Zhang Wei paced outside Li Hua's quarters, his hands fidgeting with the edge of his robe. He finally knocked, the sound abrupt and sharp.
Li Hua opened the door, eyebrow raised. "Wei Shixiong, what's got you so worked up?"
He cleared his throat, avoiding her eyes. "I need your help with something… unusual."
She stepped aside, letting him in. "Unusual? Now I'm curious."
As Zhang Wei stepped into Li Hua's room, he immediately sensed a serene atmosphere enveloping him. The wooden shelves against the walls were meticulously arranged, each holding scrolls and books with titles. The air carried a faint trace of sandalwood, a lingering reminder of incense that had burned earlier. The overall ambiance was one of quiet elegance and thoughtful simplicity, reflecting Li Hua's dedication to both scholarly pursuits and the peaceful harmony of her living space.
Even with the few times he had entered her room over the course of the years, it was clear that his Shimei was very neat and meticulous. Her aesthetic sense was the best among the people that he knew.
He sat at the low table at the center of the room, Li Hua seating herself opposite him. They were surrounded by cushions, their deep blue fabric contrasting against the light-colored tatami mats that covered the floor.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I need to buy clothes for a female. I need your expertise."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh? Who is this mysterious female?"
Zhang Wei hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "It's complicated. Someone I admire deeply."
Li Hua arched an eyebrow. "You admire her but won't say who she is? This sounds intriguing."
Zhang Wei shifted uncomfortably. "Let's just say her identity needs to remain confidential. Will you help me?"
Li Hua's playful demeanor softened into skepticism. "Hold on, why are you suddenly so interested in buying clothes for a girl? This doesn't sound like you at all."
He shifted uncomfortably. "Please, Shimei, it's really important to me. Your Shixiong's future happiness might depend on it."
Her curiosity piqued, Li Hua nodded slowly. "Alright, but I need details. What kind of clothes? Her size? Fabric preference?"
He blinked, clearly out of his depth. "Size? Fabric? I... I have no idea."
She chuckled. "Buying clothes isn't as simple as you think. Do you want to stand and gawk in the fabric shop? Having an idea of what you want is a must," she insisted, shaking her head, "Come on, let's sit down. I'll guide you through it."
Li Hua fetched parchment and ink, ready to take notes. A gentle flicker of light from a paper lantern in the corner cast dancing shadows across the room, illuminating intricately embroidered tapestries depicting serene landscapes and flowering trees.
"Alright, let's start with the basics. How tall is she?"
Zhang Wei scratched his head. "About your height, maybe a bit shorter."
Li Hua nodded, jotting it down. "And her build? Slim, average?"
"Uh, slim, I guess. Why does this feel like an interrogation?"
Li Hua grinned, tapping the parchment with her brush. "Because it is, Shixiong. What about fabric? Silk, cotton, something else?"
He shrugged, clearly out of his depth. "Uh, practical? Not too flashy?"
Li Hua rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically. "You're hopeless. Alright, let's talk colours. What's her favorite?"
Zhang Wei frowned, thinking hard. "I don't know. She likes red, I think. Maybe black."
Li Hua's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Red and black, huh? Sounds like quite the firebrand. Anything specific in design?"
"Something simple. Functional." He remarked. "I don't think she is one for frills," he teased, gesturing at Li Hua's extravagant attire.
Li Hua laughed. "Noted. You know, Shixiong, you're terrible." She gestured at her notes, "You owe me for this."
Zhang Wei rubbed the back of his neck, smirking. "I know. I brought payment." Zhang Wei dangled the bait in front of her. "Here, it's Da Shixiong's letter to the master. I think you'll find it interesting."
Her eyes widened as she took the letter. "Really? You're using this to bribe me?" The bait wasn't something she would refuse, Zhang Wei knew it. She looked at him, impressed. "Wei Shixiong, this is Da Shixiong's letter to the master. You're really pulling out all the stops, aren't you?"
He shrugged. "Desperate times. I need to make sure I get this right."
***
Later, back at the sect, Li Hua read the letter from Chen Jianyu, her expression darkening. Her fingers tightened around the parchment.
"Not a single mention of me," she muttered, her grip on the letter tightening.
Zhang Wei, sensing her distress, tried to console her. "He's probably busy with his solo mission. You know how dense he can be."
She glared at the letter, muttering under her breath. "Can't even spare a moment to write a line…"
Her eyes narrowed, shifting from hurt to anger. "And what about this girl you're sneaking around with? Who is she really?"
Zhang Wei hesitated, his discomfort palpable. "Please don't ask Shimei."
"Fine, I won't ask." Li Hua watched him hold the carefully packaged clothes in his hands as if they were delicate artifacts. With a playful smirk, she couldn't resist teasing him. "So, Shixiong," she began teasingly, "is she pretty?"
Zhang Wei's cheeks tinged pink, but he responded without missing a beat. "Yes," he admitted with a sheepish grin.
Li Hua raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Prettier than me?" she asked, half in jest.
Zhang Wei didn't hesitate at all. "Definitely," he replied, with no trace of diplomacy.
"Smooth talker," she teased.
"You absolutely cannot tell Da Shixiong about this." Zhang Wei reminded her.
Li Hua's eyes gleamed with mischief. "He already knows. Heard it from our Shidi. He couldn't stop talking about how you've been less grumpy lately."
"What?" Zhang Wei looked horrified at her, wondering how they all found out about Mei Lin.
"I meant about you sneaking out often, Shixiong. Not about the identity of your mystery girl." Li Hua clarified, enjoying his discomfort.
Zhang Wei sighed in relief.
"Don't worry so much," she consoled him. "Everyone just thinks you're out being a glutton. Feng Yuhan even convinced Da Shixiong to leave you alone since you've been in a good mood lately, not picking fights with people.
Zhang Wei chuckled, touched by his Shidi's loyalty. "That brat has some use after all. All the chickens I fed him haven't gone to waste."
"I heard about that incident," Li Hua laughed, the tension easing. "You have strange ways of showing gratitude, Shixiong. But I suppose it works."
"Why Shimei?" Zhang Wei teased her back, "Would you like to be paid in roasted chicken too?"
Li Hua swatted his arm. "Some of us actually follow Taoist doctrines, you know."
"A wise person once said how can I give something up without knowing it's worth, without ever experiencing it in the first place." Zhang Wei proclaimed.
"Is the wise person you, Shixiong?" Li Hua rolled her eyes, familiar with his personality.
Zhang Wei was falsely accused this time. It had actually been Mei Lin. He had just twisted her words a little, to fit into the context. Zhang Wei smiled, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders. "Thank you, Shimei. For everything."
She nodded, her eyes softening. "Just promise me you won't get into too much trouble. And take care of this girl, whoever she is."
"I will," Zhang Wei said, his voice steady.
"Da Shixiong could learn something from you," she mumbled to herself.
Zhang Wei laughed, "I'm the best, aren't I? Maybe I should give him lessons."
Li Hua just shook her head, "Please no. One Zhang Wei is enough for this world. Just go," she shooed him out.