One food admirer and one free meal enthusiast turned the table into a full-blown battle with heavy murderous atmosphere.

After winning one plate to himself, Wen Kexing smiled at Zhou Zishu while waiting for the next dish, “I’ve met my match, no wonder why this meal has become so much more delicious.”

Zhou Zishu looked at him scornfully. What are you, a chicken? Why all this fighting?

At that moment, there was a commotion on the lower floor. A waiter taunted loudly, “Hey, Young Master, you sure dress and behave well, why do you want to dine and dash? And the prepayment letter nonsense too, you must have heard too many stories. Which court scholar are you then? Are you a Principle Graduate2 and if so, which examination did you ace in? And the calligraphy…”

The crowd around them laughed. Wen Kexing stuck his head out to look at the scene under them, rubbing his chin while whispering, “A beauty…”

Zhou Zishu followed his gaze. Downstairs was a flustered young man wearing dark blue clothes, a xiao3 by his hip. His clothes didn’t stand out at first glance, but when one took a closer look, the materials were incredibly exquisite. The jade xiao was also finely crafted; even if he wasn’t an expert, he knew it must have cost a fortune. Zhou Zishu felt a sense of familiarity in the way he dressed and laughed quietly.

Wen Kexing asked, “What are you laughing at?”

“He tries to dress inconspicuously but ends up doing a terrible job of it. He reminds me of someone I knew.”

While they were talking, the ignorant young man surrounded by the crowd looked up, his eyes glossing over them. Zhou Zishu shook his head; he surely must be of the most distinguished nobility. Someone well-versed in dissipated behaviors would never have that doe-eyed look to him. “Brother Wen, your chance for merit gathering has come.”

Wen Kexing—initially watching his companion’s expression—was startled at that, hand rummaging in his chest pocket. “Yeah, you have a point, it’s a must to aid a beauty in need… Hm?”

He stopped dead in his track, face strange, “Brother Wen.”

“Huh?”

“I was thinking, how about you do it instead?” Wen Kexing smiled awkwardly, “I myself have done a lot in my lifetime, there’s no need to steal your moment…”

Zhou Zishu beamed at him.

After a few seconds, Wen Kexing sighed, shoulders sagging. “Back when we were on the street, I helped a dashing man when he tripped and fell, he even smiled at me too… Hah, how could I ever know that a person with such charm turned out to be a thief?”