Chapter 1274 - 1270: Fulfilling the Host’s Duty

"What story? ’Journey to the West’?" A bright light flashed in Xing Beichen’s eyes.

Like Lu Yuanfeng, he also enjoyed listening to Mu Shuangshuang tell ’Journey to the West,’ especially after Cheng Dagang had drilled them.

"No, Xiao Nan likes to hear those love stories, so I’ll tell one of those!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

"Really?" Fu Xiaonan turned to look at Mu Shuangshuang upon hearing her words.

"Yes! A love story between a human and a ghost, are you afraid?" Mu Shuangshuang teased, glancing at Fu Xiaonan.

Fu Xiaonan shook her head, "I’m not afraid at all, there’s no such thing as ghosts!"

Mu Shuangshuang smiled, "Then I’ll start. It’s a story about a fox demon and a scholar. The fox demon is called Nie Xiaoqian, and the scholar is Ning Caichen..."

’A Chinese Ghost Story’ was a story Mu Shuangshuang had wanted to tell for a long time, but she was worried it might affect the restaurant’s business.

So she held back, and this time, seizing the opportunity, Mu Shuangshuang told an abridged version.

She vividly depicted the story she knew, unaware that everyone held their breath as she told it.

Not only Lu Yuanfeng and his group but even those around them, upon hearing her clear voice, unconsciously wanted to listen to what she was saying.

Just one listen and they were hooked, drawing closer and closer, almost sitting at the same table as Lu Yuanfeng and his group.

The shop assistant initially thought something had happened since everyone had gathered together.

When he found out Mu Shuangshuang was telling a story, he surprisingly didn’t interrupt her.

When the story ended, Mu Shuangshuang looked up and was instantly dumbfounded.

Many people around were wiping tears, and some stared at her eagerly, not knowing what they wanted.

Fu Xiaonan was crying non-stop in Xing Beichen’s arms.

"Wuwuwu, poor Xiaoqian, why can’t she be with Ning Caichen???"

Mu Shuangshuang: "..."

"What’s wrong with all of you? It’s just a story!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

It was evident that people’s tear points in ancient times were lower than those of modern people, as even Lu Yuanfeng seemed dispirited.

"But this story feels like it’s happening around us. Miss, you tell stories so well, how come I’ve never heard it before?" someone asked.

"Yes, miss, where do you tell stories at the restaurant? We’ll come support and guarantee your restaurant’s business does well!" another said.

Mu Shuangshuang was amused yet exasperated!

She explained, "I’m not a storyteller, I just told this story to my friends!"

"Ah, that’s such a pity. I think if you were willing to tell stories, you’d definitely make a lot of money!"

"Exactly, we’d love to hear more of such good stories!"

The people around were extremely enthusiastic, and Mu Shuangshuang looked helpless.

She remembered the dishes she ordered a long time ago had not yet arrived.

Just as she was about to call the shop assistant to serve the dishes, the assistant came over.

"Dear guests, our shopkeeper invites you to a private room on the second floor. The dishes you ordered will be served there as well!"

"Excuse me, is there something the matter?" Lu Yuanfeng asked the shop assistant.

"There is indeed something. Our shopkeeper said he knows you and hopes you’ll honor him with your presence for a meal!"

As the shop assistant said this, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng exchanged a glance.

They knew who the person was.

"It should be Zheng Zhi. Fengzi, let’s go up!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

Zheng Zhi was the owner of Jiu Si Xuan and the County Magistrate’s son. In the past, Mu Shuangshuang’s cold noodles were delivered to Zheng Zhi’s restaurant.

But later on, due to an issue with Zheng Zhi’s sister, they had a falling out.

However, when Chengfeng Restaurant opened, Mu Shuangshuang considered her relationship with Zheng Zhi to have improved.

Since they met this time, it was better for Zheng Zhi to play the host!

The four followed the shop assistant to a private room on the second floor, where Zheng Zhi had already found a seat.

Unusually, Zheng Zhi didn’t sit in the main seat.

But because of this, Mu Shuangshuang saw Zheng Zhi’s goodwill.

The four of them did not hesitate and each found a seat to sit down.

"Brother Lu, Miss Shuangshuang, and the other two!" Zheng Zhi saluted the four.

He continued, "Meeting today is fate. I won’t ask why you’re in the county. In short, all your expenses in the county will be covered by me, Mr. Zheng!"

"Just one meal is enough; we’ll handle the rest ourselves. Of course, you could assign someone to show us around the county.

By the way, recommend some places so we can buy some useful, practical things!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

"That works too! Since Miss Shuangshuang says so, and I have nothing to do today, I’ll take you around!"

The group of five, after eating, left the restaurant.

They wandered along the streets, stopping at whatever stall caught their interest.

Xing Beichen bought two outfits in the county, and Mu Shuangshuang and Fu Xiaonan also bought two sets.

Only Lu Yuanfeng needed nothing as Mu Shuangshuang had prepared everything for him.

The group wandered around the county market for about an hour.

As dusk approached, it was time for their scheduled farewell.

Fu Xiaonan was crying like a tearful mess, clinging to Xing Beichen and refusing to let go.

No matter what, she wouldn’t let Xing Beichen leave, whereas Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng were much calmer.

After a final hug, Mu Shuangshuang sighed.

"Fengzi, I’ll be waiting for you at home! If you miss me, remember what I said, and...write to me!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

Lu Yuanfeng nodded repeatedly, staring greedily at the girl in front of him.

At this moment, he even thought about taking the girl with him to the Northwest Desert.

Zheng Zhi on the side never expected that today was a day of parting for the four of them.

If he had known, he might not have joined the crowd. After all, watching people in love part ways is a very painful thing.

At the county gate, Mu Shuangshuang and Fu Xiaonan watched the two on horseback ride into the distance,

gradually disappearing along with the night!

"Come on, we need to find an inn in the county to stay for the night!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

"Shuangshuang, aren’t you sad?" Fu Xiaonan continued to cry, her quiet sobs so pitiful.

"We will see each other again. Besides, farewells are part of life, and crying is useless!" Mu Shuangshuang said.

Fu Xiaonan shook her head repeatedly.

This silly girl, she always gives so much to her feelings.

No matter when it is, it’s always like this. It was Zhao Qingshan before, and now it’s Xing Beichen.

Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but wish Fu Xiaonan well, hoping this time they would have a good outcome!

...

As night fell, Fu Xiaonan couldn’t sleep and wanted to chat with Mu Shuangshuang.

The topics were what they had talked about during the day.

Only like this could Fu Xiaonan ease her inner anxiety and restlessness.

"Shuangshuang, Brother Xing said that when he comes back, he’ll marry me. Do you think...it will come true?"

Mu Shuangshuang nodded, "Yes! Xing Beichen has been yearning for you for more than just a day or two, so don’t worry! I’m going to sleep now, we have to travel early tomorrow!"

[A bit stuck with the writing, in a few days there should be a burst of updates, expected to be more than twenty thousand words]