"I eat a lot."
"I only want one of each."
Pei Ye turned to give the waiter their order, then led her upstairs.
Seeing Ming Qitian glance back, he tilted his head and asked, "What's wrong?"
She sounded curious. "In just a few breaths, four groups of customers called to him or ordered, and he answered them all. Is his memory that good?"
Pei Ye smiled. "You wouldn't know this, Miss Ming, but all the waiters at thriving businesses in the Divine Capital have a 'Quail Head.'"
Ming Qitian smiled.
They found seats by a window. There were genuine Jianghu folk here now, several tables of them on this floor. During pauses in their conversations, they glanced at the pair who had just come up, then withdrew their gazes upon seeing the White Hat Veil.
There were many customers this early, so the buns would take some time. Hot tea and beans were brought to the table first. Pei Ye had never been so proper over a meal: he poured her a cup first, then straightened his clothes and waited with her.
Ming Qitian had probably never experienced eating in a hall shared with so many people. She quietly observed her surroundings.
Just then, a clear voice rose from the stairs. "Customers! This morning's latest Chang'an Sword Affairs, fresh off the press and still piping hot! Ten copper coins a copy-first come, first served!"
It was a boy of fifteen or sixteen, in coarse short clothes with short hair, looking very brisk as he stood in the hall holding a stack of newspapers.
"Stop shouting, boy. Bring us two copies." Someone at a drinking table looked over with a frown.
"Twenty copies here!" Two lively young women at the neighboring table raised their hands. Their clothes bore traces of the