A large basin of braised beef sat on the table, sliced evenly thick and thin. Steam rose from its glistening surface, and its overbearing aroma wormed its way into his nostrils.
Wang Xian intended to treat himself.
Before the tea had even boiled, he poured himself a cup of wine. Amber peach blossom brew flowed into the cup, blooming into fine bubbles.
He picked up a piece of meat and was about to put it into his mouth...
The tavernkeeper's footsteps sounded behind him.
Du Yulin's footsteps were usually almost inaudible, but Wang Xian's hearing was exceptionally sharp... Today, however, there was a hint of haste in her steps, lacking their usual composure.
Wang Xian's chopsticks paused.
Du Yulin loved braised beef most of all.
If that got out, probably few people in Azure Dragon Town would believe it.
The cold-faced tavernkeeper of the dignified Red Dust Tavern had such an ordinary preference?
But Wang Xian knew it was true. Whenever the weather was cold and there were no customers, she would sit alone behind the counter, warm a pot of wine, slice a plate of meat, and slowly eat and drink, like a satiated cat.
The first time he came to Red Dust Tavern, she had been drinking wine and eating meat.
Little Fly had chattered all the way there, saying that Red Dust Tavern's braised beef was the best in the world.
When they lifted the curtain and entered, Du Yulin was sitting by the window in a green robe, her long hair loosely pinned up. Before her were a plate of braised beef and a pot of wine...
She raised her eyes and glanced at Little Fly, the corners of her lips curling slightly. Without getting up, she merely beckoned. Little Fly pounced over like an excited