The trip down Nine Gates of Heaven Inn was eerily quiet. Xinyu started to notice a pattern as she made her way to the ground floor. Every time she would pass by a group of people—or any person really—they would either avoid making eye contact or turn to whisper amongst each other.
"How odd," she thought. Before, no one even paid heed to her existence, but now it was as if she was some kind of taboo no one wanted to associate with but couldn't help gossiping about.
Xinyu ignored their curious gazes and walked down the stairs with casual steps.
Once she got to the ground floor, she approached a random worker wiping down the front counter.
"Hello, sir. I was wondering where the hot springs are?" Xinyu asked.
When the man saw her, his heart jumped in fright. He was one of the men carrying the table.
"A-ah, little miss. The hot spring is located behind the main building. Once you exit this door," he pointed a shaky finger to the back entrance, "just keep following the road past the groves of bamboo. Make a right at the wooden sign and there should be a gate to enter the women's bathing area."
While giving her directions, the man's eyes were looking at anything but her. Xinyu began to think he had a lazy eye.
"Poor guy," she thought.
Xinyu muttered a thank you before following his words outside.
The path was well-lit before her. Leading straight out of the large inn, lanterns were posted on each side of the rocky trail. Stalks of bamboo stood modestly in the backdrop, waving ever-so-slightly as the wind brushed against its hollow body.
The calming sound of nature brought a smile to Xinyu's ordinary features as she strolled down the well-worn path.
Just when she thought she was finally alone, however, a chubby girl appeared out from the opposite end of the trail. She had the eyes of a doe and rounded cheeks that flushed with a healthy glow. Her hair glistened in the lighting, still wet and sleek—probably from a well-earned bath at the hot springs located in the direction she just came from.
The two shared a quick look. The girl gave Xinyu a smile before breaking away from her gaze. It was neither derisive nor warm. Pleasant would be the word to describe it.
"Hm?" Xinyu eyed the girl incredulously before she disappeared from her peripheral view.
That was odd. She definitely thought that girl was going to look away and run as if she was some kind of disease!
Xinyu scanned the area with her consciousness. When she could no longer feel another's presence within thirty steps of her, she let out a sigh.
At last, she could finally relax—being around people was so tiring! She thought she had watched people long enough to be able to predict their actions, but it was still such a difficult task, especially when she herself was a factor that could affect the outcome.
"Indeed, people are quite intriguing!" She mused. "If only I could just stay a spectator though."
Xinyu continued down the path until it came to stop and branched off into two sides. In the middle was a wooden sign. The left side lead to the men's bathing area and the right to the women's.
She walked barely three steps to the right when sounds of laughter and chattering bustled through the air. Her feet were hesitant but carefully treaded past the gates and into the women's bath area.
Inside, sheer curtains were strewn across the large pool; steam whiffed into the air in lazy waves. Behind the shrouded front, shadows of curvy and slim figures danced enchantingly as gleeful giggles rang in the open room.
At the sight, Xinyu immediately turned on her heels. Nope. She wasn't going to go into that mess.
"Perhaps I'll have better luck at the men's bathing area?" She pondered.
Once she was back at the crossroads, Xinyu glanced around to make sure no one was around. Confirming that she was alone, she wandered into the left side.
Unlike the women's bathing area, not a single trace of a person could be found in the men's bathing area. Sheer curtains were still strewn across the pool, and steam still sizzled out from the water, but there was no sound of laughter. In fact, there was nothing but the rippling of running water, the singing of crickets, and the occasional rustling of leaves.
"Now this is how it should be," Xinyu nodded with a puff.
She scanned the area quickly before setting her satchel down. She thought about leaving it on the rock platform at the edge of the open room, but she didn't feel comfortable leaving her possessions so far away, so she just left it next to the pool.
After slipping out of her robes, Xinyu undid her messy top-knot and placed the plum blossom hairpin next to the jade flute under her clothes. Wavy, umber hair flowed down her slender shoulders and covered her small chest.
She lifted the curtains and a sudden warmth enveloped her as steam wrapped around her figure. She couldn't help the excitement that swelled in her chest. This was her first time at a hot spring! She tested the water with a foot before dipping into the pool in one go.
A giggle bubbled out of her when water splattered on her face. She ducked her head under the pool and pulled her fringe back with the rest of her hair when she came back up.
"Ahh, it feels so nice," Xinyu sighed in content. She leaned on the edge of the pool and lifted her eyes to the Sky.
On the open roof, a sea of stars twinkled brilliantly; the Moon peeked behind a shadow of black. Although little, it's luminous light still weaved its way down to Earth in a beautiful glow.
The expression on Xinyu's face was unreadable as hazel eyes stared at the subtle but splendid sight.
Finally, she broke her gaze to study the water. Her eyes absentmindedly wandered until it settled on something. On its surface, a girl with a face dusted with freckles stared back at her. She had ordinary features: a small nose, thin lips, unshapely brows, and a chin that protruded a bit too much. Her eyes were large but still and unfeeling. It made one want to gauge them out.
"Oh, someone is still here?" A voice suddenly resounded outside the curtains; it sounded alarmingly close.
Xinyu's body tensed up and she automatically reached for the jade flute hidden underneath her pile of clothes. She eyed the curtains vigilantly but said nothing.
After what sounded like the shuffling of clothes, a hand with fair, slender fingers lifted the curtains open. A head of long, silken black hair slipped through the crack.
"You wouldn't mind me joining in, won't you little-" The stranger started but stopped midsentence when his eyes landed on Xinyu. His face flushed a deep red before he covered his eyes and turned away.
"I-I'm sorry, miss! I must have entered the wrong bathing area!" He stuttered about and frantically turned on his heels. Unfortunately, he lost his footing and slipped into the pool with a loud splash.
During his fall, Xinyu saw everything, butt and all, but her face was akin to a rock. She waited for a moment, but no one resurfaced.
Surely, no one would be able to drown in such shallow water... right?
Xinyu waited a while longer.
"Blub, blub." Water bubbled on the surface.
Xinyu sighed before diving into the water.