression.

"Why? Could it be that the so-called 'important matter' that Master Lu mentioned refers to you, Young Master Liu?" I rolled my eyes at him.

He smiled, giving me a "you're teachable" look. "I just arrived at Lu Family Village, and Old Master Lu said he'd introduce me to an acquaintance, someone from our number one village. I agreed to send someone, but it seems they haven't set off yet..."

“Okay, I admit it, I impersonated you to get a living here. But,” I interrupted him, raising my left hand as if to swear, “I absolutely didn’t mean any harm, really. It’s just that when I arrived, that person had just died, and they mistook me for him. I just didn’t deny it. At worst, I’ll just quit, okay?”

"They say the richer people are, the stingier they are. Anyway, it's not your business, so what difference does it make who does it? Can't you just turn a blind eye and pretend you don't see it?" The more she thought about it, the more indignant she became, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"Did I say you were leaving?" He looked at me, both amused and annoyed.

"So you mean I can continue working here?" I asked him, a little incredulous.

"I have no say in the Lu family's affairs. However, regarding the wine you promised..."

"Isn't that simple? Of course, we'll drink until we drop!" I jumped over with a grin and slapped him hard on the shoulder. "Brother Liu, you're a true buddy! Where's the wine? Let's drink three hundred cups!"

Liu Wufeng stood there blankly, then rubbed his shoulder, glanced at me in disbelief, and ignored my words.