Chapter 11: The Carefree Tavern

楚天的脸上露出了几分惊讶.他看着胡彪说道:"跟我来?你什么意思?

胡彪认真地说道:"我要从现在开始跟着你.那个混蛋李健或许有钱有权,但他没有你的宽宏大量和忠诚,楚兄.如果我跟着你,至少我知道你不会在关键时刻抛弃我.

楚天摇摇头."我更喜欢一个人.我不喜欢收学徒.

出乎他意料的是,胡彪居然跪了下来,坚定地说道:"我知道我以前欺负过你.对不起.如果你还记仇,我就让你报复我.说着,他捡起了地上的藏刀,正要朝自己砍去.

楚天叹了口气,上前抓住了他的手腕."你为什么必须这样做?努力学习不是更好吗?你为什么一直坚持跟着别人呢?

胡彪摇了摇头."我从小就是个孤儿,没有人可以依靠.认识李健之后,就一直跟他鬼混,欺负人.我所谓的学习只是一种形式.如果你不收留我,我要么回去和李健一起工作,要么试着用蛮力自己闯出一条路.

楚天摸了摸自己的鼻子,想了想,然后把胡彪扶了起来."我不能收你当学徒.但我们可以成为朋友.在朋友之间,没有关注或不关注这样的事情.我们同甘共苦,互相帮助.

胡彪大喜过望,也有些感动.只有楚天才能忽视他的过去,把他当作朋友.就连他辛苦工作多年的李健,也只把他当作仆人.这种身份的变化,真的让胡彪觉得自己可以开始新的生活了.胡彪握着楚天的手,道:"楚兄,如果你需要我什么,就说吧.只要我能做到,我就会不遗余力.

楚天笑了笑."我需要你做两件事.首先,跟我好好学习,完成你的学业.其次,从现在开始远离那些与帮派有关的人.如果可以的话,现在就来和我一起喝一杯.说完,楚天缓缓地朝着树林外走去.

胡彪想了想.他知道楚天这样做是为了他好.而只要他能和楚天在一起,即使是最无聊的事情也显得有趣.于是,他迅速跟在楚天身后,喊道:"楚哥,我带你去逍遥酒馆.那里的葡萄酒很棒,小酒馆 - 老板的妻子真的很漂亮.

无忧无虑的小酒馆很小,可能只能容纳大约十个人.但生意蒸蒸日上.小酒馆 - 店主的妻子年轻漂亮.她那双棱角分明的眼睛总是带着一丝魅力,她的每一个举动都显得如此自然.当她看到胡彪和楚天进来时,她微微一笑,先给他们端了两杯酒.她轻声说:"我真的很抱歉,先生们.目前没有空位.您可以等待半小时,也可以改天再来品尝我们的葡萄酒.无论如何,这两杯酒是我们对 Carefree Tavern 的感激之情.

楚天接过冰镇的酒,旋了一圈,闭上眼睛,喝了一口.然后他对酒馆老板的妻子说:"这是女洱红（一种著名的中国米酒）,在水中蒸,陈酿三年.

酒馆 - 店主的妻子怔了一会儿,然后笑了."你的眼睛真好,兄弟.你甚至猜到了冲泡方法和年龄.我似乎遇到了一位鉴赏家.无忧小酒馆里的所有葡萄酒都是我亲自酿造的.所以,你们俩可以放心地稍后享用葡萄酒.

突然,楚天脱口而出:"你很漂亮,酒馆——老板娘.

Hu Biao almost stumbled. Chu Tian was being too straightforward. Although the tavern - keeper's wife was somewhat attractive, there was no need to flatter her like this upon meeting. She might even mistake him for a lecher.

However, the tavern - keeper's wife seemed to be used to such compliments. Her face showed neither joy nor annoyance. She just looked at Chu Tian and said, "Really?"

Chu Tian nodded. "Because you're beautiful, you must be very meticulous. The wine you brew must be mellow. Besides the sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, umami, and astringent tastes in this cup of Nu'er Hong, there's also a hint of sadness in your heart, tavern - keeper's wife. So, I've decided to wait here. Even if I have to wait for two hours, I want to taste the best wine here, the wine with that touch of sadness."

The tavern - keeper's wife laughed, and her smile was so bright that the whole tavern seemed to become more intoxicating. Only she knew that Chu Tian had touched the most vulnerable part of her heart.

The tavern - keeper's wife clapped her hands, and a young waitress came over. The tavern - keeper's wife whispered a few words to her, and after the waitress left, she said to Chu Tian, "You two don't need to wait anymore. Follow Sister Mei to the most honorable private room in the tavern. Let Sister Mei warm the wine for you personally."

Chu Tian's heart skipped a beat. What a charming name, "Mei" (meaning "charm" in Chinese). It really suits her.

The wine in the Carefree Tavern was indeed excellent, with a rich and pleasant aroma. Chu Tian hadn't had a drink for a long time. Tonight, he was tasting the fine wine warmed by Mei Niang (a respectful way to address the tavern - keeper's wife) for the first time. He couldn't help but drink cup after cup. Hu Biao watched as Chu Tian became more and more energetic with each drink, and he was secretly amazed again. Not only was Chu Tian skilled in martial arts, but he also had an extraordinary capacity for alcohol.

Sister Mei didn't say a word throughout. She just helped Chu Tian with the dishes and poured him wine. It seemed that this was enough to make her content.

Finally, Chu Tian put down his wine cup and said, "The wine is good, and the food is good. But it's a pity that I can't get drunk."

Hu Biao was slightly taken aback. He thought Chu Tian was worried about not having enough money for the drinks. He smiled and said, "Just keep drinking and eating. I, Hu Biao, have enough money to pay the bill."

Sister Mei seemed to be reminded of something. She finally spoke, a faint sadness on her face. She said softly, "Could it be, Brother Chu, that you can never get drunk?"

Chu Tian smiled but didn't say anything. Sister Mei had hit the nail on the head. Everyone always has someone they can't forget, even across dynasties. The more one drinks, the more they miss that person, and the more they miss, the more awake they become.

Chu Tian knew that he was thinking of the woman he loved the most in his previous life, Su Rongrong, who was proficient in the four arts of the literati (qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting) and was extremely beautiful. And it was precisely her that he should forget. After all, they were separated by two lifetimes. Why hold on so stubbornly? As the Buddha said: Let go. Only then will the world be more colorful and moving. But how many people in the world can truly let go?

Chu Tian poured himself a full cup of wine and drank it in one gulp. His face looked a bit sad under the dim light.

Sister Mei let out a soft sigh and walked out. She wanted to prepare a pot of tea. Since he couldn't get drunk, he might as well stay sober. Sister Mei felt a bit heart - broken today. She didn't know why. Ever since Chu Tian had pointed out the sadness in her heart, she had a strange feeling towards this young man. It was as if she saw her own shadow in him. Perhaps, like her, he was someone who couldn't get drunk. Perhaps, like her, he had a past that he couldn't bear to recall. The look in Chu Tian's eyes made her feel a bit more pity for him.

Hu Biao was also a smart person. He knew Chu Tian had something on his mind, so he quickly tried to divert his attention. "Chu Tian, although Li Jian's attempt to ambush and kill you this time failed, it doesn't mean he'll stop. It doesn't mean he doesn't have the strength to fight again. He'll only get more and more crazy, and you'll be in more and more danger. You have to be on your guard at all times against their attacks."

Chu Tian thought for a moment and said, "Based on your years of experience with him, what do you think his next move will be?"

Hu Biao thought carefully for a while and said, "The police."