Chu Xisheng led Cao Xuan into the same cramped, narrow blue-brick room where they had met last time.
The same battered square table stood there, the flame of a bronze oil lamp flickering at one corner.
The teacups, however, had been replaced with white porcelain, and the tea leaves inside were Big Red Robe, commonly available on the market.
Chu Xisheng was still very short of money, but that shortage lay in major expenses such as enchanted artifacts, totems, and secret medicines.
There was no longer any need to pinch every last penny and live so tightly when it came to his quality of life-it would not save much money anyway.
Chu Xisheng took the kettle of boiling water from Chu Yunyun and smiled as he brewed tea for Cao Xuan. "I truly never expected the Thousand-Household Commander to visit in person. Sorry for the wait. Please forgive me."
Cao Xuan smiled and waved a hand. "I came uninvited. What fault could you possibly have, young Chu? Besides, I haven't been waiting long."
His pupils, however, tightened slightly.
Perceptive as he was, Cao Xuan had already noticed that Chu Xisheng's manner and tone were completely different from over two months ago.
Back then, although Chu Xisheng had been neither servile nor overbearing, he had remained cautious and tense throughout.
Now, the young man before him was respectful, yet easygoing and unrestrained, natural and composed.
Before, he had been handling an encounter; now, he was entertaining a guest.
Cao Xuan betrayed nothing on his face. He picked up the tea Chu Xisheng had brewed and spoke with feeling. "The ancients said that after three days apart, one should look at a man with fresh eyes. Those words truly do not deceive me. When I first met you, young Chu, I felt