A rival in love

"Senior Brother Zhang, have you eaten? If not, why don't you join us?" Hu Qingqing invited him.

"I was planning to grab a casual lunch, but now that I've run into you, Junior Sister, I can't be so casual about it. I know a fine place with truly excellent food and wine, though it's some distance from here. I think we still have time to head over," Zhang Long said.

"Senior Brother, shall we go?" Hu Qingqing asked, tempted by Zhang Long's words.

"Junior Sister, we've already ordered. How about next time?" Liu Dacheng was naturally unwilling to go.

"What does that matter? How much could the food here cost? Tell you what, I'll pay for it, and we'll go somewhere else. My treat today-let me do my part as host," Zhang Long said with a broad smile. "What do you say, Junior Sister?"

"Senior Brother, I think that sounds good. Senior Brother Zhang is being so generous; we really shouldn't turn him down," Hu Qingqing told Liu Dacheng.

Liu Dacheng could tell that his junior sister's mind was no longer here. Even if he insisted, she would probably still go with Zhang Long.

"Junior Brother Qingxiao, will you come along?" Liu Dacheng asked.

Huang Xiao thought for a moment, but finally shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Zhang. I'm a Daoist; plain tea and simple fare will do. Senior Brother Liu, I'll sit this one out. Besides, we've ordered quite a few dishes. It would be such a waste not to eat them."

Huang Xiao did not want to go. He could see Zhang Long's intentions: he had never meant to invite either him or Liu Dacheng, but out of consideration for Hu Qingqing, he could hardly say so aloud.

Liu Dacheng would certainly go. Huang Xiao understood what was on his mind, but where did he himself fit in? He did not want to get involved in these matters of love. He could not deny having some affection for Hu Qingqing. After all, she was the prettiest woman he had ever seen; it would be a lie to say his heart had not stirred. But he also understood that Liu Dacheng and Hu Qingqing were childhood sweethearts, while Zhang Long, standing before him, had an even more impressive background. Surely he was not so oblivious as to intrude?

"Haha, what a pity you won't be joining us, young Daoist. Still, they really don't serve plain tea and simple fare there. In that case, I won't insist. How about this-your meal today is on me," Zhang Long said with a laugh.

"There's no need. We'll pay for this ourselves. How could we put you to the expense, Young Master Zhang?" Liu Dacheng took out a piece of silver weighing one tael and set it on the table, then rose and told Huang Xiao, "Junior Brother Qingxiao, this is one tael of silver. It's more than enough to pay for the meal."

"Senior Brother Liu, I have money of my own," Huang Xiao said, declining.

"Don't stand on ceremony with your senior brother," Liu Dacheng said with a smile. Then he turned to Hu Qingqing. "Junior Sister, shall we go?"

Since Liu Dacheng could not stop Hu Qingqing, he could not afford to shrink back too much himself. Was he supposed to be afraid?

After the three left, Huang Xiao sighed inwardly. What a turn things had taken. If Zhang Long really was interested in Hu Qingqing, then given his standing, Liu Dacheng would probably have a hard time with such a rival in love. Of course, as Zhang Ming's son, Zhang Long held no low position, which made Hu Qingqing's status seem somewhat low by comparison. Their families were not quite a suitable match, and perhaps that offered Liu Dacheng a little hope. Naturally, Hu Guyi's opinion mattered a great deal too. Still, Huang Xiao had learned from his master that Hu Guyi thought very highly of Liu Dacheng and had gone to considerable trouble to obtain an Origin-Enhancing Pill for him. That was particularly telling. If Liu Dacheng and Hu Qingqing were childhood sweethearts, surely he would not forcibly tear the lovebirds apart?

Why am I thinking so much about it? Huang Xiao chuckled inwardly.

By then, the waiter had brought up the dishes they had ordered. Looking at the six vegetarian dishes before him, Huang Xiao was rather speechless. Eating all this alone really was far too wasteful.

"Sir, I wasn't lying to you. It's full upstairs too. Why don't you wait a little longer? As soon as a table opens up, I'll save it for you."

As he ate, Huang Xiao heard the waiter's voice coming from the stairs.

Business really does seem to be good lately, Huang Xiao thought.

When he looked toward the stairs, he saw a youth about his own age standing there, dressed entirely in white and holding a longsword. The waiter followed behind him, explaining incessantly.

The youth surveyed the second floor, then rested his gaze on Huang Xiao's table.

Ignoring the waiter's explanations, he walked straight over to Huang Xiao and asked, "Daoist, might I share your table?"

"Oh, certainly. It's rather empty with just me here," Huang Xiao said with a smile. There really were no vacant tables upstairs. Almost every table seated at least three people, while Huang Xiao alone occupied his. It was only natural for the youth to choose his table.

"Thank you, sir," the waiter hurriedly thanked Huang Xiao. After all, most people would not share a table with a stranger, and this gave the waiter another customer's business.

"Thank you, Daoist!" The youth cupped his hands to Huang Xiao, then placed his longsword on the table and sat down opposite him.

"What would you like to eat, sir?" the waiter asked.

The youth looked over the dishes Huang Xiao had ordered, then smiled. "Daoist, judging by your order, this doesn't seem to be a meal for one. If you're still waiting for friends, I shouldn't intrude."

"You're not intruding. There were two friends with me, but they had something to attend to and left early. Now it's just me," Huang Xiao said with a chuckle.

"I see. Waiter, bring me a few more vegetarian dishes," the youth told the waiter.

The waiter froze for a moment. What rotten luck. Why do I keep running into people eating vegetarian food today? This really is an ill-starred day.

"Oh, and bring me a pot of good wine," the youth added.

Only then did the waiter's expression brighten a little. "Just a moment, sir," he hurriedly said, before rushing downstairs to prepare the order.

"Daoist, I doubt you could finish all these dishes alone. I'll add a few more, and we can count ourselves newly acquainted friends and share a meal. What do you say?" the youth asked.

Hearing this, Huang Xiao felt somewhat well-disposed toward him. He had not expected the fellow to be so straightforward. Without giving it much further thought, he said, "Of course, no problem. But you could have ordered meat just now. Why did you order vegetarian dishes?"

"Well, you were here first. Since you're eating vegetarian food, I'll do the same. Though I did order a pot of wine-I hope you won't take offense, Daoist," the youth said with a smile.

"Not at all. Go ahead and enjoy your wine," Huang Xiao replied with a smile.

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Dugu Sheng, of Dugu Manor. May I ask your Daoist name?" Dugu Sheng said.

"My Daoist name is Qingxiao. I'm a disciple of the Green Ox Gate," Qingxiao answered.

"The Green Ox Gate?" Dugu Sheng considered for a moment, then smiled. "I've long heard of its great reputation."

Huang Xiao smiled faintly. He knew that even after thinking it over, Dugu Sheng probably still could not place his sect. That was only natural. As his senior brother Qinghe had said, the Green Ox Gate did not even qualify as a third-class sect. Apart from a very few sects nearby that knew it existed, it was perfectly normal for others in the martial world never to have heard of it. Dugu Sheng's claim to have long heard of its great reputation was merely polite talk, and Huang Xiao would not take it seriously. What great reputation did their Green Ox Gate have? Of course, Huang Xiao did not know where Dugu Manor was either. He was still very unfamiliar with the martial world.