The man looked at Liu Shinian in disbelief, and after a long pause, he said.
"You, you are Liu Shinian?"
"Indeed, I am."
The man was overjoyed. Liu Shinian was a legendary figure in Nanhai City, renowned far and wide.
He had long wanted to meet him, never expecting to encounter him here.
His heart swelled with excitement.
"I have long heard of your great name, but have never had the chance to meet you.
To encounter you here is truly unexpected. My name is Ada, and I hope you will look after me."
"Ada, that's a good name.
Since you seem a little younger than me, you can call me Brother Liu."
"Alright, Brother Liu."
One dared to speak so boldly, and the other dared to accept so readily.
Liu Shinian turned and called Ah Li over.
"Ah Li, come here."
Ah Li, full of confusion, walked over to Liu Shinian. Liu Shinian introduced him to Ada.
"This is my younger brother, named Ah Li.
He's about your age, so you can call him Ah Li."
Ada was in a very good mood today, having gained an elder brother and now making a new friend.
He hastily wiped his hands on his clothes and extended his hand.
"Hello Ah Li, my name is Ada."
Ah Li, not quite understanding, reached out and shook his hand, stammering.
"H-hello."
Thus, Liu Shinian gained two followers.
Watching the two followers get along harmoniously.
He felt his own charm had increased, unknowingly.
He mused that in the future, he would be irresistible to both men and women.
The thought made him swell with pride.
To be able to leverage such useless abilities to this extent, he considered himself a pioneer.
As he was lost in his thoughts, his stomach rumbled at an inopportune moment.
It let out a "gurgling" sound.
Could his stomach also be happy about him gaining two followers?
Ada heard the sound and looked curiously at Liu Shinian's stomach.
Liu Shinian sheepishly touched his stomach with his hand.
Ada took a moment to realize and asked him.
"Brother, are you hungry?"
Liu Shinian admitted with a hint of embarrassment.
"I am indeed a bit hungry. I haven't had a chance to eat yet."
Ada was very generous and immediately offered.
"Meeting is fate. Since we've become brothers,
I'll treat you both to a good meal. What would you like to eat?"
Liu Shinian's heart fluttered at his words.
He couldn't help but glance at the skewers of grilled meat nearby, his mouth watering.
Ada followed his gaze.
He saw Liu Shinian looking at the grilled skewers beside him with intense longing.
The vendor, noticing Liu Shinian's desire, enthusiastically recommended.
"Young Master Ada, though my business is small,
it's a legacy passed down through generations of master chefs. Authentic 'Heaven and Earth' grilled skewers.
Would you like a few more skewers?"
Ada, heeding the vendor's suggestion and feeling happy about making new friends today.
Decided it was fitting to treat them to something delicious, and thus said directly to the vendor.
"Vendor, I'll take all your grilled skewers today."
The vendor was thrilled and quickly expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you, young master, thank you."
He then began grilling with great vigor.
Liu Shinian was surprised by the man's generosity.
Indeed, the happiness of the wealthy was something he could not experience.
Ada took a few grilled skewers, handing them to Liu Shinian and Ah Li.
"Here, have some. They're delicious. I can eat a lot at once."
Liu Shinian and Ah Li took the skewers, eating and thanking him.
"You're so kind, treating us to delicious food right after meeting.
To be honest, I haven't eaten anything this delicious in a long time."
"Thank you, Ada. These skewers are truly delicious."
Ah Li also ate with gusto, and in his speech, a trace of Liu Shinian's mannerisms began to appear.
It seemed that if this continued, he too would be assimilated.
"I'll be in Nanhai City for the next few days. I can treat you to meals every day."
Liu Shinian's eyes lit up at this, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you so much, Ada, you're too kind!"
Meanwhile, I had just arrived downstairs with a crowd using the moving staircase.
The area downstairs was a sea of people. I squeezed into the crowd, looking left and right.
I still couldn't see the person I wanted to meet. As I sighed,
suddenly the crowd surged towards a large circular platform.
Caught in the flow, I was pushed forward.
With great effort, I managed to break free from the crowd and retreated to the side.
Suddenly, I caught sight of two familiar figures standing by a small stall on the opposite side.
Upon closer inspection, it was Liu Shinian and Ah Li.
They were moving their hands in a rather suggestive manner, and upon closer examination, I realized they were eating grilled skewers.
A surge of anger rose within me, thinking about how I had run myself ragged searching for them.
These unrighteous two were leisurely eating skewers.
I walked over with a sense of resentment, without a word.
I snatched a skewer from Liu Shinian's hand and devoured it.
Liu Shinian, seeing my anger, was not surprised, but smiled.
"Don't be angry, don't be angry. Look what we brought for you."
As he spoke, he pulled out a somewhat dazed but handsome young man from behind Ah Li.
However, judging by his luxurious attire, he seemed to be a wealthy individual.
Liu Shinian introduced him.
"This is Liu Muye, Miss Muye.
Muye, this is our new friend, Ada."
I smiled awkwardly.
"H-hello."
He also asked me with some embarrassment.
"Miss Muye, have you not eaten yet? Just tell me what you'd like to eat."
I frowned, instantly understanding. Liu Shinian had, in the meantime, latched onto a wealthy patron.
However, as an upright and kind person, how could I be like him?
So, I waved my hand and said insincerely.
"It's alright, it's alright, I don't really like to eat."
Unexpectedly, he, being rather simple-minded, generously offered.
"It's fine, I have money."
Saying this, he casually took out a handful of gold coins and handed them to the stall owner.
Then, he grabbed a freshly grilled skewer and offered it to me.
I felt a bit embarrassed to refuse him.
"No, no, no, I don't need it."
Liu Shinian, seeing my duplicitous behavior, was helpless but couldn't bear to expose me.
Seeing us pushing the skewer back and forth, he couldn't stand it any longer.
He unceremoniously snatched it and, with a look of regret, said.
"She's not eating, so I will."
I was stunned for a moment, feeling a pang of anger:
This damned Liu Shinian, always exploiting others, never caring about me.
Angrily, I snatched it back and began to devour it ravenously.
He shrugged helplessly, resting his hands behind his head.
"See, women are always saying one thing and meaning another.
Let's go, there's a Thousand Year Dance soon, let's go watch."
Saying this, he led Ah Li and Ada away, leaving me behind again.
I looked at the bamboo skewer in my hand and anxiously asked the vendor.
"Where do I put this?"
"Just by my stall."
"Okay, thank you."
Then, I put down the skewer and quickly ran to catch up with them.
The group squeezed into the surrounding crowd.
Soon, they were dispersed by the constant movement of people.
I frantically looked around, unable to see any of them, and my heart suddenly grew anxious.
At this moment, a pair of fair hands suddenly grabbed mine and pulled me aside.
I turned to look and saw it was Young Master Fang, whom I had met upstairs.
My face instantly flushed red, and I looked at him with embarrassment.
Fang Yu, however, was not surprised and asked me with a slight smile.
"Miss Muye, have you found that person yet?"
I smiled awkwardly.
"N-not yet."
"Don't worry, tonight there's Xue Ji's Thousand Year Dance.
At that time, the friend you're looking for should also be there."
"Yes, but I've lost my friends now and don't know what to do."
"Friends? Miss, did you come with friends?"
"Yes, there are four of us in total.
Three of them are men. I don't know where they've gone?"
"It's very crowded here today, so it'll be difficult to find them.
Perhaps if we go to a higher vantage point, or away from the crowd, you'll be able to see them."
"That's a good idea."
"Yes, then let me take you."
"Ah, that wouldn't be good."
"It's nothing bad. I have nothing else to do."
"Then thank you, Young Master Fang."
"You're still so polite."
"Hehe, it's only right."
Just as the words left my mouth, Liu Shinian, along with Ah Li and Ada, found us.
They happened to see Muye chatting and laughing with a stranger.
It seemed they knew each other.
However, what was infuriating was that the young gentleman looked even more handsome than Liu Shinian.
Liu Shinian, being so petty, couldn't stand it when others were more handsome than him.
So, with a face full of murderous intent, he appeared behind Fang Yu.
Fang Yu felt a chill from behind, as if a wave of killing intent was about to strike.
He turned around in alarm and saw Liu Shinian glaring at him with dead fish eyes.
His face was full of murderous intent, scaring him into taking two steps back. He hastily asked.
"This, this young master, you, what do you want?"
"Liu Shinian, where did you guys go?"
I chided him impatiently.
Liu Shinian angrily pointed at me and said.
"Liu Muye, I never thought you were this kind of person.
After just a moment apart, you've abandoned Ah Li and gotten involved with this fellow."
Saying this, he pulled Ah Li over and blamed me.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
I was a bit slow to react.
Fang Yu, seeing the misunderstanding, quickly explained.
"This, this young master.
You, you might have, misunderstood something.
I, we, just..."
"You scoundrel, you dare to snatch my little brother's person? I'll beat you to death!"
"Young master, you truly, truly misunderstand."
Liu Shinian didn't listen to his explanation and, full of anger, walked over to teach him a lesson.
I quickly stepped in front of Fang Yu.
"Liu Shinian, what are you doing?
He was just kindly asking me, and I was about to ask him to help find you.
Don't be unreasonable, okay?"
Liu Shinian, seeing me so protective of that person, suddenly relented and laughed.
"Hahaha, I knew it.
How could anyone be interested in you? My friend, what's your name?"
Saying this, he walked around me and slung an arm around Fang Yu's shoulder.
Fang Yu, seeing such a drastic change in him, felt a sense of fear and hastily found an excuse.
"I have something to do, I must be going."
He then hurried away.
Liu Shinian said with a hint of lingering dissatisfaction.
"Really, why is he leaving so quickly?"
I looked at him speechlessly.
"Can you take me with you? I don't know the way."
"Hmph, fine.
Considering you're Ah Li's person, I'll take you.
Let's go, keep up."
Saying this, he walked ahead on his own again.
Ah Li looked a bit awkward, and I, without any hesitation, linked arms with Ah Li and followed him.
Ada, like a spectator at a show, followed us, unsure of what to do.
As night fell, in the bustling courtyard, many crimson lanterns were suddenly lit.
They resembled winding red dragons, illuminating the entire open space as if it were daytime.
At this moment, in the surging crowd ahead, there was a sudden commotion.
In a daze, I heard a gentle voice reciting a poem.
"Fan dancing like a celestial in the moon, a beautiful head of jade blue, Jin Mo'er."
Before I could react to who this master was, I heard someone shout.
"Look quickly, it's Boss Jin!"
Boss Jin? Who was this famous person?
We were also curious, but due to the immense crowd,
with people constantly moving back and forth, we couldn't see the celebrity.
At this moment, on the high platform,
a group of well-dressed and elegant individuals slowly walked up.
Leading them was a handsome man in white, holding a purple fan.
For some reason, even though there was some distance, I could see that person so clearly.
He was wearing a white willow-flower robe, with his dark hair cascading down his back.
He held a purple wooden fan adorned with two phoenixes playing with fish.
His eyes were sharp, his conversation lively, and his face refined.
Every smile and glance was like peach blossoms in full bloom, captivating the soul.
I was instantly mesmerized, feeling he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen.
Liu Shinian, seeing my dazed expression, instantly saw through my pathetic little thoughts.
He then sighed softly, patting my shoulder with a smile.
"That person's name is Jin Yulan, and he is the owner of this Thousand姬 Palace.
Also, look at Ah Li and me, we're quite alright. As for others, don't think about them."
I turned to look at him, confused. Seeing I didn't understand, he added.
"Looking is fine, but that handsome man is unattainable for you."
He was discouraging me, but it was the truth. I wanted to retort, but felt I had no grounds.
So, I could only sigh softly, looking at these three unappealing country bumpkins.
Liu Shinian teased.
"I've been here many times and know him. Would you like me to introduce you?"
I snorted coldly and said.
"I'm not that kind of person."
"Hahaha, I knew you weren't."
Ah Li asked curiously.
"I heard earlier that there would be a Thousand Year Dance. It's been so long, why hasn't it started yet?"
Ada comforted him.
"Brother Ah Li, no need to worry. I suspect it's about to begin."
Liu Shinian turned and put his arms around their shoulders.
"It's rare to come here. I heard the Thousand Year Dance is a rare sight, so we've managed to catch it.
Let's find a good spot to watch first."
"Indeed. The main dancer for this Thousand Year Dance is Xue Ji.
Brother Liu, isn't that the person you like?"
Ada suddenly remembered this.
Upon hearing the name Xue Ji, Liu Shinian's spirits immediately lifted.
He declared with a beaming face.
"That's right. Xue Ji will be performing soon, so I need to stand in the most conspicuous spot.
I wonder if she'll be happy to see me."
"I suspect she'd rather not see you."
I retorted.
Liu Shinian turned to look at my inexplicable confidence, feeling resentful, and retorted.
"Nonsense."
"Who told you to be so annoying."
"If you keep slandering me, I'll leave with Ada and Ah Li and won't wait for you."
"Ruffian."
Ah Li, seeing us about to bicker endlessly again, interrupted.
"Brother Liu, let's hurry and find a good spot.
It would be bad if we can't see it later."
"That's right. A true man doesn't argue with a woman. Let's go."
Liu Shinian turned his back, and I stuck out my tongue at him in displeasure.
Then, the group of us moved around again, searching.
For the best viewing spot for the Thousand Year Dance.
Jin Yulan:
"Fan dancing like a celestial in the moon, a beautiful head of jade blue, Jin Mo'er."
Jin Yulan: A noble young master from Beishendu.
The owner of the Thousand姬 Palace. His true form is that of the ancient divine beast Lu Wu, belonging to the divine race.
A thousand years ago, he migrated to Nanhai City with his female musicians.
He established the Thousand姬 Palace, the foremost establishment in Nanhai City.