“It’s good here,” came his crisp, refreshing voice. He tugged at her and turned into a quiet table by the window, sitting directly down. Qu Xiaojue looked surprised: “Husband, you’re not—”
“I’m saving you some silver,” Xu Wanzhi tapped the table, interrupting her, joking with her for the first time. He glanced around, already having made up his mind, and instructed the person opposite: “Just ask them to bring the signature dishes here. That fish looks delicious.” Qu Xiaojue nodded and ordered according to his request.
The two, dressed in fine clothing, were eye-catching even in the common hall.
Sitting alone in a corner and chatting softly while waiting for their food, they still attracted attention. Several keen-eyed merchants who had previously sold goods to the Qu family and had the fortune of meeting the Qu family master were particularly intrigued. The women here were straightforward, and seeing the Qu family master accompanied by a beautiful companion, they were quite surprised. Observing Xu Wanzhi’s indifferent seated posture, they seemed to understand something. They wanted to approach and pay respects, but the waitress served the food first. After a quick glance at the dishes, they lowered their eyes and began to eat.
Xu Wanzhi preferred mild flavors. Though fish could be prepared in countless ways, she especially loved her mother’s sour pickled fish, both for its deliciousness and sentimental reasons. The fish before her was spicy and fragrant. She picked up her chopsticks, chose the most tender fish belly, and ate slowly, smiling and praising, “Very delicious.”
When the food was served, Qu Xiaojue had noticed something in his gaze and worried he might not like it. Hearing his genuine praise, she smiled slightly and began eating leisurely.
After a while, she suddenly put down her chopsticks, her gaze sweeping sharply around the other guests: “Everyone, is my dish somehow inferior to yours?”
Though her husband didn’t seem to notice, she was aware that these people had been staring at them eating, not even bothering to hide it.
The people were caught off guard and became somewhat embarrassed. Initially, they had recognized the Qu family master’s distinguished status. Observing the couple’s low-key eating and minimal conversation, yet somehow captivating, their dining manner was far more elegant than their own.
“Are you the Qu family master and his wife?”
