Chapter Twenty This is Life

  The good mood of the Tang Dynasty has become depressed due to food problems.

  Returning to the bedroom through a secret passage from the base, it was almost 7 o'clock in the evening.

  In the bedroom, Lan Xin was nowhere to be seen. Tang Dynasty leaned in and listened carefully, it seemed like there were some movements coming from the next room.

  Tang Chao quietly walked out the door and went to Lan Xin's room, seeing that the door was slightly ajar, so he quietly pushed it open a crack and peeked inside.

  In the room, Lan Xin was accompanied by Zi Wei, who was tidying up and folding clothes in the closet while chatting softly with a smile.

  What they talked about before, Tang Chao had no way of knowing, but now the topic of conversation between Lan Xin and Zi Wei was somewhat interesting to him.

  "Lan Xin, you're really lucky. Yesterday during the day, we were all just maids in the Mu household, but overnight, you've become our mistress. Ziwu's tone was filled with obvious envy: "I heard them say that Master himself went to the kitchen to prepare a nourishing dish for you, is it true?"

  "It's just a bowl of ice sugar silver ear swallow nest soup. Lan Xin folded the silk dress in her hand and put it in the closet, saying calmly: "What's worth mentioning is that the boss is really nice, considerate and meticulous. Every time I think of him feeding me food mouthful by mouthful, my heart feels warm."

  "Really?! The boss will lower his status and personally serve you food?" Ziwei asked, clearly disbelieving.

  "Believe it or not, it's up to you." Lan Xin didn't explain much either, and smiled calmly: "Ziwei, I'm not trying to put on airs in front of you, but this New China Building is different from other places in the castle. Since you're planning to stay here and serve the boss, you should follow the rules that need to be followed, and don't go snooping around where you shouldn't. Whatever you hear or see, you must keep it confidential and not tell anyone. Otherwise, once you touch on the taboos of New China Building, I won't be able to save you either."

  "Is it really that serious?" Ziwei asked with a skeptical expression, her eyes wide with doubt.

  "It's much more serious than you can imagine." Lan Xin said with a stern expression: "Tangjia Fort is different from the former Canglong Ridge Mu family, there are too many secrets here that even Mu Dajie may not understand. It is said that women are gossipy, Ziwei, I hope this phenomenon of wagging tongues will not appear in Xinhua Building!"

  Ziwei was intimidated by the aura that Lanxin's body exuded, and didn't dare to look at her cold and piercing eyes. She lowered her head and replied respectfully: "I remember, Miss Lanxin."

  "Heh heh, didn't expect the little girl to put on a show that's actually quite something." Tang Chao secretly laughed in his heart, suddenly hearing footsteps coming from the stairs. Tang Chao stopped eavesdropping at the door crack, stood up straight in front of the door, adjusted his clothes, cleared his throat lightly, then pushed open the door and entered.

  Seeing Tang Chao walk in from outside, a hint of joy flashed across Lan Xin's eyes. She moved lightly and went to greet him, "Boss, you're back. Should I inform the kitchen that it's time for dinner?"

  "No rush, first make me a cup of tea and moisten my throat." Tang Chao casually waved his hand and walked to the open closet, looking at the three layers of exquisite women's clothes made of silk, satin and brocade, nodded slightly in satisfaction, turned around and smiled at Lan Xin: "These, were all prepared for you by Old Lady Mu?"

  "Hmm!" Lan Xin nodded and replied: "Old Madam said that I am now your person, so in terms of dressing up, what should be particular must be particular, can't lose face for you."

  "Boss, your tea." Ziwei held a delicate, steaming teacup with both hands, her head bowed and body slightly leaning forward, speaking softly.

  Tang Dynasty casually took over the teacup, sat down on the red wood sofa, raised his legs, held the cup cover with his right hand and gently swept it across the steaming surface of the cup a few times. He shook his head and blew a few mouthfuls of air into the cup before taking a small sip with relish.

  As soon as the tea entered his mouth, he felt a refreshing and fragrant sensation. Even if someone from the Tang Dynasty didn't understand what tea was about, they would know that this tea is absolutely top-notch.

  Having someone serve you feels great!

  Tang Chao was secretly moved in his heart, but his face remained calm and expressionless. He lowered his head and took several consecutive sips before gently placing the teacup on the tea table beside him.

  "Boss, Wu Ma told me to come up and ask, when will dinner be served, the kitchen can make preparations." Zilian, who had just gone upstairs, walked in front of Tang Chao with her head down and asked respectfully.

  Tang Dynasty glanced at his watch and saw that it was already 7:01 pm, clearly past dinner time.

  "I'll be down with Lan Xin in five minutes, you guys go ahead and get ready first!" Tang Dynasty instructed seemingly casually.

  Ziwei and Ziling responded in unison, withdrew from the bedroom, and hastily went downstairs.

  "What you just said to Ziwei was great, I'm very satisfied." Tang Dynasty gestured for Lan Xin to come over, pulled her hand and let her sit on his leg, "From now on, anyone who is by my side must learn to keep secrets and follow the rules. Don't say what shouldn't be said, don't ask what shouldn't be asked. Those who violate this will be punished for leaking secrets!"

  "Boss, you set the rules and I'll make sure to follow them first." Lan Xin said softly with her head resting on Tang Chao's shoulder.

  "Let's go, let's go downstairs to eat. There are still a lot of things to deal with later." Tang Chao let Lan Xin fall from his body and stood up straight, stretching lazily and smiling playfully at Lan Xin: "The injury on your leg is quite troublesome when walking, why don't I just carry you downstairs?"

  Her face suddenly flushed with shame, and she glanced at Tang Chao, "Just hold me and walk slowly."

  Tang Dynasty half-supported, half-entwined, holding Lan Xin's slender waist as soft as boneless, slowly walking downstairs while whispering in her ear: "Baby, it seems I didn't work hard enough last night!"

  "You're so cruel, who would be as heartless as you? You don't even know how to show mercy." Lan's face turned red with anger and embarrassment, she reached out and pinched a soft spot on Tang Chao's waist, "See if you dare to be naughty again."

  "Oh no, oh no!" Tang Dynasty exclaimed loudly and repeatedly, "I dare not, I dare not, my little wife, be gentle."

  The two of them came down from upstairs, bickering and joking with each other, causing Ziwei and Ziling, the two maids who were busy serving dishes and pouring wine in the dining hall, to steal glances at them from time to time, their faces filled with both envy and admiration.

  This dinner is the most comforting and satisfying meal Tang has had since coming to this world.

  Wu's mother's culinary skills are quite impressive, with dishes like boiled meat slices, fish-flavored shredded pork, spicy chicken dices, and steamed ribs that are extremely authentic in flavor, making Tang Dynasty praise them while eating.

  Especially that pot of long-awaited rice, Tang Dynasty wolfed down a full four large bowls, nearly one catty.

  The good appetite of the Tang Dynasty also made Lan Xin eat an extra bowl of rice compared to usual.

  Just as Tang Chao had put down his bowl and chopsticks, Zi Wei walked in lightly from the outer hall and came to a stop behind him. In a low voice, she reported: "Boss, Young Master Mu has something to discuss with you outside."

  Tang Dynasty let out a satisfied snort, nodded and said: "I'll be waiting in the study." After finishing speaking, he got up and walked towards the study.

  Tang Chao had just stepped into the study when Mu Hailin followed in, carrying a finely crafted wooden box and covered in dust.

  "Boss, I didn't disturb your meal, did I?" Mu Hailin said with a slightly awkward laugh.

  "Your timing is just right, I've just eaten my fill." Tang Dynasty smiled calmly and nodded in greeting to Mu Hailin, "Have you eaten? If not, then just make do with something here."

  "I've eaten already. I need to come to the fort tonight to exchange equipment, so I specifically told the kitchen to serve dinner early." Mu Hailin said, handing over a finely crafted wooden box from his hands to Tang Chao, "Boss, this is foreign tobacco that I got from a Persian merchant before. It's said that foreigners with some status all love to smoke this, I don't know if you're interested."

  Tang Dynasty heard the words and his spirit was shaken, his two eyes gleaming with a sharp light, almost as if he had snatched the cigarette box from Mu Hailin's hand.

  Open the lid and take a look, it's indeed a cigar, and it's a fine Cuban cigar!

  Tang Chao quickly took out a stick and placed it at the tip of his nose, sniffing it forcefully several times.

  "Haha! Great stuff, really great stuff, Old Mu. I'm so fond of this gift, thanks!" Tang Chao said with a delighted mood and nodded his hands to Mu Hailin.

  This box of Cuban cigars, from its packaging workmanship, is a high-end refined gift at first glance.

  Inside, in addition to twenty cigars, there are also a cigar clipper and specially made matches.

  Tang Dynasty took out a long matchbox, pulled out a nearly ten-centimeter-long match and rubbed it on fire, holding the cigar in his left hand and gently rotating it over the flame, carefully toasting it.

  It's almost done, then take out the cigar clipper, cut off a section of the tobacco head, put it in your mouth and lightly bite it, light another match, light the cigar, and take a few gentle puffs.

  A fragrant aroma, with a hint of spicy smoke, enters the lungs directly through the respiratory tract, and then is expelled from the nostrils along with the turbid air from the lungs.

  Tang Dynasty closed his eyes lightly, seemingly savoring the long-lost pleasure that only an "old smoker" could appreciate.

  "It's so comfortable, damn it's so comfortable, refreshing! Damn it's too refreshing!" Tang Dynasty muttered to himself like a "drug addict".

  The half pack of Furongwang cigarettes brought through time travel had long been smoked by Tang Dynasty. For more than three years, Tang Dynasty didn't know what the taste of cigarettes was like. How many times did he dream in his dreams that he planted a large piece of tobacco and processed special tobacco for himself to smoke wildly?

  These more than a thousand smoke-free days, Tang felt as if he was being forced to quit smoking in disguise.

  Not a heavy smoker, but really don't know how hard it is to quit smoking!

  Finally, this painful day has come to an end!

  The Tang Dynasty's intoxication in the stimulating pleasure brought by cigars, made Mu Hailin almost suspect that the boss in front of him was once an "opium ghost".

  He took another strong puff of the cigar, letting the thick smoke slowly spew out of his mouth, then be sucked into his nostrils, and finally be spat out of his mouth again. Tang Dynasty stretched out his right hand with his middle finger and index finger, lightly pinching the cigar, and searched around on the desk for an ashtray but couldn't find one, so he could only casually flick the ashes onto the desktop.

  "Ah, Old Mu! Thank you so much. You don't know how long it's been since I've had such a satisfying smoke." Tang Dynasty said with deep emotion and a sigh.

  "Boss, I've tried this cigar before, it's not as evil as you said, is it? Why do I feel like you're smoking opium or something?" Mu Hailin asked cautiously.

  "Opium can't be compared to this." Tang Dynasty shook his head while puffing on his cigar, "That stuff is poison, it's harmful, and absolutely cannot be touched! But high-quality cigars are different, they're high-end tobacco, a symbol of status. In my hometown, there's a saying 'A man who doesn't smoke or drink has lived in vain', haha, I don't have any other hobbies in this life, just this one vice."

  "Hehe, if you like it, then that's settled." Mu Hailin smiled and nodded: "Your cigars, I'll take care of them for you from now on."

  "Alright!" Táng Cháo said with a cigar clenched between his teeth, slapping his thigh as he stood up. "One thing doesn't require two masters; from now on, you just need to pay more attention to this matter. Money is no problem, as long as it's genuine Cuban goods."

  "Don't worry, boss. In Tashkurgan, I also know a few British businessmen from the foreign trade companies." Mu Hailin patted his chest to guarantee it.

  "It's settled then." Tang nodded in satisfaction, and suddenly changed the subject, speaking seriously: "Enough idle chatter, let's get back to business. How many people did you bring with you? Are the carts and horses ready for loading? My warehouse has a lot of great things, it will definitely be an eye-opener for you."

  Mu Haolin's face was solemn, and he replied seriously: "Over 300 people have arrived, with 50 carriages and more than 30 camels. The others are all guarding at Canglong Ridge, and I left Old Three behind as well."

  "Are all these people reliable?" Tang Chao asked with a serious expression.

  Mu Haolin replied solemnly, "I didn't bring any unreliable people. All the brothers who came are well-known to me, and their family members and relatives have also moved to Tangjiabao with them. All the old, young, women and children of Canglong Ridge have already settled in Tangjiabao."

  "Now that everyone has moved, it's essential to settle down properly." Tang Dynasty said seriously: "I can provide you with a large amount of building materials, and you're in charge of organizing strong laborers to prepare for the construction."

  "Yes, boss." Mu Hailin nodded with a smile, "We originally had a team of more than 30 people in the civil engineering department. As for building houses, you can rest assured, boss, I guarantee that everything will be arranged properly."

  "Ah, that's for the best. Let's go, don't delay, lest we have too many dreams tonight." Tang Chao casually grabbed a few cigars and stuffed them into his pocket, of course not forgetting to bring along that special box of long-handled matches. He then stood up and beckoned Mu Hailin to follow him outside, saying as they walked: "Have someone prepare torches, I'll take you guys somewhere."

  "No problem! Boss, I'll go and inform them right away." Mu Hailin quickened his pace, taking the lead and exiting the courtyard outside Xinhua Building a step ahead of Tang Chao.

  Collect.