Shi Chun didn't care for alcohol because he wasn't the indulgent type. Since childhood, he hadn't had the luxury of being unaware. Therefore, during this drinking session, he only drank a small half of the jar, which was still more than usual because he felt obliged to accompany.

Li Hongjiu, who rose with a full stomach, was satisfied. He had consumed three jars of fine wine by himself, and even though the jars weren't big, it was no small feat.

Their feigned camaraderie became more tangible, as they walked out, arms around shoulders, calling each other brother.

As soon as the courtyard gate opened, Xiao Sheng was already there with a carriage prepared for them. Once the two got inside, he personally drove them away.

They roamed around through streets and alleys, and eventually the carriage stopped not far from Bai's Rice Shop, from where one could see it obliquely with the curtain lifted.

The rice shop had its door board down, as if it was reopened.

Inside the carriage, Shi Chun pointed to the rice shop outside the window and said to Li Hongjiu beside him, "Brother Jiu, let's make this quick, go and come back fast."

Despite having several glasses of wine boosting his courage, when the moment came, Li Hongjiu felt a bit nervous.

He hesitated, saying, "If you like someone, you like them. You don't necessarily have to say it out loud, do you? Why must I confess?"

Shi Chun stared dryly, thinking, haven't we already agreed on this? Now you're pulling this? He then earnestly advised, "Should I leave some excuse regarding Bai Qiru unresolved? Isn't it that your lover was brought out, so you agree to accept disciples? You have never interacted with Bai Qiru, and you plan never to interact in the future; what sort of thing is that? At least when people inquire from Bai Qiru, Bai Qiru should be able to affirm that it's indeed the case, right?"

"No," Li Hongjiu replied, exhaling the wine breath and feeling a bit baffled, "Brother, can't we do something decent when we meet in the future? Is it appropriate that every time we're together there's sneakiness, scams, and deceit involved?"

Shi Chun chuckled, inwardly cursing, as if I led you astray. When leaving Divine Fire Domain, our plan was clearly agreed upon, don't think I don't know about the good deeds you did; if I hadn't been cautious enough, I might have gotten killed by your Extreme Fire Sect.

Still, on the surface he faked a hiccup and patted his belly, saying, "I don't entirely agree with that statement; drinking fine wine is a refined affair, how can you call it scams and deceit?"

With that said, Li Hongjiu smacked his lips, decided to let it go, and immediately raised his hand to cast a spell, forcefully expelling the alcohol from his body, making the carriage's air thick with the wine aroma.

Once he sobered up, he was about to climb down from the carriage, but Shi Chun grabbed him by the arm, signaling to his appearance, "Don't make it so that people can't recognize the real Li Hongjiu when they confront you later, return to your true form."

Li Hongjiu promptly tidied himself, rubbed his face with both hands, and lifted the curtain to happily jump out, now resembling someone who'd rather act boldly than timidly.

Shi Chun peered from behind a slightly lifted corner of the curtain, watching.

Armed with solitary courage, Li Hongjiu barged into the rice shop and collided with the smiling clerk greeting him.

"Sir, is there anything I can help you with?" the clerk inquired with a smile and, while asking, his nostrils twitched, catching the scent of alcohol on the visitor.

Li Hongjiu glanced around the interior of the rice shop, saw only the clerk and no one else, and immediately said, "I am looking for the madam owner."

The clerk was slightly stunned, a hint of vigilance showed on his face, and he cautiously asked, "What business does the gentleman have with the madam owner?"

Li Hongjiu replied, "Please inform her that Li Hongjiu wishes to see her."

Shi Chun had told him that he had already informed the madam owner that he liked her, so the madam owner should naturally know him.

"Li Hongjiu…" the clerk muttered, vaguely feeling the name was somewhat familiar, immediately bowed and said, "Please wait for a moment."

Having said that, he quickly ran to the back hall.

Not long afterwards, he rushed out again and extended his hand to invite, "Mr. Li, the madam owner invites you to go inside yourself. I need to stay outside to look after the shop."

Li Hongjiu nodded his thanks and went inside observing the surroundings.

He reached the interior through a corridor flanked by high piles of rice bags, discovering it was a back hall with a half-warehouse nature.

Even before entering, a faint smoke smell was sensed, and upon entering he found the source behind a long table: a plump and beautiful woman with bright and lovely features, dressed in snow-white attire, strikingly handsome, holding a smoking pipe beside her mouth. The scene carried a surreal beauty.

The woman sat motionless behind the table, her eyes studying the visitor. The lighting here wasn't great, yet it couldn't obstruct the sunny disposition of the approaching man's face; his smile was full of sunshine, with a dash of lazy warmth from sun exposure, and he was pleasing to the eye.

Is this Li Hongjiu? Having been reminded by Shi Chun, she was now in a dilemma, unsure how to address him, unexpectedly caught off guard by his personal visit.

Ultimately, the two faced each other across a table, one standing, one seated. The host didn't greet the guest, nor did the guest greet the host.

Remarkably, after a mere glance, Li Hongjiu felt that Shi Chun wasn't lying; he truly found the vibe around this woman quite agreeable. At least she wasn't ostentatious like many women, she somehow suited his preferences.

Ultimately, Li Hongjiu was the first to speak, cupping his fist in greeting, "I am Li Hongjiu, a disciple of Yanbao Sect, meeting the madam owner."

Bai Qiru finally came to her senses, quickly stood up in response, "I have long admired Mr. Li's reputation, Bai Qiru meets Mr. Li."

Li Hongjiu: "I heard you suffered a lot when imprisoned, are you alright now?"

Bai Qiru, somewhat nervous, replied, "It's alright, everything seems fine now."

"That's good. I won't disturb you then, farewell." Li Hongjiu cupped his fist, turned, and departed.

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