Ultimately, this farce ended under Xu Ping’an’s ramblings.
However, the Liu family didn’t rush to leave. Instead, they sat down steadily at the Eight Immortals Table, waiting for lunch.
The reason… was because Pei Qingxuan suddenly said, “Honey, I’m hungry, I want to eat.”
Then, the Liu family’s Old Ancestor and Liu Yingying overheard it.
In this era, ordinary families couldn’t afford three meals a day.
Common folk had a fixed two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Usually around 5 AM to around 5 PM.
Even though this world is surprisingly vast, time is still divided into twelve shichen, just as he was familiar with.
“I’ve long heard that you, young man, have some culinary skills, but I didn’t expect that even imperial chefs probably couldn’t compare to you, could they?”
When everyone was seated, the eldest person naturally picked up their chopsticks first.
And it’s said that at sixty, one’s ears are attuned, and at seventy, one can do as one pleases without overstepping bounds.
At Old Ancestor Liu’s age, even if there were slight improprieties in etiquette, people generally wouldn’t nitpick.
After all, judging by his age, this old fellow might already be one hundred and thirty or forty years old.
To be able to cultivate to the Golden Core stage at this age, looking like an immortal, he might even be a notable figure in the cultivation world.
“They say immortals don’t eat earthly things, but I didn’t expect you, old sir, to refuse nothing that comes your way.”
Xu Ping’an sat in his seat, looking at the old man who was not at all polite, and was quite curious.
After all, he had been in this world for so many years, and he had rarely encountered cultivators, or rather… almost never encountered cultivators. He was still quite curious about cultivation in this world.
“What nonsense! Even true gods have to eat the offerings presented to them. Can they escape this mortal dust? If even gods can’t avoid it, what about us cultivators who are still human? We still eat and drink as we please.”
As he spoke, the old man suddenly stretched out his hand.
“Young man, you said you once went to Liuyun Sect to seek apprenticeship but were turned away, right? Come, let me see. What if they just had no vision!”
The more he interacted with him, the more Liu Zongting liked this young man.
His medical skills aside, just the fact that he could openly criticize him for ‘failing to discipline his child’ was enough to show that this young man was not someone ordinary people could compare to.
Even if Liu Zongting didn’t put on airs, with his current appearance of white hair and youthful face, who wouldn’t respectfully address him as ‘Immortal’?
Let alone mere mortals, even those officials would bow and scrape and be polite when they saw him.
Therefore, purely by courage, this young man already surpassed over ninety percent of people.
Furthermore, his cooking skills truly broadened his horizons.
He handled himself well and didn’t lack cleverness.
If this boy’s physique was just barely acceptable, Liu Zongting even planned to take him as a disciple.
For no other reason, he just simply took a liking to him.
Cultivators value that.
“It seems, old sir, you really think I’m still alright?”
Xu Ping’an wasn’t surprised.
This old man, though seemingly cynical, hadn’t actually lost his manners since entering the courtyard.
While it looked like he was just cheering from the sidelines with a penchant for drama, he was actually subtly backing his junior.
Moreover, he intentionally or unintentionally guided the situation’s direction, neither making Liu Yingying look particularly bad nor making things too difficult for the people in the courtyard.
For this alone, Xu Ping’an admired him greatly.
“You’re quite to my liking, young man. If you don’t mind…”
As he spoke, Xu Ping’an’s hand was already in the old man’s.
The old man just placed three fingers on his pulse, and instantly his old face flushed, clearly having the rest of his words forcibly swallowed back.
“If I don’t mind, then what?”
Xu Ping’an smiled at the old man.
His physique, according to the system, was certified as unable to cultivate.
This meant no matter how hard he tried, this was as far as he’d go in this life.
His lifespan could be extended, and his life preserved, but he couldn’t cultivate or absorb the immortal or spiritual energy.
Cultivators in this world cultivate the Dao and absorb spiritual energy, similar in many ways to some cultivation novels, so Xu Ping’an knew a little.
The old man choked on his words, stiffened his neck, turned around, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating.
Then he turned to look at Xu Ping’an, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and pity.
“If you don’t mind… can I eat more?”
“Old sir, if you’re willing to eat more, it’s an honor for me. Eat as much as you like; if it’s not enough, I can make more.”
“Mm-hmm, alright, alright…”
Seeing the old man avoid eye contact no matter what he said, Xu Ping’an knew exactly what he was thinking.
Wanting him to cultivate? How could that be possible?
Perhaps his earlier words had made the old man lose face, or perhaps he’d had enough of being outside.
After finishing their meal, the Liu family’s grandparents and grandchild left in a carriage.
Before leaving, Liu Yingying waved goodbye.
“I’ll come early tomorrow, don’t forget to clear a room for me~”
Xu Ping’an’s face crumpled.
“Shopkeeper Liu, what are you coming for?”
“Of course I’m coming! Otherwise… who knows which vixen will steal your soul~”
Liu Yingying even gave Li Yu’er, who was sitting not far away, a pointed glare.
“I say, Shopkeeper Liu, you’re a proper young lady after all. I’m already married. It’s not appropriate for you to stay here…”
Xu Ping’an earnestly tried to dissuade her, but all his heartfelt words were completely ignored by Liu Yingying.
“There’s nothing appropriate or inappropriate about it. At worst, I’ll come too!”
Old man, you’re not trying to make things worse, are you?
Why are you everywhere?
“My humble courtyard is small and cannot accommodate you two great Buddhas. Please be merciful and spare me.”
Before he could get a response, the carriage had already departed.
Watching the distant carriage, Xu Ping’an sighed helplessly.
“What’s so good about my small, broken courtyard that everyone wants to squeeze in?”
He racked his brains but couldn’t figure out why this was happening.
But it was too late to say anything now.
Whether the old man would come was uncertain, but Liu Yingying would definitely keep her word.
This girl was the most competitive.
Having been rebuffed twice by Li Yu’er today, she would definitely try every means to get back at her.
Xu Ping’an then sat opposite her and looked at the sickly beauty leisurely sipping tea.
“Just now… what secrets did that old man whisper to you?”
“Want to know?”
Li Yuer’s peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, forming crescent moons, and her thinly rouged lips smiled.
Even if it wasn’t intentional, that charm was still heart-stirring.
However, Xu Ping’an wasn’t much affected.
After all, he already had someone at home, and she was naturally charming.
In terms of allure, Li Yu’er, no matter how lovely she looked, couldn’t compare to his wife.
“I’m all ears.”