Chapter 113: Lingering Ghosts

A Ku treats beggars to fine food and drink? Wu Chengyu thought nothing of it; after all, she had once been a little beggar herself, and with her naturally kind heart, now that she had the means, wanting to help those poor unfortunates was perfectly normal — and Wu Chengyu could afford it.

He did not go looking for A Ku right away; instead, he went up to the second floor on his own, sat in his own reserved seat, and no longer had the heart to pick up a Daoist scripture and pretend. The girls on the bridge outside the window had lost all their color, and for a time his mind was heavy with cares.

When it came down to it, Shi Miyuan was not much better than Qin Gui. A modern person transmigrates to ancient times and suddenly discovers he is a potential member of Qin Hui's Faction — what would he feel?

Kill Shi Miyuan? Solve everything at the source. A sudden impulse rose in Wu Chengyu's heart.

Wu Jinshui came over carrying several dishes for drinking. He knew Wu Chengyu rarely drank, but judging by his current state, he would probably want a cup.

"Put it on my tab again?"

"Of course. You're Direct Lineage, I'm a branch line; our monthly allowances are worlds apart. I helped you keep an eye on A Ku today, so you have to treat me to a meal."

Right. Wu Chengyu remembered once again that he was Wu family direct line.

A plate of Perilla Stir-fried Snails, a plate of Salted Duck, a plate of Red Toon Sprouts with Roasted Bamboo Shoots and Dried Tofu, a small plate of Drunken Shrimp, and a pot of Yellow Wine — typical Jiangnan flavors.

But at this moment Wu Chengyu found himself craving northern drinking snacks — Luncheon Meat, fried Peanuts, Smashed Cucumber, and a bottle of Erguotou. Compared to the south, the more straightforward and hearty northern way of eating would let him relax a little more right now.

No Luncheon Meat, Peanuts were still in the Americas, and this era had no high-distillation baijiu; just a single Smashed Cucumber left wouldn't feel like anything at all.

Wu Chengyu felt a pang of loss once more. Five years of transmigrated life — he had indeed adapted to this era, but some things could never be found again.

The two chatted idly about household matters; Wu Jinshui talked more, while Wu Chengyu's interest was low, and he merely perfunctorily replied.

"Speaking of which, your Little Wife is really something. Just now the manor sent a few pigs over; they couldn't get through the back alley entrance. Your A Ku carried one pig in each hand, as easily as I'd carry a pot of wine, all the way from the back alley to the restaurant's rear kitchen — a full thirty zhang — and she didn't even flush or pant, did it in one go."

You have to understand, each pig weighed nearly three hundred catties. I'm Wu family, so I've long heard of A Ku's Innate Divine Strength and can accept it somewhat, but the few kitchen helpers hired from Gusu City had their eyes pop out."

Our restaurant's White Case Master He asked on the spot whether A Ku had a betrothal arranged. A capable girl like that, of course you'd want to betroth her early to be your son's wife."

As it turned out, A Ku said she was your Child Bride. Only then did Master He realize — oh, this is the Boss Lady. Hahaha."

Hearing this, a smile naturally appeared on Wu Chengyu's face. For most of this year, everyone had chatted about A Ku in front of him; by now he was completely desensitized to the three words 'Child Bride' and no longer felt that resistance.

So the power of habit is terrifying. Just like before, he only treated Wu Family Slope as a place to settle down before adulthood, but now he identified with the clan even more, and early on had come to regard himself as a Wu family member all the same.

But speaking of A Ku, Wu Chengyu only now realized that since returning, nearly half an hour had passed, and A Ku still hadn't shown up. Which beggar eats begged food until they burst?

He subconsciously spread his Sense outward and located A Ku, still in the back alley.

Indeed, quite a few beggars packed the back alley full, each holding a broken bowl and queuing up, bowing and scraping on one hand, showering A Ku with free auspicious flattery, while from A Ku's ladle they received a big spoonful of Braised Pork, a big spoonful of Mapo Tofu, and incidentally two Steamed Cakes each.

Good heavens, no wonder Wu Jinshui said to put it on his tab — A Ku was truly generous. Back when Wu Chengyu begged for food, those restaurants' slop didn't have a shred of meat; these beggars suddenly wolfing down a pile of rich oil, who knew if they'd get diarrhea tomorrow.

As for A Ku, what to do? Of course forgive her. Wu Chengyu had always doted on A Ku, and A Ku didn't come to Wumei Tower every day anyway — still that same logic: money lets you be willful.

By now the three large basins in front of A Ku were already empty. A Ku tapped the basin before her with the big spoon and said in a coquettish voice.

"Today's goodies are all given out. If I come to Wumei Tower again later, I'll give everyone good things to eat. Now scatter."

Only then did this bunch of beggars bow and thank A Ku again; some even wanted to kneel and kowtow to her, but A Ku hurriedly stopped them.

Waiting until the beggars turned and left one by one, Wu Chengyu was about to withdraw his Sense when he suddenly heard A Ku say: "Qigong, Qigong, is the Roast Chicken tasty?"

Wu Chengyu nearly choked the wine in his mouth into his windpipe. Just now he had sensed quite a few beggars, but his Attention was all on A Ku; he simply hadn't noticed that in the back alley corner, an old beggar was squatting properly, cradling a Roast Chicken and eating with great relish.

How is it Hong Qigong again? Ever since Wu Chengyu transmigrated, he hadn't encountered many Original Work characters — Hong Qigong, Lu Youjiao, Black Wind Twin Demons, Qu Lingfeng, and Lu Chengfeng.

The rest had little screen time; only this Hong Qigong — why does he linger like a restless ghost? The key point: three days ago, he still fought Hong Qigong under a false identity, and incidentally slipped him a Spring Drug. How did Hong Qigong track him down so fast?

Had his cover been blown? Wu Chengyu carefully reviewed every detail of that night; the possibility was low. His build and appearance were completely different from the Wu Chengyu Hong Qigong had seen five years ago, and Hong Qigong would absolutely never imagine Wu Chengyu could now possess such martial arts.

He shouldn't have enough imagination to connect that night's burly man with the crippled-leg youth Wu Chengyu.

So it's just coincidence? Where do so many coincidences come from in this world? He serves as Steward at Wumei Tower, and Hong Qigong just happens to appear in Wumei Tower's back alley.

Wu Chengyu's mind raced, but one thing was certain: since Hong Qigong had appeared in Wumei Tower's back alley and found A Ku, whatever the reason, he could not avoid him.

He made a gesture telling Wu Jinshui to carry on, then rose and went downstairs toward the rear kitchen.

Just as he reached the rear kitchen, he heard A Ku's voice again from the kitchen's back door.

"One Roast Chicken isn't enough, ah. Right, one Roast Chicken isn't even enough for A Ku; Qigong's martial arts are so high, he can definitely eat even more. You wait, I'll check if that Pig Trotter is done steaming."

Wu Chengyu wore a wry smile. A Ku's standard for judging martial arts height was simply how much one could eat. He stood behind her, hesitated slightly, then pushed the door open and stepped out.

"So it's Qigong who's arrived. Long time no see; Qigong's bearing is unchanged. This junior was saved by Qigong back then, and remembers it to this day."

Wu Chengyu looked at Hong Qigong, still squatting in the corner gnawing on a chicken butt, and cupped his fists in a bow, his words impeccably polite.

"Where'd the sour talk come from? You brat wasn't this polite back then — you even dared split the loot directly with me. A few years unseen, and you've become even less likable.

Bitter Girl, didn't you say there was Pig Trotter? Hurry up and bring it. Your brother here is a rich man now; he can afford it."

"Okay, Qigong you wait." A Ku didn't even bother with Wu Chengyu; like a gust of wind she rushed back into the rear kitchen.

Leaving Wu Chengyu and Hong Qigong facing each other, four eyes meeting.

(Chapter End)