Then he returned, picked up the item and ate, his eyebrows relaxing. He ate in a manner that adhered to etiquette, yet was exceedingly fast, showing that he was truly hungry. Nan Hanwen sighed and felt compassionate, saying:
"Shopkeeper, please bring another bowl of vermicelli soup and a pancake."
Qu Hanxiu extended his finger: "Three pancakes, three."
Nan Hanwen looked at him.
Qu Hanxiu chuckled and said: "Three gives birth to all things; the number three is auspicious."
Nan Hanwen, helpless, could only reply to the shopkeeper: "Make it three then."
"Yes, just a moment please."
The shopkeeper turned to prepare, and as a child left nearby, Qu Hanxiu stood and slightly bowed to send them off, appearing quite polite and adhering to etiquette. Others mocked this old man, but he cared not about these gazes.
In this aspect, it seems he is not particularly concerned with reputation.
Nan Hanwen said: "Mr. Qu really is... different."
