"Are you okay miss?" Cai Huan notices Jia Yu's face is turning paler by the second.
"I think I need to sit down," Jia Yu said and Cai Huan helps her settle down on the edge of the carriage.
Jia Yu closes her eyes and practice deep breathes as her psychiatrist suggested whenever she feels too anxious.
After some deep breaths, Jia Yu came up with there possibility.
One: She is in a coma and this is all a dream.
Two: She died and transmigrated into a different world which coincidentally have the same country name and villain character as her story. Perhaps, this world had already existed and she simply visit it in her dreams - some people had theorize this.
Three: She died and went to hell. She is being tortured by the devil because even if she had the opportunity to be transmigrated into a story; she would've chosen a better character rather than a nobody.
Four: She got extremely wasted, did surgery, and flew to an unknown small country.
Five: Her life as Jia Yu is a long dream and now, she is living her real life.
Jia Yu feels crush at the last possibility. Despite being an unmarried woman, she is quite content with her life. She have her best friend, brother, and sister-in-law.
Cai Huan watches the beautiful woman inhaling and exhaling as her silky hair gracefully blows across her shoulders. Such a beautiful existence should be a sin.
Jia Yu's eyes open and Cai Huan drops his. She stares forward momentarily, before looking at him. "What's your name?"
"Cai Huan, miss."
"And you're a coachman?"
He nods, "Yes, miss."
"Please, drop the miss portion. My name is-" Jia Yu stops momentarily.
If she truly did transmit into another world, occupying another body; would it be a problem to use her name and not the owner's name?
From what Jia Yu notices, her dress seems to be high material. The elder man from the castle-like building earlier only refer to her as - miss - so she assumes he doesn't know who she is either. Which also meant, Alessandro Valeron - the supposed villain of her story - does not know who she is either.
Silently, Jia Yu prays everything is a dream - nightmare - and she is in a coma from when whatever it is drops on her head.
She nods to herself, accepting the first possibility. If she did not think that way, she would go insane.
Jia Yu traces her memories and from what she recalls, she must be one of many woman who warmed the bed of the villain. She is someone who is insignificant.
But, what if everything is truly real and not a story?
She doesn't even want to think of that.
"Jia," she presents only her first name. Even if everything is a dream, she should be cautious. No one can be found simply by their first name. "Mind if I call you Cai?"
After a while, he nods. "Miss-"
Jia wants to tell him to call her by her name but she opted out the idea. She came to the conclusion that she should treat the dream as if its reality. In her mind, there may be a possibility that it is real.
Better safe than sorry.
"Where would you like me to take you?" Cai realizes that they cannot simply rest the carriage in the middle of the Valeron's trail.
"Oh," Jia responds, noticing their current state. She sat there, kicking her slim legs back and forth not knowing how to respond. "What is the nearest hotel here?"
His brows crinkles, "Hotel?"
"Inn," Jia quickly correct her words.
Cai nods, "There is one ten miles from here. I can drop you off there."
She smiles and nod, "That would be nice."
Cai helps Jia into the carriage. He closes the door and hop onto the horse. With one swift motion, he command the horse to carry onward. Jia exhales, her eyes set on the woods; her minds in the clouds.
With the carriage rocking back and forth, and the sun slowly setting down; Jia yawn. She settle her chin on the edge of the wooden window and look forward.
She never thought she would like it.
Riding a carriage through the woods, smelling its fresh air.
Jia had been living in the city for far too long to remember what the wilderness had to offer.
She remembers when she was younger; back to the time of carefree. Back into the small house with her parents and brother. The kitchen would often be scented with her mother's secret ingredient dishes. Her father, brother, and her would be sitting in the living room. Her father would read the newspaper while the siblings would play board games, waiting for her mother to tell them it's time to eat.
Then, the siblings would set up the table. After dinner, the father would wash the dishes while the mother rest.
Jia didn't grow in wealth, she worked for it.
Times like this, quiet moments, Jia would miss her childhood.
Sometimes, she wonders, if it is the right thing to do.
To move out.
To move away from everything she finds comfort in.
Then, she remembers a young man in uniform. Every morning he would greet her grumpy father and sweet mother before taking her hand. He would sit in the front of the bicycle while she settle in the back. They would ride down the road and towards school; talking about meaningless things.
They often spoke of marriage; having many children together.
It was him and her.
Them against the world.
Jia wonders how is he?
What is he doing?
Is he married?
The carriage stops and Jia's body sway forward. Instantly, she grab onto the frame of the window. When she hears the door creak, she straighten her posture ensuring she would not get caught in an embarrassing state.
Cai smiles, "We have arrived."
Jia lifts a foot in the air, only to notice Cai open hand. She takes two blinks and realize she has to grab it. Her soft palm places on top of his, and elegantly she steps out as if she is taking off her burrito Jia Yu's mask and putting on her business woman face.
She turn around, noticing a small inn. Jia exhales, clasping her hands together. She takes two steps forward, only to remember her homeless state. Jia runs her forearm, wondering if she can sell the coat. According to its well-made material and style, it should fetch a good price.
Cai digs into his pocket and pull out the bag of coins. He inches it closer to her, "Mr.Wu told me to give it to you." Cai Huan is an honest man, a personality trait Mr.Wu had long notice. He wouldn't blink twice when giving Cai a bag filled with silver.
Jia looks inside and her eyes widen. She doesn't know the currency exchange of this world - still in the doubtful stage that it is her story - but she can tell silver does hold value. She doesn't want to accept the money but she isn't in a position not to.
For a moment, Jia feels like she was a prostitute.
The man had paid her after a night of service.
Jia settle her sad heart by mentally think: it's better to get pay then to pay.
She grabs two and places it in Cai's hand. "As thank you for taking me here," she smiles, revealing two deep dimples.
Cai's heart leap several miles at the scene, but he quickly gather himself. He pushes the money back, "It is my job. No need for payment."
Jia can tell he is a good man and won't accept the money without a purpose. So, she offers: "How about you come here to get me tomorrow?" Jia knows she needs a ride into town to figure out her next step.
Cai knows he should deny her offers, after all, he works for the Valeron family not some public service. However, as he stands there staring at the beautiful young woman his mouth refuses to properly function. Before his mind catches up with the situation, he had already said: "Okay."
Jia's eyes crinkles and her lips break into another smile. She pushes his hand into his chest, the palm forming a fist. "Then, here is the advance payment. I will see you tomorrow, yeah?"
Absentmindedly, he nods. Jia turns her toes and made her way to the inn, leaving a mindless coachman. Once she disappears, Cai looks down at the two silvers and smiles, completely forgetting about the red flags waving all over Jia.
Jia enters the inn, feeling the cozy atmosphere. The room was built in a rectangular form with a staircase etched to the side, "Welcome," an elder woman greets her. She scans Jia's body, noticing the expensive clothes attach to her. "Are you looking for direction?" She assumes Jia is lost due to her outfits.
Jia made her way past tables, filled with a few customers who were having dinner. The sound of converstations and utensils halt as she walks towards the counter. Males stare at her in awe while the female scowls at the walking beauty.
"Actually, I was wondering if you have anymore room," based on what Jia observes so far, there are a few words that does not exist in this world such as camera and television hence she should avoid it.
Jia still had not accept that she was the one who had written the world she is standing in. She needs more proof rather then a few coincidences such as the villain's and country names.
The elder woman smiles, "We have a room, but it's on the second floor so it will be a bit pricey," she doesn't want to merely assume the young girl has money based on her image. Yes, she does wear expensive clothes, but considering she wants to stay at a low-end inn, it must mean she is down on her luck.
"How much would it be?" Always ask for the price first before purchasing.
"It would be a silver."
When Jia turns her head, the elder woman notices a red mark on her neck. The young girl wears wealthy clothes but decides to stay at a low end inn must only mean one thing. The elder came to the conclusion that Jia was a mistress and her master no longer wants her. It's a believable thought due to Jia's beauty. The elder woman wasn't concern about Jia because a girl like her always manage to find another master who will spoil her.
Jia hands the elder woman a silver. The woman bit the edge and nod in satisfaction before hiding the money, "This way please," she escorts Jia upstairs. Passing by the table once more, Jia notices the plates on the table and her stomach lightly grumbles.
The elder woman opens the door to reveal a small well-cleansed room. Jia steps inside noticing a small wooden bed, table, two chairs, and a closed window - the basic. It wasn't a five star hotel, but it sufficient.
"Can I order some dishes?" Jia asks, knowing she needs food tonight.
"What would you like miss?"
"Do you have any recommendation? Such as, something light but fulfilling," Jia doesn't want go fatten the nice body that she got.
"I would recommend a nice bowl of egg soup. It will be one copper."
Jia nods, "I will take that," she hands the woman another silver. The elder woman searches her pockets and return Jia nine coppers.
"I will be back with your soup," she said, leaving Jia alone.
Jia settle down on the small chair, and pour out all the money. Then, she counts it. She have five golds, six silver, and nine coppers left.
Earlier the woman stated that a bowl of egg soup cost a copper and Jia gave her a silver. In return, the woman gave her back nine copper which means ten copper is equivalent to one silver. It would only make sense if one gold equals ten silvers.
Jia understands the importance of knowing the currency of each country, after all, she is a business woman.
In conclusion, after a night with a wealthy man, she was paid five pieces of gold and ten pieces of silvers.
Jia suddenly feels like a prostitute.
The door knocks, and Jia gather all of the money. "Come in," she said, and the elder woman brought in her bowl of soup. She places it down on top of the table, "Anything else you would like miss?"
Jia shakes her head, "This is good. Thank you," she said. The elder woman nods, making her way to the door. "Wait," Jia said.
She turns around. "Yes?"
"Where is the nearest town?" Jia understands that she needs to figure out who she is and what better place to do it then the big city where everyone gathers. She's bound to run into someone she knows. Plus, she can always go to the authority to figure out her identity.
"Destompida would be the closest city."
Jia's heart jolt at the name of the city.
Alessandro Valeron - villain's name.
Andinolia - country.
Destompida - city.
It's all too much of a coincidence.
Suddenly, Jia wants to smack herself on the head for writing such names. She didn't want to do any research on existing countries and follow their rules/regulations so she randomly type in a bunch of words and called it a place. A world where her imagination can wander, but still doesn't defy logic. Jia is a woman of reality, thus she cannot write anything too absurd.
"Do you need me to call you a ride?" The elder woman questions.
Jia shakes her head, "No, thank you. I'm good," she said.
The elder woman nods in acceptance and left Jia alone once more. Jia picks up the spoon, sipping the soup. She smack her mouth several times, tasting the tasteless dish. Jia drops the spoon, running her hands from her face up to her tangled hair. She nods, "Next time you write a book Jia, make sure to describe how good the dishes are just in case you transmigrate into it."
Forcing herself to finish the bland dish, she finally feel full - or comfortable enough to sleep. Jia scoot Jia chair back, making her way to the window. It's already apparent that she is on the second floor, high but not high enough to see everything. Jia looks forward to see a bright light from below, indicating that it's the city. She simply doesn't know how far it the travel will be from her current standing.
Jia's head drop to see a small one story building beside the inn, pack with woods. Then smokes rises and a young woman rushes out with a handful of food. She concludes that the place is the kitchen. Beside the kitchen is a small garden, fill with vegetables.
The young woman looks up, her eyes meeting Jia. Instantly, her cheeks turn red. Never once did she meet such a beautiful woman in her life; as if she had fallen from Heaven.
Jia feels creep out from the stranger intense stare.
She closes the window.
Jia settle down beside the small desk and stare at herself. She nods, admitting that the body she had occupy can surely cause war. She tuck a strand of hair back, "Ah, I'm so pretty," she understand that the person staring back at her isn't really her, but she couldn't help but praise herself. "No wonder why everyone keeps staring at me. So beautiful!"
She places her palms on her plump cheeks and smile widely, "If only I was this pretty back in my world. I can simply become a model-" she looks at herself again. "Or a sugar baby."
Jia laughs to herself, before exhaling: "This sucks."
Being stuck in a world that's possibly the world she created without an ounce of understanding who she is and without a hint guidance truly...utterly...sucks.