Okay Okay then-
"Salome was in my place? That means-"
Hao Xuan couldn't help but try and connect the dots but the old lady stopped him.
"There is no need to look for meaning where there is none. All you need to know now is the choice falls upon your shoulders. What will you do?"
She flicked a finger and a cup of hot tea appeared in Hao Xuan's hand.
"Just like your mother used to make," she said smilingly but to Hao Xuan's eyes it looked like the blood from the reaper's scythe.
Even so, if she actually wanted to hurt him he couldn't stop her so he threw caution to the wind and took a sip. It was exactly as he remembered.
"It's been a decade since I last tasted this" he looked up from the cup to thank her, "I appreciate you creating this place just for my visit...even if it was a nightmare."
"Was it? It is difficult to understand the minds of you humans. I was under the impression this was your favorite memory."
Hao Xuan chuckled, "Not a memory but a dream."