Seven years changed so much. They seemed not to recognize the young man, but they opened the tavern door, inviting the youth inside for a seat. The shopkeeper deftly pulled the tavern's window curtains up, letting brightness fill the interior.
He fetched some celery and peanuts, peanuts in vinegar, garlic jelly, and smoked and braised pig head meat, slicing a plate full, and managed to bring over a small furnace, saying: "Today is quite an elegant day, let's have some good wine."
The old shopkeeper rarely showed a sliver of a smile: "If you want to drink, just say so."
"What talk of elegance?"
"What is there to be elegant about in a place like ours?"
The chubby shopkeeper was not convinced, saying: "What you said—is it related to having gold for elegance or not? Hear me out, this place of mine has three kinds of elegance today."
"Although never planned to come, coming today is the first act of elegance."
