flstandardbreds Chapter 151: Alley School Dark Doggerel
Chapter 151: Alley School Dark Doggerel
Gan Yu smiled softly and introduced Ling Hua and Xian Yun. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Hu Tao, the head of the Wangsheng Hall. Although she's young, she's shouldered heavy responsibilities and manages the hall with impeccable efficiency. This is Xing Qiu, the second young master of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce. He's incredibly talented and particularly enjoys writing."
Before Linghua could even introduce herself, Hu Tao burst out in a cacophony, "Wow, Shen He, you're absolutely stunning!" Her eyes lit up. She circled around Shen He and said, "Hey, and this lady, your clothes have the exact same pattern. Did you buy them together?" Her words were filled with curiosity and excitement.
Linghua smiled and explained, "Miss Kurumi, you've misunderstood. I'm Kamisato Linghua, the owner of this shop. Senior Sister Shenhe is here to help. As for this outfit, just think of it as work clothes."
Hu Tao nodded in sudden realization. "So that's how it is! These work clothes are so nice! They instantly set you two apart!" Xing Qiu also smiled and agreed. "Indeed, indeed. These clothes are both beautiful and practical. They perfectly match your temperament."
At this time, Xin Yang came to the crowd with milk tea and said with a smile: "Come on, everyone, try it. This is our Bailu Shuanghua's signature drink."
Hu Tao eagerly took the cup, took a sip, and exclaimed, eyes wide, "Wow, this fruit tea tastes absolutely amazing! Brother Xinyang, your cooking skills are amazing!" Xingqiu also picked up a cup and savored it carefully, then slowly praised it, "The taste is mellow and the aroma is rich. It's really a rare delicacy. Brother Xinyang, I admire you!"
Hu Tao's eyes suddenly rolled around, and she coughed softly. "Ahem, as the last guest of Bai Lu Shuang Hua's first day of opening, I, the hall master and the dark doggerel poet Hu Tao of the Alley School, must compose a poem for you. Xingqiu, don't be idle either, let's join in."
Xingqiu shook his head helplessly and said with a smile, "Alas, Hutao, you're so impatient! I can't match your quick wit."
Hu Tao placed her hands on her hips and said proudly, "Xingqiu, your literary talent is no less than this hall master's. You prepare first, I'll go first."
After saying this, Walnut's eyes flickered, and after a moment's thought, he shook his head and chanted:
"The milk tea shop is fragrant.
It tastes delicious every time it goes down your throat.
The fragrance fills Liyue.
Come on, have a drink and don’t be late.”
Xingqiu gently waved his folding fan, and after a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Since Hu Tao has already said so, I'll join in the fun and perform a song.
Frosty egrets reflect the new light,
A cup of tea has a long-lasting flavor.
The shop is warm and welcoming,
From now on, Liyue will be filled with fragrance."
"Good!" Everyone applauded after hearing this.
Linghua nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Thank you both for your beautiful poems. They have added a lot of elegance to our shop." Shen He still looked indifferent, but there was a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
Xin Yang waved his hand and said, "Thank you both for your beautiful poems. I'll treat you to milk tea today."
Walnut waved her hands and said with a grin, "That won't do. I never take advantage of anyone. What's due is what's due. Besides, we two delayed your get off work, so we should compensate you."
Xingqiu nodded as well. "Indeed, we appreciate Brother Xinyang's kindness, but business rules must be followed."
Seeing Hu Tao and Xing Qiu's insistence, Xin Yang gave up the excuse and said with a smile, "Since you two are so insistent, I will respectfully comply. I hope you will come often and bring more excitement to our shop."
Walnut blinked and said playfully, "Of course. I can't get enough of this delicious milk tea. I'll definitely come here more often, and maybe even bring some new customers."
Xingqiu also smiled and nodded. "Bai Lu Shuang Hua's drinks are indeed unique. I will definitely come back to try them again."
Shen He remained silent, but nodded slightly to show his agreement.
After a while of idle chatter, Hu Tao and Xing Qiu stood up to take their leave. Watching them depart, Xian Yun sighed, "I never expected to meet two such interesting people even before closing time. My conversational skills finally came in handy. This is exactly the life I want."
Xin Yang laughed and jokingly said, "Most people are full of resentment when they go to work, but Master is different. He can't wait to work all the time."
"That's because I'm full of energy. How can a mere Aozang Mountain hold me back? If I stay there for a long time, I naturally need to come to Liyue Harbor more often to keep my body and mind relaxed!" Xianyun retorted without showing any weakness.
"Master is absolutely right. A balance between work and rest is the right path. Tomorrow I'll go recruit a few capable employees, so we can have some free time. Okay, without further ado, let's pack up and go home. This damn weather is getting colder and colder."
.......
After returning to Chen Ge Hu, Xin Yang and Ling Hua both looked exhausted, as if all their strength had been drained out, and collapsed limply on the soft sofa.
Linghua gently kneaded her aching shoulders and murmured softly, "I'm really exhausted today, but I feel very happy inside."
Upon hearing this, Xin Yang quickly stood up and sat behind Ling Hua, gently massaging her shoulders. He said with concern, "If you feel tired in the future, take a break. I'll be looking after the store."
Linghua leaned slightly to the side, resting her head gently on Xinyang's chest. She responded in an exceptionally gentle tone, "Hubby, have you forgotten what I said again? As long as I can be with you, no matter what I do, I won't feel tired."
Xinyang smiled dotingly and placed a gentle kiss on Linghua's forehead. "You're always like this, it makes me feel distressed." Xinyang's fingers gently ran through Linghua's hair, feeling the silky touch.
The two of them snuggled quietly together, the tranquil atmosphere of the Chen Ge pot isolating them from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. After a while, Xin Yang slowly spoke, "Hu Tao and Xing Qiu's poems today have brought a lot of glory to our shop. I believe that more customers will be attracted to us in the future."
Linghua nodded slightly, "Well, they are very talented and interesting. I also hope that our Bailu Shuanghua can become a place that everyone loves." Her eyes were full of anticipation.
"I definitely will." Xin Yang said firmly, "With you here, everything will get better and better."
At this moment, the moonlight outside the window poured into the Chen Ge Hu, covering the entire space with a layer of silver gauze. Linghua gently took Xinyang's hand and walked to the window. Looking at the beautiful scenery outside, the Chen Ge Hu in the moonlight was like a dream world.
"There are actually changes between day and night in this Chen Ge pot?" Linghua murmured softly with a look of doubt on her face.
Xinyang explained, "Our Chen Ge Kettle is truly unique! When we first gave it to Grandma Ping to craft, among the many materials we provided was a very special lumen stone. It's said that once that lumen stone is incorporated into the Chen Ge Kettle, it can freely change the scene between day and night according to the user's inner wishes. I was so busy packing up our new home and preparing to open the shop that I forgot to tell you."
Hearing this, Linghua couldn't help but feel curious. She slowly extended her delicate hand and gently leaned out the window. Her eyes were fixed on the rockery fountain outside the window, which seemed particularly tranquil under the shroud of night. The gurgling spring water, reflected in the moonlight, was shining with a silver luster, like a dream, and it was beautiful beyond words.
"I never noticed before that this Chen Ge pot is so beautiful."
Xinyang gently embraced Linghua beside him, his eyes filled with endless affection and longing. He said softly, "To me, you are a thousand times more beautiful than this Dust Song Pot." Then, Xinyang gently took Linghua's small hand and slowly placed it on his chest. "This heart always beats for you alone."
Linghua's fair face was instantly stained with a faint blush. Linghua turned her head slightly and leaned lightly on Xinyang's strong shoulders.
"When the store is not busy later, let's go outside and take a look together, okay?"
"Of course. Let's go see the beautiful scenery of the continent of Teyvat together and enjoy a wonderful time that belongs only to you and me." Xinyang agreed happily with a smile on his face.