Guo Baiyu and Guo Longtong arrive at Sunrise Inn. Some people are still waiting in line for their tables. The Inn's decoration is simple and plain. The Inn is not fancy looking like many Inns that Guo Baiyu had been to. In Capital City, there are many luxurious inns.
Guo Baiyu and Guo Longtong walked up the five steps stairway. The greeter came to greet the two young men.
Guo Longtong said, "This way. Our table is next to the register desk." He took the led and went to the first table. Guo Longtong has three friends who were already seated at the table.
The three friends are neatly dress with fine features. Guo Baiyu noticed that a friend of Guo Longtong's stared at him, looking him up and down. Guo Baiyu and Guo Longtong sat down, and then three friends greeted Guo Baiyu.
Guo Longtong, "Let me introduce you to my friends." He pointed to the one sat next to Guo Baiyu left. "This Lee Dachin, this is Wu Wangwei, and lastly, this is Chan Changchao."
Guo Baiyu, "It's my honor to meet you all."
The five gentlemen are sitting together for dinner and enjoying their conversation. Guo Baiyu noticed that other guests stared at them and whispered to each other. The young ladies stared at them. This is another reason why Guo Baiyu never likes to eat in the open. If he happens to be resting in a inn, he will always eat in his room.
The waiter placed down more dishes on their table and also more rice wine.
Guo Longtong, "Wait, we did not order more dish."
Waiter, "Young master Guo, this is from table four."
The gentlemen looked at where the waiter pointed. A faire good looking lady smiled at them and nodded.
Waiter, "This young master." He looked at Guo Baiyu. "Lady Mui, would like to know your name?"
Guo Baiyu looked at the waiter. He got up and walked to table four. He gave lady Mui a proper greeting.
Guo Baiyu said, "Thank you for the dishes and the wine. I am Guo Baiyu. Nice to meet you."
When Guo Baiyu turned and walked back to their dining table, he ran into Xiong Lifeng. When she fell to the floor, Guo Baiyu stretched out his hand and held her waist to prevent her from falling. The entire scene was captured by hundreds of eyes in the main dining room.
Guo Baiyu, "I am sorry. Are you alright Miss?"
Xiong Lifeng, "Thank you. I am fine." Xiong Lifeng walked up to the front register.
Guo Baiyu walked back to the table. The four men giggled and smiled at Guo Baiyu.
Guo Long Tong praised, "Not bad at all. You were here less than half a day and you already got to hold her. I spent more than ten thousand coins here and I don't even get to hold her hand once."
Guo Baiyu claimed his innocent, "It was not a hold. It's an accident."
Guo Longtong teased, "How come you don't show any emotion?" he looked at Guo Baiyu. "That is Lady Xiong. The daughter of the owner of this Inn. Xiong Lifeng. One of the beauty of the town."
Guo Baiyu, "You stood in line for a table just to look at her?"
Guo Longtong, "Yes. Enjoying a meal while having a beauty around is not bad at all." He picked up his cup of wine and sipped the wine with a smile. "Strange... Very strange indeed." He looked at both Guo Baiyu and Lee Dachin with a puzzled face. "The only two people I know that don't show any emotion around pretty girls is this young master Lee Dachin and you." Guo Longtong little sentence made Lee Dachin face redden.
Lee Dachin said softly, "Stop your nonsense." He glanced at Guo Baiyu and both his cheeks redden.
Guo Longtong surprised, "Am I dreaming?" He pinched his face. "This is the first time I saw you blush like this, Dachin." He joked. "I am not blaming you. My cousin here." He patted Guo Baiyu's right shoulder. "Is very popular among both men and women. You have no idea how many men chases after him. If he don't have excellent fighting skill he properly have many husbands." He laughed out loud. "Baiyu, do you remember that young Master Fang?"
Guo Baiyu nodded.
Guo Longtong continued, "This young master Fang in Capital City. He has the biggest crush on Baiyu. He is not even embarrassed, he announced in front of many people that he will go after Baiyu. He called Baiyu his future wife." He laughed. "Is he still chasing after you?"
Guo Baiyu, "Yes."
The four men jaw dropped.
Guo Longtong teased, "Will he follow you here?" Guo Longtong eyes widen with a silly smile on his face.
Guo Baiyu calmly said, "I don't think so."
Guo Longtong continued with his teasing, he said, "So, my friend." He gave Lee Dachin a silly look. "You are okay to go after him too." Guo Longtong and the other two friends laughed.
Lee Dachin felt embarrassed and smiled glancing at Guo Baiyu.
Still laughing Guo Longtong said, "I am sure you are better looking than that young master Fang."
Guo Baiyu, "Don't take it to heart." He looked at Lee Dachin. "You and him are friends, you should know how he is."
Lee Dachin nodded and his cheeks felt hot. Among the four gentlemen of the town, by looks, first, will have to be Lee Dachin. Lee Dachin is a very handsome man with the most caring personality and the gentlest heart. The town people gave him the tile "The beauty Lee Dachin."
Guo Longtong frowned, "I cannot stop looking at her." He stared at Xiong Lifeng. The other two friends agreed with Guo Longtong.
Lee Dachin glanced at Guo Baiyu, listened to his coversation, and studied his reaction. Lee Dachin was very surprised that Guo Baiyu never make a single eye contact at Xiong Lifeng. He sat there like an immortal from heaven expressionless chewing his food. Lee Dachin felt his heart beating faster. Inside his mind, he captured every detail of Guo Baiyu. Now, he understands why men fall in love with Guo Baiyu.
Chan Changchao suggested, "With your status who would refuse a proposal?"
Wu Wangwei agreed, "Just ask her. I am sure her father will agree if it's you."
Guo Longtong answered, "I don't like to use money and force." He looked at Guo Baiyu. "You see, my cousin here, he is still single. Among the men in our families, Baiyu is the first of everything. He is the best looking men in our families, the smartest, and the most skillful."
Lee Dachin softly, "No wonder there are many people after him."
Guo Baiyu, "You don't need to brag about this every time I am around."
Guo Baiyu is the kind of person who doesn't speak much, but when he speaks, everyone will stop and listen. He doesn't like being stared at and surrounded by people. He doesn't like to barge about his success. He is always calm and never approach anyone unless they approached him first. His personality makes him very famous in Capital City. In addition, he is very talented and he has the most down to earth personality, which is another reason why men and women fall in love with him. Men fall for him because of his talent and personality, and women fall in love with him because of his charm and character.
Guo Longtong frowned, "Ok... Ok... I'll stop. I just want you to have fun. Honestly, how long are you going to stay?"
Guo Baiyu answered, "Not sure yet."
The five gentlemen ate at their table. Talked and exchanged ideas.
One of the waiter come up to the register and started talking to Xiong Lifeng.
Waiter said, "I am sorry, Miss, but I need help cleaning table. We still have people waiting in line outside." Even in the middle of autumn, the waiter was sweating a lot. "If I bring the guests to the table, I won't be able to clean the other table. The other two waiters are also very busy."
Xiong Lifeng, "When you go back to the kitchen to bring out the food. Tell, Ping'an to come and clean the table. She should finish with the laundry by now."
Waiter, "But... Madam Xiong want Ping'an to chop firewood."
Xiong Lifeng said, "Tell her, I want Ping'an to clean table and have the cooks chop their own wood in the kitchen. Tell them to help each other in the backroom."
Waiter, "Yes, Miss."
The waiter quickly despaired to the backdoor.
Ping'an walked to the register. Xiong Lifeng gave Ping'an her work tasks. When Ping'an turned around, Guo Baiyu looked up. The two once strangers stared at each other once more. To avoid eyes contact, Ping'an garbed the wood bucket walked to an empty table and started cleaning. Guo Baiyu's eyes locked on her, he couldn't believe he met her again. Throughout the main dining hall, is eyes followed her. At the same time, Lee Dachin followed Guo Baiyu's eyes and noticed Guo Baiyu was staring at Ping'an.
Lee Dachin, "Do...you... know her, childe Guo?" His voice sound shaky.
Guo Baiyu, "I met her when I entered the town." Guo Baiyu looked at Lee Dachin. "Do you know her?"
Lee Dachin replied, "No... I have never meet her before. If I do, I would remember."
Wu Wangwei, "I think she is just another worker." He sipped some more wine. "How long you guy want to stay here?"
Chan Changchao, "As long as childe Guo want." He looked at Guo Longtong.
Guo Longtong sadly frowned, "I don't think she notice me at all. I am good for the day." His feeling was hurt somewhat.
Chan Changchao, "She is looking ours direction, so don't lose hope yet."
Lee Dachin, "It's been awhile since we get together let stay longer."
Guo Longtong complained, "No, she is looking at Baiyu not me. I can't compare to Baiyu when sitting next to him." He made a silly sad face. "Baiyu... My good brother Baiyu, why are you so handsome? Could you be less handsome? The moon is even embarrasses when you stand next to it." He teased his cousin.
All four men burst out laughing, Guo Baiyu could only faintly smiled at the joke. Guo Baiyu never minded Guo Longtong's jokes. Guo Longtong has a similar personality to him. This is why Guo Baiyu decided to visit him before the winter season.
Wu Wangwei asked, "How about we have them clean our table and order new dishes?"
Guo Longtong nodded, "I agree to that."
Wu Wangwei waved to one of the waiters and ordered new dish. The waiter wrote down their order and walked to Ping'an. Ping'an then walked to their table and picked up the empty plate.
Guo Baiyu kept looking at Ping'an while she cleans the table. Guo Baiyu felt he was longing for this person. His heart is sad. His heart burned with emptiness. He reached out and held her hand, and then stared into her eyes as she picked up an empty plate in front of him. He felt sad suddenly. He felt tears in his eyes. He felt pain in his heart, but at the same time he felt complete. His action caught the attention of the four men who sat at the table and Xiong Lifeng.
Xiong Lifeng coughed a couple of times to warn Ping'an to behave herself around the customers. Ping'an pulled her hand away and grabbed the rest of the empty plates and disappeared to the back door.
The five gentlemen drank until late in the evening. Guo Baiyu kept looking around the main dining hall, but the lady whose name he did not know never show up again after the incident. The friends bided farewell and each went their separate way back to their home.