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Chapter 94: Why Are You Selling Milk Tea?
Tang San had regained control of himself, and he was somewhat astonished that these demons actually took the initiative to maintain order. But at this moment, his mind was more focused on how to get a closer look at her.
He quickly stepped forward, approaching the shop. As he looked at Mei Gongzi through the shop window, he felt many, many emotions.
"What would you like?" Mei Gongzi asked, her voice just as calm as before.
Tang San stuttered, "I...I want two cups, two cups of milk tea."
"Okay, two demonshard coins." Mei Gongzi filled two cups of milk tea and handed them to him.
Tang San handed over two demonshard coins, but Mei Gongzi pointed to a tray in front of him, filled with demonshard coins.
Tang San realized she didn't want to take the money directly with her hands. For some reason, he felt a sense of joy, and he smiled as he placed the coins on the tray and took the milk tea.
"Move along now," Mei Gongzi said, glancing at him.
Tang San blurted out, "Why are you selling milk tea?"
Mei Gongzi was startled by his question, and the clerk beside her couldn't help but laugh. "What kind of person asks silly questions like that? We sell tea because we want money! And we want money because we need to live!"
Mei Gongzi ignored the clerk's words. She looked at Tang San and said, "To make money to support my family."
"Oh, oh..."
"Are you done now? Move and let people buy their tea," a gruff voice sounded from the side.
Tang San turned to glance at the porcupine demon, the one who had spoken, and then walked away. After a few steps, however, he couldn't help but look back at Mei Gongzi.
He saw Mei Gongzi frowning slightly and then waving her hand at him, signaling him to leave quickly. He then noticed that she was much slower in serving the porcupine demon than she had been with him.
Are you worried about me because I seem at a disadvantage? Are you afraid the porcupine demon might target me after buying the milk tea?
Tang San felt warmth in his heart, perhaps because he cared too much, which made him even more sensitive at such times.
Returning to the big tree, he handed Wu Bingji a cup of milk tea.
Wu Bingji, somewhat surprised, took the milk tea and smelled it. "What's this?"
"Milk tea," Tang San replied, pointing to Mei Gongzi's milk tea shop in the distance. His gaze lingered once again on the figure of the girl who, alone, occupied his entire heart.
"Oh, are we leaving now?" Wu Bingji asked.
"Yes, let's go." Not wanting to cause any trouble for Mei Gongzi, Tang San took one more gaze in that direction, then left with Wu Bingji, milk tea in hand.
The milk tea wasn't very sweet but had a mild milky aroma and a taste that warmed his heart. Tang San slowly sipped it as he walked with Wu Bingji in tow. Both of them had a distant look in their eyes once more.
After walking for a while, Tang San suddenly realized he had taken the wrong path. Adjusting his direction, he headed toward the place where Aunt Gui lived. It was pretty far from here, but since he had already spoken to Guan Longjiang, he had to go.
But no matter where he went, the image of Mei Gongzi lingered in his mind.
How wonderful it would be to be by her side every day!
Everything seemed normal at Gui Gui's inn. By the time Tang San arrived, it was already dark.
Gui Gui was surprised to see him and Wu Bingji.
"Why are you here? And who's this?"
"This is my good friend." Tang San quickly introduced Wu Bingji but refrained from calling him “senior brother” while outside.
Regaining his composure, Wu Bingji's eyes sparkled with insight, clearly having gained something from his contemplations. "Hello, auntie. I'm Wu Bingji. I'm with Tang San at Kali Academy Town," he said.
Gui Gui realized the situation and smiled. "Come in quickly. Let's talk inside."
She led them to a room in the inn and closed the door behind here. As she brought over some food for them, she asked Tang San, "Why did you suddenly come here? Is there something wrong?"
Tang San replied, "I came to see you. Also, how are Teacher Wang and everyone else? Are they all right?"
Hearing his question, Gui Gui relaxed. She had been worried that something had happened.
"Everything's fine on my brother's side. The incident that day actually escalated into a conflict between two races. Apparently, the lord of Wind Wolf Town died, and it turns out that his identity was extraordinary; they say he’s actually a direct descendant of the Wind Wolf King. It's unclear why he became the lord of that backwoods town, but whatever his status was, his bloodline is still his bloodline. The Wind Wolf King was furious when he found out about his death, and he swore revenge. The Wind Wolf and Flash Leopard clans have fought several battles since. On the other hand, the town has been pretty calm. Apparently the high priest also left, so there's no one really in charge of the town now. There shouldn't be any problems in the short term."
Tang San thought for a moment and said, "Is there a possibility of bringing them into the city? It's always unsafe out there."
With his years of understanding the demon clans, only big cities like Kali City maintained order systematically. Outside the cities, there was no order; everything depended on strength. With strength, you could survive. Without it, you were always in danger.
A faint smile appeared on her face, and Gui Gui said with a laugh, "You are a good kid. Don't worry; the Society is already preparing. Do well in the academy. You can now represent the Wind Wolf lineage. If you perform well, the organization will naturally pay more attention to your teacher's family. Do you understand what I mean?"
Tang San naturally understood and nodded thoughtfully.
"It's getting late, and you'll be late getting back. Eat quickly and then head back. Be careful on the way," Gui Gui urged. She was actually rather touched that Tang San had come all the way here just to see her. Naturally, she was unaware that Tang San's visit was just incidental.
After dinner, Tang San and Wu Bingji set off again, heading back to the Redemption Academy.
As they sped up the road, Wu Bingji suddenly said, "You seemed a bit off today! You kept looking at the girl selling milk tea in the square, do you know her?"
Tang San was startled, nodded, and then shook his head. He had thought Wu Bingji was utterly immersed in his world, and he was surprised that his senior brother had actually noticed that.
Wu Bingji asked, "Have you met before?"
Tang San replied, "I've seen her once. It was when Teacher Wang and I were delivering a gift list to the ancestral home of the Wind Wolf clan. While I was waiting outside, under that big tree, she gave me a cup of milk tea."
Wu Bingji smiled slightly and said, "Heh, you actually took leave to see her, right? Well, I have to admit she is pretty cute. I may have been deep in thought about how to control the ice element better, but even so, I’m not blind. She really is beautiful, no wonder you’re stuck with that stupid look on your face."
His tone then became more serious. "However, Tang San, I must remind you that people selling things in the central square must have a strong background. She's definitely a vassal of a powerful clan, and that’s why the demons there don't dare to touch her. Everyone appreciates beauty, but you are still young, so I think it would be best not to visit too often."
Wu Bingji was silent for a moment, then his usual smile returned. "The milk tea was quite good, though."
"Uh-huh." Tang San nodded, understanding Wu Bingji's concern. Still, he knew all too well that he would visit again as soon as he could.
Is she really selling milk tea because she needs money? The milk tea shop seems to be doing really well. How much money did she need? These were the thoughts Tang San had been pondering since seeing Mei Gongzi on his way back.
It was completely dark when they returned to the Redemption Academy. Wu Bingji went to report to Guan Longjiang, while Tang San returned to his room.