"Oh my, when you come to visit, bringing a generous gift is plenty. There's no need for such a grand ceremony," Xiao Cheng said cheerfully, pulling Si Shuo to stand before them and insisting on receiving their full, formal kowtow.
The men got a mouthful of dirt, their eyes wide with anger as they scrambled up from the ground, faces red.
However, before they could even get their footing, a sudden gust of wind from nowhere knocked them off balance. Unprepared, they all tumbled to the ground in unison, their heads hitting the dirt with a THUD.
From the corner of her eye, Si Shuo saw Xu Chi emerge from the house. 'Looks like bad habits really do rub off,' she thought.
Xiao Cheng laughed and raised a hand. "Everyone, don't be so polite! Was one kowtow not enough that you had to do it again? You people from Golden Lion City are just too enthusiastic. You're making us feel rather embarrassed."
Si Shuo bit her lip to keep from laughing, pinching the soft flesh at his waist.
