Zijing raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. He gestured to the dishes in my hands and asked mockingly, “When did I ever tell you to pay off debts for me like this?”
The innkeeper, carrying a plate, appeared just in time to defuse the awkward tension. With a polite but slightly nervous laugh, he placed a flower decoration on Zijing’s table. However, Zijing simply handed the decoration back to him, bluntly saying, “The next time you try something like this, I won’t eat here again.”
Startled, the innkeeper nodded repeatedly and stepped aside.
Zijing glanced back at me, still holding the damp dishcloth in my hands. I awkwardly stepped forward, intending to explain, but my words got caught in my throat. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through me, making me feel small and foolish.
I lowered my voice and said timidly, “You told me before… that I should make myself useful. I thought that meant I should help around the inn, especially since you’re staying here. I didn’t want to just sit around.”
Zijing stared at me for a moment before letting out a faint sigh. Then, with an air of authority, he ordered, “Enough.”
I was an unloved eldest daughter. When it came to wealth, I had no financial security. I certainly wasn’t someone rich. Acknowledging this, I sighed deeply, resigned to my fate of hardship and instability.
Perhaps Zijing noticed my inner turmoil. He turned his gaze toward me briefly, his expression unreadable. Though I lowered my head, pretending not to notice, I hoped my situation wouldn’t make me seem pathetic in his eyes. Trying to break the tension, I gave him a faint smile and said, “Master…”
He stood still, pausing for a moment before replying, “Do you think…”
“Think what?” I asked hesitantly. Was he implying that I had crossed some boundary?
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Leaving the inn, we ventured into the depths of the mountain forest. Zijing walked ahead, and I followed, though I wasn’t sure if he was guiding me or simply allowing me to tag along. The forest was quiet except for the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. My heart felt a strange calm amid the uncertainty.
“Master! Your sword skills are the best I’ve ever seen!” My outburst was half genuine admiration and half an attempt to break the silence. Zijing, however, merely hummed in response, his indifference cutting through my enthusiasm. Still, I felt as though I had moved a step closer to him. “Master, you don’t need to worry about anything. I’ll take care of the meals for you when we get back.”
“Hmm.”
He remained the same as ever, distant yet not entirely unapproachable. In the three months since this arrangement began, I had become somewhat accustomed to his aloofness. I worked hard to adjust to his rhythm and followed him to the riverbank.
Just as I was about to cook something, a coin rolled to my feet. Startled, I bent down to pick it up, realizing it must have fallen from Zijing’s sleeve. Holding it, I hesitated and asked, “Master, is this…?”
“I dropped it. Keep it.”
I wasn’t sure why, but this small gesture of generosity lifted my spirits. Afraid of making a fuss, I quickly accepted it and bowed, saying, “Thank you, Master!”
Zijing looked at me with a faint smile before glancing away. Then, with a casual tone, he said, “Hurry up with the fish cakes.”
“Yes, sir!”
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