Deity
As soon as Song Jia, disguised as a young man, followed by Lu Ping entered the Golden Lion Restaurant, the patrons inside turned their heads, mesmerized.
Dressed in pristine white from head to toe, the young man looked like a deity. Straight light brown brows, long full lashes and light brown almond eyes against the milky white skin. His long and shiny dark hair was parted at the top and tied in a white silk ribbon. He held a white fan with his long slender fingers that covered half of his face as he fanned himself. His eyes were striking enough, making the ladies inside tremble. But when he closed his fan, his tall and straight nose, plump rosy red lips and cheeks that were slightly blushed due to walking outside under the sun's rays.
"Am I seeing things? Are we in the presence of a deity?" A young man said to his companion in a low voice.
"No. If I'm not mistaken that person's cultivation rank is not that high compared to ours...probably at 3rd rank.."
"Still! That person's bearing is that of a noble! From which family do you think that person is?"
"I don't recognize that person. Is that a man or a woman?"
"Err… probably a man? His robes look like that of a man's.."
"Check out the person he's with..She's probably his maid servant. Light blue robes. If they're from a wealthy family or the big clans...could it be…"
"Light blue? Isn't it the Song clan's servants that dress themselves in light blue garments?!"
"Ah! You're right! But it could just be coincidence.. They could be from other places."
The men continued to chat and enjoy their meal while they stole glances at the young man.
Inside, the ladies couldn't help but try to sit more elegantly, they fixed a stray lock of hair behind their earlobes, and even ate their food in a more elegant manner.
"What's wrong with you? You would take forever if you would eat your food that way!" A man chided the young woman next to him.
She ate so demurely that even the babies who had just learned to eat solid foods could eat more than her.
"Big brother.." She pouted, setting the chopsticks down slowly.
It irritated her brother even more. Since the young man entered, he kept glancing at him and she started to act the opposite of how she usually is.
For a very long time, their parents had told her to act more like a lady, even hiring tutors to teach her etiquette. But she was as stubborn as a mule. She would rather play rather than learn to be a lady. Who would have thought that just a glance at the young man had turned her into a lady in an instant?!
Although, he couldn't deny that the young man was indeed attractive. If it weren't for his Adam's apple and sharp jawline, he would mistake him as a lady.
When the waiter noticed that a customer had arrived, he cleaned his hands on his apron and went to greet him politely.
"I'd like a table.." She wanted to take the opportunity to listen to the latest news so she chose to sit on a table on the first floor.
As soon as she spoke, a silvery voice entered their ears. The ladies blushed further, much to the annoyance of the men.
"Umm.. Young Sir, we still have an available private room upstairs, I could take you there.."
"Ah.. that won't be necessary.. We'll just have a table here.."
"But.."
"Waiter, my master would like to eat here.." Lu Ping intervened, looking at the waiter pointedly.
The waiter looked not much older than them.
"As you wish, Young Sir. I'll take you.." He bowed at Song Jia and gestured for them to follow.
The young man strode around the room, not looking at other people, not noticing the several disappointed faces of the ladies. They were not able to catch his attention. But no matter! He chose to sit on the same floor as them so they still have a chance.
Meanwhile, inside a private room on the second floor, the ladies waited to hear the door to the other room open. But nothing happened even after a while.
"Do you think he left?" Wei Ai's brow was knitted.
"Why don't we call the waiter?" Wu Bao suggested, already waving her hand for her maidservant to come forward. "Ask the waiter if the young man is still in the restaurant.
A short while later, the maidservant came back, fidgeting.
"Miss, the young man chose to sit on a table downstairs."
"What?!" Cheng Lan slammed her palm against the table, spilling the tea.
Her maidservant quickly wiped the table before her mistress became wet from it.
"No.. I have to meet him.." Cheng Lan stood up and started to head out of the door.
Wu Bao and Wei Ai were shocked by her outburst that it took them a second to realize that their friend had left her seat.
"Cheng Lan, where are you going?" Wu Bao also stood up.
"I'll eat the rest of the meal downstairs…" She turned to her maidservant. "You.. tell the waiter to prepare the table near that person..and have them bring the rest of the meal there."
"Yes, miss.." The maidservant bowed and quickly did what was told.
Cheng Lan was annoyed. If she only had her older brother with her, she could invite that young man to dine with them. But because she only had her female friends with her, they couldn't act so forward and invite a young man in the private room. It will ruin their reputation!
If he had chosen to use the private room next door, she could have created the opportunity to bump into him and make introductions.
Unfortunately for her, he had chosen to dine on the first floor instead. Usually that area is where the commoners or people from the middle class gathered.
'Is he a commoner with a pretty face?'
She stopped in her tracks.
'No, it can't be.. Even Wu Bao and Wei Ai agreed that he carries himself like a noble.'
With that thought, she continued to descend the stairs and searched for the young man.
In a corner, away from customers coming and leaving, Song Jia and Luping sat on their seats.
They had ordered a few dishes and quietly drank tea as they waited. Both keeping their senses on alert.
On a table next to them sat a man who looked to be in his 20s wearing a green outer robe and white inner garment. Beside him is a young girl who also wore the same color of clothing and has lotus embroidery.
Song Jia and Lu Ping had noticed them stare earlier when they had just arrived.
"Can you just eat?" The man scolded the young girl who had stopped eating, her chopstick held mid-air.
"Big brother.." She pouted once again. This time she was embarrassed to be reprimanded within earshot of the young man.
"Then eat if you don't want me scolding you here.." He shot a sharp look at his younger sister.
Moments later, they heard footsteps descending the stairs. They wouldn't have thought anything of it, except for the fact that instead of exiting the restaurant, the ladies went to sit on the table next to the young man in white.