"Sorry, we only have a single room left," the receptionist said apologetically.
"Me and Tang San can share," Xiao Wu replied, chewing on a carrot she'd bought on the way.
"You two go ahead," Yuehan said, adjusting his coat. "I need to take care of something tonight. I might not be back."
Before either of them could respond, he turned and walked out of the hotel lobby, brushing past three teenagers as he exited—a pair of twins and a blond holding hands.
Outside, Yuehan pulled a small note from his pocket. He studied it for a few seconds, then tucked it away and began walking west.
The streets changed as he moved deeper into the city. The clean cobblestones gave way to cracked pavement, the warm lanterns replaced by dim, flickering lights. The farther west he went, the rougher it became—trash littered the alleys, and drunken laughter echoed from shadowed corners.
Finally, Yuehan stopped before a worn-out tavern with a crooked wooden sign that read Rats. The building reeked of alcohol, dirt, and urine. Grimacing, Yuehan pulled up his shirt to cover his nose before stepping inside.
POV: Yuehan
I push open the tavern door, and a wave of sound and stale air greets me. The walls are cracked and damp, the wooden beams stained with age—but the place is packed. So this is "popular," huh? I think to myself.
I make my way to the counter. Oddly enough, the smell isn't as bad inside—or maybe I've just gotten used to it. I lower my shirt from my face.
"Can I get a butterbeer?" I ask.
The bartender, a red-haired man with tired eyes, glances at me, clearly sizing me up. "We don't serve kids," he says flatly, though he still sets a mug on the counter.
"I don't think you can be picky with customers when this place looks like it's on its last legs," I say, trying to sound confident.
He smirks. "Doesn't change our service," he mutters, moving off to take another order.
"Wait! Can I at least get some juice?" I call out quickly, hoping for something to quench my thirst.
He pauses, then smiles slyly. "Ah, that we can do."
A minute later, he sets down a glass filled with an orange-red liquid I've never seen before.
"What kind of juice is this?" I ask, lifting it to my nose.
"It's minup—a red fruit from the local forests," he explains.
I take a sip. The taste is odd but not unpleasant—sweet at first, with a strange aftertaste that lingers just a moment too long.
"That'll be two silvers," the bartender says with a grin.
I sigh. So much for a free drink. I hand him the coins and turn to scan the room.
In a far corner, I spot a gruff-looking man with gray hair and a weathered face, sipping his own glass of minup juice. Taking a deep breath, I approach his table.
"May you be Mari?" I ask politely.
The man looks up, a faint smirk crossing his face. "Ah, yes. Please, sit."
"I've heard a lot about you—from my brother Rodney."
"Rodney's been a good help to me," Mari says. "I hope I can return the favor."
"Thank you," I reply with a smile. "I'll make sure to live up to expectations."
Mari chuckles. "Don't worry. We'll have you working next week." His attention suddenly shifts past me, following a waitress as she walks by.
I clear my throat, realizing I've lost him. "Could you tell me how to get to the workshop?" I ask.
He waves absently in the direction of the door, eyes still tracking the waitress.
I sigh and stand. Guess I'm on my own again, I think, heading back out into the night.
💡 What's Improved
Flow & pacing: Smooth scene transitions and balanced description.
Dialogue: Formatted clearly with tone and emotion.
Voice: Your humor and casual tone remain intact but read more naturally.
Atmosphere: Added light, smell, and crowd details to make the tavern feel alive.