Zhuge Yun shook his head.
He looked at Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao smiled. "Make yourselves at home."
"I'll go get you some tea and snacks."
Watching Xiao Xiao disappear into the house, Zhuge Yun clasped his hands behind his back and began strolling slowly around the courtyard.
Zhao Luzheng followed him.
He took a deep breath.
A look of wonder and intoxication appeared on his face.
"The plum blossoms in Third Brother's courtyard smell so good."
He turned to look at White Plum Blossom.
"And White Plum Blossom is so beautiful, too."
The double pleasure of the scent and the view put him in a great mood.
"It'd be even better if there were something nice to listen to, too."
Zhao Luzheng was being a little greedy.
"You've got it all figured out, don't you?"
Zhuge Yun teased Zhao Luzheng. "Why don't you suggest it to Third Brother later?"
"Tell him to put a speaker in the courtyard."
"Then you'd have the sights, smells, and sounds you want."
"Heh heh."
Zhao Luzheng gave an awkward laugh.
"I was just saying."
"Besides, putting a speaker in the courtyard would bother the neighbors, wouldn't it?"
"What would bother the neighbors?"
Xiao Xiao walked into the courtyard.
He had a tray in each hand.
The trays were quite large.
They were piled high with a teapot, teacups, and plates of snacks.
They looked like a lot to carry.
Yet Xiao Xiao held one tray in each hand with perfect steadiness.
"Third Brother."
Zhao Luzheng reached out to take one of the trays from Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao smiled and shook his head.
His hand moved slightly.
He deftly avoided Zhao Luzheng's hand.
"Third Brother, you're fast."
Zhuge Yun marveled.
They'd barely had time to chat.
And