The staff from the back kitchen, along with the waiter Xiao’er and Shuangshuang, all gathered around, pressing Manager Zhou with questions.
“Manager, what did even larger Red-tail Carp taste like?”
“Yeah, tell us!”
Everyone was curious.
Manager Zhou thought back, then shook his head with a smile. “Don’t recall. That night, there were things more important than the fish.”
The group gave quiet sighs of disappointnt.
Manager Zhou waved his hand. “Stop crowding around. Get back to work. And be careful cooking that Red-tail Carp. Don’t ruin it for the guest.”
“Rest easy, Manager.”
He didn’t even remind them not to sneak bites. Though this bunch was usually a bit unruly, when it ca to rules, they all knew them by heart.
Just then, Waiter Xiao’er approached. “Oh, Manager? That guest who asked to send the Red-tail Carp? He’s waiting for you in the main hall.”
“On my way.”
Nodding, Manager Zhou headed out.
Stepping out of the kitchen area, his eyes landed on the sole occupied table in the hall, and he froze in place.
Chen Changsheng looked up and t his gaze.
In the blink of six years, streaks of gray had appeared in Manager Zhou’s hair, and many more wrinkles lined his face. Though, he seed a fair bit plumper than before—likely a testant to contented living.
A warm smile spread across Chen Changsheng’s face. “Long ti no see, Manager Zhou.”
Manager Zhou snapped back to reality, moving forward until he stood by the table.
He studied the man in the blue robe before him, not speaking for a long mont.
Chen Changsheng asked, “What’s the matter?”
Manager Zhou finally parted his lips. “Has it been six years?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Yes, that long.”
Manager Zhou drew a long, deep breath. “It feels like only the blink of an eye.”
After a brief pause, a sudden laugh escaped him. “I should have realized when I was in the back kitchen. A Red-tail that large… no one else but you could’ve caught such a thing.”
Chen Changsheng chuckled. “I did say it, back when I left: should I ever return, I would bring a Red Fish once more, to share wine and idle chat with Manager Zhou.”
“Look at !” Manager Zhou seed outwardly calm. “I’ll fetch the wine at once.”
He scrambled to get up for the wine. Chen Changsheng tried to stop him, but Manager Zhou acted as if he hadn’t heard, heading straight into the kitchen.
He retrieved that prized jar of liquor, aged Lord knew how many years.
“Isn’t that jar the Manager’s treasure?”
“Why’s he bringing it out now?”
“No idea.”
Manager Zhou paid no mind to the murmurs. Clutching the jar, he returned to the hall.
Chen Changsheng eyed the jar, weathered by ti. “See? Just now, I couldn’t stop you, could I?”
“Ah? Did you call for , sir?” Manager Zhou blinked.
“You didn’t hear.”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “This wine… you must’ve stored it away for quite a few years.”
“A good many years.” Manager Zhou said. “Should’ve opened it six years ago. A pity you missed it then.”
“Seems I’ve lucked out today then,” Chen Changsheng grinned.
Manager Zhou smiled back warmly. He personally broke the seal and poured wine into a bowl for Chen Changsheng.
As soon as the jar opened, a fragrant aroma wafted out—one whiff told Chen Changsheng this was a rare vintage.
They each took a small sip.
Chen Changsheng murmured, “Exquisite.”
“The whole jar’s for today.” Manager Zhou bead.
“Perfect.”
“To us!”
Without waiting for food, the two knocked back two large bowls each.
A flush spread over Manager Zhou’s face. “Back when you left, sir, I thought… I’d never see you again in this lifeti.”
Chen Changsheng said, “There was always a day we’d et again.”
“In my dreams, I saw great rivers, mountains… the splendid capital. I never did thank you properly back then, for fulfilling a dream buried since my youth. Don’t mistake my calmness now, sir. Inside… I’m a tangled ss of feelings.”
As he spoke, Manager Zhou’s hand holding the wine bowl trembled.
Chen Changsheng reached out, gently taking the bowl and setting it down. “No need for that, Manager. We t by chance then. You said a silver coin could buy the Red-tail Carp, but it couldn’t buy the warmth exchanged. It’s that very sentint. We’re old friends now. When old friends et, we share wine and joyful talk. Why bother with formalities?”
Manager Zhou exhaled deeply, shaking his head with a smile. “I’ll punish myself with a bowl.”
“That won’t do,” Chen Changsheng countered, his own smile widening. “Such fine wine can’t all be drunk by you alone!”
Manager Zhou wavered between tears and laughter at that, but proceeded to refill Chen Changsheng’s bowl.
“To you, sir.”
Another bowl went down.
Then, Manager Zhou settled into relaxed conversation.
“In those six years, I imagine you must have traveled far and wide, sir?”
Chen Changsheng answered, “Went a ways, not overly far. Though… I did see one flower and one leaf in earlier years.”
“One flower? One leaf?” Manager Zhou was intrigued. “What sort of flower and leaf could linger in your thoughts so?”
“What sort…”
Chen Changsheng pondered briefly. “Hard to say, exactly. But I rember… they were exceptionally radiant.”
Manager Zhou didn’t press further. “Sir, the freedom with which you live… it stirs such envy.”
Chen Changsheng sighed. “I rather fancy the thought of running a tavern myself, like you do. All that coming and going… plenty of life and bustle.”
“Is that so…?” A soft murmur escaped Manager Zhou. He’d never imagined… “I see. Truly not at all like the grand immortal masters in the storybooks.”
“Those tales sound rather dull.” Chen Changsheng chuckled. “Nothing beats the joy of human life. That’s where true comfort lies.”
“The joy of human life—well said!”
As they talked, a new figure entered the tavern.
Chen Changsheng turned to look, recognizing the man.
Manager Zhou, seeing the newcor, stood promptly. “Kind Sir, please wait a mont. I’ll fetch Waiter Xiao’er for you.”
The man, however, smiled faintly. “Plenty of empty seats here. Might I share your table?”
“Hm…” Manager Zhou glanced uncertainly at Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng’s gaze swept over Ying Tianze, imdiately discerning his true form.
Chen Changsheng inquired, “Not busy today, Brother?”
“Oh, busy enough.” Ying Tianze replied. “But a few kinsn lent a hand. I stole a mont of leisure.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Have a seat. Though, our wine is limited. One bowl for you—sa as the fish you once gave .”
Ying Tianze couldn’t help but laugh. “Sir, how can you be so stingy? Fine. Next ti, I’ll bring a finer wine myself.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “No, no. To my taste, no other wine quite matches this one.”
“You jest, surely?” Ying Tianze countered.
Dragon Palace wine—it couldn’t possibly lag behind mortal spirits!
Manager Zhou looked utterly bewildered. He ventured, “You two know each other?”
Chen Changsheng answered simply, “We do now.”
Ying Tianze made himself comfortable at their table.
True to Chen Changsheng’s word—one bowl it was. Not a drop more.
Ying Tianze tasted it, then remarked thoughtfully, “Why do you favor this wine, sir? Might I ask?”
Manager Zhou stiffened, floundering for words.
Chen Changsheng regarded Ying Tianze. “Fine wines exist in every corner of the world. But drink alone… and no wine, however exalted, retains its flavor.”
He paused, his gaze softening. “Yet share a table with old friends, pour wine and share words… even the simplest plain grain wine tastes magnificent then.”
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