Chapter 42: A Century-Old Brew
Mu Lantu asked, “Is there anything else you want to buy? If not, let’s stop by the supermarket.”
They needed to restock snacks, ingredients, and other household items.
Xu Huazhang agreed, “Yeah, we should go. You don’t have any slippers for me at your place.”
Mu Lantu shot back, “And do you have slippers for me at your place?”
“Not only do I have slippers for you,” Xu said smugly, “I even have your paja—”
“Shut up,” Mu Lantu cut him off, rubbing his forehead. Why did I even ask…
Still, Xu Huazhang’s comment reminded him—he did need to buy more slippers. A few pairs for Xu Huazhang, and some for Ge Tao and Zhou Ye too. There was no doubt Xu Huazhang would be dropping by more often from now on.
They had quite a bit to buy, so once they got to the supermarket, Mu Lantu grabbed a shopping cart.
Xu Huazhang took over pushing it.
Mu Lantu picked out several pairs of slippers and tossed them into the cart.
“Why four pairs?” Xu Huazhang asked.
Mu Lantu casually replied, “Because you, Brother Zhou, and Tao have different places in my heart. So I got you two pairs. Happy?”
Xu Huazhang smirked. Of course he was.
Mu Lantu’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Just messing with you! My pair’s falling apart, so I figured I’d get a new one too.”
Xu Huazhang pinched his nose. “Troublemaker.”
One was teasing, the other laughing. Even passersby smiled at the sweet scene.
The four of them moved on to the snack section.
Mu Lantu kept tossing spicy strips, potato chips, pickled chicken feet, and other snacks into the cart. Xu Huazhang sighed.
“Baby…”
Mu Lantu didn’t even pause. “It’s enough to last a few months.”
Xu Huazhang remained skeptical—but had no proof.
Mu Lantu tapped his forehead lightly. “Seriously. I buy a ton, but once I get busy, I often forget to snack.”
Xu Huazhang took his hand in his and gently tried to steer him away from the spicy strips and chips.
“Let’s check out the snacks on the other aisle.”
Being fussed over was a new feeling for Mu Lantu. Xu Huazhang wasn’t preachy about it either, so he didn’t mind and went with him.
Preserved plums, crispy rice crackers, spicy beef slices, pork jerky, fruit leather, chocolates, flower pastries, squid crisps, snow mochi with custard filling, nougat…
They filled the cart to the brim. Zhou Ye went off to get a second one.
They also bought groceries and frozen meals before heading home.
Xu Huazhang helped put away all the food, filling up the half-empty fridge.
Mu Lantu picked out a few of his favorite snacks and packed a separate bag just for Xu Huazhang.
Xu Huazhang wasn’t a snack person, but since they came from Mu Lantu, he didn’t mind.
“What do you want to eat tonight?” Xu Huazhang showed no signs of leaving.
Mu Lantu didn’t mind and didn’t rush him either.
“Delivery? I don’t feel like going out or cooking. Can you cook?”
“No.” Xu Huazhang hesitated, “But if you want to try my cooking, I could learn.”
Mu Lantu waved it off. Neither of them was short on money—no need to force it.
Xu Huazhang really wasn’t into cooking, so he dropped the subject. “Forget delivery. Let Zhou Ye cook—he’s pretty good.”
Zhou Ye nodded. “There’s never been anyone home, so I haven’t had a reason to cook. But if you don’t mind, Lantu, I can make something here?”
“Of course I don’t mind,” Mu Lantu said. “The kitchen’s fully stocked—make whatever you want. I’ll help you out.”
Ge Tao quickly interjected, “No need—I’ve got it. We’re used to working together.”
Since he insisted, Mu Lantu didn’t push. He’d only slow them down.
“Then, Brother Zhou, make a few hearty dishes. I happen to have a really nice bottle of liquor—we’ll have a few drinks.”
“Sounds great.”
Zhou Ye and Ge Tao were both thrilled. They loved good liquor, but as bodyguards, they rarely had the chance to drink. Xu Huazhang and Mu Lantu hadn’t seen each other in a while, and since they probably wouldn’t be going out tomorrow, a few drinks tonight wouldn’t hurt.
The two headed into the kitchen to get started.
Xu Huazhang asked, “What kind of good liquor? I’ve got a small collection of fine bottles myself. You should come try them sometime.”
Mu Lantu gave a mysterious smile. “Just wait.”
He got up and went into the study. After a while, he returned with a bottle of liquor.
The bottle looked ordinary—just a regular glass bottle—but Xu Huazhang caught a whiff of its unique aroma and his eyes lit up. “That’s the real deal.”
Mu Lantu thought to himself, Of course it is. This was from the first world he ever traveled to—a genuine century-old brew if you counted properly.
