Xu Lu Cha sat down but didn't drink the tea. He continued: "Today, Lucha feels very happy to be able to chat and drink tea with Constable Zhang."
"Young Master Xu is too kind," Zhang Meng said. Seeing Zi Yi standing behind Xu Lu Cha and not sitting down, she quickly invited him again: "Zi Yi, you sit too."
Zi Yi hesitated and looked at Xu Lu Cha. Seeing Xu Lu Cha also smile and gesture for him to sit, he stiffly sat down beside Xu Lu Cha.
"Constable Zhang, you helped Lucha retrieve my jade pendant. Lucha wanted to thank you properly, but ended up giving you something unsuitable. Lucha feels very ashamed. Seeing that Constable Zhang loves good food, Lucha personally made some pastries for you."
Zi Yi placed the food box he had been holding on the table and opened it. A fragrant aroma immediately wafted out.
Zhang Meng's hand holding the teacup paused as she exclaimed in surprise: "Young Master Xu, did you make all of these yourself?"
Though there weren't many types of pastries in the box, each one was exquisite, like a work of art.
Xu Lu Cha smiled slightly and nodded gently: "I hope Constable Zhang won't find them lacking."
Zhang Meng picked up a pastry and took a bite. Her eyes lit up: "It's delicious!" Having good food to eat improved her mood somewhat.
Xu Lu Cha lowered his head shyly: "I'm glad Constable Zhang likes them." What an unsophisticated person, so easily pleased by some small pastries.
"Constable Zhang, Lucha has a favor to ask." Xu Lu Cha took out an exquisite sachet, "Could Constable Zhang help Lucha deliver this sachet to the boss?"
Zhang Meng took the sachet: "Alright, I'll give it to her for you."
She put the sachet in her sleeve, then picked up another pastry and put it in her mouth: "These are really so delicious."
Xu Lu Cha felt even more disdainful inside, but kept a smile on his face: "If Constable Zhang likes them, Lucha can make them for you every day."
"No, no, no!" Zhang Meng shook her head hurriedly, "I can't afford that."
Xu Lu Cha was taken aback: "Wh-what?"
Zhang Meng smiled: "We have rules in our yamen that officers can't casually accept things from civilians. If the boss found out, my salary would be docked. So let me pay you for the pastries."
"Constable Zhang, there's no need to pay. Lucha specially..."
"I must pay." Zhang Meng took out two silver ingots from her sleeve and pushed them in front of Xu Lu Cha. "I don't know the price of these pastries, but I'll pay you according to the prices at Yingyue Teahouse. Although the taste of what you made isn't as good as Yingyue Teahouse's, it's quite good already. Thank you."
Xu Lu Cha's face stiffened, his hands resting on his legs slowly clenching.
"Oh right, Zi Yi, how are you doing with the magic trick I taught you the other day?" Zhang Meng looked towards Zi Yi.
Zi Yi kept his head down, replying with some difficulty: "It's, it's alright."
"Next time we have a chance, I'll teach you something even more fun."
Zhang Meng stood up, packed the pastries, and smiled as she bid them farewell: "I have something to do, so I'll be going now. We'll chat again next time."
With that, she turned and left.
Xu Lu Cha's tightly clenched hands slowly relaxed. Zhang Meng's repeated dismissal of his advances made him both annoyed and unwilling to give up.
Usually, as long as he softened his attitude a little, women would automatically gather around him and try to please him in every way. When had he ever been treated so coldly?
Xu Lu Cha lowered his eyes slightly, then raised them again, his eyes now brimming with misty moisture.
"Does Constable Zhang dislike Lucha?"
☆,
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