Li Meirong made no effort to confront the elderly man, or to run away, but her alarmed expression betrayed her emotions all the same.
The Elder stroked his long beard and watched her, his manner similar to the way people observed animals held captive in a zoo.
The two of them sat facing each other, still on the balcony, for what felt like an infinite time.
"How very fascinating you are," the elderly man remarked suddenly, his voice full of awe.
Li Meirong straightened her posture slowly, sitting stiffly as she stared cautiously at the elderly man. "Who are you?"
The elderly man barked out a laugh, then poured himself a cup of the leftover tea, mumbling something about the water's temperature.
"It is not easy to find a fellow skilled in the art of brewing tea," he said.
