Chapter 102 - 102: She Can’t Leave
The scorching sun beat down relentlessly on the earth, but inside the teahouse, the air was cool and refreshing.
“Excuse me, how many people are in your group, Sir?” inquired a waitress dressed in a qipao with a friendly smile as she held the door open for the guests.
Yi Hong calmly surveyed his surroundings. “I’m looking for someone. Room number seven.”
“May I ask for your name, sir?”
“Yi.”
“Please follow me.”
Yi Hong took a step forward, with Zhang Cheng close behind.
After passing through an ornate corridor and walking for about ten steps, they finally arrived at a wooden door.
The waitress bowed respectfully. “Please, gentlemen.”
Yi Hong pushed the door open, and the first thing that caught his eye was a tatami mat, next to which was a vase of lilies in a slender porcelain vase. The room was filled with a delicate fragrance of tea, instantly calming.
Further inside, there was a small compartment within the room. As Yi Hong opened his door, the door to the compartment also slid open from the inside, revealing a tall figure with an exceptionally youthful face—handsome and wearing a friendly smile.
Yi Hong looked bewildered. Could he have walked into the wrong place?
But a quick glance confirmed they were indeed in room number seven.
“Are you… Mr. Wan?” he cautiously inquired.
Zhou Chi approached the tea table, sat cross-legged at the head, and then raised his hand in a gesture of invitation. “Please, have a seat, both of you.”
Yi Hong hesitated, and behind him, Zhang Cheng wore a curious expression.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Yi? Do you prefer to stand while talking?”
“Do you know who I am?” Yi Hong’s sharp gaze narrowed, revealing a glint of intensity. “You still haven’t answered my earlier question. Are you Mr. Wan?”
“I thought that question was rather clear.”
This time, Yi Hong looked utterly surprised. His eyes lit up with excitement as he took a step closer. “Are you… truly?! But you appear so youthful…”
“How about we sit down and talk?”
“Oh, yes! Please, let’s sit down…” Yi Hong nodded eagerly, and he and Zhang Cheng took their seats.
At that moment, a knocking sound came from the door, accompanied by a woman’s soft, melodious voice. “Tea delivery.”
Zhou Chi said, “Come in.”
The large door was once again pushed open, and a slender figure entered the room. She wore a moon-white embroidered cheongsam that accentuated her graceful figure. The woman lowered her head, and the tassels hanging from her hairpin swayed slowly and rhythmically. In her hands, she carried a tea tray with various finely crafted tea utensils.
Yi Hong’s gaze swept over her briefly, not lingering too long. Zhang Cheng, on the other hand, didn’t spare a glance. She was just a waitress, nothing worth looking at.
The woman knelt on the side of the square tea table that had been cleared. From heating the kettle and warming the cups to brewing and pouring the tea, her movements flowed seamlessly, displaying a remarkable grace.
Zhou Chi was the first to receive his tea, followed by Yi Hong and Zhang Cheng.
The first person, who was patient, had a mischievous smile playing on his lips, making others curious about his true thoughts. The other two may have had different concerns on their minds, but they hadn’t yet found the right moment to speak, which made them appear restless, and they seemed uninterested as they sipped their tea.
“You can just place the teapot here and leave,” Yi Hong instructed the woman, raising his chin. After holding a position of authority for so long, he exuded an air of command.
However, the woman remained unfazed and even took out another empty cup, leisurely pouring herself a cup of tea. She first savored the aroma and then tasted the tea.
Her actions were smooth, and she seemed at ease.
Hmm!
Did service staff nowadays have such a disregard for etiquette? Were they audacious enough to partake in the customer’s tea without any sign of embarrassment, as if it were the most natural thing to do?
Zhang Cheng’s eyebrows furrowed. “Didn’t you hear me telling you to leave?”
The woman continued to enjoy her tea, completely ignoring him.
Zhou Chi chuckled softly. “She can’t leave.”
Both men were puzzled, and they exchanged glances, each reading the bewilderment in the other’s eyes.
Yi Hong’s mind quickly connected the dots. “So, this young lady is Mr. Wan’s… confidante?”
“Uh!” Zhou Chi raised his hand. “You got that wrong..”