Sheng Er let out a soft gasp as a thought struck him. "Could it be that the clothes my wife bought for me were all limited?" he questioned, his mind racing.
Xu Jing, overhearing his rather naive question, felt compelled to offer some clarity.
"Not all of them," he interjected. However, just as a wave of relief washed over Sheng Er, Xu Jing added, "However, each piece cost no less than a silver coin."
Ling Ling looked on, uninterested in finding humor in his brother's naive musings. Instead, he felt a sense of disbelief bubble up within him. The revelation made sense of Sheng Er's fervent defense of his wife.
Ling Ling knew his brother's character well, which deeply concerned him. He had often thought before that Sheng Er might struggle after marrying Yize, yet never did he anticipate that she would be so good to him—she not only tolerated him but indulged him to such an extent. Ling Ling had always regarded Yize as being the same as their mother, but now doubts about the rumors he had heard began to creep into his mind.
Xiao Sheng's thoughts were not much different from Ling Ling's, yet his concerns diverged in another direction. It was a sensation that stemmed from a recent memory of how he had turned down his wife's offer of money. In that instant, he recognized a feeling of hypocrisy looming in his behavior towards her, a dissonance that gnawed at his conscience.
Meanwhile, Xu Jing observed their shifting expressions with confusion. "The complimentary item is actually a box of these moon cakes," he explained.
"Thank you, Young Master Xu, but I must politely decline," Xiao Sheng replied, gratitude lacing his tone even as he rejected the offer.
Little Yan could hardly contain his frustration upon hearing Sheng Er's quick dismissal. Never before had he encountered someone so willing to spurn such a delectable treat. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of disdain and pity for his ignorance. Had Little Yan tasted the cake Sheng Er had brought, he would undoubtedly understand what he means and respond differently.
Xu Jing was not taken aback by the words he heard, nor did he view the response as foolish. Instead, he beckoned the attendant to step outside for a brief moment. He had extended the invitation out of mere curiosity, fabricating the notion of freebies as a rationale. Little did he know that this curiosity would lead him to an unexpected discovery.
He could empathize with Sheng Er's reaction, as he too believed that the mooncakes she once cherished would no longer hold the same appeal in the future.
Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Sheng's refusal stemmed from his wariness that Xu Jing might again ask for something in return. After sampling just a piece of the mooncakes, he had already offered Xu Jing the sole slice of cake he had brought along. Accepting a box of mooncakes might lead to further requests, and to him, that felt like trading away an entire cake. Parting with that single piece had already caused him a pang of regret.
Xiao Ling Ling took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, and politely excused himself from Xu Jing, indicating it was time for him and his brother to leave. Since Xu Jing had already stated the reason for his invitation, there seemed little point in lingering, despite a nagging feeling that something about his purpose remained unclear.
Xu Jing opted not to press for another reason to keep them there for lunch. Observing Xiao Ling Ling's firm resolve to depart changed his mind about extending their time. With a quiet nod, he dismissed the two, and Ling Ling wasted no time to leave. He watched the two figures as they stepped out onto the bustling streets, blending seamlessly with the flow of pedestrians, a quiet reflection in his gaze as they disappeared from view.
"Young Master?" His attendant called out, gently knocking on the door.
"Bring it in," Xu Jing replied, his gaze fixed elsewhere.
Little Yan entered quietly, placing the food on the table. He noticed his master, absorbed in his thoughts, and chose not to disturb him, standing silently at the side as he waited.
Meanwhile, the Xiao Brothers strolled along the streets, headed for Yize's tavern.
"Brother, do you know where that tavern is located?" Sheng Er asked, unsure of the way. Seeing his brother pulling him along, he thought that Ling Ling might know the way.
"Hmm," Ling Ling replied thoughtfully, nodding in acknowledgment. Though he could not read, he had heard of the tavern and remembered passing by it with their father during their visits to town. He and his father often visited the town to sell their embroidery, so he had a certain familiarity with the place.
Upon hearing his brother's response, Sheng Er reflected on his brother's knowledge with admiration. There were times when he felt a twinge of envy over his brother's frequent trips to the town. However, he recognized that he lacked the same talent, which allowed his brother to assist their father in earning a living beyond the confines of their home. Lacking skill in embroidery, Sheng Er often found himself relegated to the household, feeling the weight of his limitations.
He gazed steadily at his brother's hand gripping his left arm, setting aside the heavy thoughts that clouded his mind as they walked forward.
Inside the cozy confines of The Moonlight Tavern, Yize was engaged in a meeting with the manager, Lauho, in her private room. She outlined all the necessary preparations for upcoming changes and future development. Details regarding the additions to the menu would be revealed later, as the process of launching them required time. Nevertheless, these minor adjustments had the potential to significantly increase the tavern's profits, perhaps even doubling or tripling them.
As she navigated her new reality, there were moments when unease would often creep into her thoughts, particularly regarding finances. Having once enjoyed great wealth, her spending habits were equally significant. To uphold her lavish lifestyle, she required financial resources to cater to her every need. After all, she was not only providing for herself but also indulging those around her in ways that bordered on excess.
The two men strode along the path for several minutes until they arrived in front of the tavern. Ling Ling furrowed his brow at the sight of women staggering in and out of the establishment, clearly inebriated.
Sheng Er paused as he cast a curious glance at the entrance, contemplating whether to go in. Just as he was about to step forward, Ling Ling grasped his arm, prompting Sheng Er to turn and regard him with a puzzled expression.
"Is she really there?" Ling Ling inquired, concern creeping into his voice. The atmosphere of the tavern raised his apprehensions; after all, they were both grown men, and entering such a place felt inappropriate with only women inside.
"Don't worry. I know she's there," Sheng Er assured him, confident that Yize would indeed be inside, as she had told them.
Ling Ling still felt a sense of worry lingering in his mind. However, as he reflected on how much Yize indulged her brother, he started to believe that she might be truthful when she mentioned finding her here.
Although the place seemed unsuitable for them, he decided to trust her words and hoped that nothing unfortunate would occur within those walls.
As they stepped inside, Sheng Er and Ling Ling both felt a wave of intimidation wash over them at the sight of numerous women within. They clutched each other's hands nervously as the women turned their gazes toward them.
It was not the first occasion that the patrons of the tavern witnessed a man stepping through its doors, for there was one individual known for his boldness, often stirring up trouble within these walls. Most of the customers speculated that these newcomers were somehow connected to the owner, a thought that lingered in the air. Who, after all, had the audacity to enter this place?
Yet, not everyone was privy to this information. There are some customers who remained oblivious to the underlying truths.
The two men felt a shiver of fear as a drunken woman swayed her way toward them, causing an instinctive urge to flee back outside.
Just as they prepared to flee, a waiter spotted them and swiftly intervened, positioning himself between the woman and the men. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he asked nervously, "Are you here for Boss Yize?"
The waiter was well aware of Yize's instructions: if two men came looking for her, they were to be treated with respect, and she was to be informed without delay.
"Yes," Sheng Er replied, exhaling a sigh of relief.
The waiter's heart raced at the confirmation. Fortunately, he had noticed the men in time; otherwise, he would have faced the wrath of the boss, which would have left him bruised and battered. The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine.
"Alright, please follow me," she said with courtesy, inviting the two gentlemen to follow her. She turned to another waiter, instructing him to escort the inebriated woman back to her table. The waiter then guided the men to a private room. She knocked gently on the door and announced, "Boss, your husbands have arrived."
Word had already spread among the staff, fueled by Lauho's chatter about the boss having two husbands, leading them to treat the men with a certain respect befitting that status. After having heard Yize's earlier instructions, they speculated that the visiting gentlemen might be her spouses.
In this world, equality between men and women was a rare commodity; however, when wealth and influence came into play, such disparities could be temporarily overlooked, causing those without financial power to bow in deference for the moment.
When Yize heard the voice calling from outside, she promptly responded, "Come in."
Only then did the two men feel relieved after hearing that familiar voice of hers.
"Boss, I can't help but be curious about this second husband of yours," Lauho remarked, intrigued. The last time she had visited, there had only been one husband in Yize's home, and now, just a few days later, there was another.
Yize shot her a warning glance before turning her attention to the door as it opened.
Lauho nodded in appreciation as Xiao Sheng stepped inside. He looked just as she remembered, though somehow more striking than before. After admiring his beauty, her gaze soon shifted to the man standing behind him, and she felt a weight settle in her chest.
"Lauho, you're dismissed," Yize said, clearly displeased. She had a strong aversion to Lauho's way of looking at her men, feeling as though Lauho was coveting what belonged to her.
"Boss, I now understand why you had another husband in just a few days," Lauho responded instinctively, her voice tinged with fear, not fully realizing that she had overlooked Yize's directive.
"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Yize asked, her voice carrying a hint of warning. She was not genuinely inquiring; rather, she was issuing a caution.
"Sure." Lauho nodded reluctantly, feeling a chill as the hairs on her neck stood on end. She shivered, not solely from Yize's warning but from her thoughts about how Yize managed to face two identical faces every day.
"Well then, could you step out now? I would like to have some private time with my men." Lauho's slight tremor became more evident, raising Yize's brows in surprise. This reaction was somewhat satisfying for Yize and improved her mood enough to allow the woman to leave.
Lauho averted her gaze as she rose to her feet and headed toward the door, shaking her head to rid herself of the memory of the twins' faces. She exited, ensuring she kept her distance from the men as she moved past them.
The men did not perceive Lauho's behavior as significant; however, Yize, who had been observing her, felt a sense of satisfaction observing Lauho's demeanor, indifferent to the underlying reasons for it all.
Lauho stepped outside and let out a sigh of relief as the familiar scent of liquor enveloped her, though her complexion was notably pale. Since childhood, she had always felt this way; the sight of the same faces brought an unsettling fear into her heart and mind. It was an experience she had never been able to fully comprehend. Even now, her body trembled slightly, and it took considerable effort to find solace and distance herself from the anxiety.
If she had lived in a modern era, she might have learned that what she was experiencing was known as didymophobia, the fear of seeing twins.
Yize offered a smile to the two men and motioned for them to take their seats.
"My wife, isn't that the woman who came to our house the other day?" Sheng Er asked with curiosity as he settled into his seat. He remembered her well; that woman had left an impression on him, one he found quite unpleasant.
"Hmm. That was Lauho, the manager here," she replied. Rising from her seat, she opened the small drawer in the corner and pulled out the food. The food had just been prepared moments ago, so it was still warm. She placed the meals on the table.
Ling Ling sat in silence, listening to his brother's question. Initially, he felt unsure about why the waiter had referred to Yize as "boss." He assumed it was simply how they addressed her. However, after hearing her response to Sheng Er and how she had asserted her authority over the manager, it became clear to him that the tavern belonged to Yize.
The rumors about her reputation as a drunkard suddenly seemed credible, yet doubts began to swirl in his mind. He questioned whether her notorious reputation as a drunkard stemmed from being the tavern owner.
Despite her seemingly unreliable demeanor, her actions toward him, especially his brother, told a different story. It was plain to see that she treated them remarkably well.
He observed as Yize served him and his brother their meal. From the moment he became part of her home to the present, he had always noticed that she did things that were not typical for a woman. This made him wary, leading him to believe that there might be something hidden beneath her action, as it seemed almost too perfect.
"Let's eat," Yize said as she began to enjoy her meal. After a moment, she inquired, "How's your shopping going?"
"Ah." Sheng Er paused in his actions, glancing first at Ling Ling before returning his gaze to Yize. Although he hadn't purchased anything, he had, in fact, enjoyed his time strolling around. A genuine smile spread across his face as he replied, "My wife, it was good."
Yize noticed Sheng Er's subtle gesture of glancing at his brother. She deliberately fixed her gaze upon him, determined not to look away.
Sheng Er, the focus of Yize's intense stare, felt as though she was peering right through him. He glanced back at his brother, searching for any sign of what he might want to say. But noticing his brother's lack of concern, he hesitated before continuing, "Ahh... My wife, there's this young master who invited us to his shop."
At the mention of a man owning a shop, her eyes narrowed. There were only a few men capable of owning such establishments. However, her expression quickly transformed into one of calm as she replied, placing emphasis on the words, "Young Master?"