Thin beams of light pass through a wooden window, landing upon Lia's eyelids. Her long lashes flutter as she opens her eyes. She looks at Yuyu's face and smiles as she wipes the snot from the little girl's nose. A large yawn escapes her as she stretches her arms before making her way towards the window. She unlatches the hook holding the windows together and pushes them outwards. She leans out the window and gazes at the glimmering green river below. Her bangs float off to the side as a sweet morning breeze sweeps by.
As Lia takes in the morning air, the sound of hysterical crying catches her attention. She slides her feet into a pair of straw sandals before quietly exiting the room, making her way downstairs. The hysterical crying grew louder and louder as she descended towards the ground floor. As she turns around the corner, just before the final set of stairs, she spots the source of the hysterical crying.
A middle-aged man, dressed in old tattered clothes, was bawling eyes out in the middle of the inn. His arms were wrapped tightly around the young receptionist lady.
"Th-t-thank- Thank the Heavens!" The man cries out.
"Dad, it's okay. I'm okay…" The young lady hugs her dad tightly, trying to console him. "I'm still here."
Lia's eyes glaze up as she watches the heartwarming reunion, wondering what could've happened to bring a man to tears like this. As she was lost in thought, Sun walks into the inn. He glances over at the sweet reunion and smiles before making his way up the stairs towards Lia. Upon arriving at the top of the stairs, he notices a teardrop streaming down Lia's face.
"Freshly steamed buns." He speaks softly, holding a steamed bun to her face. "Best buns on this side of the bridge. Freshly steamed buns."
The sound of his voice snaps Lia out of her daze. She quickly wipes away her tears before snatching the bun out of his hands.
"Hey dummy. Don't you ever get sick of eating steamed buns every day?"
Sun smiles before taking a bite out of his pork bun, shaking his head as he chews.
***
Back in New Hope City, a young boy weaves through the busy crowd as he makes his way towards the alleyway ahead. Upon arriving at the entrance to the alleyway, the boy glances around before heading in. He continues deeper and deeper into the alleyway, disappearing from view.
"Not a bad day," he mutters, pulling out a small coin pouch and a blue bracelet from his pocket.
He opens up the coin pouch and pours the coins into his palm before counting through them one by one.
"Good haul today, boy?"
The sudden question causes the boy to jump, dropping the coins in his hands. The coins scatter across the brick ground, clinging as they tumble around sporadically. The boy slowly turns his head towards the direction of the voice. He trembles as his eyes drift upwards, stopping on the figure atop the brick wall in front of him.
The old man breaks into a hearty laugh upon seeing the boy's terrified expression. He jumps off the wall, landing gracefully in front of the trembling child. The boy flinches, stepping backwards, as the old man reaches at his throat.
"Relax, boy." The old man grabs the medallion hanging around the boy's neck before yanking it away. "I'm not going to hurt you."
The old man gazes down at the crimson red jade in his hand.
The Sword and the Crown…
He tucks the medallion into his sleeve before slowly kneeling down on one knee. He takes a moment to observe the boy and sighs. The child's dogged appearance reminds him of memories from a distant past.
"What's your name, boy?"
"D-d- M-m-my name… M-my name is Da- my name is Dan, sir."
"Why don't you pick up the coins, Dan. I have some questions for you. Let's chat over a meal. You look hungry."
***
"Yuyu," Sun calls out to the little girl.
Yuyu rolls over as she kicks the blanket away. She scratches her runny nose as she mumbles indistinct words.
"Yuyu," Sun brushes the snot from her nose as he calls out to her again. "Wake up sleepy, we have to go."
"Y-chiu!"
Yuyu sneezes herself awake. She wipes the snot from her nose before stretching her arms to hug Sun. He picks her up from the bed, gently setting her against his chest. Lia, seeing the little girl sniffling and unusually low on energy, places her hand on Yuyu's forehead. She breathes a sigh of relief upon feeling nothing out of the ordinary.
"Hey dummy, we should head back as soon as possible. It's not a fever, but Yuyu needs medicine and rest."
Sun hands Yuyu to Lia before rushing to pack their belongings. The trio make haste downstairs. As they leave the inn, a voice calls out to them.
"Sir!" The receptionist yells.
Sun pauses before turning around to meet her eyes. The young lady recalls the moment that she opened her eyes. Though her vision was hazy, she was able to make out a blurry visage of a man with long hair. She remembers the man reaching out to her, gently brushing her silky hair from her eyes. His smile, though blurry, was soothing. She recalls his soft voice as he warmly assures her that everything will be okay.
"My name is Nuli. May I please know your name?"
"Sun," he replies with a smile before turning around and walking away.
Sun… Long hair. Soothing smile. Soft voice.
She bows deeply towards his fading figure.
"THANK YOU FOR STAYING AT THE EMERALD TORTOISE INN! PLEASE COME AGAIN!"