31. Mysterious girl – 1/2

The bathroom was modest in size, with only a small room housing a wooden bathtub filled with steaming hot water. Xu Yi departed after Mei Lin entered inside, leaving her to her privacy.

Mei Lin didn't stay in the water for long, spending just a few minutes to cleanse away the blood and dirt accumulated from the events of the previous night. Once satisfied, she emerged from the bath, feeling refreshed once again.

Drying herself off, Mei Lin selected a spare set of clothes from the storage ring, leaving behind the tattered garments which she stowed away in her storage space. With her appearance restored, she exited the bathroom, ready to face others in tea house once again.

Exiting the bathroom, Mei Lin made her way over to Xu Yi. Her calm demeanor as she approached him. Without her bamboo hat, she revealed her beautiful white skin to Xu Yi, and he immediately started blushing.

As Mei Lin stood before him, her gaze meeting his own, Xu Yi found himself captivated by her beauty. A blush crept onto his cheeks, betraying his feelings as he struggled to maintain his composure in her presence. Emboldened by her proximity, he cleared his throat, ready to assist her with any inquiries she may have about breakfast for the following morning.

"Breakfast is included in the price. It will be ready early in the morning." As he said that to Mei Lin, she was surprised and quickly answered. Thank you, and good night," she said, returning the key before heading back upstairs. Xu Yi noticed the scars on her hands and the spear wound on her hand, as she gave him the key with her right hand from the bathroom, but didn't say anything. Retrieving the key, he glimpsed at her eyes, which remained closed throughout their whole conversation.

Just as he was about to ask something stupid, his father's sudden yelling prompted him to attend to his duties, and he bid Mei Lin a simple "Good night" as she ascended to the second floor and went back into the kitchen.

He promptly went to the bathroom to prepare it for the next guest who might wish to take a bath. However, upon entering, he discovered the water tainted with blood, nearly causing him to throw up. Cleaning the bathroom became an arduous task that consumed half an hour of his time. Once done, he proceeded to find his father.

"Father, who do you think she is?" Xu Yi's father was quite happy that Xu Yi was doing finally something in the tea-house with the excitement and happily answered. "How should I know, but as for her cultivation robe, it must be more expensive than the entire tea house. I have never seen such a beautiful robe." Xu Yi once again cut off fathers speech. "Why were her eyes closed when she looked at me?" I don't know, why don't you ask her yourself?" replayed Father angrily.

*****

As Mei Lin located her room and stepped inside, a wave of exhaustion washed over her, the fatigue from two days without sleep finally catching up to her. With weary movements, she made her way to the bed, her sole intention to sleep.

Intent on slipping beneath the covers and surrendering to sleep's embrace, Mei Lin began to disrobe. However, before she could lay down on the bed, a sudden and insistent knocking echoed through the room, jolting her from her weariness. "I am here Miss Cultivator," Xu Yi's voice sounded from the outside. 

Mei Lin knew who was it but still hastily put her clothes back on and went to open the door. Just in case, she had a knife in her hand ready. When she opened the door, she saw Xu Yi wearing a bamboo hat with a long white veil hanging down from all around the edge probably thirty centimeters long.

'Am I not disturbing? My father sent you this. He saw that you would like such a hat, so this may help," said Xu Yi, offering the hat to her.

Mei Lin accepted the hat gratefully, touched by the gesture. "How much do you want for the hat?" she inquired.

Xu Yi shook his head. "Nothing, but my mother asked if you would join her on the second floor," he added, his tone earnest as he relayed the message from his mother.

Mei Lin's expression softened with gratitude. "Please convey my thanks to your mother. I will go and see her shortly," she replied warmly, before bidding Xu Yi goodnight and closing the door behind her.

Mei Lin put on a new bamboo-hat and went to the second floor. Xu Yi's mother was already waiting there near the one of the windows as the moonlight was shining at her green robe. "Good evening, please join me," spoke middle aged woman with long black hairs in the bun. Moonlight was shining at her slightly wrinkled face which made her very elegant and beautiful. "Hello," Mei Lin replied, a bit shy.

As she sat at the stop, where was middle aged woman pointing, Mei Lin start slowly speaking.

"Can you help me stitch up the wound on my back, please? I will pay you for it." "Of course," answered beautiful woman in green robe. As Mei Lin lay down, she carefully positioned the upper part of her robe beneath her, using it as a makeshift cushion. Moments later, Xu Yi's mother examined the wound on Mei Lin's back. Her surprise was evident as she observed the wound, which appeared to be cleanly opened all the way her back, yet curiously devoid of any blood.

Inspecting it closely, she noted with astonishment that the wound seemed to be completely dried up, with no signs of bleeding whatsoever. It was as if the injury had somehow healed itself, leaving behind only the evidence of its existence. "How is it possible that such a massive wound didn't bleed? It's because of my cultivation," answered Mei Lin quietly. "Oh… That is very useful than. Yes, it is." After some more small talk, before woman start stitching up the wound and Xu Yi's mother suddenly introduced herself.

"My name is Xu Jie, and your name is?" Xu Jie asked, introducing herself as she engaged Mei Lin in conversation. "Mei Lin." Mei Lin replied with a polite nod, acknowledging the introduction. Curious about Mei Lin's presence in the merchant caravan, Xu Jie inquired further, "What are you doing in the merchant caravan?"