Just as old Fu was about to throw his first question at Fei Ting, his disciple sauntered in with both hands holding a steamy kettle.
"Master, the water is boiled." Gingerly, Lu Meng strode in with the kettle held out in front of him over to the table.
"Here, give it to me." Fu Guiren said just as the boy was about to reach for the teapot. Before taking the hot ware from Lu Meng, he took out the wicker coaster from underneath the tea-set's tray.
The boy looked relieved after seeing the kettle was safely placed atop the mat.
"Meng, go and wash two plates for the buns. We might as well eat lunch now. While you're at it, bring a bowl of cold water and the stool from the shed for yourself."
"Yes, master. I'll return shortly--"
Lu Meng was already turning to leave when old Fu firmly nagged.
"Make sure the plates are thoroughly cleansed!"
"They shall be spotless!" With that Lu Meng was out of the house once more to do his master's bid.
"Aiyo, this smart-mouthed disciple of mind!" Fu Guiren sighed with a slow head-shake while eyeing the doorway.
While observing all of this, Fei Ting couldn't help but snicker into one of her sleeves. It uplifted her grim mood after watching the exchange between this master-and-disciple pair. Mostly, because she found it very endearing.
"Lu Meng is such a good boy - very gentle and considerate."
She said, lowering her sleeve from her mouth as her eyes came away from the doorway to old Fu.
"Ah, yes. Yes, he is." Fu Guiren agreed meaningfully as he began making tea.
"That boy's beginning was rather pitiful. Barely a month's old, he was left to die in the coldest of nights in an abandoned temple. But, Mistress Fate is an expert at spinning out parodies like that. Throwing in a kind-hearted Samaritan in the scene and you have yourself a bittersweet story today. In spite of all that had happened to him, that child grew up well. With a strong will and good heart to match."
Fei Ting was immersed in her own cobweb of thoughts while listening to old Fu's narration of Lu Meng's tragic origin. All the while, her pensive eyes traced a whorl on the wooden table's surface.
By the time he was done recounting to Fei Ting about Lu Meng's unluck past, old Fu had also finished pouring three cups of hot tea. Holding a steamy cup out to Fei Ting, he smiled shallowly as he attempted to change the subject.
"Put the drama aside, lucky for us, Mistress Fate had also spun a heartwarming parody that led to the discovery of tea. A wonderful remedial drink to ease off our worries from the bad parodies of life. Here to a good cup of tea."
Returning the smile, Fei Ting reached out both hands to take the offered cup. But, when old Fu withdrew his, the cup suddenly slipped from her ten fingers and fell with a thump onto the table before rolling on to its side. In effects, a splatter of steaming tea water and leaves splashed across a small section of the tabletop.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed and sprung up abruptly to search her long sleeves for her handkerchief.
"It's all right, Miss Fei. I will get a rag to--"
Fu Guiren quickly reassured her as he scoured his own sleeves for his cotton handkerchief. As he spoke, his tranquil, unconcerned gaze inadvertently fell on the spillage.
It didn't take long for Fei Ting to find a cloth in her right sleeve and when she was about to wipe the tabletop the old doctor held out a hand to stop her.
YOU ARE READING
ROHLP (🔞)
Romance*Return Of His Lost Phoenix* She is the sole survivor of the fallen Xun Dynasty's royal bloodline. Half a decade ago, her entire clan was massacred with her barely escaped with life. Now safe within the borders of her mother's desert homeland, she v...
