"Oh? It's the owner of the Sweet Shop!" the young beauty spoke first.
Lu Zheng was taken aback, then quickly realized and smiled, cupping his fists, "Are you two members of Elder Liu's family?"
"Greetings to Young Master Lu."
The great beauty gave a slight smile, nodding gracefully with the charm of a willow branch and flower-like grace.
Wow, a classic ancient beauty and a well-mannered lady from a prestigious family, Lu Zheng blinked and cupped his fists in salute.
After exchanging names, Lu Zheng learned that the great beauty was named Liu Qingyan and the young beauty was named Liu Qingquan.
The Liu Family comprised four people, and they had just moved into their new home today. Elder Liu and his wife were still directing the servants in tidying up, while these two couldn't wait to start shopping around Cong'an Square.
Indeed, women have common traits no matter which world they come from, transcending the boundaries of the universe.
"Young Master Lu, the sugar frosting in your shop is really sweet." Liu Qingquan's eyes lit up.
Poor child, a twenty-first-century Huaxia kid, who would eat rock sugar just like that anymore!
"Is that so? I've also made some special candies myself. I'll let you try them out later."
"Are they tastier than the sugar frosting?"
"Definitely tastier than the sugar frosting." Lu Zheng nodded earnestly, "But you can't eat too much, eating too much sugar can damage your teeth."
Liu Qingquan shook her head like a rattle-drum, "My teeth won't get bad. Look!"
Liu Qingquan leaned close to Lu Zheng, tilted her head up, and bared a mouth of small white teeth.
They were neat, white as jade, even more beautiful than modern whitened teeth.
"Yes, yes, I saw them." Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly, taking two steps back.
For the first meeting, he must not show his true colors!
"Please pardon Young Master Lu, my younger sister is not yet grown and still immature," Liu Qingyan stretched out her hand to pull her sister back.
"It's nothing, nothing. Your sister has a cheerful personality. I really, uh, in any case, it's pretty good."
Lu Zheng's courtyard was not far from the alley entrance, and the Liu Family was even closer. After exchanging a few words, they reached the entrance of Liu's home.
"Lu Lang." Elder Liu happened to be exiting and saw Lu Zheng.
"Greetings to Elder Liu, I just happened to meet your daughters at the alley entrance and chatted a bit."
"It's no matter, it's no matter. By the way, I'm not acquainted with many people in Tonglin County yet. I'm planning to visit your home this afternoon and would like to invite you for dinner, as a sort of housewarming feast." Elder Liu said with a smile.
"A senior's invitation cannot be refused; as the saying goes, it's better to comply than to decline."
I'm definitely not going because I want to see beautiful young ladies, definitely not!
After saying goodbye to the Liu sisters, Lu Zheng also took his leave from Elder Liu and returned to his own home.
"Master, about the Liu Family next door..."
Uncle Li had just come up to him, but Lu Zheng waved him off, "I just met them at the door; it's a housewarming feast, right?"
"Exactly."
"I understand, so I won't be having dinner at home tonight." Lu Zheng nodded and then headed to the backyard.
"Hmm, a housewarming feast. Since they're inviting me over for a meal, as a guest, I should bring some gifts. What should I bring?"
With a flash, Lu Zheng returned to the present day, changed his clothes, and headed to the Huazhao Supermarket at the community entrance.
"Judging by the Liu Family's attire, they obviously don't want for money; they must be a well-to-do family."
"Yes, candies definitely must be given."
Passing by the candy section, Lu Zheng picked up a box of imported fruit hard candies in a tin, intended for the young beauty Liu Qingquan.
The young beauty is very cute, and they will definitely meet often in the future. So start with a box of hard candies as a base; there's no rush for more advanced chocolates, Toffee, etc. Take it step by step.
Yes, adults can have a little drink in the evening, so Lu Zheng also picked up a bottle of thirty-five-degree low-alcohol Wuliangye, which should sufficiently please Elder Liu.
I wonder if Elder Liu, when pleased, might slip of the tongue?
As for the ladies...
Lu Zheng conveniently took two bottles of fruit wine, a bottle of Cyan Plum Wine and a bottle of Peach Blossom Brew.
This should be enough for a first meeting, right?
So Lu Zheng, carrying three bottles of wine and a box of candies, left the supermarket, and then from the teahouse next door took a set of engraved purple clay tea sets.
"Done!"
"At a first meeting, it's important not to give overly valuable things, it's easy to cause misunderstandings."
Purple clay pots also exist in the Great Jing Dynasty, although Lu Zheng's are more exquisite, they're still just ordinary items.
As for the sugar and wine, these are everyday consumables, their value is ambiguous.
Lu Zheng, carrying the items, headed home, but while walking, sighed.
"Ah... it's so hard for me..."
Actually, when Lu Zheng first traveled to the Great Jing Dynasty, he thought about buying a pretty maid, but later decided against it.
Because such a person would be very close, unlike Uncle Li and Aunt Liu who live in the front yard, so if he disappeared occasionally, he wouldn't be able to hide it from her.
And with his wings not yet fully grown, even if he were to stay overnight at Chunfeng Building or find someone for a spring wind encounter in a modern bar, he dared not risk bringing anyone to his home.
So...
Lu Zheng gradually calmed his emotions, circulating his True Qi Great Cycle within.
"First meeting, what are you thinking? It's like your worldview is following your sensory organs! Have you even thought of children's names?"
"Infinite Celestial Venerable, forgive me, forgive me."
"Exhale... Inhale..."
"Of course, in any case, getting closer isn't a bad thing, just consider it as appreciating beauty."
"A classic ancient beauty. If it weren't broad daylight, and the Peace Talisman didn't react, I'd almost think she was another Corpse Ghost."
"I wonder about her personality... Bah!"
Returning home, changing clothes, handling the gifts, and then traveling to the Great Jing Dynasty.
...
Lu Zheng placed the wine bottles he had switched and the unpackaged tea set into a wooden box, saw the sky, and went out the door.
"Please come in, Young Master Lu!"
The gate was opened by an old man. Why were ancient gatekeepers always old men, who knows.
The layout of the Liu Family was similar to Lu Zheng's courtyard. As Lu Zheng rounded the screen wall, he saw the Liu Family of four already waiting for him outside the main hall.
"Greetings to Elder Liu, greetings to Madam Liu, and to the two young ladies."
It was the first time Lu Zheng had seen Elder Liu's wife; though her hair was graying, she was well-kept and there was a hint of youthful charm.
"Lu Lang is here; please, have a seat. There aren't many people in the family, so there's not much formality. Let's just sit and have a simple meal."
"That's best." Lu Zheng smiled and handed the wooden box to the old man beside him.
Elder Liu laughed, "You're too courteous."
"It's my first visit; it's only proper." Lu Zheng reached into his sleeve and took out a cloth bag, handing it to Liu Qingquan, "The candies I promised you."
Liu Qingquan's eyes lit up and she reached out to take it.
"Qingquan!" Liu Qingyan lightly scolded.
But Liu Qingquan had already opened the cloth bag and took out a yellow-orange hard candy.
"What's this..."
"It's honey tangerine flavor."
"Candy can have a fruit flavor?" Liu Qingquan immediately popped the hard candy into her mouth.
Her eyes then curved into crescents.
Liu Qingquan: (´◊ω◊｀)
"So delicious!"
Lu Zheng forcibly resisted the urge to pat her head.
"Forgive my daughter, Young Master Lu," Madam Liu said apologetically, "I've spoiled her."
Lu Zheng laughed, "Qingquan is innocent and lively; that's a good thing."
"Please, this way, Young Master!"
Madam Liu invited Lu Zheng to the hall, while Elder Liu suddenly sniffed the air.
"Is that... the aroma of wine?"