CH 41

Chapter 41: Enjoying a delicious meal

Xiao Mu Zi could tell Le Yao Yao was going to drag him into the “Happy House”. He quickly pulled Le Yao Yao’s arm back as his face flushed. “Xiao Yao Zi, this is a big restaurant. Everything inside must be very expensive. Let’s just go eat some wontons at a vendor’s stall…” Xiao Mu Zi’s voice was very timid; it was as if he was afraid to be heard.

Due to Xiao Mu Zi’s poor family circumstances, his reaction wasn’t surprising. He had a few more siblings he had to raise. The financial pressure was too much for his parents; hence, they sold him in order to make ends meet.

As for Le Yao Yao, back when she was in the 21st century, she had average looks and abilities. But her family background was definitely not average. Her family was one of those newly rich ones from China. They had an abundance amount of money.  

But her father was worried that she would end up like those useless rich second generation children of wealthy officials or entrepreneurs. So, the amount of allowance he gave her was similar to an average-income family. As a result, Le Yao Yao did not splurge while she was in school.

Even so, she was still a young miss from an affluent family. She could afford to eat whatever she wanted.

So when she saw how flustered Xiao Mu Zi was, she couldn’t help but feel a little bit sorry for him.

After all, out of everyone in this Ancient era, Xiao Mu Zi treated her the best. Le Yao Yao considered him as a friend awhile ago. So she really wanted to give Xiao Mu Zi the best of everything!

Although she currently didn’t have the financial means to do much, she could still afford a meal!

So Le Yao Yao dragged Xiao Mu Zi as she declared, “We’re not eating wontons! It’s rare enough we can come out. We’re going to eat something more high class!”

Thus, Le Yao Yao entered the Happy House with the flustered Xiao Mu Zi.

Although the Happy House was not situated in the Capital’s most flourishing district, it was still very busy. There were many people coming in and out. All the seats were filled on the lower floor.

A waiter with good eyes saw Le Yao Yao entered with Xiao Mu Zi. Thus, he immediately welcomed them and seated them on the second floor next to the window.

Their spot was awesome. Not only did they have a panoramic view* of everything on the first floor, the scenery outside was plainly visible to them.

Since Le Yao Yao only had a silver tael on her, she carefully asked the prices of each dish.

She also found out from Xiao Mu Zi that a silver tael was equivalent to a thousand coins. Although Happy House was fancily decorated, the prices of the dishes were still affordable. After all, their targeted consumers were the mass population; so they had separate menus for people to choose from (upper class, middle class, and lower class).

After choosing a few affordable dishes that they both liked, Le Yao Yao did a mental calculation. This meal costed approximately 200 coins. Not bad. She allowed the waiter to record down the orders as she and Xiao Mu Zi drank tea and observed their surroundings.  

It was currently early afternoon, but the restaurant was already filled with no available seating. All the waiters had a towel around their necks as they rushed back and forth to pour tea and deliver dishes to the customers. They were so busy!

Le Yao Yao turned to look outside. It was April. The weather was neither hot nor cold. It was a very comfortable temperature. Hence, a lot of people were out on the streets.

She continued looking down and saw many people laughing and playing with each other. In addition, Le Yao Yao noticed that the Heaven Yuan dynasty was not conservative like the Qing dynasty. It was actually more similar to the Tang dynasty; where people were more open.

For instance, the warmer weather resulted in so many cute and delicate women taking off their thick cotton-padded outer layers. They were now walking down the streets in their thin dresses as they shook their tiny waists and butts to catch the gazes of many men on the streets.

Le Yao Yao enjoyed watching the scenery below her, and soon the dishes had arrived.

Since Le Yao Yao was starving, she was unrestrained and ate heartily. Compared to what they were eating this morning (a meal that couldn’t get any plainer), this meal was practically a culinary delicacy of the world!  

Le Yao Yao and Xiao Mu Zi contently ate everything. In no time, the three dishes and the bowl of soup had disappeared into their bellies.

Le Yao Yao rubbed her bulging tummy as she freely burped. She looked like a stuffed adorable kitten.

As for Xiao Mu Zi, he was also very satisfied. Since he came from a poor family, he only gets to eat one good meal a year during the New Year’s dinner.

The two of them drank some more tea as they rested. After resting, they stood up to head back to the residence.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, there was suddenly an uproar outside. Le Yao Yao was puzzled, so she immediately turned to the source to take a look.

She saw a luxurious horse carriage heading down the streets at lightning speed. As it was passing by, countless of people leaped out of the way and curses could be heard everywhere. This scene seemed very familiar.

While Le Yao Yao was deep in thought, Xiao Mu Zi abruptly yelled out a ‘Ah!’; as if he had just recalled something. He cried out in alarm, “Xiao Yao Zi! I recognize this horse carriage. It was the one that almost smashed into you!”

“Xiao Mu Zi, are you certain?” Hearing this, Le Yao Yao raised her eyebrows.

Xiao Mu Zi nodded with certainty. “Mmhmm. I am sure. When the horse carriage almost crashed into you, I was in a state of shock. But this horse carriage was too luxurious. Also, the driver was too rampant. He looked like the devil. Even if I wanted to forget, it would be difficult!”

As Xiao Mu Zi cautiously remembered the incident, he still felt lingering fears. Fortunately, Xiao Yao Zi was ok. If not, he wouldn’t know what he would do.

After hearing Xiao Mu Zi’s words, Le Yao Yao rubbed her smooth chin with one hand as her eyes revealed a mischievous glint. Anyone who was well acquainted with her personality would know what that look meant. Someone was in for bad luck!

——

“Xiao Yao Zi, are you sure about this? What if we get caught?”

“Xiao Mu Zi. Only you and I know. If neither of us say anything, who is going to find out?”

“But Xiao Yao Zi, I’m afraid…”

“Don’t be afraid. There is always me! Just imitate what I am going to do!”

“But I’m still afraid…”

“Ai, be good. Xiao Mu Zi. There will always be a first time for everything. I’ll just use more strength. After we’re done, none of us will ever mention this again….so no one will find out!”

“Ok then. I’ll listen to you….”

In an empty alleyway, Xiao Yao Zi and Xiao Mu Zi were hiding behind a wicker basket. Their eyes were glued at the exit in front of them.

This was the backyard of Happy House and where the toilets were located.

Earlier, Le Yao Yao started plotting and planning the moment Xiao Mu Zi had confirmed that the horse carriage was the one that had nearly smashed into her.

Just so happened, the arrogant horse carriage stopped right in front of Happy House. A fierce looking male with puffy eyes got off. His poor complexion was a clear indicator that his kidneys weren’t working well. He looked approximately seventeen to eighteen years of age. (end of Ch.58 raws)