"May I know what you will be having?" the young lady dressed in a simple uniform asked them after welcoming them and seating them at their table.
"We'll have noodles with vegetables, please," Xuan Yi quickly blurted out. It was the cheapest meal he could think of that he was sure must be served in this restaurant.
"All three of you?" the waiter inquired, either not having understood Xuan Yi's body language—indicating a cheap meal for all of them—or hoping the others would opt for a more expensive dish, which would earn her a bigger commission. They looked well dressed and didn't appear to be poor to her.
"Yes, please," Xuan Yi replied.
"No, I will have rice and sautéed lobster," Qing Fu quickly chimed in.
Xuan Yi's heart stirred. He took a deep breath and forced a twitching smile.
"Two orders of noodles and what she ordered," he said, knowing that he was going to be the one paying. It pained his heart.
"What is your best dish?" Tian Wei asked. He wasn't sure if he should trust Xuan Yi's judgment after Qing Fu declined his choice. This was going to be his first meal ever, and all he had was some basic knowledge imparted by his creator, lacking the actual experience of taste.
"Ah, young master is wise to ask. We have a particularly exceptional chef that we recently hired, and today he is serving a special. Would you like to try his signature Crispy Pork Belly with fried rice?" the waiter suggested, breaking into a smile.
"No. He will have the noodles. They are better," Xuan Yi insisted.
Qing Fu seemed to have caught on. She was a bit confused as to why the Yang clan fellow did not have any money. Were they excessively stingy?
However, considering that they had saved her, her hand reached out to feel her waist pouch, which she was sure had far fewer savings than theirs. She would have to properly thank them with a meal.
"We're not going to eat cheap noodles and dumplings with vegetables when I am paying. Allow me to thank you properly by treating you to a decent meal. It's the least I can do," Qing Fu said, her voice betraying nothing. She genuinely wanted to treat them well and was happy to do so, but it was also true that this would nearly deplete her savings.
"If Miss Qing insists, we won't be disrespectful. We'll have the chef's choice. And some wine, please," Xuan Yi shamelessly answered.
"Master Xuan, do you mind telling me why the Yang clan has visited our small village?" she asked naively.
"I am from the Xuan clan in the Mist Valley. Tian Wei is the one from the Yang clan. It was just a chance encounter," Xuan explained. He didn't see any reason not to be honest with Qing Fu. She seemed like a good person.
"I'm not from the whatever Yang clan or anything," Tian Wei said dismissively, showing his disregard for the Yang clan. If the Yang clan were to hear him speaking of them so condescendingly, he might get into big trouble. But he genuinely didn't care. He knew too little about mortal affairs to be bothered.
"Uh!" Both Xuan Yi and Qing Fu exclaimed loudly at the same time. People at nearby tables turned and looked at them. Fearing to attract more attention, they quickly composed themselves. Xuan Yi bowed his head a few times in apology to those who remained curious. This allowed everyone to continue with their own matters.
"But the Ten Thousand Sword Tempering skill?" Xuan Yi whispered as he leaned closer to the two at the table. "How is it that you possess the rarest skill of the Yang clan?"
Qing Fu was also curious about how he obtained the skill. She was also worried about the trouble that would follow her if she became associated with someone who stole the secrets of the Yang clan. The Yang clan was known for their ruthlessness and power.
"I don't know anything about the Yang clan. I just happen to possess the skill," Tian Wei replied casually.
"Huh!" Xuan Yi felt an urge to punch him in the neck. He couldn't believe Tian Wei was pretending to be a member of the Yang clan. That spelled doom. And to make matters worse, he had stolen something precious from them. The Yang family would ensure he suffered a fate worse than death.
Tian Wei remained nonchalant and failed to understand why there was such a big fuss. He hadn't lied; he simply hadn't felt the need to clarify when everyone assumed he was a member of the Yang clan.
"You just happen to possess the skill? And my name is not Xuan Yi," Xuan Yi hissed, frustration evident in his voice.
The waiter arrived with their order and carefully placed everything on the table. Xuan Yi had lost his appetite, but he didn't want Tian Wei to enjoy the meal either. He angrily took all the meat and placed it on his own plate, leaving Tian Wei with only rice and soup.
"Rice and soup are more suitable for you," Xuan Yi said with frustration in his voice.
They continued eating in silence. Xuan Yi wished more than ever to distance himself from Tian Wei. Since they had met, he had nearly died twice, and now there was the potential for yet another close call. If he can't find a way to get away from Tian Wei, he must at least find a way to pass the call for help to his father.
Tian Wei, on the other hand, savored the rice and soup. He was completely absorbed in the explosion of flavors on his taste buds, oblivious to anything else. He could eat this dish all day long. He took sips of the wine and felt the warmth and fire in his mouth. This was life at its fullest for him. It was true that one hadn't truly lived until they had not eaten rice with soup and enjoyed a cup of wine.