Chapter 90: Encountering a Fellow Traveler

No matter how dissatisfied Zeng Rongjing was, the wedding day still arrived.

Ji Xiao did not leave the mansion to await the marriage; he still slept and ate with Zeng Rongsu every day.

On the wedding day, the Zeng family did not hold a grand banquet. They only invited relatives from the family and the managers of various shops.

Ji Xiao and Zeng Rongsu wore identical wedding robes. After bowing, they went together to toast the guests.

They drank until slightly tipsy before returning to the bridal chamber.

With a smile, Ji Xiao said, “Although I sleep here every night, seeing it decorated like this truly fills my heart with joy.”

Zeng Rongsu: Me too.

“We have long consummated our marriage, but tonight is our wedding night. I will not disappoint you.”

Hearing this, Zeng Rongsu extended his index finger and shook it: Only once.

Ji Xiao: “…”

Ever since he had been stimulated by exploring memories and fallen into a coma, Zeng Rongsu somehow came to believe that it was because he had done it too many times that he had passed out. After that, no matter how much Ji Xiao wanted, Zeng Rongsu insisted on only once.

More than that, and he would throw a tantrum.

Ji Xiao said helplessly, “It doesn’t have to be just once. My coma last time really wasn’t because of this.”

Zeng Rongsu: Just once.

Ji Xiao pushed him onto the bed: “Fine, just once. One time all night. As long as I don’t come out, it counts as one time.”

Zeng Rongsu’s eyes widened: You’re cheating!

Ji Xiao lowered the bed curtain and leaned down.

One night was, of course, impossible.

The young master, who had been drinking, was unexpectedly more relaxed. Later, when the alcohol hit him, he clung to Ji Xiao, refusing to let go, moaning and demanding again and again.

They did it several times.

Ji Xiao thought that when he woke up the next day, he would probably blush with embarrassment.

But they still had to perform the rituals.

They were officially married. The next morning, they had to serve tea to his parents.

While serving tea, Zeng Rongsu couldn’t help stealing glances at Ji Xiao’s waist. He also kept checking Ji Xiao’s expression, his eyes full of worry, afraid that Ji Xiao might fall into another coma.

Ji Xiao: Had no choice but to keep smiling.

Black Cat clicked its tongue: “This young master really is gifted. He should be worried about his own waist, right? Why is he staring at you? Could it be that you didn’t do it seven times last night, and he thinks your stamina isn’t good enough?”

Ji Xiao: [Shut up.]

Old Master Zeng and Madam Zeng exchanged a subtle glance.

Old Master Zeng: I’m afraid our son has been immoderate again.

Madam Zeng: It is, after all, the wedding night.

Even Zeng Rongjing became suspicious: Could it be that his younger brother was actually on top?

He had thought that his pampered younger brother would suffer a loss.

If that was the case, so be it. He would wait and see. If Lu Xiao behaved, it would be fine. If not, he could always deal with him.

After serving tea, Ji Xiao officially became a member of the Zeng family.

The next day, Zeng Rongjing left for the capital.

Ji Xiao and Zeng Rongsu began following Manager Chen out to learn how to handle the family’s businesses. They also met the managers of the various shops.

They started to get the hang of things.

One day, they went to inspect a family-owned restaurant.

Ji Xiao looked at the somewhat desolate restaurant and asked, “Is it new?”

Manager Chen said, “Yes. Many of the dishes and wines there are ones we’ve never seen before.”

Ji Xiao became interested: “Let’s go take a look.”

Manager Chen: “Yes.”

Manager Chen led them to the outside of that new restaurant.

Ji Xiao saw the eye-catching signboard: “The Best Restaurant Under Heaven. That’s quite a bold claim.”

Manager Chen gave a wry smile: “Young Master Lu, please look. Outside their restaurant, there’s a row of long benches for people waiting. There are also simple long tables with free fruits and snacks.”

They didn’t block the road, but could seat many people.

At that moment, the benches were almost full of people.

“Whether they’re waiting to be seated or planning to look around first and come back later, they can get a numbered wooden tag inside the restaurant. They are called in order. Once there’s a seat, they can go in to eat,” Manager Chen explained with a sigh. “Even if they have to wait a long time, they’re willing to queue.”

Ji Xiao walked forward: “Let’s go inside and have a look.”

As soon as they stepped into the restaurant, a girl in a pink long dress with a maiden’s bun came up to them. With a sweet smile, she said, “The restaurant is fully booked now. If you’d like to dine, please take a number and wait.”

Ji Xiao said indifferently, “How many tables are ahead?”

The girl asked, “May I ask if you are three guests?”

Ji Xiao: “Mm.”

“For three, there are still twenty-two tables ahead.”

Ji Xiao had already seen it.

The restaurant’s decor was unlike a traditional one. All the tables were the same size.

It was more like a modern restaurant.

There were square tables and round tables, tables for two or three, and large tables.

The decoration was nice.

There were even beautiful flowers and plants on the tables.

Ji Xiao saw the menu on the counter and his gaze froze.

[Cat, did you see that?]

Black Cat: “…I saw it.”

[Brandy, whiskey, vodka… Are these wines from this world?]

Black Cat: “They are not, meow.”

[So she’s a time traveler, not a host?]

Black Cat: “No, she’s from the same world, unless she’s a stowaway or there’s been an accident. I just checked, so she should be a time traveler.”

[For you guys, a time traveler isn’t a stowaway?]

Black Cat: “No, meow. Some people carry special luck and occasionally experience time travel or reincarnation. Host doesn’t need to worry too much.”

[I want to meet this time traveler. Does she have a system?]

Black Cat: “…I suggest not having too much contact with time travelers. They’re not under our jurisdiction. Even if she has a system, it’s different from ours. She might even be able to kill you.”

[Heh]

Then I should definitely meet her.

We both have systems. I really want to see the difference.

Black Cat: “Time travelers and reincarnators all have special luck. Host, please don’t mess around. You should quickly root out all threats, fully control the Zeng family, and complete the mission.”

[Oh]

Black Cat: “I’m serious, Host. You only have two worlds left. If you fail, everything will be lost.”

Ji Xiao thought to himself: If he couldn’t find a way by the end, then he would definitely let the mission fail. He didn’t want to clear the game and get brainwashed just to start over.

The girl saw that he seemed distracted and coughed lightly: “Sir, would you like to take a number?”

Ji Xiao gave a gentle smile: “I’m from the Zeng family restaurant. Could I meet your boss?”

The girl was startled. Was he here to cause trouble?

Despite her surprise, she maintained a smile: “Please wait a moment, sir. I’ll go inform them.”

Ji Xiao nodded.

Manager Chen watched the girl walk away and said softly, “Young Master Lu, what are you planning to do?”

Ji Xiao said indifferently, “Discuss a cooperation.”

Zeng Rongsu had already looked around the full restaurant. Hearing this, he felt a little worried.

If he was rejected, Xiao Xiao would be disappointed… He would have to find a way to comfort him.

Meanwhile, a few more people came in to take numbers. Another girl in the same pink long dress led them to get numbers.

Zeng Rongsu tugged at Ji Xiao’s sleeve, pointing at the pink-dressed girls coming and going in the restaurant.

Ji Xiao asked softly, “Do you think it’s nice that they all dress the same?”

Zeng Rongsu nodded.

Manager Chen, however, disapproved: “If you ask me, which restaurant doesn’t hire waiters? They’ve only hired these young, beautiful girls. How is that different from a brothel? I think many people come here just for these girls.”

Their food and wine might not be that exceptional.

Ji Xiao glanced at him: “If waiters can serve guests and pour tea, why can’t these girls? They’re doing the same job. How does that relate to brothels? Manager Chen, please don’t talk nonsense.”

Manager Chen: “But women…”

“What about women? Our dynasty is not like the previous one. Women can also find work and support their families. Manager Chen, don’t make a fool of yourself.”

“Even so, it’s still rare for women to show their faces in public…”

“Manager Chen, that’s outdated thinking. Back when the Zeng family was just starting out, it was Mother who built it up bit by bit. Father was only assisting.”

Manager Chen: “…”

Zeng Rongsu, who was listening nearby, nodded repeatedly.

Manager Chen realized he had said too much. Afraid that they would repeat his words to Madam Zeng, a cold sweat trickled down: “I was wrong to think that. Please forgive me, both young masters.”

Just then, the girl who had first received them returned: “Sir, our boss invites you in.”

Ji Xiao: “Thank you.”

“Please follow me.”

She led them to the backyard.

The backyard had lush green grass and many flowering trees.

In the courtyard, a woman and a man were playing chess.

The girl brought them to the chess table: “Boss, I’ve brought them.”

The woman acknowledged: “You go back to the front.”

“Yes.”

The woman put down her chess piece and looked at the empty stone stool beside the table: “Please, have a seat.”

Ji Xiao pulled Zeng Rongsu to sit between them.

Manager Chen stood to the side, not intending to sit.

The woman was elegantly beautiful and had a leisurely demeanor: “I’m Pang Xiaoxiao, the owner of this restaurant. This is my husband, Guo Yi.”

Ji Xiao also introduced himself: “My name is Lu Xiao. This is my husband, Zeng Rongsu. I’m now managing the Zeng family restaurant.”

Pang Xiaoxiao picked up a chess piece and played with it: “So, you’ve come to seek advice?”

Using the word “seek advice” showed her confidence in her own restaurant.

Ji Xiao smiled: “I have something I’d like to discuss with Boss Pang alone, regarding wines like brandy. Do you have time?”

Pang Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow.

Ji Xiao nodded.

Pang Xiaoxiao stood up with a smile: “Alright. Come with me.”

Ji Xiao looked at Guo Yi: “My husband is quite good at chess. Would you be willing to play a game with him?”

Guo Yi: “Sure.”

Ji Xiao squeezed Zeng Rongsu’s hand and said gently, “You play chess with Mr. Guo. I need to talk with Boss Pang about something. Is that okay?”

Zeng Rongsu obediently nodded.

Ji Xiao stood up and patted his head: “Good.”

Then he followed Pang Xiaoxiao.

Pang Xiaoxiao didn’t take him far, only to a corridor where they could still see the people in the courtyard.

She relaxed her posture, not nervous at all: “Fellow countryman?”

Ji Xiao smiled: “I thought that with such a high profile, you were looking for someone like yourself.”

She leaned against the pillar, looking at Guo Yi in the courtyard with a half-smile: “I thought I would never find anyone.”

“Why do you say that?” Ji Xiao also turned slightly, looking at Zeng Rongsu.

“I tried in many cities. I only stay in each city for a month. If no one comes within a month, I’ll hire a manager to take over, leave a message, and move on to the next city.”

Ji Xiao recalled the plot upon hearing this.

This restaurant wasn’t mentioned in the original story.

In the early stages, Lu Xiao was focused on winning over Zeng Rongsu. Later, he poisoned the Zeng family and was killed by Zeng Rongjing.

He hadn’t paid attention to such a restaurant.

Ji Xiao: “You opened the restaurant just to find someone like yourself?”

“Mm,” she admitted generously. “If anyone else is like me, seeing these names of wines and dishes, if they want to meet, they’ll definitely seek me out.”

Ji Xiao agreed: “Indeed.”

“How long have you been in this world?” she asked.

Ji Xiao: “Less than a year.”

Pang Xiaoxiao sighed softly: “I’ve been here for over ten years. Can you tell? I’m twenty-nine now.”

“You take good care of yourself. You look like you’re only twenty,” Ji Xiao paused. “Do you have a system?”

The smile on her face faded: “I used to. What about you? Is your system still there?”

Ji Xiao was silent for a moment, then said, “It’s gone.”

Used to have it.

Meant that she no longer had one.

Black Cat: “Oh dear! She doesn’t even have a system anymore. What’s there to talk about? She’s just an ordinary time traveler now. Let’s get out of here.”

Ji Xiao: [No rush. Let’s satisfy my curiosity.]

Black Cat: “…”

“I see,” she said, somewhat disappointed. “Looks like I’ll just have to keep waiting.”

Ji Xiao: “Hmm?”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

A Tangy New Life After Breaking Up with My Girlfriend

HaremRomanceSlice of Life

Read Now →
Not interested