The room was quaint, but Chen Anyue quite liked it. There was something about it that made her feel almost safe and secure, that eyes weren't watching her, and the air wasn't too thick to breathe. Before leaving Reling, she had never seen rooms so tiny, buildings so poor.
But she did not feel disgusted nor repulsed by what she had seen beyond the luxuries of her home. Instead, she felt charmed. It almost made her want to curl up on the bed and giggle wildly, to spin around and dance in the tiny space because she knew that no one would be watching.
A knock on the door summoned her out of her daydreams, "It's me, Xuelan." She hurried over to the door and let him in.
"What is it, A-Zhang?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing." Xuelan gave her a look of concern.
What a silly child, she couldn't help but think. But it was cute that he cared about her so, thus she decided not to scold him too much, "You just saw me and I was fine then, wasn't I? I'll still be fine now," she giggled.
"No, I just," he sighed, "Anyways, I wanted to say you really shouldn't say things like not minding sleeping arrangements!" His face was flushed which made her laugh even more.
"But I really don't."
"What if that Liu Sumeng wanted to sleep with you? In this tiny cramped bed!"
Then she would simply have to sleep on the floor, but she only smiled at him mischievously and said, "We will soon be husband and wife, would there really be any problem?"
"Shijie!" he cried much to her amusement and then let out a very deep sigh, "Look, Shijie, there are many evil and terrible things out in the world." He took her pale hands into his own and looked at her straight in the eye with a sharp and serious expression, "If anything, you should be forcing him to sleep on the floor like the dog that he is! This is why I worry so much about you!"
"Hm, if he wanted the bed, how would weak and pitiful me be able to force him to sleep on the ground?" Chen Anyue asked playfully.
"That's simple!" Yuan Xuelan put his hands on his hips with a wide grin, "You must demand where his pride as a man is! If he still refuses you can call him shameless and threaten to expose his nasty character to the world. Tell him you'll report to your father and it will ruin the relationship between the Heavenly Sword Sect and Ascending Dawn Sect!"
Chen Anyue stared while Yuan Xuelan laughed like a madman. "A-Zhang," she sighed as she shook her head in disapproval, "you know there is no way I could say such words."
"Of course you can," Yuan Xuelan coughed to clear his throat before continuing with a high pitched voice and exaggerated dramatics, "Oh Second Young Master Liu, how could it be that you have no pride as a man? Making a sweet beautiful girl like myself sleep in on the cold hard floor. Are you not ashamed? I fear I must tell father how cruel you are! Oh, what if it were to affect the relationship between our sects… Second Young Master Liu please reconsider!"
"..." Chen Anyue's smile became strained, the gaze in her eyes cold, "A-Zhang, aren't you being the shameless one here?"
"Erk!" Yuan Xuelan began to sweat, "No, no Shijie I only meant it as a joke hahahahaha…" He nervously backed away while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Hm, since my Shidi is so cute I'll let you off this time," she smiled at him, showing that she forgave him. "In all seriousness, however, please don't bring too much trouble to Second Young Master Liu. By extension don't you think you're also bringing me trouble as well?"
"Ah!" His eyes went wide, "That wasn't my intention at all!"
She laughed at his flustered appearance, "I know. That's why I'm reminding you."
"I'm sorry…"
"Good, good. Now that you'll be on your best behavior let's go downstairs and get something to eat."
At this point, Yuan Xuelan could only bow his head and obediently follow a pleased-looking Chen Anyue down to the first floor.
They saw Liu Sumeng sitting at a table all by himself sipping on wine with an array of dishes set out in front of him. Yuan Xuelan sneered. Of course, there was no way that awkward fool would be able to communicate with strangers and would have to leave the work to the two of them instead.
Yuan Xuelan had an expression as he approached that was unnecessarily smug, "So Second Young Master Liu is asking around for information?"
"..." Liu Sumeng did say that earlier didn't he? He was a little embarrassed but made no show of it. "I'm paying attention."
"Then, did Second Young Master Liu manage to hear anything of interest?" Chen Anyue slyly nudged her adopted brother with her elbow before coming to sit down.
He shook his head, "No. Nothing is out of the ordinary. Except maybe…" He frowned, his expression unsure.
"Maybe what?" Yuan Xuelan pressed, grumbling as he took a seat next to Chen Anyue.
"It's probably not important," Liu Sumeng paused while the other two stared at him intently, forcing him to continue, "the people here are lively." He had expected Yuan Xuelan to say something with a sneer but instead Chen Anyue spoke up first.
"Is…there an issue with that?" She furrowed her brow confused as she looked around.
Liu Sumeng shook his head, "I don't know."
Between their conversation, Yuan Xuelan called over the waiter and ordered more food and Liu Sumeng took the opportunity to ask for more alcohol as well. The rice wine from this place wasn't that bad, he decided.
"Ok so, why don't you try asking people about it then? Why are they so loud and merry?" Yuan Xuelan asked with pointed intention, "Or did you really just sit here in hope that you'll be able to overhear something?"
"..." Liu Sumeng was a little flustered.
"What did I say earlier!" Chen Anyue huffed as she lightly smacked her Shidi upside the head.
"Ow! Sorry…"
She sighed and looked back at Liu Sumeng with determination, "I don't mind going around and asking. What would Second Young Master Liu like me to ask?"
Liu Sumeng took a moment to gather the words in his mind, "...Why are they so lively."
She looked a little confused but in the end, nodded. However, Yuan Xuelan slammed his palms on the table and jolted the ceramic cups and plates, "Wait! Shijie, no you don't have to talk to these people and ask them such a weird question. What if they say strange things to you? I'll go instead."
"A-Zhang…" She frowned at him, "It makes me really happy that you're worried about me but you know that I'm not an invalid, right…? Please I need to try this for myself, otherwise, how could I proudly call myself a cultivator?"
"Shijie…" He looked a little lost at her words but quickly shook himself out of his stupor, "Sorry Shijie, I was wrong. I know a better idea, how about we do it together?"
Those words put a brilliant smile upon her face. "Yes!" She chirped happily and got up from her seat straight away, leaving Yuan Xuelan to hastily chase after her heels.
"..." Again, Liu Sumeng was alone at the table, the waiter gave him a strange look as he arrived with more food and wine. He decided to order a few more bottles.