Chapter 92: Young People These Days Are Just Too Cheeky

The lanterns along the street had just begun to glow when Yu Liang stepped out of his quarters. Meihua was already waiting by the side gate, wearing a simple pale blue dress, a single jade flower pinned her hair, nothing flashy, but the way it framed her face made his chest feel a little too tight.

"You look beautiful," he said, the words came out before he could thought.

Meihua’s cheeks turned the softest shade of pink. She reached up to adjust the flower to hide her embarassment. "You don’t look so bad yourself."

He offered his hand. She took it without hesitation, fingers sliding between his like they had been doing it for years instead of days.

"I thought we could stop by the compound first," Yu Liang said after a few blocks. "I picked up a few things for the kids. I just thought they might like it. I forgot to give them some when I first visited."

Meihua squeezed his hand. "Okay."

By the time Yu Liang and Meihua reached the courtyard, the evening meal was already being prepared. The smell of food drifted through the compound, mixed with bits of conversation and laughter from the nearby rooms.

A few children noticed them first. Little Mei, the five year old who had once hidden behind her mother at the slave market, came running over on chubby legs. Two older boys followed behind her, both staring at Yu Liang and Meihua with bright eyes.

"Uncle Yu! Aunt Meihua!" Little Mei called cheerfully.

Yu Liang smiled when they reached him and lowered himself until he was at their eye level. He looked at the three children for a moment before reaching into his storage pouch and pulling out a small cloth bundle.

"I brought something for everyone," he said, holding it out. "Want to see?"

He handed Little Mei a tiny wooden rabbit carved with moving ears, simple spirit wood that made it hop when you tapped it. The girl’s mouth fell open. She took it with both hands like it might vanish.

"It... hops?" she whispered, tapping once. The rabbit bounced. A delighted squeal escaped her. "Yesss! I like it! Mama! Look! Look! It hops! It hops! Just like me!"

Her mother appeared in the doorway, eyes little wet as she watched her daughter spin in circles with the toy.

The two boys received small practice swords which were blunt ofcourse, made from light bamboo. One boy swung his immediately, eyes shining. "I can be strong just like Uncle Hei Lang now!"

The other hugged the sword to his chest, too shy to say anything, but the way his shoulders moved after giggling said everything.

Meihua had her own bundle which she prepared who knows when. She gave the another three little girls delicate hairpins shaped like butterflies, each one with a tiny formation which made them glow and the wings shimmer in different colors. The girls crowded around her, giggling as she helped pin them in place.

"It’s pretty just like Aunt Meihua!" one of them declared, touching the butterfly like it was treasure.

A boy who looked no older than seven stayed a little behind the others. Yu Liang noticed him and crouched down, holding out a small pouch filled with honey candies wrapped in colored paper.

"For you."

The boy looked at the pouch, then at Yu Liang. "Really?"

"Really. Just don’t eat them all at once. Okay?"

The boy quickly took the pouch with trembling fingers. For a second he just stared. Then he threw his arms around Yu Liang’s neck in a sudden, fierce hug. "Thank you, Uncle Yu," he mumbled into the robes. "No one ever... gave me something this good before."

Meihua looked at Yu Liang over the children’s heads and smiled. She didn’t say anything, but the look on her face told him exactly what she was thinking.

They stayed for a while, watching the children play with their new gifts. Little Mei proudly showed off her rabbit, making it hop around the courtyard, while the boys turned their toys into swords and started a little duel of their own. Eventually, it was time to leave. The children followed them outside and kept waving.

"Bye, Uncle Yu! Come again tomorrow!"

"Yeah! I’ll show you my rabbit again next time!"

Yu Liang laughed and raised a hand. "I’ll come again."

Meihua waved at them as well. "Take care, everyone. We’ll see you again."

"Bye!"

"Bye!"

The two of them kept waving until they finally turned the corner.

Similarly, childrens also kept wavin until Yu Liang and Meihua were out of sight.

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.

.

Meihua slipped her arm through Yu Liang’s as they walked toward the eastern docks district before quietly leaning against his shoulder. "You know, you’re getting more shameless."

Yu Liang looked at her. "How?"

"You used to be so serious around me." She smiled. "Now you don’t even try to hide it when you want to be close."

"What’s this all of a sudden? And Why would I hide it?"

She glanced at him, clearly pleased with the answer, but quickly looked away again. "Because people tease me all the times."

"So what?."

"That doesn’t mean you have to make it obvious. Young Master."

Yu Liang smiled, moved a little closer and gave a quick kiss. "Too late."

Meihua tried to look annoyed, but the smile on her face gave her away. "You... You really are troublesome."

The restaurant he had chosen was small one nothing like Heaven’s Table. Just six tables, paper lanterns swaying overhead, and a view of the river where spirit boats drifted past like slow stars. They took the corner table. The owner, an old woman who recognized them, brought out steamed fish, fresh greens, and a pot of fragrant tea.

"Young Master Yu Liang, Manager Lin, this is a Low Grade Mystic Carp from the downstream river, and the greens are Nourishing Vegetables from Misty Rain Valley. The tea is also newly picked from Misty Rain Valley. Please taste slowly," the old woman said respectfully, then retreated to the counter.

Yu Liang used his chopsticks to skillfully pick out the most tender fish meat, placing it gently into Meihua’s bowl

Meihua picked up the fish meat and put it in her mouth. The meat was tender and delicious, she couldn’t help but reveal a satisfied expression.

Yu Liang noticed and quietly moved another piece into her bowl.

"You’re not going to eat it?," Meihua said, glancing at him.

"Ofcourse I am."

"Then why are you giving me all the good pieces."

Yu Liang looked at the fish for a moment, then at her bowl. "I thought you liked them."

"I do, but what about you?"

"There’s plenty left."

She looked at his plate and noticed that he had somehow managed to leave himself mostly the less tender pieces. Meihua reached over with her chopsticks and placed a piece into his bowl.

"Then you eat this one."

He smiled and ate it.

Their meal continued like that. Sometimes Yu Liang would quietly move something she liked toward her, and sometimes Meihua would do the same for him without saying anything. When one of them noticed the other reaching for the same dish, they would simply pause, laugh, and let the other take it.

At one point, Meihua reached for her tea and found her cup empty. Before she could say anything, Yu Liang had already picked up the pot and filled it for her.

She looked at him over the rim of the cup. "You’re getting too used to taking care of me."

Yu Liang leaned forward with a faint grin. "Why? Are you planning to stop me?"

Meihua took a sip, hiding the smile that appeared on her face. "Not really."

They stayed at the table a little longer after finishing their meal, talking about small things and occasionally teasing each other. By the time they finally stood up, it was getting late.

After arriving outside, Meihua naturally slipped her arm around his as they walked away from the restaurant.

Watching the two of them leave, the owner couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. ’Young people these days are just too cheeky. How could they say things like that without feeling embarrassed?’

She shook her head helplessly. ’Sigh... I really wish they’d tone it down a little.’