A Brief Separation Rekindled Their Love; No Matter What Xiao Wu Became, She Was Still Herself
"Brother Meng is so unfair! He didn't even inform me before returning to Heaven Dou City, but instead secretly came here to see Xiao Wu."
Xue Qinghe teased Meng Chen.
"Brother Xue is busy with state affairs, and every move he makes is related to the hundreds of millions of people in our Heaven Dou Empire. How could I possibly trouble you?"
Meng Chen offered a perfunctory compliment, then took out a necklace from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Wu: "I bought this for you. I thought it would suit you, but it seems a bit too ordinary."
The necklace was actually very exquisite, a golden color with a silver four-leaf clover pendant. The material and craftsmanship were all beautiful, but it was still inferior to Xiao Wu's outfit.
After all, the necklace Xiao Wu wore was personally selected by Tang Yuehua, and it was Grandmaster that only nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire could obtain.
Xiao Wu exclaimed with delight, "Thank you A-Chen!"
She lifted her braid, revealing her Swan- like, graceful neck. "Help me put it on."
Meng Chen did as she was told, standing behind her to put the necklace on her.
The scene filled the young noblemen who had already retreated with envy and jealousy, and Xue Qinghe, standing beside them, was no exception.
Of course, what he envied was that Xiao Wu could be herself freely and live in the sunshine.
Are women really that beautiful?
Xue Qinghe touched his cheek, feeling somewhat bewildered; it was smooth and soft like cream.
After putting on the necklace Xiao Wu twirled in front of Meng Chen and Xue Qinghe, and asked shyly, "Does it look good?"
"Of course it's beautiful, absolutely gorgeous!"
Meng Chen gave a big thumbs up. He was joking; of course he'd praise it since he bought it himself.
Xue Qinghe laughed and said, "Brother Meng, aren't you just praising yourself?"
Meng Chen replied matter-of-factly, "How could that be? Doesn't Brother Xue think Xiao Wu looks beautiful wearing this necklace?"
"That's because Xiao Wu is naturally beautiful."
The two of them talked back and forth, praising Xiao Wu to the skies.
After praising him, Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "There was a report earlier that a powerful figure had attacked Suotuo City, destroying half the city and causing countless deaths and injuries. At that time, it seemed that Brother Meng was in the city..."
He paused, his tone gentle yet tinged with a hint of probing. "Brother Meng, do you know the details?"
Meng Chen immediately adopted a serious expression and shook his head. "I don't know anything about this either. My younger brother was almost caught in the crossfire, but luckily Master was by his side and protected him, so he was safe and sound."
Meng Chen's words were perfectly worded, and he didn't even reveal any unusual expression.
Xue Qinghe didn't delve into the matter further and changed the subject, chatting with Meng Chen about what he had seen and heard during this period.
After all, he only had some suspicions, and it wasn't worth digging into things that weren't certain, lest he displease Meng Chen.
The two chatted for a while, with Xiao Wu occasionally chiming in with a word or two; they seemed to get along quite well.
As dusk fell and the banquet ended, Xue Qinghe took his leave first, saying, "Alright, Xiao Wu, Brother Meng, I'll take my leave now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I won't continue to be your Soul Guidance Lamp."
Xue Qinghe's last sentence was quite ambiguous, making Meng Chen and Xiao Wu blush.
The two left with the crowd. Xiao Wu didn't plan to stay at the Moonlight Pavilion tonight, but instead went back to the dormitory building of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Meng Chen.
"A-Chen, you have no idea how boring Moonlight Pavilion has become without you. Will you come shopping with me tomorrow? I haven't left Moonlight Pavilion in days."
Meng Chen, of course, wouldn't refuse anything and nodded in agreement. "Okay, let's go shopping first thing tomorrow morning."
Xiao Wu was very satisfied and grinned at him.
Whether it was Meng Chen's imagination or not, Heaven Dou City seemed even more bustling than usual on the second day.
Xiao Wu didn't wear any expensive jewelry today; she simply changed into a pink and white short skirt with silver thread and those deadly white stockings.
Yesterday at the banquet she was like an elegant and dignified noblewoman, but now she exudes even more of a vibrant and youthful charm... It's simply irresistible.
Meng Chen sighed.
The two strolled leisurely along the street, Xiao Wu's gaze frequently drawn to exquisite little objects and various delicacies.
She tugged at Meng Chen's sleeve at the candied hawthorn stall and said, "I want the big one." Meng Chen took out his money, bought the biggest and reddest one, and handed it to her.
Xiao Wu hadn't even taken a few bites of her candied hawthorn when her attention was drawn to the mutton soup. She tossed the candied hawthorn, which she'd only eaten a few bites of, to Meng Chen to finish, and ran off to eat the mutton soup, along with two fire crystal persimmons.
After showing off her mutton soup, she stopped in front of a shop selling rouge and face powder to choose some.
When Meng Chen saw this, he couldn't help but praise Tang Yuehua for her excellent teaching. In fact, makeup was one of the necessary etiquette practices for aristocratic women when receiving guests.
Xiao Wu never wore makeup before, what a waste of her stunning beauty.
In the afternoon, the two ate noodles at a noodle shop called Iron Bull Beef Noodles, which is said to be a long-established brand in Heaven Dou City, with a history of hundreds of years.
The noodle shop is quite large, decorated in an antique style, and does indeed have a historical feel to it.
Although it was clean and tidy, the wooden table and stools still showed signs of long use; the patterns had been smoothed out, and sitting on them felt like sitting on the passing of time.
The owners are a middle-aged couple; the husband makes noodles in the back kitchen, while the wife greets customers in the front.
"Boss, two bowls of beef noodles, please."
"Okay, do you want it cut into the shape of a small octopus?"
"No."
When the noodles were served, there were no scallions on the surface of the soup, but it was covered with beef. The rich aroma of the soup wafted out with the steam, making one's mouth water.
Outside the shop, it was bustling with noise, but inside it was unusually quiet. Everyone had come specifically because of its reputation, and they couldn't wait to taste the noodles as soon as they were served. They certainly lived up to their reputation.
Only a few people will say that this noodle dish doesn't have shrimp oil.
Xiao Wu ate with extreme elegance and made almost no sound.
It's really different from before.
Meng Chen sighed.
Moonlight Pavilion's teaching really has the power to change people.
Xiao Wu was eating noodles when she suddenly mumbled, "A-Chen, do you think if I really become a very proper and well-behaved noble lady in the future, will you still come out and play with me like this?"
Meng Chen was taken aback by these words, and laughed, "Why are you talking? Didn't Moonlight Pavilion tell you not to talk while eating or sleeping?"
Xiao Wu blushed and said reproachfully, "Hey, answer me!"
Did you also sense that initial distance between you?
Looking at her earnest expression, so eager for an answer, Meng Chen couldn't help but smile, "You can't change."
"Why?" Xiao Wu looked at him intently, even stopping the act of eating her noodles.
"Because rules are like clothes you wear; you can wear them when you want and take them off when you want, but the things in your bones can't be changed." Xiao Wu asked earnestly, and Meng Chen answered earnestly as the sunlight shone in, giving him a warm hue.
"You are still you, Xiao Wu. You still have your own unique qualities, only you've become more elegant and beautiful. This is the kind of person who makes me want to stay by your side forever."
Xiao Wu was delighted to hear this and smiled as she agreed, "Okay!"