Chapter 100

One early morning, just after the Drunken Immortal Inn had opened, a woman in white suddenly appeared at the door. She was simply dressed, with a faint sorrow in her eyes, and carried a large bundle on her back, which contained a rectangular object.

The woman stood at the door, neither entering nor leaving, which was quite peculiar.

Wu Furong, who was behind the counter, noticed her for a while and then called Chen Anan to ask.

Chen Anan came out and asked the young woman, "Miss, are you here to eat?"

The woman shook her head and said, "I—I am here to find someone."

"Who are you looking for?"

"Li Qi. He told me he is the chef here."

Chen Anan was surprised and said, "Oh, you are here to find Brother Li?"

The woman nodded.

"Brother Li hasn’t come yet, but you can wait inside. He will be here soon."

Chen Anan, upon hearing that she was looking for Li Qi, quickly invited her in.

About half an hour later, Li Qi arrived at the Drunken Immortal Inn, riding his calm donkey. Since the day he rode this donkey to the eastern suburbs, Li Qi found he couldn’t live without it. It was incredibly safe, and even after riding it for so long, he had never seen it run. So, he decided to buy it.

Seeing Li Qi arrive, Chen Anan hurried over and said, "Brother Li, a young woman came to the inn looking for you."

"A young woman?"

Li Qi was taken aback and asked, "What young woman?"

"I don’t know. When I asked her name, she wouldn’t tell me," Chen Anan shook his head.

"Where is she now?"

"She’s on the second floor."

"Alright. Help me take the donkey to the back yard, and I’ll go see her."

On the second floor, Li Qi saw the woman’s back and was slightly surprised. He smiled and said, "Miss Ji, hello."

This woman was Ji Hongnu.

Seeing Li Qi, Ji Hongnu quickly stood up and bowed to him.

Li Qi nodded and smiled, "I haven’t seen you for a while. I thought you wouldn’t come."

Ji Hongnu lowered her head and said softly, "I’m sorry, Brother Li."

"It’s fine, as long as you’re here."

Li Qi shook his head, looked around, and saw that the waiters were gradually arriving. He said, "This isn’t a good place to talk. Let’s go to the back yard."

Li Qi led Ji Hongnu to the rest room in the back yard, poured her a cup of tea, which made her quite nervous.

Li Qi asked with concern, "How is your mother?"

Ji Hongnu’s eyes welled up and she said, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Li. But—three days ago, my mother passed away."

"Uh... I’m sorry."

Li Qi awkwardly said, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Brother Li, can you lend me three strings of coins?" Ji Hongnu looked at Li Qi with teary eyes.

"Three strings of coins?"

Seeing her urgent expression, Li Qi thought for a moment and guessed that she must have borrowed money to handle her mother’s funeral. He smiled and said, "Three strings of coins isn’t much. I can lend it to you, but did you come here just to borrow money?"

Ji Hongnu was taken aback and said, "Didn’t you say I could come to your inn to be a singer?"

"Yes, but you haven’t given me an answer yet," Li Qi nodded.

Ji Hongnu lowered her head and said softly, "If it’s just singing, I—I am willing."

"Don’t worry, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do."

Li Qi smiled and changed the subject, "However, before that, I need to test you. I haven’t heard you sing, so I don’t know if you’re good. But don’t worry, I’ll lend you the three strings of coins no matter what."

Ji Hongnu looked up at Li Qi in surprise.

Li Qi pointed and asked, "What are you carrying?"

Ji Hongnu was slightly stunned, quickly took off the bundle, placed it on the table, and opened it to reveal a seven-stringed zither.

Li Qi smiled and said, "You seem quite confident. Do you think I’ll ask you to sing today?"

Ji Hongnu blushed and nodded.

"What if you drive my customers away with your singing?" Li Qi teased.

"I—I—I—" Ji Hongnu stammered, not knowing how to respond, and looked very embarrassed.

"Alright, I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously. Being confident is a good thing."

Li Qi chuckled and asked, "Are you good at playing the zither?"

Ji Hongnu nodded and then shook her head.

Li Qi was confused and asked, "What do you mean?"

Ji Hongnu blushed and said, "I used to play alone, rarely for others. But—Miss Hua from the Phoenix Nest said I play well."

"Um. Can you compose your own music?"

Ji Hongnu shook her head.

"Then, for example, if I sing a song without giving you the sheet music, can you play the melody based on what I sing?"

Ji Hongnu frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "I don’t know, but I think I can."

"Okay—alright, let’s try. Prepare yourself, and I’ll clear my throat. It’s been a long time since I’ve sung properly, so you’re in for a treat."

Li Qi stretched his neck and made a very professional pose.

"You’re going to sing?" Ji Hongnu was surprised.

"Of course, don’t underestimate me. Let me tell you, I almost didn’t go to the Happy—never mind, you wouldn’t understand."

Li Qi waved his hand and said, "You’d better get ready."

Ji Hongnu nodded and started preparing.

"A—ah—um-hum, hum-hum-hum."

Ji Hongnu fiddled with the zither strings while listening to Li Qi’s strange sounds, her face turning red.

After a while, Li Qi finished warming up and asked, "Are you ready?"

Ji Hongnu nodded.

"Alright. I’ll start with something simple."

Li Qi sat up straight, put on a serious face, and started singing, "Two tigers, two tigers, run fast, run fast, one has no—."

"Ha ha!"

Li Qi hadn’t even finished when Ji Hongnu couldn’t help but laugh, hurriedly nodding and saying, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I—."

Li Qi’s face turned serious, and he said irritably, "Can you be more professional? If you’re going to laugh, wait until I finish. It’s not easy to get into the right mood."

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry."

"Alright, listen carefully this time."

Li Qi cleared his throat and sang again, "Two tigers, two tigers, run fast—."

...

After the song, Li Qi asked, "How was it?"

Ji Hongnu was taken aback and said, "What? How was what?"

Li Qi rolled his eyes and said, "How was my singing?"

Ji Hongnu looked strange and said, "Uh... very—good."

"Don’t be shy, tell me what everyone says."

Li Qi smiled proudly and asked, "Can you play this melody?"

"Can you sing it again? I was just listening to you."

Li Qi sighed and shook his head, "It’s not your fault, it’s my voice that’s too captivating. This isn’t the first time. Alright, I’ll sing it again, but you have to remember this time."

"Okay."

Li Qi sang it again.

After listening, Ji Hongnu hummed the rhythm, closed her eyes, and thought for a moment. Suddenly, she placed her fingers on the zither strings and started playing.

Li Qi listened and praised, "Impressive, you can play it even with your eyes closed."

After finishing, Ji Hongnu opened her eyes and saw Li Qi staring at her with a delighted look. Her cheeks turned red, and she said shyly, "Brother Li, how was my playing?"

Li Qi was slightly stunned, then clapped and praised, "Good, very good."

Ji Hongnu smiled shyly.

"However, that was the simplest. Next, I’ll give you something more challenging. Listen carefully."

Li Qi thought for a moment, cleared his throat, and sang, "At the end of the Eastern Han, the land was divided into three kingdoms, with endless wars. Love and hate were swayed by the chaotic times. Who will brew the wine? Deception and intrigue defined the Three Kingdoms, where right and wrong were unclear. After thousands of years, everything starts anew. Oh~~~~~~~ (singing high notes) —cough, cough, cough."

Damn. I haven’t sung for so long, even this high note is hard to hit.

Li Qi’s face turned red from coughing. Seeing Ji Hongnu trying to suppress her laughter, he said awkwardly, "Uh... Since this is a test of your zither skills, I’ll just sing this part."

"Brother Li, did you write the lyrics and music?" Ji Hongnu asked curiously, as she had never heard this style before.

"Exactly."

Li Qi nodded shamelessly and asked, "Did you remember it?"

Ji Hongnu shook her head, "Not completely."

"Alright, I’ll sing it again."

...

To help her remember, Li Qi sang it five or six times. When he was about to sing it a seventh time, the zither music suddenly started, and Li Qi immediately followed the melody and sang again.

"You’re the one."

As soon as Li Qi finished singing, he immediately decided, feeling extremely excited. This girl is a musical genius. He paused and said, "Here, I’ll give you the money first. Go pay off your debts, and then we’ll discuss the contract."

"Thank you, Brother Li, thank you."

Ji Hongnu didn’t expect to pass so easily. She was stunned for a moment before reacting, her eyes red, and she nodded repeatedly in gratitude.

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Please recommend and collect. There will be another update in the evening.

{Piaotian Literature}