Drinking Coffee

Inside the Western restaurant, Master Ren had just finished talking about Ren Tingting when he saw a waiter leading a young girl up from the staircase on the first floor.

Seeing her arrive, Master Ren immediately raised a hand and called out.

"Tingting, come over quickly."

As Master Ren spoke, Uncle Nine and Qiusheng naturally turned their gazes toward the newcomer.

Ren Tingting wore a Western-style dress that was considered exceptionally fashionable at the time. A gentle smile adorned her face as she slowly walked toward Master Ren.

The moment Qiusheng saw Ren Tingting, he was immediately captivated by her pure, lovely features.

She lacked the gaudy makeup of the beauties he had seen in his previous life. Barefaced, Ren Tingting possessed the delicate charm of a girl from a respectable family.

Paired with her stylish Western dress, she exuded a unique allure beyond imagination.

"It's been so many years. Tingting has grown up so much—you're a young lady now."

"Hello, Miss Ren. My name is Qiusheng. It's a pleasure to meet you."

As Ren Tingting approached, Uncle Nine smiled and spoke to Master Ren.

Meanwhile, Qiusheng introduced himself with refined manners, even stepping ahead of the waiter to pull out the chair Ren Tingting was about to sit in.

"Tingting, this is Uncle Nine, whom I often tell you about. And this is Uncle Nine's accomplished disciple, Qiusheng."

Ren Tingting had just taken her seat and nodded to Qiusheng in thanks.

Then Master Ren introduced Uncle Nine and Qiusheng to her as well.

"Hello, Uncle Nine. Hello, Qiusheng."

After they exchanged a few polite greetings, the restaurant waiter appeared at just the right moment.

"What would you gentlemen and lady like to drink?"

As he spoke, the waiter handed them a menu.

"My master and I will each have a cup of coffee."

"I'll have a cup of coffee."

Once everyone had placed their orders, Master Ren immediately turned to Uncle Nine and asked.

"Uncle Nine, regarding the exhumation and reburial of my late father, have you selected an auspicious date yet?"

"Master Ren, I hope you will still consider this matter carefully."

"After all, when it comes to exhumation, it is better to leave things undisturbed."

Uncle Nine looked at Master Ren and tried to persuade him. The dead should rest in peace; no matter the reason, disturbing one's ancestors' eternal rest was never a good thing.

After hearing Uncle Nine's advice, Master Ren replied with a solemn expression.

"Uncle Nine, I've considered this matter very clearly."

"The feng shui master who chose the burial site for my late father said that after twenty years, the coffin must be exhumed and reburied. Only then would it benefit the Ren family."

Seeing Master Ren speak so firmly, Qiusheng could not help but interject.

"Master Ren, since you trust that feng shui master's words so much, why don't you go find him?"

"Since he was able to find Old Master Ren an auspicious burial site twenty years ago, surely it wouldn't be a problem for him twenty years later either."

"No. My father already went to find that feng shui master from back then, but the man passed away three years ago."

Before Master Ren could respond to Qiusheng, Ren Tingting immediately spoke to him with a serious expression.

"Oh, I see."

Qiusheng nodded lightly and said nothing more. Yet the strange glint that flashed through his eyes revealed that he had other thoughts.

"Master Ren, since you have made up your mind, we shall exhume and rebury your father three days from now."

Uncle Nine glanced at the overly talkative Qiusheng but said nothing, merely addressing Master Ren.

"Good. Then, Uncle Nine, what do we need to prepare before then?"

"Well, Master Ren, there are quite a few things to prepare. I'll make you a list later."

Uncle Nine smiled at Master Ren. No matter what, he had tried to persuade him. Since Master Ren still insisted on exhuming and reburying the coffin, all he could do was handle the matter properly.

Besides, this was no small matter. The various expenses involved would be numerous and complicated, and naturally there would be considerable benefits for Uncle Nine as well.

Though Uncle Nine was not particularly greedy for money, he would not be vague about accepting what he was rightfully owed.

"Master, Boss Huang Baiwan has arrived."

While Master Ren was speaking with Uncle Nine, a servant approached him and whispered into his ear.

Master Ren's expression immediately changed, and he promptly said to Uncle Nine.

"Uncle Nine, I'm sorry. I need to leave for a moment."

"Tingting, help me entertain Uncle Nine and the others."

"Got it, Dad."

After Ren Tingting agreed, Master Ren hurried away.

Just as he left, the coffee Qiusheng and the others had ordered was brought over.

"Uncle Nine, try this restaurant's coffee. It tastes very good."

"But be careful. If you're just starting to drink coffee, it's best to add some milk. Drinking it plain is very bitter."

Since Qiusheng had not embarrassed himself in front of Ren Tingting as Wencai had, Ren Tingting treated the master and disciple rather well. Not only did she warmly entertain them, she even taught them how to drink coffee.

However, as an adult who had been influenced by modern culture, Qiusheng naturally did not need Ren Tingting to teach him how to drink coffee step by step.

He skillfully added a little milk and a small spoonful of sugar to his master's coffee, stirred it lightly until mixed, then handed the blend of coffee, milk, and sugar to his master.

As for himself, he added nothing at all. He simply lifted his coffee cup, raised it toward Ren Tingting from afar, and took a light sip.

Though the whole sequence could not be called especially elegant, he carried it out with great familiarity, making Ren Tingting's eyes light up.

"Oh? So you've had coffee before."

"Miss Tingting, I haven't, but I've watched other people drink it."

After offering a brief explanation, Qiusheng set down his coffee cup with a faint smile and softly asked.

"Miss Tingting, I heard from your father that you know how to do makeup?"

"Hm? Yes, I just started learning makeup."

"But that sort of thing is usually for girls. Are you interested in it too?"

"Oh, no. It's just that my Auntie owns a Rouge Shop in town. If you like makeup, I can take you to my Auntie's shop and see whether they have any rouge or powder you like."

Qiusheng had lived through two lifetimes, while Ren Tingting was only eighteen. Once he knew what she liked, striking up a conversation and successfully piquing her interest came as easily as turning his hand.

After talking for only a short while, the two had already become as familiar as old friends of many years.

Uncle Nine, who had been watching them from the side, inexplicably shook his head and sighed. Youth really was wonderful.

Just then, Master Ren returned. The moment he sat down, he said to Uncle Nine.

"Uncle Nine, my apologies. I just ran into an acquaintance and had no choice but to go greet him. How discourteous of me."

"It's fine, Master Ren. Then let's continue discussing the details of the exhumation and reburial."

"Mm, all right."