Bairan kept arguing with the innkeeper, insisting she didn't believe such a small town could have such beauties, until the innkeeper,finally flustered and gave in and sharing the address of the Lin family, along with many details about them.
Once Bairan got what she wanted,
"Okay, okay," she conceded lazily. "I'll check it out myself. Now... can you bring me some food? Just something simple."
The innkeeper, looking pleased, said, "I'll tell the chef," but didn't move.
Bairan raised her eyebrows, "Oh..." she added carelessly, "I didn't give you any money."
Then, as if suddenly annoyed by a memory, she muttered,
"Because that idiot made me so angry, I didn't even bring anything with me,"
pretending to scold the person who had made her mad.
She then looked at the innkeeper and continued,
"Look at my hairpin. It's a special item. Don't think I'm a poor woman...I was just in a hurry. Just take it as a rental. When my family arrives, they'll pay you."
The innkeeper glanced at the shiny hairpin and replied,
"I'll show you your room upstairs, then I'll go tell the chef right away."
As he led Bairan upstairs, he exchanged a meaningful glance with a man sitting quietly in the corner of the inn.
Baian followed them quietly.
During all this, Bairan didn't even glance at him, as if she didn't know him at all.
The innkeeper led the way. The room was the last one at the end of the corridor, slightly more hidden in the corner.
When Bairan saw the room, she smiled knowingly.
She touched her nose, wrinkled her eyebrows, and said:
"Emm... not bad."
The innkeeper only nodded with a smile.
Then he suddenly noticed Baian and said, annoyed,
"Why are you still here?"
Baian stammered awkwardly,
"I... I'm waiting for..."
He looked at Bairan.
Bairan glanced at him indifferently.
"Oh... Go back and tell your master I'm very thankful for his kindness."
She nodded to the innkeeper and stepped inside the room.
The two left
The innkeeper seemed to be in a hurry, clearly having something on his mind.
Baian, on the other hand, looked a little sad and walked slowly.
Halfway down the corridor, Bairan suddenly called out,
"Baian!"
Baian quickly turned back.
He stood in front of the door again.
When she saw him come, her voice turned warm,
"Baian…"
Baian didn't look up and said,
"Yes, Bairan jie?"
She smiled gently and said,
"When I find my family, I'll take you with me."
Baian looked up in surprise,
"What... really?"
"Yes, I promise. Now go back. Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself. I'll find you later."
Baian said nervously, "But Master said we should return quickly."
Bairan seemed to think for a moment. "Don't worry. Tell him the innkeeper gave me a place to stay."
Baian nodded and left.
She looked around the room. It was simple. Just a bed and a table. She opened the window, letting the fresh air in. Looking outside, she saw it wasn't very high up. There was some kind of cart or something out there...
After a while, there was a knock on the door.
It was the innkeeper himself, holding a tray of food. He placed it on the table and said flattering, "Young miss... this is your lunch. I'm sorry, our inn doesn't have anything special for noble ladies like you."
Bairan replied, "It's okay... it doesn't matter. Thanks "
The innkeeper inquired, "Do you need anything else, young miss?"
Bairan yawned and replied, "No... thanks."
The innkeeper glanced at her one more time and said, "I'll be downstairs. If you need anything, just let me know."
Bairan nodded, saying,"Okay. I will "
Bairan was alone again.
She looked at the food but didn't touch the soup or rice. Instead, she picked up the bread and started eating with big bites.
This place is too quiet… she thought, her eyes glancing at the wall. There wasn't a single sound from the other rooms.
She didn't trust the innkeeper...not with the way he looked at her, and definitely not with the tucked-away room he gave her just like that.
She narrowed her eyes. If the innkeeper had thought all this through while talking to her, then her opponent wasn't going to be simple. If her guess was right, they would come to her again soon.
She kept tapping her finger on the table while eating the bread like it was part of the innkeeper's strategy.
If the innkeeper saw her now, he'd probably call himself brainless for ever thinking she was some pampered noble lady.
She leaned back in the chair, wiping the crumbs from her lips with the back of her hand
She mentally praised the bread; it was very good.
Her eyes drifted toward the bed. Her eyebrows drooped, and her lips pouted as she murmured sadly,
"I wish I had time to sleep…"
She stood there for a moment, just staring at the mattress like it had personally wronged her. Then, with a deep sigh, she turned away and stretched her arms.
Then she scooped some rice and soup into an empty bowl, carefully poured it under the bed, then placed the bowl back on the tray.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door.
A woman's voice followed, ''Miss, may I come in?''
Bairan quickly lay down on the bed, even pulling the mattress flat.
She said lazily, "Come in."