Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

As the man spoke, he bowed again, his tone becoming increasingly earnest:

"I am Ouyang Ce, the owner of 'Jinghua Bookstore.' It is truly an honor to meet you here today, young hero!"

So that's how it is?

Xie Xiaoyi rubbed the tip of his nose: "Boss Ouyang, you're too kind. It was just a casual creation after drinking, and it doesn't deserve such praise."

"Young hero, you are too modest!"

Ouyang Ce waved his hand, glanced at the plum blossom wine on the table, and said with a smile, "Since you have come to the capital, young hero, you are my honored guest."

Today, I should be the host. Although the wine at Meixiangju is good, it cannot compare to the quiet and elegant atmosphere of my bookstore's backyard.

Why not move to a bookstore in the capital for a short while? That would satisfy my desire to admire talent.

After saying this, he turned to the side as if to lead the way, his tone warm yet measured: "The bookstore is only half a mile from here, in the middle of Zhuque Street."

Ouyang Ce smiled, but in his heart he was making his own plans.

Xie Mo is exceptionally talented!

If he could compose a few fine lines, perhaps he could revive my "dying" bookstore...

It's not impossible that they'll eventually surpass their arch-rival, Wenyuan Bookstore.

Therefore, this thigh is absolutely not to be missed.

Xie Xiaoyi paused, holding the wine bowl, but did not respond.

A glint of light flashed in Ouyang Ce's eyes.

Um......

At the winding stream party, Xie Mo stared at Fu Yaoqin with infatuated eyes, as if he wanted to "take her right there and then."

This is clearly the nature of a charming and philandering man who cherishes women. What if he used a honey trap?

Ouyang Ce immediately changed the subject, lowering his voice:

"To be honest, young hero Xie, my daughter Ouyang Qing recently overheard me reciting a few lines of the poem you recited at the Floating Wine Cups Gathering."

He was immediately awestruck and pestered me every day to find out your whereabouts, saying he had to meet you, this talented and elegant man.

Although my daughter may not be a beauty that could topple kingdoms, she is certainly pretty and talented, and she has long hoped to meet Young Hero Xie.

Xie Xiaoyi's heart skipped a beat.

Ouyang Ce invited me so enthusiastically, he must want me to leave a few new poems for his bookstore, or perhaps write a few insightful inscriptions.

If these calligraphic works are hung in bookstores and then printed into books, bookstores in Beijing might be able to make a small profit.

But he really is a talented person!

When inviting people into the game, they actually used their daughter as a "nest."

snort!

Don't you even know who I am?

Xie Xiaoyi!

This is such a blatant scam, I'm sure—

on!

Xie Xiaoyi raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Since Boss Ouyang has extended such a warm invitation, then I shall accept it without hesitation."

Ouyang Ce was overjoyed and left Meixiang Residence side by side with Xie Xiaoyi.

The two walked half a mile along Zhuque Street, and then the four black plaques with gold characters on a black background that read "Jinghua Bookstore" came into view.

Ouyang Ce led Xie Xiaoyi quickly through the front hall filled with bookshelves and headed straight for the back courtyard library.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he raised his voice and gave the order inside:

"Someone come here! Open that jar of newly bought plum blossom wine, and have the kitchen prepare some delicate side dishes and bring them to the study. Be quick!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a waiter ran out from under the eaves, shouting, "Okay, boss!" and dashed off to the kitchen.

Before long, a table of exquisite dishes and wine was set out in the room, and a pot of chilled plum blossom wine was placed on the table. The wine was clear and the plum blossom fragrance was faint.

"Young Master Xie, please have a seat!" Ouyang Ce greeted with a smile, personally filling Xie Xiaoyi's wine cup.

Xie Xiaoyi didn't stand on ceremony, picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. The plum fragrance spread on his tongue, carrying a slightly tipsy sweetness.

He had just put down his wine cup when Ouyang Ce raised his hand and waved, and a slender figure walked gracefully in from outside the pavilion.

The person who came was Ouyang Ce's daughter, Ouyang Qing.

She walked up to Xie Xiaoyi, gave him a graceful bow, and her voice was as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song:

"I am Ouyang Qing. I have long admired the name of Young Hero Xie. Today, I have the pleasure of meeting you. You are indeed a man of outstanding character and handsome appearance, living up to your reputation."

Xie Xiaoyi sniffed, because he was afraid he would get a nosebleed.

Wow!

No wonder her father used her to "bait the bait"—she's a tempting red tart bait!

Before me stood Ouyang Qing, her pink dress accentuating her snow-white skin, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons bathed in spring sunshine.

Even the way she lowered her eyes to speak had a clean yet alluring charm.

Especially her figure, which made Xie Xiaoyi immediately rewrite a song from before he transmigrated.

My chest is swaying, I long to smell the warm and carefree fragrance... a dazzling bloom, unrestrained growth.

Haha!

They've really grown up so recklessly.

Xie Xiaoyi snapped out of his daze, hurriedly straightened his clothes, and returned the greeting with a cupped hand:

"Miss Ouyang, you flatter me. These are just trivial skills, not worthy of being presented in a refined manner."

Ouyang Ce, standing to the side, stroked his short beard, his face beaming with a warm smile:

"Young Master Xie is too modest! Your poetry is outstanding in style and spirit; who in the martial arts world doesn't know it?"

In my opinion, even the most brilliant scholar in the capital is inferior to you.

After saying that, he turned to look at Ouyang Qing, his tone filled with a mixture of doting and expectation:

"Qing'er, it's a great honor to have Young Hero Xie grace us with his presence. Please play a tune to liven things up, so we can enjoy a few drinks to the accompaniment of the music!"

"Yes, Father."

Ouyang Qing calmly sat down by the table with her zither in her arms. Her jade-like fingers lightly touched the strings, and with a flick of her fingertips, the music instantly added to the elegance of the study.

Xie Xiaoyi then turned to Ouyang Ce, raised his wine cup, and smiled:

"Boss Ouyang has such refined tastes. The backyard of this bookstore is quiet and elegant. Paired with this plum blossom wine, it's much more comfortable than Meixiangju."

Ouyang Ce beamed with joy and quickly raised his cup in a toast: "I'm glad you like it, young hero!"

My bookstore may not be as grand as Wenyuan Bookstore, but it has the advantage of being quiet, and many literati and scholars often gather here on weekdays.

The two chatted enthusiastically, the music lingering in the air, and the food and wine were gradually finished.

After several rounds of drinks, Ouyang Ce finally couldn't contain himself any longer. He put down his wine cup, rubbed his hands together, and spoke with a hint of earnestness:

"Young hero, to be honest, besides admiring your talent, I have another request to make of you today."

Xie Xiaoyi feigned doubt, saying, "Boss Ouyang, please speak freely."

Ouyang Ce sighed: "My bookstore in the capital is now in dire straits."

I think if we could obtain a few of your new poems, young hero, and display them in this bookstore, then publish and sell them, it might just revive the bookstore!

Xie Xiaoyi smiled slightly: "This matter is simple, but what I write is very crude and full of the airs of the martial arts world. I'm afraid it will offend the elegance of this bookstore and make others laugh at us."

The music stopped abruptly as soon as he finished speaking.

Ouyang Qing rose, gracefully moved to Xie Xiaoyi's side, bowed deeply, and spoke in a clear and gentle voice:

"Young hero, if you can lend a helping hand and relieve my father's bookstore from its urgent crisis, I will be eternally grateful."

As she bent over, the neckline of her pink dress drooped slightly, revealing a section of her fair neck.

Seeing this, Xie Xiaoyi quickly got up to help him.

He said, "Miss, there's no need for such formalities," but deliberately turned his hand half an inch to her chest, his fingertips just brushing against the soft curve under her clothes.

Hey!

A thief never leaves empty-handed; there's no reason not to take advantage of this free tofu.