Strange Uncle

This vain king of theirs was currently still locked in a battle between himself and his appearance. He definitely wanted to return to his original, handsome features, but after what had happened at the Zhongs' village he knew better than doing this.

Though, that wasn't the main reason. If it had only been for this, he might have ignored the possibility of bringing disaster again. Who was to say that anything would happen this time? This was, after all, the capital! No, the main reason was that he wanted to save using his real appearance for the future when Jing Yi was finally grown up and ready for love.

If Jing Yi saw him like that now and then again as a grown up, wouldn't he think of him as some strange uncle? He didn't want to become an uncle after being a grandfather for so long! He wanted to be seen as a suitor and finally as a lover. Was that asking for too much?

So, he definitely couldn't meet Jing Yi with his real appearance. But he also didn't want to meet him as an old man only. Faced with this dilemma, Qiu Ling had finally decided to once again take on the form of the traveler, that had helped Mister Zhong in the inn and once again in front of Zhong Gang's restaurant.

It was just … he wasn't all that satisfied. He still wanted to leave his beloved with a good impression of him! Who cared what his father-in-law thought? But Jing Yi couldn't think badly of him!

Mn, he had to make sure, he looked especially handsome for this important occasion.

Qiu Ling rubbed over those small wrinkles again, smoothed out his hair, tugged at his sleeves and evened out the wrinkles on his robe. Once again, he gave the mirror a scrutinizing look. Something still seemed wrong.

"Ah, it's such a bother being naturally handsome! This human appearance just can't compare!" He furrowed his brow a bit and paused. Mn, this actually didn't look bad. This face seemed to be made for wearing such a grim expression. "This might not be as incredibly handsome as my usual self, but it'll certainly leave an impression. Don't women always claim that men are the most handsome while at work? When working one would certainly be serious, so this should be the rumored charm of a man at work?" He tilted his head from side to side and finally kept the water mirror.

Alright. He was satisfied, more or less. This was probably as far as human handsomeness could go. Now it was time to meet his beloved.

He breathed deeply and made his way over to the teahouse. It's alright, he told himself, while his heart still beat wildly. If he doesn't like me with this appearance I can still change in the future. He certainly wouldn't dislike my original appearance. Jing He fell for me once, it'll certainly work a second time in the mortal realm.

He stepped into the teahouse and was instantly assaulted by Mister Zhong's excitement.

"Dear customer, please come in and have —" Mister Zhong stopped and his eyes went wide. "Ah! Benefactor! So, it's you! Please, come in and have a seat. Tell me what you'd like! The teahouse only opened today. You're our first customer. But don't worry, our tea is really good and we have a lot of tasty snacks, too! You'll definitely love it! Have you decided where you'd like to sit? See, you can choose any of the tables here on the lower floor. There are rooms on the upper floor, too. Maybe you'd rather take a room? Ah, but you seem to be traveling alone. It might be a bit lonely taking a room for yourself? How about —"

"Please have a seat first." Madam Zhong decisively pulled her husband to the side and smiled at Qiu Ling, who still hadn't gotten time to greet Mister Zhong much less answer any of the questions.

"Thank you." Qiu Ling smiled relieved and went to a table at the side. From there, he'd be able to see the whole room. Wherever Jing Yi went, he'd be able to watch him.

Speaking of which … Where was his beloved?

Qiu Ling had been gone for quite a bit of time, so neither had he seen how Nie Huang came to the teahouse, nor did he know that Jing Yi was currently with her in the preparation room. And since he could be seen by mortals now, he also couldn't go and look for him!

Damn this! He had prepared for so long to make a good first impression and now his beloved hadn't even seen him enter the teahouse. How could fate be so cruel to him?!

Depressed, Qiu Ling waved at Madam Zhong. "Just get me whatever you think is good."

"Alright. Please, wait a moment." She went to the kitchen to get some snacks for him first. "Have these first. I'll get your tea."

"Mn." Qiu Ling grabbed one of the cookies. He bit into it while grumpily staring at the plate. He hadn't imagined it like this.

What he had imagined … Ah, well, he knew it couldn't happen. My love, please grow up faster! I want to experience our touching, romantic reunion!

Madam Zhong came out of the preparation room with a tray in hand. She wanted to carry the tea over, but stopped right at the door seeing Qiu Ling's expression. The dragon king wasn't wrong: That human face seemed to be made to frown. And right now, he was heavily frowning at the plate with the snacks while munching on his cookie. Everyone who observed this would think that he was dissatisfied with the quality of the snacks. In fact, it looked like these were the worst snacks he had ever eaten.

Special countermeasures were needed here.

Madam Zhong went back into the preparation room and smiled at her son. "Jing'er, how about you deliver the tea to the customer? You'll certainly help us working in the teahouse when you've grown a bit older, so why not learn now? It's only one customer at the moment."

"Mn, alright, mommy!" Jing Yi took the tray and skipped into the hall.

Madam Zhong smiled. "Let's see if he still manages to look so grumpy with Jing'er smiling at him."

Jing Yi hurried to Qiu Ling's table and pushed the tray toward him. He also didn't forget to show him a brilliant smile, exposing two small dimples.

Qiu Ling looked up. The cookie fell out of his hand, but he didn't even notice. He only stared at Jing Yi.

So … cute! Ah!

He unconsciously extended his hands and pinched Jing Yi's cheeks, smiling himself until his eyes formed small crescents.

Ah … Spending so much time on his appearance and coming here had been worth it! Luck was on his side! Fate meant well with him! In his happy mood, Qiu Ling stopped pinching Jing Yi's cheeks and instead patted his head, tussling that soft black hair.

"Such a good boy!"

Jing Yi stared at that customer in front of him, ignoring the hand on top of his head. I have to smile!, he reminded himself. Mommy wants me to smile at the customers. I can't stop.

But this uncle is really strange.