A Joyous Evening

A moment later, a knock was heard coming from the door.

"You called my lady."

Tian Mei walked to the door and told Xue Yang to sit down at the table.

"Please sit Xue Yang."

She opened the door, and standing behind it was a young girl who looked to be around 17 years old.

She was wearing simple brown robes indicating her lower status. It was the kind of clothing you'd see on mortal farmers.

Her silver hair was neatly tied into a bun and her violet eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky.

Her fair complexion made her small but plump red lips stand out even more.

When he saw her, Xue Yang couldn't help but wonder if this was a fairy factory.

"Bring us some wine and some snacks Bai Ling1."

"Us?"

Bai Ling instantly became curious as to who 'us' referred to. At first, she didn't see him, Tian Mei never had any guests in her room so her interest had peaked.

Looking into the room she saw a handsome man wearing crimson robes. Upon seeing him her eyes gleamed with interest.

He had hair reminiscent of snow-capped mountains, and blood-red eyes that gave him a dangerous appearance yet complimented his pale complexion.

Even though he was wearing a robe, she could tell that he had a chiselled muscular build that was barely contained by his ill-fitting robes.

While he was sitting down, it was clear as day that he had an impressive height that would easily tower above her.

He reminded her of the stories about immortals that Tian Mei would read her when she was younger.

She neared Tian Mei and gently nudged her with her elbow with a cheeky smile on her face.

"Big sis, is this your boyfriend?" She whispered.

Tian Mei's eyes briefly moved to Xue Yang causing her to blush before returning to Bai Ling.

Tian Mei cleared her throat and composed herself. Giving Bai Ling a dangerous smile she hurried her out.

"Get going Bai Ling and bring us some refreshments."

Knowing she successfully got on her nerves, Bai Ling bowed and left the room to get the refreshments.

"Right away my lady."

Bai Ling scuttled away, shutting the door behind her.

Tian Mei walked over to the table and sat opposite Xue Yang.

"Ehm…"

"Hmm?" 

"D-did you perhaps hear what Bai Ling said?"

Seeing Tian Mei acting adorable, Xue Yang decided to tease her a bit.

"You mean if I heard what my girlfriend's little sister said?"

Tian Mei put her head in her hands out of embarrassment.

"You two are very similar."

If not for her hands blocking the view, he would see her entire face turn a bright shade of red.

Xue Yang chuckled, "Thank you, I can tell you care about Bai Ling so I will take that as a compliment."

"You're really…"

Tian Mei was left speechless at Xue Yang's antics, but she couldn't say she disliked it.

The pair didn't have to wait long as moments later a knock could be heard on the door again before being opened.

Bai Ling came in with a small cart on which were two bottles of fine rice wine and plentiful snacks ranging from fresh fruit to sweets and grilled meat.

"I didn't know what kind of snacks the young master liked so I brought a variety of things just in case."

"Thank you, Bai Ling, you can just leave it here and go." Tian Mei said.

Before she had the chance to leave, Xue Yang spoke up with a warm smile.

"You can call me Xue Yang. Thank you for taking good care of me and Tian Mei. I appreciate it, Bai Ling."

The smile caused Bai Ling to fumble her words.

"Ah, Yes. I'm Bai Ling. Goodbye."

Trying not to smile and blush, Bai Ling left the room like the wind praying that she didn't embarrass herself anymore.

Her cute and innocent reaction made Xue Yang chuckle once again.

"These two have very similar reactions."

Tian Mei started to pout slightly forcing Xue Yang to ask about it.

"What's wrong?"

"I wish you'd only smile like that at me." she blurted out without thinking.

Xue Yang couldn't believe such an adorable creature existed in this dark and dangerous world of cultivation.

Choosing to tease her a bit more, "Oh? I didn't think you'd admit that easily to being jealous." he chuckled.

Realizing what she said, her eyes grew wide as she blocked her mouth with both her hands.

"Ha, Ha, Ha." Xue Yang couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Wiping a tear from his eye he stood up.

"I'm sorry for teasing you like that, your reactions are just too adorable for me to pass up on the chance."

"Let me pour you some wine as an apology."

With that he grabbed the bottle of wine, filling her cup to the brim before doing the same for himself.

He lifted his cup in the air.

"I'd like to thank you again for taking care of me. If not for you I would have been in trouble."

Tian Mei thought he was talking about not having a place to stay. However, he was instead talking about how he most likely would have slaughtered and drained of all blood, not only the innkeeper but all the patrons too.

Her presence and her voice pulled him out of the clutches of rage-born insanity.

"I'm glad I could help." her smile was as vibrant as ever.

"I promise you, that one day I will repay you more than you could ever imagine."

"Now, how about we enjoy the evening and get to know each other a bit more."

"I'd like that." She nodded.

The two clinked their glasses and drank their content.

They would spend the next couple of hours casually chatting and laughing together while enjoying wine and the various snacks Bai Ling brought.

Xue Yang used this as an opportunity to not only get to know Tian Mei a little bit better but to also, gain some first-hand knowledge about this world.

Sometime later, Tian Mei, slightly rosy from the wine and filled with liquid courage stood up.

She leaned over the table, gently rubbing the top of Xue Yang's hand with a suggestion.

"How about we take this somewhere more private?"