Tianhai Tower Restaurant

If one asked where in Changling County was the most dazzling and lively place, probably every person in the county would answer, "Tianhai Tower."

The tower stood in the county's finest location. From the restaurant, one could gaze out over the canal traffic from afar, or look nearby at the crowds surging along the official road. The scenery was uniquely beautiful. Wealthy merchants and powerful gentry often came here as well, surrounded by fine clothes, exquisite food, and delicacies filling the eye. It could be considered one of Changling County's most auspicious landmarks.

Especially now, Lin Tianlu understood this point more clearly than ever.

--Inside the VIP private room.

As he watched dish after dish of delicacies being served onto the table, the corner of his mouth twitched.

"The class of this place is even more extravagant than I imagined."

He had originally thought it was merely a relatively clean restaurant, but he had never expected it to be this luxurious.

The surrounding jade carvings were dazzling, and at a glance, one could tell that the craftsmanship was extraordinary. As each exquisite dish was served, the porcelain plates revealed delicate gold edging and fine patterns. Even the tableware was probably worth a fortune.

This kind of extravagance was likely in no way inferior to a high-end hotel in modern society.

"Miss Hua, this meal must have cost you a great deal..."

"As long as Senior enjoys it." Hua Shuya smiled lightly, gathering her hair behind her ear with an elegant, gentle grace.

She had clearly dressed up carefully today. Her delicate features appeared even more radiant beneath her makeup. Pearls and emeralds adorned her coiled hair, a jade hairpin slanted at her temple, and the hanging bead curtain and earrings chimed softly, flashing with flowing light.

Beneath her high-waisted ruqun, her full, proud figure rose prominently. Light gauze barely veiled her exquisite form, while the faintly exposed skin gleamed like polished jade, as though it were a masterpiece of craftsmanship, drawing glances from all around.

Perhaps finding the atmosphere of being alone together somewhat ambiguous, she lightly pressed her thin lips together as a rosy blush spread across her cheeks.

Lin Tianlu took a sip of wine and chuckled. "Ever since I arrived in Changling County, I've been receiving Miss Hua's care. If I keep shamelessly eating and drinking for free, even I will feel embarrassed."

"Senior, actually, you don't have to..."

"Looks like I'll have to find some leisurely work in this county town. At the very least, I should earn enough for living expenses."

"Senior."

But Hua Shuya suddenly interrupted him. Her pretty face turned solemn as she asked, "Could you... formally accept me as your swordsmanship master?"

Lin Tianlu nearly spilled the wine in his cup. His face was filled with astonishment.

"I'm to become a swordsmanship master?"

"If Senior doesn't like that, it doesn't have to be swordsmanship. A private-school teacher, a gardening teacher, or even a needlework master would do!" Hua Shuya straightened her posture and spoke in an extremely earnest tone. "As long as Senior is willing to remain here and let me stay by your side, I will pay the full fee for you to serve as my teacher!"

Lin Tianlu was stunned for quite some time.

Looking at the faint gleam shimmering in the young woman's eyes, ripples stirred in his heart.

This girl...

She's quite thoughtful.

With that thought, Lin Tianlu immediately laughed. "If you don't mind, I can naturally serve as your teacher. But I'll have to decline swordsmanship and gardening. I'd only make a fool of myself in front of you, Miss Hua. As for the Four Books and Five Classics, I might be able to offer some guidance. As for needlework, I know absolutely nothing about it, so don't tease me with such things."

"I-I'm sorry. I got carried away just now and said a few foolish things."

Hua Shuya's face flushed red. She shyly covered her lips with one hand, looking inexplicably playful and adorable.

Sweetness was blooming in her heart. She felt that Senior was truly gentle and considerate, even agreeing to so many unreasonable requests.

The more she imagined it, the more determined she became. From now on, she would make sure Senior ate his fill every day and lived without worries.

"There's no need to be so restrained. Let's eat while the dishes are hot." Lin Tianlu smiled as he picked up his chopsticks first and placed a piece of sweet-and-sour pork into his mouth.

"The dishes here really do taste excellent!"

"Senior, please eat more."

Hua Shuya smiled lightly and sampled the food in small, elegant bites.

But after chewing for a moment, she seemed to feel his gaze before her. Her pretty face reddened, and she asked, "S-Senior, is there something strange about me?"

"Nothing." Lin Tianlu gave two awkward chuckles. "It's just... Miss Hua, your figure seems quite a bit fuller today than before."

Hua Shuya instinctively covered her chest, but she did not seem to mind. She replied softly, "I was only using a binding band to restrain my chest before. Senior knows that I've practiced swordsmanship for many years, so it became a habit I developed from childhood. Without the binding band, it's truly inconvenient to move."

Lin Tianlu immediately understood.

He also found it somewhat amusing.

How often did one get to see a female master who was both skilled in martial arts and dressed so provocatively?

Thinking about it carefully, one would know. The beautiful girls in those anime and novels wielded swords, blades, spears, and halberds, soaring into the heavens and diving into the earth, flipping through the air with whooshing sounds. Forget whether loose clothing could contain such explosive figures—most of them would probably be flung around until their chests hurt and cramped, leaving them clutching their breasts and unable to fight on.

It wasn't as if they were made of steel bars and iron blocks.

Faint bursts of laughter and shouts from drinking games drifted through the restaurant.

"This place certainly is lively." Lin Tianlu turned his head and leaned toward the railing beside him.

The restaurant's spiral-corridor design allowed him to see the banquet guests downstairs at a glance. However, gauze screens obscured the view, making things difficult to see clearly. This also helped prevent the distinguished guests from disturbing one another and stirring up trouble.

Hua Shuya's delicate brows furrowed slightly. In a low voice, she asked, "Senior, shall I ask the proprietors to change us to a quieter private room?"

"That won't be necessary. Experiencing the myriad ways of life in this world is a pleasure in itself."

"No wonder Master Lin is renowned far and wide! You truly are cultured and refined!"

The carefree laughter drew Lin Tianlu's gaze back. He saw a middle-aged man in a silk robe laughing as he pushed open the door and entered. He cupped his hands in greeting. "Mister Lin, I am Meng Dai, the proprietor of Tianhai Tower."

"Why has Steward Meng suddenly come to visit?"

Lin Tianlu rose and bowed with cupped hands.

Meng Dai laughed openly. "I heard from the attendants downstairs that Mister Lin had come. I never imagined you had truly visited our Tianhai Tower, so as the proprietor, I naturally had to come and pay my respects. I simply didn't expect... Mister Lin to have a beauty accompanying him. Such an elegant atmosphere—my intrusion is rather crude and discourteous."

After noticing the young woman sitting at the other end of the table, he hurriedly bent forward in apology.

"Proprietor, there's no need to mind it." Hua Shuya gently set down her chopsticks and spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Thank you for your understanding, Miss."

Meng Dai did not raise his head to take another look. He quickly turned his gaze back to Lin Tianlu before him.

"Mister Lin, if you need anything, just instruct the attendants downstairs. Tianhai Tower will naturally satisfy all your requests."

"Steward Meng, I happen to have a small request right now."

Meng Dai asked curiously, "Please, Mister Lin."

"I heard that Steward Cheng is dining with friends here at Tianhai Tower. I wonder if you could introduce us?" Lin Tianlu smiled lightly. "I have something I'd like to discuss with him."

"Steward Cheng?" Meng Dai looked momentarily stunned, but soon laughed. "What a fortunate coincidence. I never expected Mister Lin would have the same intention."

"The same?"

Lin Tianlu's face revealed his astonishment.

As soon as his voice fell, the bead curtain at the entrance to the room was quietly lifted, and an elegant, graceful figure stepped inside with light footsteps.

The woman wore a pale, elegant blue gauze dress. Her skin was as smooth as jade, and her figure was well-proportioned and graceful. Gentle emotion seemed to ripple through her willow brows and bright eyes, while her delicate features were refined and dignified.

Meng Dai smiled and spread his hands as he introduced her. "Mister Lin, this is the Cheng Family's young lady, Miss Cheng Yishi. She has come especially to seek you out."

The dignified young woman called Cheng Yishi lightly pressed her lips together and bowed. "I have long heard of Mister Lin's great reputation. Now that I've met you, your extraordinary bearing is indeed just as the rumors say."

She raised her head slightly to regard Lin Tianlu, who was about to return the greeting with cupped hands. Her limpid eyes swirled, and she smiled with reserved elegance.

Crack!

Hua Shuya hurriedly hid the chopsticks she had accidentally snapped. Seeing that no one in the room had noticed, she secretly let out a sigh of relief.