She was truly too beautiful; in that instant, most of the people who laid eyes on her came to the unanimous decision that she was the most beautiful woman that they had seen in their lives. Even Gu Xiang was agape for a moment, before she tugged at Cao Weining’s sleeve, whispering, “Look at her, she isn’t a goddess, is she?”

Yet, Cao Weining only glanced once in the direction Gu Xiang was looking in and rescinded his attention, whispering, “This woman’s gaze strays and drifts--the books on physiognomy call this an ‘intoxicating gaze’, she absolutely has no good intentions, and cannot compare with...with…”

His last few words were mumbled very softly, so softly that Gu Xiang, who was staring transfixed at the beauty, did not notice.

But a chuckle escaped Wen Kexing, who mused that Cao Weining was not a quick person himself, and no wonder was so was averse to others whose gazes strayed quickly. Even the one he had set his heart on was Gu Xiang, who was always in a daze.

That beauty swept her gaze around the place once, then came upstairs, heading in their direction. She didn’t look at anyone else, her gaze locked solely on Zhou Zishu, as if her pair of amorous eyes had only space for him. She sauntered over to stand beside him, and bent to say with a flowery breath, “Could I ask you to buy me a drink?”

This was Lady Luck fallen from the heavens--anyone would have been disoriented upon impact. But without even waiting for Zhou Zishu to speak, a third-wheeling hand shot out from one side and planted itself between them like a barricade. Wen Kexing stuck his hand into Zhou Zishu’s robes, fished his coin pouch out in the blink of an eye, and boldly shoved it into his own robes, then said calmly, “Miss, I’m afraid not.”

Chapter 35: Green Vixen

Zhou Zishu raised his head to study this beauty, the expression on his face gentle, and asked softly, “Miss, does this humble one know you?”

That beautiful woman chuckled. “Are you unwilling to buy me a drink just because you don’t recognise me?”

Zhou Zishu smiled, and said, “How am I unwilling? Never mind a flask of wine, with such a character like yours, miss, even if you want to consume my flesh, drink my blood, this humble one won’t even bat an eye--waiter, serve us a flask of good wine.”

Then he paused, swept an eye over Wen Kexing and his unfriendly mien, and pointed to him, telling the waiter, “Put it on his tab.”

This was the first time Gu Xiang had seen such vibrant reds and purples blooming on her own master’s face, and she instantly felt that this meal was so, so worth it.