Chapter 4
Zhang Meng sat somewhat embarrassedly at the table, with an array of delicacies spread out before her, their fragrant aromas wafting up. Since her transmigration, she had never seen so many dishes at once.
Xu Lu Cha sat across from her and said shyly, "Please forgive Lu Cha's poor hospitality, Officer Zhang. This is just a small token of Lu Cha's appreciation..."
Zhang Meng quickly waved her hand: "No, no, no, you've spent too much. I feel quite embarrassed." Even in modern times, she had never let a man treat her to a meal, let alone in this matriarchal world where Xu Lu Cha, a man, was treating her. It was truly too shameful.
Zhang Meng had never liked taking advantage of others. Looking at this table full of dishes, it must have cost at least a hundred taels. She thought to herself that she didn't even have a hundred taels saved up in a year, and she might have to ask the superior for an advance on her wages.
However, just looking at this table of food made her heart bleed.
Zhang Meng picked up her chopsticks and began eating. As she ate, she felt heartache and silently vowed to never again go to a teahouse with these wealthy young masters.
Seeing that Zhang Meng was only focused on eating and not paying him any attention, Xu Lu Cha's pretty face sank. However, he quickly replaced it with a coy expression.
"Officer Zhang, to thank you, Lu Cha personally carved a jade piece for you. Please accept it." He took out an exquisite box and opened it. On the red velvet cushion inside lay a transparent and delicate piece of jade.
A miniature version of bamboo, a small house, a little bridge, and flowing water - everything was captured on this small piece of jade, lifelike in every detail.
Zhang Meng was shoveling rice into her mouth when she heard Xu Lu Cha's words. She raised her head, and when her eyes fixed on the jade piece, she opened them wide in surprise: "You carved this yourself?"
"Mm-hmm." Xu Lu Cha smiled shyly.
Zhang Meng finally put down her chopsticks and picked up the box, examining it closely while exclaiming in admiration.
Xu Lu Cha lowered his head in apparent shyness, but his downcast eyes couldn't conceal his contemptuous gaze.
She truly was inexperienced, to be so easily placated by a mere piece of jade.
"I'm sorry, I can't accept this."
Zhang Meng returned the box to him.
Xu Lu Cha was stunned and raised his eyes to look at her.
Zhang Meng smiled and said, "I appreciate your kind intentions, but as a constable, I'm rough and clumsy. What use would I have for such a delicate object? I'm afraid I might accidentally break it, which would ruin the young master's good intentions." With that, she lowered her head again and continued eating.
A flash of darkness passed through Xu Lu Cha's eyes. But in an instant, he put on a smile again.
"I'm sorry, Lu Cha was thoughtless."
"Not at all."
"Officer Zhang, to be honest, Lu Cha has always admired you. You are so warm-hearted and kind, Lu Cha has always wanted to get to know you." Zhang Meng nodded vaguely without looking up: "I suppose we've gotten acquainted today." Xu Lu Cha said: "Lu Cha means, could we be like this in the future, eating together, chatting, just like real friends?" "Cough cough..." Zhang Meng choked and hurriedly drank some water. When she felt a bit better, she opened her mouth to refuse: "Young Master Xu, because my work is quite busy... so..." She would absolutely not go to teahouses with wealthy young masters.
She lowered her head and shoveled a few more mouthfuls of rice, feeling that her stomach was already full. Then she stood up to say goodbye.
She went downstairs to find the proprietor and asked to put it on credit, promising to come back another day to settle the bill.
Thinking about having to ask her superior for an advance on her wages, which meant she had to please her, Zhang Meng didn't mind spending a little more since she was already bleeding money.
"Boss, please pack a box of pastries for me as well."
"Young master..."
Zi Yi looked at Xu Lu Cha somewhat nervously, he had never seen his young master's face look so displeased.
"Zi Yi, do you think she's blind? Ignoring a beauty right in front of her and just focusing on eating, like a starving ghost reincarnated." Zi Yi didn't know what to say. His young master had always been successful with women, but he didn't expect to hit a wall with Officer Zhang. It was normal for the young master to be in a bad mood.
Xu Lu Cha stood up angrily, his beautiful eyes filled with annoyance and unwillingness.
"Zi Yi, if it weren't for Zhong Huo, I wouldn't even look at someone like her." Zi Yi hesitated for a moment but didn't say anything. He took out his purse and spoke to the proprietor not far away.
"Boss, we'd like to settle the bill."
The proprietor of Yingyue Teahouse was a middle-aged woman with a kind face. Hearing Zi Yi's words, she smiled and said, "Officer Zhang has already paid, young master." Zi Yi was stunned and turned his head to look at Xu Lu Cha.
Xu Lu Cha disdainfully looked away.