The following morning.
Ding Songyan and Xu Chang’an left Chengyu Lane together, heading toward Dangkang Temple.
As they crossed a stone bridge, Xu Chang’an stopped abruptly and clasped his hands toward Ding Songyan.
"Brother Ding, I’ll be making a move first."
Beneath the shifting shade of a scholar tree, Ding Songyan asked, puzzled, "Where to?"
"You forgot?" Xu Chang’an looked surprised. He glanced furtively left and right, then lowered his voice. "To my master’s. I’m tested every five days."
Then why did you e to me in the first place, just to walk together for less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea? Actually, you weren’t ing to see me at all. You wanted an excuse to catch a glimpse of Qingyan... Ding Songyan scoffed inwardly.
He watched Xu Chang’an take a turn along the road beside the bridge and disappear into a nearby lane, then continued on his way, carrying a bamboo basket loaded with a teapot, a folding fan, and other items, along with a folding stool and collapsible table.
These were the tools of his trade.
His original tools had gone missing two days ago. He could only piece together what he found at home, and was still short of a few things.
By the time Ding Songyan reached Dangkang Temple with its yellow walls and brown tiles, the place was already bustling. A cacophony of hawkers’ cries filled his ears:
"Pear strips for sale! Pear strips for sale!"
"Songyang persimmons, beyond pare, moist and sweet to clear the air! Wuping dates, the finest grown, chew them well to soothe your own! If you’re a lass who weeps alone or a lad without a home, buy a bite and love you’ll find, two by two before you’ve
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