After buying the pair of celadon cups at a reasonable price,
Lu Chen followed Mr. Zhong and used his keen eye to scour the street stalls.
Strings of Hetian jade beads, Ming and Qing dynasty vases, calligraphy and paintings, ancient coins... Before he knew it, the box Lu Chen was carrying grew heavier and heavier.
The trio started attracting attention in the crowd.
No one had seen anyone buy antiques like this—as if they were buying stock for a shop...
"You guys bought so much!"
When the three regrouped with Venti, they saw he was also carrying quite a few things.
Venti had just finished a fun round of arrow throwing and had plenty of items in hand.
But compared to Lu Chen's haul, they were worth far less—just some local handicrafts and trinkets, a few coins apiece.
Venti grinned and explained, "The boss kicked me out! He stuffed a few prizes into my hands and told me to go play elsewhere."
Lu Chen gave a helpless smile. "If you'd kept playing, you'd have won everything..."
Clearly, the boss had sent him away to spare the other stalls.
From a distance, the juggling performance had ended. Miko was pulling Ei around the bustling food stalls.
Lu Chen stowed the box of antiques back in the RV and rejoined the group.
When he returned, he found five people sitting on simple stools. Miko and Ei were each holding a few skewers of tofu, chatting and laughing.
When Lu Chen approached, Ei's gaze immediately shifted to him.
Miko's smile faded a bit, leaving just a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
"It's not stinky tofu, is it?" Lu Chen grabbed a small stool and squeezed in with the group.
"It's non-stinky stinky tofu." Ei handed him a skewer.
Lu Chen looked at the fried tofu in front of him, then at Ei's face, and opened his mouth.
"Feed yourself," Ei said.
"No... My hands are sore from carrying things."
Lu Chen smiled shamelessly, clearly wanting her to feed him.
Everyone watched with interest.
A blush rose on Ei's flawless, delicate face. She shoved the skewer of fried tofu into Lu Chen's hand.
"You're not crippled. You're a grown man—you don't need someone to feed you..."
She glared at him, her small face tense, trying to hide her slight embarrassment.
Lu Chen found her pouting expression amusing—like a kitten throwing a fit—making him want to tease her even more.
"Alright, alright..."
Lu Chen picked up the skewer of non-stinky stinky tofu and took a bite.
The texture was a bit soft, but the outside was crispy with a slight kick of spice.
After a couple of chews, Lu Chen mumbled, "Stinky tofu that doesn't stink has no soul."
"I just don't want to eat something that smells bad," Miko chimed in, slipping an arm around Ei's waist and shooting Lu Chen a mischievous look.
"Why?" Lu Chen asked.
"Of course, because when you kiss—mmph... mmph..."
Before the ever-teasing Miko could finish, Ei stuffed food into her mouth.
"You talk too much!" Ei held Miko down, looking like she'd force her to finish all the tofu.
"I'm not done talking... hey, you're blushing!"
When Miko finally broke free, she immediately counterattacked with her soft hands—grabbing at Ei's chest and tickling her.
"Ah! Miko!"
Ei's counterattack?
Rubbing her ears.
"Ei, why are you rubbing my ears? You're not allowed to touch my ears!"
Lu Chen propped his chin on his hand, watching the two friends playfully wrestle, both of them blushing—quite the sight.
It seemed Miko had let go of yesterday's awkwardness. Her fox-like eyes scanned the group and locked onto Lu Chen, who was watching from the side.
"Why is Ei rubbing my ears now? Did you teach her that?"
"Huh?" Lu Chen looked innocent. "Everyone knows your ears are your weak spot!"
Miko was panting, her fox eyes narrowing slyly.
"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?"
As soon as Lu Chen saw that look, he knew she was scheming again.
Sure enough, Miko leaned in and asked mischievously, "Tell me, what's Ei's weak spot? I'll let you off the hook!"
"Ei's weak spot, huh..."
Lu Chen took another bite of fried tofu—though it wasn't as good as the ones he made.
"Lu Chen!!" Ei immediately tensed.
"Hurry, hurry!" Miko's fox eyes seemed to sparkle as she held Ei back. "Tell me!"
"A weak spot, huh..."
Ei did have one, of course—something only someone very close would know.
Lu Chen glanced at her. Her cheeks were now redder than a sunset sky.
And with that blush came a distinct chill. Lu Chen had no doubt that if he spoke a word of it, Ei would strike him down in an instant.
A 'husband-slaying' on the spot!
Lu Chen looked at Miko, who was right in front of him, and winked mysteriously.
"Not telling."
"Tch!" Miko sat back down, crossing her arms. "Knew it—just like yesterday! So annoying!"
Ei finally let out a relieved sigh.
Lu Chen glanced to the side and smiled. Venti and Zhongli were studying the menu.
Qiqi was sipping the milk tea Ei had bought her, taking tiny sips.
The street food wasn't as refined as the hotel's, but it had a charm all its own—distinct from coastal cities.
Everyone ordered a bowl of the local specialty beef soup. The rich, steaming broth was perfect for dipping the fire-roasted bread. Lu Chen, starving, finished his bowl in no time.
He looked up and saw that Ei had barely finished half her bowl.
"Don't like it?"
"Hmm?" Ei shook her head in confusion. "No."
"You don't get it," Miko said, elegantly dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief and glancing at Lu Chen. "Ei would never eat like you—so crude! Hmph."
Lu Chen sighed. The sharp-tongued Guuji was back.
Honestly, he'd missed it a little.
"What are you laughing at?" Miko glared at him.
"Ah..." Lu Chen sighed dramatically. "You pampered folks don't understand us peasants. We've got to get back to the fields soon—if we don't eat fast, how will we manage?"
"What nonsense," Miko said, clearly confused.
Lu Chen looked at Ei, who was carefully sipping her soup, and felt like playing around.
"Ei, watch me—this is the way to really enjoy your food!"
Lu Chen sat cross-legged on his chair, picked up his bowl, pretended to eat heartily, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
"Ahh, that hits the spot."
Ei stared at him, frozen. After a moment's thought, she tried to mimic him—lifting her bowl carefully.
"Like this? But Chen, it's a bit hot."
"I'll blow on it for you." Lu Chen scooted his stool next to her.
Ei moved over, making space for him.
Which ended up pushing Miko to the side.
Seeing the two of them smiling at each other—Lu Chen being so gentle and attentive—suddenly made Miko feel a bit irritated.
She pursed her lips and silently looked away.
...
After eating, the six of them continued wandering through the temple fair.
Well—three of them, technically...
Lu Chen glanced to his right at Ei and Miko, then looked ahead at Venti and the others, who had already walked far ahead.
His expression grew puzzled.
When he noticed Venti sneaking glances back now and then, Lu Chen finally realized—those three had done this on purpose!
Trying to give him and Ei some space, no doubt. It wasn't every day they got to travel together...
But Lu Chen glanced at Ei, who was holding his arm.
Then glanced at Miko, who was holding Ei's arm.
Wasn't there something... off about this date?
...
The three of them followed the scenic route.
Miko dragged Ei around taking photos—beautiful crafts, intricate carvings on ancient buildings, and an array of street food.
Of course, the main subject of her photos was herself.
Just like her WeChat profile pic—Miko was great at taking photos and a total fashionista.
She'd dressed up for today's outing, wearing a three-quarter sleeve chiffon blouse with contrasting geometric prints and a khaki high-waisted skirt with a trendy asymmetrical cut. Lu Chen had no idea what the style was called.
Miko switched her phone to the front camera and dragged a reluctant Ei along, snapping pictures the whole way.
And of course—shopping.
Before long, Lu Chen found himself left behind, helplessly carrying all the bags they'd just bought.
Why does this feel...
just like a poor guy stuck carrying bags while his girlfriend shops at the mall?