Guo Baiyu and Guo Longtong arrived at Sunrise Inn. Outside, some people were still patiently waiting in line for tables. Inside, the Inn's decoration was simple and plain, a stark contrast to the lavish establishments Guo Baiyu was accustomed to in Capital City, where luxurious inns were commonplace.
Guo Baiyu and Guo Longtong ascended the five steps leading into the hall. A polite greeter immediately approached the two young men.
"This way," Guo Longtong gestured, a slight swagger in his step. "Our table is next to the register desk." He took the lead, guiding Guo Baiyu to the first table where three of his friends were already seated, their postures relaxed, their features finely chiseled. Guo Baiyu subtly noted that one of Guo Longtong's friends openly scrutinized him, his gaze sweeping up and down. As Guo Baiyu and Guo Longtong settled into their seats, the three friends offered deferential greetings.
"Let me introduce you to my friends," Guo Longtong announced with a flourish. He pointed to the man seated to Guo Baiyu's left. "This is Lee Dachin, this is Wu Wangwei, and lastly, this is Chan Changchao."
"It's my honor to meet you all," Guo Baiyu replied, his tone smooth and composed.
The five gentlemen sat together, enjoying their dinner and lively conversation. Guo Baiyu couldn't help but notice other guests staring at them, their whispers like rustling leaves, while young ladies openly gazed with admiration. This constant attention was another reason Guo Baiyu disliked dining in the open. If he happened to be resting at an inn, he always chose to eat in his room, seeking solitude from such scrutiny.
A waiter approached, placing more dishes and a fresh jug of rice wine on their table.
"Wait, we didn't order more dishes," Guo Longtong interjected, a surprised frown on his face.
"Young master Guo," the waiter explained, inclining his head, "this is from table four."
The gentlemen looked toward where the waiter pointed. A fair, good-looking lady at table four offered them a bright smile and a small nod of acknowledgment.
"This young master," the waiter continued, looking directly at Guo Baiyu, "Lady Mui would like to know your name."
Guo Baiyu met the waiter's gaze, a ripple of mild annoyance passing through him. He rose gracefully and walked to table four, offering Lady Mui a proper, polite greeting.
"Thank you for the dishes and the wine," Guo Baiyu said, his voice courteously calm. "I am Guo Baiyu. Nice to meet you."
As Guo Baiyu turned to walk back to his dining table, he unexpectedly bumped into Xiong Lifeng. She stumbled, and without thinking, Guo Baiyu swiftly stretched out his hand, gently holding her waist to steady her and prevent her fall. The entire, graceful save was captured by hundreds of eyes in the main dining room, drawing gasps and murmurs.
"I am sorry, Miss. Are you alright?" Guo Baiyu asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
"Thank you. I am fine," Xiong Lifeng replied, her cheeks a faint pink, before she quickly walked up to the front register, avoiding his gaze.
Guo Baiyu returned to his table, a faint ripple of amusement on his companions' faces. The four men giggled and exchanged knowing glances, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Guo Baiyu.
"Not bad at all!" Guo Longtong praised, slapping his knee lightly. "You were here less than half a day and you already got to hold her! I've spent more than ten thousand coins here and I don't even get to hold her hand once!"
"It was not a hold," Guo Baiyu stated, a hint of exasperation in his tone as he tried to claim his innocence. "It was an accident."
"How come you don't show any emotion?" Guo Longtong teased, scrutinizing Guo Baiyu's impassive face. "That is Lady Xiong. The daughter of the owner of this Inn. Xiong Lifeng. One of the beauties of the town!"
"You stood in line for a table just to look at her?" Guo Baiyu asked, his brow slightly raised in disbelief.
"Yes! Enjoying a meal while having a beauty around is not bad at all!" Guo Longtong declared, picking up his cup of wine and sipping it with a wide, satisfied smile. "Strange... Very strange indeed." He looked pointedly at both Guo Baiyu and Lee Dachin, his face etched with exaggerated puzzlement. "The only two people I know that don't show any emotion around pretty girls are this young master Lee Dachin and you." Guo Longtong's remark caused a noticeable flush to creep up Lee Dachin's neck and spread across his cheeks.
"Stop your nonsense," Lee Dachin said softly, his voice tight with embarrassment as he glanced quickly at Guo Baiyu, his blushes deepening.
"Am I dreaming?" Guo Longtong exclaimed, eyes wide with feigned shock. He actually pinched his own cheek. "This is the first time I've ever seen you blush like this, Dachin!" he joked, chuckling. "I'm not blaming you. My cousin here," he patted Guo Baiyu's right shoulder, a proud glint in his eye, "is very popular among both men and women. You have no idea how many men chase after him. If he didn't have excellent fighting skill, he'd probably have many husbands!" He burst out laughing. "Baiyu, do you remember that young Master Fang?"
Guo Baiyu nodded, a faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaping him.
"This young Master Fang in Capital City," Guo Longtong continued, leaning forward conspiratorially, "he has the biggest crush on Baiyu. He's not even embarrassed; he announced in front of many people that he will go after Baiyu! He called Baiyu his future wife!" He laughed, wiping a tear from his eye. "Is he still chasing after you?"
"Yes," Guo Baiyu answered simply, his expression unreadable.
The four men at the table dropped their jaws in unison, stunned by the calm admission.
"Will he follow you here?" Guo Longtong teased, his eyes widening with a silly, delighted smile.
"I don't think so," Guo Baiyu calmly replied, a hint of weariness in his voice.
Guo Longtong, still caught in his teasing spree, turned to Lee Dachin. "So, my friend," he said with a mischievous look, "you are okay to go after him too." Guo Longtong and the other two friends erupted in laughter, finding immense humor in Lee Dachin's discomfort.
Lee Dachin felt deeply embarrassed, but a small smile played on his lips as he glanced shyly at Guo Baiyu.
Still laughing, Guo Longtong playfully insisted, "I'm sure you are better looking than that young Master Fang!"
"Don't take it to heart," Guo Baiyu advised, his gaze gentle as he looked at Lee Dachin. "You and he are friends; you should know how he is."
Lee Dachin nodded, his cheeks still warm with a blush. Among the four gentlemen of the town, by looks, Lee Dachin was undoubtedly the first. He was a very handsome man with the most caring personality and the gentlest heart, earning him the title "The Beauty Lee Dachin" from the townspeople.
Guo Longtong frowned, his attention suddenly shifting to Xiong Lifeng. "I cannot stop looking at her," he confessed, staring openly. The other two friends nodded in strong agreement with Guo Longtong, their eyes also fixed on her.
Lee Dachin, however, glanced at Guo Baiyu. He listened intently to their conversation, but more importantly, he studied Guo Baiyu's reactions. Lee Dachin was genuinely surprised that Guo Baiyu never once made eye contact with Xiong Lifeng. He simply sat there, like an immortal from heaven, expressionless as he chewed his food. In that moment, Lee Dachin felt his heart beating faster, a strange realization dawning. Inside his mind, he meticulously captured every detail of Guo Baiyu's serene demeanor. Now, he understood why so many men fell in love with Guo Baiyu.
"With your status, who would refuse a proposal?" Chan Changchao suggested, a practical glint in his eye.
"Just ask her," Wu Wangwei agreed, taking a sip of wine. "I'm sure her father will agree if it's you."
"I don't like to use money and force," Guo Longtong countered, shaking his head. He looked at Guo Baiyu, a proud gleam returning to his eyes. "You see, my cousin here, he is still single. Among the men in our families, Baiyu is the first in everything. He is the best-looking man in our families, the smartest, and the most skillful."
"No wonder there are many people after him," Lee Dachin murmured softly, a note of understanding, perhaps even longing, in his voice.
"You don't need to brag about this every time I am around," Guo Baiyu stated, his tone flat, a hint of his discomfort.
Guo Baiyu was the kind of person who didn't speak much, but when he did, everyone would stop and listen, drawn by his quiet authority. He genuinely disliked being stared at and surrounded by people. He never boasted about his successes. He was always calm and never approached anyone unless they approached him first. This reserved personality made him very famous in Capital City. In addition, he was incredibly talented and possessed the most down-to-earth personality, which was another powerful reason why both men and women fell in love with him. Men fell for him because of his talent and demeanor, and women were drawn to his profound charm and noble character.
"Ok... Ok... I'll stop," Guo Longtong relented, holding up his hands in surrender, a playful pout on his face. "I just want you to have fun. Honestly, how long are you going to stay?"
"Not sure yet," Guo Baiyu answered, his gaze distant.
The five gentlemen continued to eat at their table, conversing and exchanging ideas, the laughter and talk filling the space around them.
Near the register, one of the waiters approached Xiong Lifeng, a desperate look on his face.
"I am sorry, Miss," the waiter apologized, wiping sweat from his brow, "but I need help cleaning tables. We still have people waiting in line outside." Even in the middle of summer, he was drenched. "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."
"When you go back to the kitchen to bring out the food," Xiong Lifeng instructed, her voice sharp with impatience, "tell Ping'an to come and clean the table. She should be finished with the laundry by now."
"But... Madam Xiong wanted Ping'an to chop firewood," the waiter stammered, hesitant.
"Tell her I want Ping'an to clean tables, and have the cooks chop their own wood in the kitchen," Xiong Lifeng commanded, her tone brooking no argument. "Tell them to help each other in the backroom."
"Yes, Miss," the waiter replied, quickly scurrying away to the backdoor, eager to escape her wrath.
A few moments later, Ping'an walked toward the register, her steps heavy. Xiong Lifeng, without a glance, curtly rattled off her new work tasks. When Ping'an turned around, Guo Baiyu looked up from his meal. The two, once strangers, stared at each other once more, a quiet tension stretching between them. To avoid eye contact, Ping'an quickly grabbed the wooden bucket, walked to an empty table, and began cleaning with practiced efficiency.
Throughout the main dining hall, Guo Baiyu's eyes remained locked on Ping'an, an incredulous wonder filling him. He couldn't believe he had met her again, here, in this bustling place. At the same time, Lee Dachin, observing from the table, followed Guo Baiyu's intense gaze and noticed he was staring directly at Ping'an.
"Do... you... know her, Childe Guo?" Lee Dachin's voice was low, sounding unusually shaky.
"I met her when I entered the town," Guo Baiyu admitted, finally tearing his gaze from Ping'an to look at Lee Dachin. "Do you know her?"
"No... I have never met her before," Lee Dachin replied, a strange wistfulness in his tone. "If I had, I would remember."
"I think she is just another worker," Wu Wangwei interjected, taking another sip of wine, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents. "How long you guys want to stay here?"
"As long as Childe Guo wants," Chan Changchao said, looking pointedly at Guo Longtong.
Guo Longtong sadly frowned, a theatrical sigh escaping him. "I don't think she noticed me at all. I am good for the day." His feelings seemed genuinely hurt, despite his usual bravado.
"She is looking our direction, so don't lose hope yet," Chan Changchao offered, trying to cheer him up.
"It's been a while since we got together, let's stay longer," Lee Dachin suggested, his voice firm, his eyes still occasionally drifting to Ping'an.
"No, she is looking at Baiyu, not me!" Guo Longtong complained, making a silly, sad face. "I can't compare to Baiyu when sitting next to him!" He groaned, then continued teasing his cousin, "Baiyu... My good brother Baiyu, why are you so handsome? Could you be less handsome? The moon is even embarrassed when you stand next to it!"
All four men burst out laughing, their boisterous mirth echoing through the Inn. Guo Baiyu could only offer a faint, polite smile at the joke. He never minded Guo Longtong's teasing; his cousin had a similar, carefree personality. This was why Guo Baiyu had decided to visit him before the winter season set in.
"How about we have them clean our table and order new dishes?" Wu Wangwei asked, a practical solution for staying longer.
Guo Longtong nodded eagerly. "I agree to that!"
Wu Wangwei waved to one of the waiters, who quickly came over and took their order for new dishes. The waiter wrote down their request and then walked over to Ping'an, relaying the instruction. Ping'an, her shoulders slumped, then walked to their table and began to pick up the empty plates.
Guo Baiyu kept looking at Ping'an while she cleaned the table, his gaze intense. He felt a profound longing for this person, a deep sadness in his heart, which now burned with a strange emptiness. As she reached for an empty plate directly in front of him, he impulsively reached out, gently taking her hand. His eyes, suddenly brimming with tears, locked onto hers. He felt an agonizing pain in his heart, yet at the same time, a sense of profound completeness washed over him. His unexpected action instantly caught the attention of the four men at the table and even Xiong Lifeng, who watched from the register.
Xiong Lifeng coughed a couple of times, a sharp, pointed sound meant to warn Ping'an to behave herself around such important customers. Ping'an, startled, quickly pulled her hand away from Guo Baiyu's grasp, grabbed the rest of the empty plates, and disappeared to the back door, her movements hurried by embarrassment and a renewed ache in her chest.
The five gentlemen drank until late in the evening, their conversation subdued after the incident. Guo Baiyu kept looking around the main dining hall, but the lady whose name he did not know never showed up again. The friends eventually bid farewell, each going their separate way back to their homes.