"No need, we can just find a place to sit,"
Lin Fan pointed to the empty table near the door. "I'm a carnivore, and it's not good to be too close to Master Longpu."
"This..."
The servant was stunned. Who dared to disobey the master's orders?
"It's alright, if Master Zheng asks, just say it was my idea."
Lin Fan wasn't being arrogant, but rather the condescending attitude of Zhu Mengfei when she accompanied Longpu earlier had made him uncomfortable. If they had to sit at the same table, he suspected he wouldn't be able to enjoy his meal.
"Alright then."
The servant nodded and respectfully retreated.
Delicious dishes were soon served.
Zheng Xingchao invited Master Longpu to try the vegetarian dishes specially prepared by the chef. When he looked up, he noticed the second wife and her son sitting alone.
Zheng Xingchao looked around and finally found Lin Fan and his two companions in an inconspicuous corner. Seeing Lin Fan and the siblings chatting and laughing, with Zheng Yue occasionally chiming in, Zheng Xingchao breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Li Yusheng wasn't a force to be reckoned with yet, it was only because he was too young to command respect. In another decade or so, he would surely achieve great things. At that time, the Zheng family might need his help. As for Lin Fan, at just twenty-something, he already possessed divine abilities, and his future was boundless. "Indeed, my most outstanding daughter! Building good relationships with them will bring nothing but benefits!"
Zheng Xingchao beckoned a servant and whispered a few instructions.
Meanwhile.
Lin Fan met Li Yurou's occasional provocations with a smile, but did not engage. He was leaving in a few days, so why pick a fight? Besides, Li Yurou wasn't offering millions as stakes, so why would he bother?
Zheng Yue laughed heartily, "Master Li and Master Lin are both outstanding figures of the younger generation. Why spoil the harmony? The fish is here, let's eat that first," she said as Zheng Ke brought over the fish. Lin Fan gestured for them to start.
Li Yurou pouted, clearly displeased.
"Fifth Miss,"
A young servant approached with a tray, holding a bottle of aged red wine.
"The master asked me to send this over,"
The servant placed the wine on the table, uncorked it with practiced elegance, and poured the wine into a stemmed glass.
Li Yurou's eyes lit up, "Wow~ 1998 Romanée-Conti!"
Zheng Yue smiled, "Miss Yurou, you certainly know your wine. This is part of my father's collection. Everyone, please have a taste."
"What's a Conti?"
Lin Fan had never tasted such fine red wine.
Zheng Yue patiently explained, "Romanée-Conti is the world's top red wine. All critics consider it the best in the world and it enjoys great prestige in elite circles." She smiled at Lin Fan, "In mainland China, Lafite is more widely recognized, right?"
"Uh... I hardly drink red wine, I've only heard of it."
Lin Fan suddenly recalled a classic line from a TV show: "A bottle of '82 Lafite!" He had wondered back then why wine from 1982, which should be readily available, hadn't sold out after so many years.
Zheng Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "We are particularly fond of Romanée-Conti here. My father is a frequent guest at the winery, purchasing a batch of fine wines every year. Over time, his collection has become quite substantial. If you'd like some, I can give you a few bottles."
"This... is that appropriate?"
Lin Fan was tempted. He didn't drink red wine, but such a fine thing could be taken back for his sister-in-law to try. When you care about someone, you always think of them in everything you do.
"Then it's settled. I'll personally pick out a few bottles. My father certainly won't be stingy."
Zheng Yue readily agreed.
Lin Fan clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for your generosity, Fifth Miss."
The meal concluded with everyone feeling content. It wasn't until past three in the afternoon that the servants escorted the inebriated guests back to their rooms. Lin Fan patted his full stomach and glanced towards Zheng Xingchao. Their table had already been cleared and replaced with a tea set. Zheng Xingchao and his wife were in deep conversation with Longpu, as if they had endless topics to discuss.
Seeing that everyone had eaten their fill, Zheng Yue suggested, "Let me show you around."
"Okay."
"We'd be delighted."
Lin Fan and the siblings nodded in agreement. Just as they were about to leave, Lin Fan's gaze inadvertently met Longpu's.
*Swish!*
Something the size of a peanut suddenly flew towards him. Lin Fan caught it, not feeling much force. Longpu smiled, as if nothing had happened, and continued talking with Zheng Xingchao and his wife. Lin Fan was puzzled, feeling that the object in his hand was a crumpled piece of paper.
"What are you spacing out for? Let's go," Li Yurou urged him impatiently, seeing Lin Fan standing still.
"Oh, coming," Lin Fan suppressed his scattered thoughts and hurried to catch up.
***
Ten o'clock at night, the moon was bright and the stars were scattered. The Zheng family residence was situated on the mountainside, and the lights gradually dimmed. Occasionally, a team of guards, carrying flashlights, patrolled the perimeter diligently.
A figure, like a ghost, darted out from behind a large tree after the guards had passed. It was Lin Fan. He had indeed received a paper ball, which read: "Tonight at midnight, meet at Crescent Bay, no excuses."
The moon was peeking over the willows, and lovers met at dusk. Others met under the moonlit flowers with affectionate whispers. But the one who had asked Lin Fan to meet was an old monk.
As he descended the mountain, the security system deployed by the Zheng family was as ineffective as air to Lin Fan. Soon, the gentle sound of flowing water reached his ears under the moonlight. A stream flowing down the mountain made a turn here, widening considerably, forming a beautiful crescent shape. Zheng Yue had specifically brought them here during their tour that afternoon.
Legend had it that a chaste maiden, unable to bear the murder of her lover and her own humiliation by a villain, had leaped into Crescent Bay on her wedding day, choosing to die. Afterward, she transformed into a river spirit and caused seven days and nights of torrential rain, drowning the villain's entire family. After avenging herself, her resentment dissipated, and she has since protected the land with favorable weather and bountiful harvests, holding a place of reverence in the hearts of the local people.
Lin Fan sighed inwardly, "If only I were meeting a woman for a romantic rendezvous!"
"Amitabha,"
A soft Buddhist chant suddenly sounded beside Lin Fan's ear.
"Benefactor Lin, you have arrived."
On the riverbank, a figure in a yellow kasaya sat cross-legged on the ground. Longpu turned his head, a kind smile on his benevolent face greeting Lin Fan.
"Master, I hope you are well."
Having spent two days in Siam, Lin Fan had picked up their habit of greeting with a Buddhist bow whenever the occasion arose.
"May I ask the reason for your late-night visit, Master?"
Lin Fan walked forward and, after a moment's thought, also sat cross-legged on the soft sand.
"I observe that Benefactor Lin has an extraordinary aura, unlike that of an ordinary person. May I ask which school or sect you belong to?" Longpu inquired.
Lin Fan replied at a leisurely pace, "My master is the president of the Northern Feng Shui Association, Zhong Chen."
"Oh?"
Longpu frowned, puzzled. When had such a figure emerged in the feng shui world? Due to geographical proximity, the Nanyang region had always been dominated by the Liqi School, with little interaction with the Xing Shi School.