"Alright," Heng Xīnyán stood at the village entrance and instantly loud chatter entered her ears as the busy streets of the village entered her eyes. "Time to bore a hole in a cultivator's spell." She muttered and Bàolì Hua remained numb.
Heng Xīnyán hummed, "Ready?" she asked Bàolì Hua who took a deep breath before nodding her head. Heng Xīnyán then bore a hole in the spell by placing her palm on the barrier that prevented them from entering the villager.
"Red Fog Transformation: Needle!" She muttered, watching as the needle pierced the yellow spell that could only be seen by cultivators. It shuddered lightly after a few minutes and they entered the village.
Hearing the loud shouts and the busyness of the small village, they enjoyed the rush of the village before they joined the busy streets walking at the pace of the crowd.
"Talisman! Talisman! Buy one to protect you and your loved ones from the evil spiritual energy from the Enchanted Rose Forest!" A vendor yelled, his fat white body shook when he waved his so-called talisman in the air. His loud voice only caused annoyance as many cast him a fleeting glance of disdain when they passed him.
Yet the vendor didn't care nor did he have shame. Hence, he opened his mouth again. Heng Xīnyán and Bàolì Hua tried their best to walk alongside each other. Even if they were barely succeeding, they still stayed in each other's line of sight.
"Bàolì Hua, look a tea shop!" Heng Xīnyán took Bàolì Hua's arm and pulled her into the small tea shop named Cheng's which was located in the heart of the Hu village.
Unlike the busyness of the village. Inside the tea shop was calm and there were barely any customers inside.
Hence, upon seeing the two peerless beauties enter his tea shop with a ding of the doorbell. Cheng Fu rushed up to them with a smile, "Hello… welcome!"
Heng Xīnyán smiled at him politely and Cheng Fu bowed with a red blush rising on his cheeks.
"Umm… table for two, please?" Heng Xīnyán asked softly. Her siren-shaped eyes looked at the male with a narrowed stare.
Cheng Fu nodded, "Yes. Yes. This way to the tea room. Which room would you like?"
"What are the preferences?" Heng Xīnyán asked, wishing she had a fan to act coy.
"Chūn tiān, Dōng tiān, Qiū tiān, and Xià tiān," Cheng Fu smiled yet his eyes were filled with greed upon noticing the good quality of the Hanfus they wore.
Being looked at like a bag of money gave Bàolì Hua an uncomfortable feeling. Hence, she let out a cold snort before looking at Heng Xīnyán, "Sister, why not look for another tea shop?"
Cheng Fu's smile froze on his face as he looked at Bàolì Hua blankly.
Heng Xīnyán's smile stayed the same but it became wider as her eyes lit up with laughter but before she could open her mouth, Cheng Fu beat her to it.
"Ah? Why do that, Miss? My tea shop is the most popular in Hu Village with the room as well as the tea quality that is top tiered!" Cheng Fu boasted, patting his chest as pride shone from his black eyes.
Bàolì Hua scoffed, "So what if your tea shop is the most popular," she rolled her eyes as she continued, "Other tea shops can be underrated!"
Cheng Fu paled, "Miss, I will get you, my most expensive room! The Seasons for you to rate for free!" He mentioned, hoping to tempt this hot tempted Young Lady.
Bàolì Hua sent him a cold glance, "How sensible of you." She took her cold eyes off him and Cheng Fu wiped his forehead which was filled with sweat as he guided the two rich misses into the tea room on the third floor of his tea shop.
"Satisfied misses?" Cheng Fu questioned. Flattery decorated his face and Bàolì Hua waved him off. "It will do," she stated with distaste.
If Cheng Fu knew that these so-called rich misses are broke beyond the poor people in Hu Village, he would vomit blood from anger.
Broke equals no money.
Fortunately, he didn't.
"I will brew the tea and bring it personally, misses!" Cheng Fu bowed and paused when he heard Heng Xīnyán's sweet voice.
"And Mister, can we have some refreshments along with the tea?" She asked coyly and Cheng Fu nodded rapidly as he hid his red face.
"Yes, Missy! Right up!" He exited the room, sliding the door close.
Both demonic cultivators relaxed. Heng Xīnyán flicked her sleeves before she sat on the mat placed by the long table. She watched Bàolì Hua with amused eyes before she looked around the room.
The square room was not too big nor too small as it was surrounded by pink pear blossoms paintings on all three sides. Even the door had paintings, the opening in the room was in front of them, showing a small veranda to stand on.
"What a nice tea room," Heng Xīnyán muttered, satisfied. Her eyes then landed on the cold female in green opposite her. Bàolì Hua barely looked at her as she looked at the poems on the xuan paper with gentle appreciated eyes.
Bored, Heng Xīnyán counted the pear blossoms on the paintings when Cheng Fu came back holding a silver tray with a delicate small teapot on it and two small tea cups.
"Misses," He smiled fawningly, bending to place the teapot on the table with two tea cups. He then waved the two females from behind him over. The females placed the two bowls on the table before bowing and moving back while saying, "Misses… please enjoy."
Cheng Fu bowed and retreated with his servants behind him as he slid the door closed.
Heng Xīnyán took the small pure white teapot and poured some tea into the small white tea cup. Seeing the light yellow liquid, her brows rose in thought, then she smelt the steam of the tea.
"Ahhh, Oolong tea," she placed the teapot down and took a sip from the delicate tea cup.
Bàolì Hua put down the xuan paper then she asked, "How does it feel to have a middle-aged-looking man lust after you?"
Heng Xīnyán sprayed the tea out of her mouth and she looked at Bàolì Hua speechlessly.
Looking at Bàolì Hua resentfully, Heng Xīnyán wiped her lips with a soft cloth that the lady servants of Cheng Fu brought.
"I'm curious," Bàolì Hua muttered, looking at Heng Xīnyán with wide curious eyes that made Heng Xīnyán shudder from her sticky eyes.
Heng Xīnyán humphed, "This is not a proper topic to speak about as young ladies!" She stated loudly as she chastised Bàolì Hua. Looking disappointed in Bàolì Hua.
Bàolì Hua removed her eyes from Heng Xīnyán as she picked up the teapot to pour some tea into her tea cup. Sipping the tea slowly, Bàolì Hua muttered, "We are not Young Ladies, though."
Heng Xīnyán narrowed her eyes at her, "We looked like them! So must we act like them!"
Bàolì Hua raised her brows, "Oh…" She blew the tea in her cup slowly before she sipped it. Heng Xīnyán ignored her and she slit the wooden chopsticks bought by the mid servants and was ready to eat the refreshments.
Having small dumplings in a medium-sized silver bowl. Heng Xīnyán ate one and her little red lips closed as she chewed while blinking in surprise. A burst of rosemary, onions, grated cheese, and hints of pork, made her taste buds dance lightly in happiness.
"This dumpling is delicious!" She then exclaimed.