Chapter 115: You Look Quite Familiar

Chapter 115: You Look Quite Familiar

Lu Mingchao, a deity overseeing the ancient Greek masters of water-pouring, never leaves anyone out.

After speaking kindly to Grandma Lu, she turned to check in on Lu Chunsheng.

Lu Chunsheng beamed with joy, calling his daughter his little bundle of joy, and he ate much faster.

"You’re such a softie," Yunniang said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

After the meal, the sky was still snowing lightly, and a light dusting of snow covered the ground.

Worried the snow might get worse, Lu Yao left the house early.

Within an hour, he brought good news to Lu Mingchao.

Wei Tang invited Cheng Zhi to her residence mid-morning to boil tea and discuss poetry, and Lu Mingchao was also among the invitees.

After the snow, Changxi Village was as if silence had fallen, quiet and peaceful.

The day slipped by quietly.

The next day.

The snow had stopped, but the wind still blew hard.

Lu Mingchao’s attire was understated yet respectful.

"Mingchao, today I will take fine rice to visit several grain merchants, hoping to secure deals and win them over."

"Also, don’t let anyone take advantage of you."

Xie Yan, with deep and focused eyes, gently shaped Lu Mingchao’s eyebrows with a brow pencil, his voice clear and gentle as he advised.

Only when Xie Yan’s hand moved away from Lu Mingchao’s eyebrows did she nod, "A Yan, when have I ever let myself be wronged?"

"You too, if the deal works, great; if not, forget it."

Lu Mingchao’s gaze fell on the bronze mirror.

The mirror reflected their faces, looking absolutely stunning.

She bundled up warmly in a thick cloak, and they went out together.

The carriage slowly collected Lu Yao outside the Lu family’s gate.

The Wei family, a wealthy landowner in Lianhua Town, had a deep courtyard with upturned eaves, a layout that was both orderly and elegant.

In the courtyard, plum trees with sturdy branches were covered with thin snow, their scent filling the air.

Lu Mingchao was welcomed into the small parlor where female guests were received.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly, making it feel like spring had suddenly arrived.

"Miss Wei," Lu Mingchao bowed slightly, her eyes smiling.

Wei Tang, with a radiant smile, naturally took Lu Mingchao’s arm, "I’ve long wanted to meet Sister Lu, but unfortunately, I never had the chance. Seeing you today, it’s truly better to meet you in person."

Sister Lu...

Lu Mingchao's long lashes fluttered slightly.

She nearly forgot she had married young.

Wei Tang had a delicate, lovely oval face, with bright almond-shaped eyes, giving off a petite, adorable vibe, like a well-cared-for kitten.

Her slyness also hinted at an innocent, lively nature.

At first glance, she made people feel an irresistible warmth and joy.

This charm was truly a gift.

"Sister Wei, don’t tease me," Lu Mingchao responded playfully.

Wei Tang had been kind first, and staying aloof would seem ungrateful.

Isn’t human connection built on mutual respect?

Wei Tang guided Lu Mingchao to a carved chair draped with a thick, plush fur rug, chatting easily, without a hint of awkwardness.

Fifteen minutes later, Cheng Zhi arrived at the small parlor, escorted by a maid, with snowflakes clinging to her embroidered shoes.

Cheng Zhi had never met Lu Mingchao or knew her identity, assuming she was just another of Wei Tang’s close friends.

Lu Mingchao seized the chance to subtly study Cheng Zhi.

Gentle, with a shy demeanor.

This was Lu Mingchao's first impression of Cheng Zhi.

"Sister Tang," Cheng Zhi handed her cloak to a maid nearby.

Her smile was shy, like the gentle touch of dawn.

"Sister Zhi, this is Sister Ming, her brother is a classmate of my brother."

"Sister Ming, this is Cheng Zhi, the daughter of a private school teacher."

Wei Tang, whether intentionally or not, kept Lu Mingchao’s identity vague.

Lu Mingchao and Cheng Zhi exchanged nods.

"Even in this cold, I invited Sister Zhi to join us for tea by the stove, I hope Sister Zhi doesn’t mind the trouble," Wei Tang said with a smile, her voice tinged with apology.

Cheng Zhi took a sip of hot tea and said softly, "Winter is long and dull, so gathering with sisters for a little leisure is a true joy."

"Besides, it's the winter solstice today."

Lu Mingchao thought, Lu Lei’s description of her soft voice and flushed face now felt vividly real.

As soon as she spoke, a faint blush spread across her cheeks, her voice soft and delicate, like a feather brushing past the ear.

The tea bubbled softly on the charcoal stove.

Amidst the sound of steam, Cheng Zhi's voice became even softer, making it somewhat difficult to hear.

Clearly, Wei Tang was not only accustomed to it but also adapted very well.

"I heard Sister Zhi’s marriage is settled—it’ll be harder to invite you in the future," Wei Tang said bluntly.

Lu Mingchao noticed Cheng Zhi's expression stiffen momentarily, then she quickly lowered her head, shy and timid, so quickly it felt like an illusion.

"As a daughter, I abide by my parents' and matchmaker's arrangements," Cheng Zhi said shyly.

Wei Tang laughed, "I’ll stop teasing Sister Zhi now."

"I wonder why the maid hasn’t brought the fruit yet. I’ll go take a look. You two chat."

Wei Tang put on her cloak and left through the curtain.

The atmosphere in the small flower hall grew momentarily still and quiet.

Lu Mingchao picked up the teacup, used the lid to skim off the foam, took a sip, and then broke the silence, "May I call you Sister Zhi, like Sister Wei does?"

"Of course," Cheng Zhi nodded with a smile.

Lu Mingchao rubbed the patterns on the teacup with her fingertips, smiling gently, "Then I’ll take the liberty."

"Sister Zhi, you seem very familiar to me. Have we met before?"

Cheng Zhi quickly glanced at Lu Mingchao, "I shook my head. Someone as beautiful as you, Sister Ming, I wouldn’t forget if I’d seen you before."

Beautiful, yes, but there was also a faint sense of familiarity.

Could we have met before?

Cheng Zhi wondered to herself.

Lu Mingchao's smile remained unchanged, "But I really feel that Sister Zhi looks familiar. Let me think about it."

"Was it in the plum grove behind the Taoist temple, or that run-down shrine, or..."

As she spoke, Lu Mingchao's eyes lit up, as if she remembered something, her voice sincere, "Sister Zhi, was the man with you that day your fiancé?"

"Congratulations, Sister Zhi, on finding such a kind, thoughtful, and handsome match."

As soon as the words fell, Cheng Zhi’s teacup slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.

The spilled tea soaked Cheng Zhi’s embroidered shoes, and the teacup bounced a few times on the floor before shattering into pieces.

"Sister Ming, you must be mistaken," Cheng Zhi explained with forced composure.

Lu Mingchao tilted her head, feigning innocence, half-truthfully, "Is that so?"

"But I clearly saw him brush your hair, Sister Zhi."

Cheng Zhi's voice turned cold, "Sister Ming, please don’t say such things in the future. The Cheng family upholds strict propriety and would never condone such behavior."

The smile on Lu Mingchao's face faded, "Perhaps I was mistaken, after all, Sister Zhi's family upbringing is very strict."

"What kind of woman does your second brother prefer?"