Chapter 2
Zhang Meng had been a constable for a year now. Because she often went out on patrol, she knew many common people and generally had good relationships with them. Sometimes when she went to buy vegetables after finishing her patrol, they would sell them to her a bit cheaper.
After buying vegetables, thinking about how the superior had been somewhat dissatisfied with her recently, Zhang Meng still took a detour and walked into Yingyue Teahouse, using her own private money to buy a box of pastries for the superior.
Every time the superior ate pastries from Yingyue Teahouse, her mood would improve.
Although Zhong Huo liked to exploit Zhang Meng's labor, Zhang Meng still couldn't dislike Zhong Huo. Who told Zhong Huo to be a capable person? She had always been fond of capable people.
Moreover, it was because of Zhong Huo that she got to know that group of good sisters in the government office. She only felt very lucky.
Just as Zhang Meng walked into Yingyue Teahouse, a light green silk handkerchief descended from above and covered her face.
Zhang Meng grabbed the handkerchief from her face and looked up towards the second floor. She saw a man in green clothes with delicate features and a jade-like complexion standing by the railing. His beautiful eyes were fixed on her, then he seemed to blush in embarrassment, turning his face away as if not daring to look at her, and quickly retreated, turning to leave.
"Young master, why did you throw down your handkerchief?" The servant in purple clothes asked in confusion.
Xu Lu Cha's slender hand twirled the teacup as he spoke in a languid voice: "I heard she's a favorite of Zhong Huo, always by Zhong Huo's side. Why shouldn't I create an opportunity to get acquainted with her?" Zi Yi was slightly stunned: "Young master, weren't you waiting for Chen Cheng to pass the provincial examination?" Xu Lu Cha curved his lips and said: "I need to find a backup plan for myself. Although Miss Qian has a wealthy background, she is lustful and ignorant, short-sighted. How could she be worthy of me, Xu Lu Cha? Zhong Huo, on the other hand, is a good official praised by the people, not only talented and beautiful, but also not interested in men, and still unmarried. Zhong Huo is much better than that Chen Cheng."
Zhang Meng held the silk handkerchief, not knowing what to do for a moment. Soon, she saw a waiter carrying a tray and hurriedly handed the handkerchief to the waiter, asking him to help find its owner upstairs.
Then, Zhang Meng bought the pastries and left Yingyue Teahouse carrying the warm box of treats.
"Young master, she left. She didn't come up to find you."
Xu Lu Cha gripped the teacup tightly and set it down on the table with a bang. The small mole at the corner of his eye was enchantingly beautiful.
"No one has ever escaped my charm before, and she will be no exception." Xu Lu Cha played with the hair on his chest and said softly: "Zi Yi, just watch."
Zhang Meng pushed a cart full of vegetables back to the government office. After putting all the vegetables back in the kitchen, she carried a box of pastries to the superior's study.
Recently, Yun City had been quite peaceful, people were living quite steadily, and there were no cases to judge. Apart from sometimes going out to chat with the common people and help them with farm work, the superior spent the rest of her time hiding in the study, reading books and painting.
When Zhang Meng walked into the study, the superior was painting the green bamboo outside the window.
Zhong Huo turned her head and frowned at her: "Is there something?"
Zhang Meng put the pastries on the table and smiled: "Superior, I just passed by Yingyue Teahouse and bought some pastries back for you." Thinking that this didn't fully express her sincerity, she corrected herself: "No, I should say, I specially went to Yingyue Teahouse and spent half a month's wages to buy your favorite pastries."
Zhong Huo's hand paused, and she put down her brush. She coughed dryly, her tone no longer as harsh as before.
"Are you trying to please me?"
Zhang Meng nodded honestly: "Because I've been foolish recently and angered the superior, I only hope that the superior will be magnanimous and not hold it against me." To be honest, Zhang Meng didn't know where she had gone wrong.
A few months ago, the superior who had always treated her like a sister suddenly became cold towards her and started exploiting her labor.
After hearing her words, Zhong Huo's expression became somewhat complex for unknown reasons.
She frowned, looked at Zhang Meng, pursed her lips, and finally spoke: "Forget it, I don't need your flattery. Take the pastries away."
"Superior..." Zhang Meng hurriedly spoke, "Did I do something wrong..."
Zhong Huo turned her back to her: "Zhang Meng, do you know how annoying you are? Every time I see you, I'm unhappy."
Zhang Meng felt wronged.
"You may go now." Zhong Huo said.
"Yes." Zhang Meng then turned and left the study, closing the door behind her.