The Little King

18 | Old Friend

Translator: PastTimer

Editor: PastTimer
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Their group arrived in Zhangcheng several days later than originally planned but no one raised a complaint. Zhangcheng was the largest city along the southwest border shared with the Kingdom of Xia, with a permanent population of more than 300,000 residents. Since the open market opened for business, more and more people came and go. The moment one entered the city, they would instantly see the crowds; there were Xia folk, Barbarians, Huns, and so on. There were also small vendors selling goods by the street, which were usually toys or food.

After they officially entered the city, Cai Huan became instantly excited. Almost every stall she had to visit for at least a while, observing the small commodities and buying a hot steamed bun to eat. In comparison, Xia Xi seemed calmer, although this was the first time that he had such close contact with ordinary civilians.

Chu Lan held Xia Xi's hand while walking. Even if Xia Xi was now dressed as a man, Chu Lan didn't plan for them to separate. Like Cai Huan, he was also new to many things. For example, he was currently holding a straw hat and turning it over and over again before fitting it over his head. The Barbarians also had hats, but they were not in that style. After he wore it, he smiled brightly at Xia Xi, "Does it look good?"

Xia Xi smiled and nodded, Chu Lan wore the hat on his head again, staring at him, seemingly unsatisfied. He put on the straw hat again, picked up a dressing gown, and tried it again. The two of them strolled by the stalls one by one. In the middle of walking they bought some gadgets, all of which were picked by Chu Lan. Xia Xi didn't know how long they have been walking, when he looked back he suddenly couldn't see Cai Huan. He was shocked and hurriedly wanted to find her, but Chu Lan grabbed his wrist and said: "Someone's guarding her, we won't lose her."

Xia Xi breathed a subtle sigh of relief, he looked around but didn't see where any of the guards who were following them before had gone. He felt a little uneasy and gently pulled at Chu Lan's sleeve, he lowered his voice and asked: "Your guards seemed to have separated. Will there be any danger?"

Chu Lan laughed and said briskly: "No one knows who I am, so what are you so afraid of? I'm hungry, let's go find a restaurant for lunch, there should be many good restaurants here. Xi'er, which one do you want to go to?"

Xia Xi reluctantly suppressed his uneasy heart, and didn't look at the shops, he only said: "You can choose," Chu Lan took him into a restaurant named 'Drunk Xianju'. Because it wasn't noon yet, the people who came to eat weren't many. The huge restaurant only had a few occupied tables. As soon as the two of them entered, the shopkeeper greeted them enthusiastically, took them to the lounge, wiped their table diligently, poured tea, and entertained them, "What do the two customers want? Our turkey cooked over firewood¹ is a must, all the customers who have eaten it said that it tasted good, as well as our elbowed meat, sweet and sour fish..." He introduced them to seven or eight signature dishes, Chu Lan didn't ask the price but just said: "Serve all the dishes you quoted just now, and add another pot of wine."

The shopkeeper was taken aback, "You want it all? Is it for just you two? Honestly speaking, the servings in our restaurant aren't small, you may not be able to finish it and cause it to be wasted. If you really want to it all, I suggest to order only two or three dishes first. If you aren't in a rush, you can come and eat the rest tonight or tomorrow."

Chu Lan raised his eyebrows and chuckled: "You're strange, the more I order, the more you earn. Yet you are still worried about how I can't eat it?"

The shopkeeper said with a smile: "This humble person (T/N: Literally small person. Used to refer to oneself in third person in front of a superior) is just being kind. If it's only the two of you, then you wouldn't be able to finish so many dishes."