Meili peered out over the balcony from her seat on the floor. The intricate low railing allowed her to enjoy the busy canal view from their dining table.
"Oh," she sighed, "this is so beautiful Tan Bowen!"
"Yes," he waved his arms expansively, "it's all for you. Who could resist an establishment called Soulmate, when they've found her?" he grinned.
"Mmmm. So romantic," she agreed dreamily, missing his point entirely.
The waiters started to carry in Master Tan's usual order of hairy crab and the other chef's specialities, as well as bottles of their house-brewed huangjiu, in the pretty little red bottles with old Yidi decorating them.
Meili eyed the pretty bottles with interest. This would be her first time tasting wine she decided.
Her brothers would never let her try alcohol before she was thirty, so she'd better take advantage of being out with Tan Bowen. Afterall, she reasoned, if they got caught this evening, this would be the only chance she'd ever get.
