Chapter 204: Provocation
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But it was really impressive. To dare to act so audaciously in the capital, without being arrested and forced to cook for others, or even being severely punished. Was his skill really that good? Or was it just arrogance? Mingzhu pondered as she was drawn into satisfaction by the delicious food.
Hmm, what should she do if she didn’t want to ruin this place? Did she really have to destroy it by causing chaos? Mingzhu was about to ask when a hand covered in age spots suddenly reached over her shoulder and placed a plate of hot stir-fried snails with perilla on the table.
Mingzhu was startled, thinking that the old man had come in without a sound. Fortunately, she didn’t blurt out her thoughts recklessly. But when she smelled the fragrance of the stir-fried snails, she forgave the old man’s rudeness and abruptness.
However, she didn’t know how to tackle this dish, so she looked at Yuwen Chu expectantly.
Yuwen Chu poured a glass of alcohol into her cup from a special alcohol jug. “This is a special medicinal alcohol that you can only drink here. It’s very beneficial for your health. Snails are cool in nature, so just try a little.” With that, he lowered his eyes and picked out some snail meat for her with a toothpick.
Mingzhu watched as he awkwardly but elegantly picked out the snail meat for her with his long, fair hand that was used to holding pens and giving orders. It had a special charm that she couldn’t describe. To be able to enjoy snail meat personally picked by Ying Wang, she must have great fortune.
“Have some alcohol first. There are a few more good dishes to follow, which you can’t usually get at home.” Yuwen Chu quickly picked out a few pieces of snail meat and gently pushed them in front of Mingzhu, smiling softly, “Try it.”
Mingzhu grabbed the alcohol glass and took a big sip, feeling a fiery sensation from her throat to her stomach. The heat spread through her limbs and bones, creating an indescribable feeling. She used her chopsticks to pick up the snail meat in the bowl, saying softly, “Eating such a variety isn’t conducive to a healthy lifestyle.”
“It’s okay, neither of us ate much.” Yuwen Chu lowered his head to continue picking out the snail meat. Then he leaned towards her and said naturally, “This alcohol is very fragrant, feed me some.”
How could she refuse him when he was picking out snail meat for her? Mingzhu handed over her alcohol glass, and Yuwen Chu gracefully finished the alcohol in the glass, then praised, “Good alcohol! It’s even more delicious with these snails.” With that, he gently offered a piece of snail meat to Mingzhu’s lips.
Mingzhu didn’t hesitate and ate it, only realizing afterwards that without realizing it, their actions had become intimate and natural, just like those deeply in love couples who fed each other, showing affection. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Yuwen Chu. He was still focused on picking out snail meat with a toothpick, his high nose casting a faint shadow on the other side of his face, his lips rosy and white, without any of her messy thoughts.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Yuwen Chu swiftly caught her gaze and smiled at her, revealing his two rows of snow-white teeth.
“I’m full, you eat.” Mingzhu lifted the alcohol jug and filled his glass with alcohol, then poured herself another glass. Feeling sorry for him, as he had been serving her food and drinks all this time, she said, “I’m not very good at this, you can teach me, and I’ll pick some for you to eat.”
Yuwen Chu smiled and picked up a snail to demonstrate, “Look, it’s simple.”
The table was too small, and they were not far apart. Their foreheads were almost touching, and they could even hear each other’s breath. This kind of contact made Mingzhu feel more uncomfortable than if he had pulled her close and said something overly familiar. What if one day he stopped being so good to her? She hesitated and moved back a bit, but the chair was too annoying. It didn’t stop her retreat, and before she could react, she had fallen to the ground with a loud crash.
There was a loud noise as she fell, and she grabbed the table, but it didn’t stop her from falling, and the cups and plates on it followed suit, spilling drinks and snail meat onto the floor.
Mingzhu sat on the ground staring blankly at the dust and stains on her skirt, then at the overturned chair on the ground. All her worries and regrets disappeared, and all she knew was that she had lost all her dignity. Why did they both sit down to eat, and Yuwen Chu stayed steady while she made such a fool of herself? This chair was so terrible! She looked at Yuwen Chu blankly, intending to find fault with him as long as she heard his laughter or saw even a hint of a smile on his face.
But Yuwen Chu didn’t laugh, at least she couldn’t tell if he was. He quickly stood up and walked over to her, reaching out to help her up, “Are you okay?”
To Mingzhu, losing face was far more heartbreaking than any physical pain. She lay on the ground and refused to get up, glaring at him with red eyes, “You brought me here. You made me sit on this broken chair.”
“Mmm.” Yuwen Chu replied and bent down to gently lift her up. At the same time, he kicked one of the chair legs, breaking it. He whispered, “I told you to make trouble, but I didn’t ask you to do it so seriously. The reason to pick a fight was sufficient, but what if you hurt yourself?”
Although she didn’t know if he really thought she had deliberately caused trouble and then fell down, Mingzhu’s embarrassment was greatly relieved. She took the opportunity to cry out, “What kind of broken chair is this? My leg is broken! Husband, quickly break this chair into firewood for me to vent, and then call them to apologize to me.”
Yuwen Chu also put on a stern face, as if it were true, and shouted loudly, “Where is the person? Where did he disappear to? Get in here right now!”
The old man heard the noise and hurried to the door. Seeing the mess in the room and Yuwen Chu holding Mingzhu with the broken chair, he first looked panicked, then showed a disdainful look and said coldly, “You two smashed our plates and tables, what do you mean? Are you trying to cause trouble?” He didn’t mention Mingzhu being injured at all.
“You smashed me! How dare you ask what I mean?” Mingzhu was really surprised this time. Who does business like this? Regardless of anything else, when a guest falls in the shop, anyone would ask where they fell, and then file other complaints later. But this half-dead old man opened his mouth as if he were asking for a fight. There are countless dignitaries in the capital, and you can meet a fifth-rank official just by going out. How much confidence does this old man have to dare to be so arrogant?
Seeing that she was unreasonable and not afraid, the old man didn’t care either. He opened his strange eyes and sneered, “Are you deliberately here to cause trouble? Or don’t you know the rules here? There are plenty of people who love to eat! I’ve said it before, if you can afford it, eat it, if you can’t, don’t eat it. Why cause trouble now?”
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