Located at the far east, to the Land of the Middle Kingdom, the Bai River reaches its end. Along the entire trip, originating from the mountains that surround the Bai village, cutting through insurmountable dense forests and patches of desert plateaus, meandering mountain ranges and meeting with smaller, yet significant bodies of water, the Great river that brought with it a rich civilisation, spreads out its mouth into divisions upon divisions of streams that cut through relatively smaller islands of deposited soil and stone. And this spectacular marvel of nature’s craft dominated a large portion of the Kingdom’s coastline to the Grand Mazu Entry, an ocean that spans beyond the horizons and the line to where seafaring foreigners of different colors originated from. This dominion is called ShanWei.
…
And several of tens of kilometers back inland, a certain passenger vessel was making its final stretch of a 10 day voyage.
.
.
.
On a medium-sized pier gutted out into a small tributary off the main Bai river, a large workforce of employed laborers were waiting on standby. Some checked the cargo cranes, others the transport horse and wagon, while most of them laid back on empty cargo crates under the hot sunny heat where a heavy gust of ocean wind blew past them; shaking the sails of several other lugsails parked along the stream.
The supervisor of these bunch of workers, stood firmly at the edge of the raised look out post, smoking a pipe that had traces of green smoke. Squinting his eyes under the intense heat, his wrinkles creased deeper as he observed for the next uncountable time to check if a new freshwater boat was in sight.
Fortunately, there was a sighting. Waiting for another several short moments, his eyes were met with a column of distinctive red sails atop a black shape of the expected ship. He was confident in his talents of identification, considering his time in this wrenched job. Smoking a final puff of his pipe, the middle aged supervisor rolled out his sleeves and shouted out to the others about the updates.
“RED’S IN SIGHT!”
Followed by rhythmic ringing of a loud bell.
“RED’S IN SIGHT, BOYS! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!.”
And with that second calling, the rush of both veteran and ammatur haulers quickly got into positions. Because a few moments later, they could even see the passenger vessel inching closer and closer towards them.
A bell was soon rung by their counterpart, affirming their status.
“THROW AND HOLD!”
Upon the supervisor’s instructions, several workers at the front, accompanied by columns of other men behind, tossed their firm ropes simultaneously, expertly entering the pins on the side of the vessel’s hull.
“PULL!”
“HO! HO! AHHH!”
As all of that was occurring, several ramps, staircases, ladders and raised platforms were shifted to the edge to be fastened to the port side of the passenger vessel.
“FINAL!”
“OH!”
“BRACE YOURSELVES!”
With that came the violent shaking of the pier and the clicks of the attaching superstructure soon sounded. Now that mostly everyone was under battered breath, the supervisor walked up towards the vessel and started examining the gap of water beneath him. After a moment of judgment, he raised his fist, signifying a well executed and safe docking. A round of cheers erupted amongst the laborers, prepared for the next phase of their work.
…
Meanwhile, onboard the passenger vessel, hundreds of the lively, youthful adults ran up towards the edge, looking out into the setting of numerous warehouses and high rise pagodas, emphasizing their gratitude to be back on land again. Some could be seen on their knees in prayer to the Land God, but many cried bitter tears for the end of their motion sickness and old way of life. What this new generation of urban migration awaits themselves was a growing embryo of an ‘industrialized’ capital.
…
Situated on the starboard side of the vessel, facing an endless patch of dense forests and valleys, the only woman of the group, TianXing, was giving her final farewells to the captain of this vessel along with the upper echelon of the staff in charge.
“My dear TianTian! Please reconsider your decision. I’m sure that with our support, you would surely get a managerial position in the Wen Shipping Company,” pleaded the mentor of the captain as he held her hand tightly with his wrinkled ones.
“Same here. I vouched for Ms Xu’s hire. Without her, dealing with the paperwork and cash flow reports would take so much longer,” voiced the second mate.
That was when the first mate appeared behind them, dragging the second mate to the side and making way for the captain to intertwine with his mentor’s stubborn pleas. Placing his hand between the both of them, the captain forcibly separated the mentor’s grasp on her, to which the old man readily whined back at his student, singing her praises.
“Uhmm…Grandpa Wen, please stop. What I’m doing is a skill that’s a silver tael a dozen. You could easily find another-”
“But it’s all those thick-headed, chin-risen, backwater scholars, TianTian!. I’ve never seen a girl as cute as you that’s just as intelligent. I’ve got a fourth son turning sixteen this year. Why don’t I arrange a meal with him?”
“Alright, Teach, that’s enough of your advances. Ms Xu will be unnecessarily limiting her potential if she’s stuck with us. Either way, all your three eldest sons are doing pretty well and the firstborn’s son is at the top of his group. Give it a rest already,” the burly captain rebutted.
The old man became silent before he slowly reached in for his sleeve pocket, bringing out an iron medallion with an imprint at the center. It was the logo of the Wen Shipping Company consisting of three lugsails with the next running a step behind the one below it. Tying it all together was the waves surrounding the first and last.
“...”
Making eye contact with her, the founder of the Wen Shipping Company, Wen TaiXian, gave it to her in his deepest earnest.
“...TianTian, for all my life, I’ve shipped countless individuals of all ages across the kingdom. But, the majority of those that I was hired by were dear children such as yourselves. I have no problem with the boys looking out for themselves but it’s my female customers that got the short end of the stick. Rich runaway maidens, desperate famished farm girls. Although I could never truly blame them for taking this course of action like yourself, they all still went for bodily entertainment. Mostly due to their lack of the proper skills needed to survive here. It’s a whole new world from the hometown you came from.
But…
You, on the other hand, are a special kind of girl. I can see the flame of a man within you and the expertise to adapt to anything that comes right at you.”
Folding her fingers onto the medallion, he spoke softly.
“It’ll be a waste if I were to one day see that you gave up and become a hoe. Take a visit to our branch headquarters nearby if you are in trouble.”
“W-what do you mean by that?” TianXing asked restrictively.
“You have my fullest support. It’s an investment,” the old man whispered as he tapped her shoulder, walking steadily past her, “and a huge one at that.”
With that, the old man returned back into the lower decks of the vessel for unfinished business.
“...”
Continuing to stare down at the medallion, she was soon alerted back to reality by the captain, who gestured his hand to a ladder filled with the remaining descending passengers.
“AH!...”
“The docking crew will be here any minute. Follow that last line and the rest will be history.”
“Thanks…It’s glad knowing you, Captain Liu.”
“Likewise, Ms Xu. Goodbye.”
Finishing it off with a quick farewell, TianXing did as she was told, boarded off the vessel and followed the rest of the passengers to a nearby warehouse which housed all their luggage. Pleasantly, since all the cargo she had was two easily portable luggages, TianXing skipped that section of the warehouse and out of another double door, leading into a concentrated stable.
“Hmm.”
Checking again her money pouch, she had the same amount from before the voyage.
“It’s not worth it.”
Despite that, she decided to travel to the outer entry point on foot. Considering she and the others only had a limited space on the deck to travel about, this stretch of the journey would not be such a hassle for her as well as for the many others leading behind her.
…
“Huge…”
Was all she could mutter at the spectacle that was the expansion and height of the ShanWei city walls. It stretched far beyond the line between the land and sky. Her neck ached as she bent it beyond her ordinary range but yet failed to see the end, covering the sky with a dull and somewhat mystical gray. Draping red banners fell from a line of outposts halfway the height from below. It was decorated with the flag that represents the city of ShanWei. A special pattern approved by the Royal Court.
“Wow..”
It looked out to a wide hilly landscape, and passed over several river bodies, where special forts were built. And located several kilometers from one another were protruding towers with a widened superstructure at the top.
However, for this specific tower that TianXing was right in front of, there was a two story double arch gate, accompanied by a significant number of guards. Several times larger than the numbers on entry duty in Luo ChengShi.
Swallowing her built up saliva, she joined the line of migrants into the city gates. In all directions she could see merchants, farmers, scholars, and armed personnel, accompanied by their wagons, chariots and horses to a varying degree.
Depending on the weight of the load and a person’s profession, there were different lanes to wait for inspection by the stationed guards. Obviously, TianXing joined the regular, lightweight travelers’ lane, which was incredibly quicker compared to the longer check ups for cargo or validation of authentic military reports and permits.
Soon enough, it was her turn and TianXing was immediately greeted by a curt, well built soldier who was donned in brown leather armor with minor silver metal plating at the vitals and held a long halberd. And at the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a very lean, youthful man with long flowy black hair, dressed in a light blue and white loose Hanfu, sipping on an expensive jar of wine on a raised platform, several meters away from where she was.
‘Is that man-Never mind’
“Identification,” the guard demanded.
Since she was still new here, TianXing promptly took out a folded parchment that detailed her travel here by the Wen Shipping Company, handing it over to the guard. Given how well-known and trusted the brand Wen was, TianXing was sure that this would smooth the admission process hence why she chose this specific passenger vessel instead, and it was true.
“Approved,” affirmed the guard, handing the papers back to her while taking a glance at her luggage to which he raised an eyebrow.
“Here’s the toll payment,” TianXing replied with a prepared handful of three taels.
But, after a short count of her money, the guard shockingly glared back at her.
“It’s seven taels for entry, Lady. The conversion rates here have risen due to a major retained venture for the external exportation of silver by the Grand Lokherats Trading company.”
“W-wha…”
“PAY UP QUICKLY OR DITCH IT! WE AIN’T GOT ALL DAY OUT HERE WITH ALL THE OTHER MIGRANTS BEHIND US.”
“...”
“HURRY UP, LADY!”
‘Oh…how foolish is he?’
“Shut it, will you?! I’m not paying anything extra, especially since I got these toll rates from an accredited source back at Luo ChengShi. Here are the reports to prove it.”
With that outburst, TianXing shoved him the aforementioned recorded and approved papers.
“Wai-Wha-”
“Additionally”
The guard’s intimidating front was slowly starting to fall.
“What the fuck is retained venture? You’re just saying complex words that completely juxtapose each other. And while the exportation of silver as a product could affect currency rates, we use silver directly as the uniform method of payment. Finally, conversion rates never apply cross-country, at least to what I know. I can even credit the sources I used if you give me a trip to the nearest library which I’m sure you are not willing to vouch for.”
“...”
‘Damn it.’
He has been outsmarted.
“Oh, is this what you always do to the uneducated country folk?” she asked sarcastically, “Spouting out long worded bullshit that completely meant nothing to overwhelm people with similar backgrounds to mine, that are new to the world of money. Pressuring them. Threatening them. Well, sorry to disappoint, but that won’t work on me.”
She scowled back with the meanest look of disgust before she threw her three taels into the toll bag beside him. However, before she leaves, TianXing gave the guard some insightful advice, not for her sake but for her future fellow folks that might come here one day.
“Just because I may look like a naive, rich maiden or carry a foreigner’s suitcase, don’t you think you can rip me off for a quick tael. Even if I were a vulnerable villager’s girl, we are now quite wild with our intellect in the Middle Kingdom's west. And I assume you mainly do this with the women since this will never fool an abled man. That’s quite low for a respectable man of your position, mister.”
“damn it…” the guard muttered silently.
“I pray you a good day,“ was her last words before she continued walking off under the gate, leaving a distressed guard and a bewildered line who only heard unrecognizable screams from the front. But, the guard was not gonna let his pride be diminished by such a brash village girl.
“fuck-FUCK IT!!!”
In an act of impulse, the raging guard immediately raised his halberd, sending it straight down in a diagonal strike towards her back. In response to his scream, TianXing turned her head around, just to see the wide, sharp blade closing in on her as the crowd watched in unexpected shock.
The numerous other guards stationed nearby were unfortunately too slow to react and all TianXing could do was hurryingly use her luggage as makeshift shields.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
That’s when she felt the smell of fermented grapes.
Like a chilly gust of the autumn wind, the halberd was suddenly thrown off course, striking the cemented road below.
‘Damn it’ she cursed to herself as she opened her eyes to see that previously lean man to come to her rescue, right behind her.
“Guard, what did you drink last night to lash out on such a feeble young maiden like her?”
Coming to his senses, the guard immediately dropped his weapon and got into a deep kowtow.
“I was careless, Young Master. Please excuse this lowly guard at the highest of your merciful judgment.”
“Hmm…alright I’ll let you live.”
“T-thank you very-”
“But you’ll be sent to the North.”
“Huh? Young Master-ergh!”
The guard felt a sudden kick to his abdomen, sending him falling several strides back and landing on his back.
“That’s for using up my precious time on such foolish matters.” the man blurted out.
The guards that gathered became frozen in their positions, fearing that anyone would be next. Though they know he is a wise man, it was better to be precautious nonetheless.
“Well, what are the rest of you waiting for? Send that trash to MingYu for arranged deportation.”
What followed was the guards ganging up on their former comrade, restricting him as they shoved him back into a nearby outpost. Screams of his pleas and mercy for his wife and child were ever present till the end when he was never seen again.
Looking at that agonizing and pitiful sight, the lean man smiled before turning back to the ever fear stricken TianXing. While she was pretty much grown used to watching this sort of event from occurring, it was still painful to watch regardless. Not only that but she had also caught the attention of this man who she correctfully felt was all trouble. While this was circulating within her consciousness, the man interrupted her thoughts with an opening conversation.
“Sorry for that awful display of cruelty, Young Ms. I gotta keep the discipline in the air when I still can. Not that that will ever happen unfortunately. We don’t want a potential slip up in security now, do we?”
She looked on, flabbergasted.
“Yes, of course…Young Master. Anyhow, I bid you farewell.”
But TianXing failed to get him off her tail.
“Now, now, Young Ms, don’t be such a cold ice queen. At this rate, you might as well change my taste in women.”
“...”
Despite that provocation, she ignored him and scurried on forwards, towards the ending gates of the wall gate’s inner enclosure.
The man was not liking this.
“I. Said. Wait for a moment!”
And in that instance, another gust of wind could be felt behind her. However, unlike earlier, this felt akin to a warm winter breeze. Within a blink of her eyes, the man appeared right in front of her. Hands tucked alternatingly inside his long sleeves.
“When-when did you get in front of me?”
“Glad you asked! I-”
“I see, it looks like the rumors were true, or legends to be precise. That there are superhumans with abilities beyond normal man. You’re…you’re a martial practitioner.”
She looked onward with some hint of wariness.
“Well, well, you do kill the fun of the revelation, my young lady. Are you perhaps as educated on history as much as your economics and entrepreneurship professions?”
“...Why would I answer-”
“That’s more than enough of a response.”
“...”
The man could see the blatant annoyance, displayed all across her face. His mouth creeped out into a sneer.
“The name’s Bai LuJi. What about yours?”
The man, named Bai LuJi, persisted.
“If I do, will you leave me be?” TianXing curtly replied.
“Hmm, tough call…Actually, wait! Don’t do it. Your face is already so special compared to all the others I slept with. This man hunt will be greatly entertaining.”
He boasted with a wide grin.
However, unfazed by his antics, TianXing swiftly walked past him without a second glance back and hurriedly left the compound, joining up on the main road towards the inner city capital. Luggage in tow.
Back at the gates, the man looked out towards the leaving trails of people from this part of the wall. Her distinctive industrial gray dress and western made suitcase stood just enough for him to catch a final glimpse of her as the groups continued on with their journey under the overhead midday sun.
“Surely we’ll meet again, right? Just wait for it, dear”
.
.
.
…
It has been several minutes since that exasperating encounter with that martial practitioner. Amongst the steadily growing crowd of the other migrants that gathered there on the main road, there were a lot of those that were the same age or even younger than herself. Not that it surprised TianXing but it still stood out to her on how much work these cities could provide for all of them to come here.
Within another short 5 minutes of walking, she reached a small settlement of street vendors selling a wide range of products and services. From what she saw around the area, there was a small courtroom allocated at the center of this arrangement and beside that, a suspicious looking tent with a comically large white cross with golden accents on a main circular beam. But while many of the crowd was quick to spread out to these vendors, this was of no attraction to her and she knew that the prices here were surely marked up for the amateur newcomers.
‘Because if I were a stall owner, and there were lax regulations on pricing, I would have done the exact same thing.‘
While the big cross was giving her a sense of intrigue, she decided otherwise since she could see no benefit visiting that place. With that covered, TianXing steeled her resolve and proceeded with walking the final length of road on her own, loosely accompanied by several merchants riding horses and light carriages.
…
Reaching past a small hill looking over the low plains of ShanWei, TianXing’s eyes sparkled at this picturesque sight. It was a myriad mosaic of bright red and dull gray shades, covering tiled roofs and raised banners while splotched in a regular formation for an ever expanding spread, across the endless sea of green around her. The Bai river cuts through plenty of the major sections of the city, gleaming brightly under the midday sun, leading towards the mouth and out onto open waters. Countless piers could be seen jutting out into the shimmering blue water and littering across this huge body were fleets of lugsails of various sizes with their bright red sails, groups of huge bulky galleons with very imposing mastheads and lone sailless steamships with their striking black chimneys, spewing out tall streaks of black smog up into the sky.
“The trip here may be worth the view alone.”
She admittingly acknowledged.
Upon her descent, TianXing felt the warm sea breeze for the first time in her life, raising goosebumps all over her face and its presence grew stronger the closer she got. The road also started to smooth out its coarse bumps and the noise of the bustling city and the bellows of foreign vessels grew louder and chaotic.
…
It was nothing like what TianXing had ever seen before.
Her jaw dropped as she headed under the tall overhead gates that had a red and black signboard with the golden words, ‘Welcome to ShanWei City’.
From where she stood, it was the starting point of an extremely wide street. The pavements were packed with pedestrians, racing from one place to another. The road had 8 lanes of horses and wagons being driven across all directions. Between the gaps, passing citizens cautiously squeezed their way through the perpendicular traffic, making their way to the other side of the street in a risky fashion. Street vendors could still be seen at the sides of the sidewalk or within the alleys betwixt adjacent shops and offices. Their stalls could range from products carried over a bamboo pole on their shoulder to a well constructed parked horse-drawn carriage. Beyond that, the street ends several kilometers away to one of the central districts, identified by a raised 10 story pagoda with a wide square fort at the bottom floor to the third. This landmark was connected to other wide main streets forming an interconnected web of transport.
Compared to the medicinal and daily necessities shops, forges, factories, and restaurants of DongBu village, almost all of them here at ShanWei were at least two or three stories tall, with the maximum height she observed from far was a five story merchant guild office.
Finally, unlike the more hand intensive work done to make products in a craftsman’s private home, amidst all the high rise sign boards and buildings, TianXing could easily see a block of towering factories with chimneys as tall as the tallest trees of the Bai River highlands.
Overall, it was a much hectic underground ant hill. Easily seen with a growing degree of foreign influences.
Eventually, TianXing was soon able to calm herself down before she decided to take a stroll around the nearby area. For another hour, she went about in circles, shoving through thick crowds of workers, passing by a couple of foreigners who stood out with their different skin tones and general style of clothing. She examined the local shops of their clothing products and raw ingredient options. Additionally, the young maiden excitedly came across several stores that sold a different kind of medicine. And as she inquired about the glass encased concoctions to a hired Chinese cashier, they were said to be made from chemicals of imported origin and that the nature of how they worked was completely different to what she and her brother learnt for all their lives.
Though eager to buy some to test them out, TianXing knew that she did not have such luxury at that moment.
‘If I am true to my comparisons, the price for 2 Jin of cow meat here is 4 times greater than what I had in Luo ChengShi. This could…No, it will surely be applied with a similar multiplier regarding living and registration costs.
With the amount I have now, I need to find some good deals.’
Following her plan, TianXing headed north of the city, sprinting across a bridge that overlooked one of the secondary rivers towards the sea. Passing several streets, nearly knocking into several horses and carriages along the way, the young lady managed to successfully arrive at a temple in the middle of the city, situated on the edge of a park and surrounded by a border of small gardens.
Similar in size and grandeur to the place near her father’s cremation site, TianXing made a bronze tael contribution into the donation box next to the entrance. Entering the main hall, she got into a kneeling position and did three kowtows before muttering a silent prayer of fortune for herself and her dear brother.
After those quick actions were accomplished, TianXing took the opportunity to rest her exhausted feet on one of the marble benches laid throughout the temple while getting given a relaxing cup of hot tea from the caretakers in charge.
“Say dear grandma, do you happen to know any affordable eateries nearby? If possible, they provide quality taste and large portions as well, ” TianXing inquired one of the caretakers who just finished refilling her tea.
Giving back the young lady a warm-hearted smile, the old lady expressed that there was such a place.
“Certainly, young Ms. It’s a place I once used to go to. However, it’s soon lunch time, so you better hurry. Just head for the third park exit and down the left street. You will be met with a large building that is an astonishing six floors tall with a giant vertical sign that says, ‘The Heavens’ Steam‘, in dark, black brush strokes.”
“Really? That’s very helpful, grandma.”
“Argh, you can thank me later, otherwise there will be no more seats left. Now go, go!”
She frailly shoved her off her seat.
“Let’s meet again, Grandma. Thanks again!”
And in a nick of time, TianXing with her new found vigor, dashed past the directions given to her, leading the youthful lady into a street that was dominated by a singular institution. The building was what the grandma described. It was six stories tall, built as a hexagonal layout , and had a large crowd swarming around it.
Amongst the endless banter of its customers, several home owned street vendors held shop along its walls, shouting their offers out in a rhythmic melody; hoping to scavenge consumers for some extra taels.
Meanwhile, jostling her way through, TianXing managed to secure a seat in time and a good one at that right next to a large window opening looking out to the city below the sea. Laying her luggage beside a table leg, she came to truly admire the scenery from where she sat, raised on the fourth floor of this artistic structure.
Beneath her, TianXing could see all kinds of people. The desperate hawker store owners, the lax beggars hidden near every crook and cranny of shade and alleyway, the systematic nature of those working on the go, the randomness of unsupervised children playing about on the roads, sun tanned rickshaw pullers of both young and old surrounded by sloth and stern armed policing horsemen of emotionless gazes, and the outlanders with their alienating practices, tools and attires. In the end, all TianXing saw was DongBu society as a whole, but on a much wider and brutal scale. She could speak from experience when managing a small number of individuals for a business will always reign as the easier option than vice versa. However, this was somewhat of a first impression of hers that was never a confident statement. The reasons for why people spend their life savings to come live an unknown life out if their local waters were gleaming from the doors of every shop.
The sight of experiencing something new.
The chance for a rebellious adventure into the unknown.
Or simply to make a quick spike in income for an equally talented job back in the countryside.
The possibilities are endless, for the sake of a better life than they ever dreamt off.
.
.
.
That’s when she heard a noise calling out to her.
“-Ms, Young Ms! Hello? What would you like to order? I don’t have all day here,” demanded a skinny, long-faced middle-aged waiter, donned in a white cotton tunic and brown pants; covered by a long apron that reached his feet.
“huh…Oh, right, my apologies!” TianXing stuttered in shock, “Ehmm, is there a menu?”
In response, the waiter raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, so another country bumpkin enters town, are you not?”
“What’s with that comment?”
“Nothing much.”
“...Then, hurry up with the menu already; if you were so persistent about making deadlines.”
“Hmph, aren't you a joy killer? Listen lady, with this attitude, no man’s gonna last with you for under a week tops, haha!”
“Well that fell on deaf ears,” she exasperated, “Just give me the customer’s recommendation instead. I’m starving.”
“...Alright! Don’t complain though if you dislike it. That’ll be all on you because everyone here loves it!” boasted the waiter as he wrote down the order on a small sheet of parchment, before dashing downstairs towards the kitchen.
“...Are all waiters like this or am I just unlucky today?”
‘Dealing with two troublemakers on a traveler’s schedule sure is exhausting,’ she cursed to herself.
Taking a closer look into the restaurant, TianXing could see why this place was quite the popular gathering spot. Visually speaking, it felt like a minor landlord’s manor. Its walls were nailed with lavish maroon wooden panels. Gold plated stone lions, colorful rainbow glass phoenixes and glossy white marble dragons were placed all over the walls, roofs and on independent stands. A wide central spiral staircase ran from the top floor to the bottom, creating a grandeur eatery experience for those that enter. Finishing off the set was a large branched candle display which she heard from many was called a chandelier and it was inspired by a design within the office of a foreign representative.
‘The experience contradicts the prices given. What a peculiar business practice.’
In the end, she took a mental note on this analysis.
But, shortly after she was done with her observations, TianXing heard the energetic tap of footsteps amidst the ever clamorous tables of customers approaching closer and closer towards her.
‘He’s back’ she groaned silently.
“I’ve returned, dear customer!”
The waiter sang.
“Today’s speciality! Red braised pork belly with rice, chopped stir fried veggies and tofu soup. Thank you for your order!” the waiter continued in a practiced manner as he laid down the plates close to her. The waiter then began pulling out several cups from the cutlery tray and poured her some ordinary tea into each one from the vase he carried at the side.
And as he did so with effortless grace, the young lady observed his skillful hand. Her mind, full of hunger and thought.
“The service interval was very fast, Mr Waiter. I expected the opposite for such a large establishment. Nonetheless, I commend you and your staff.”
“...”
She then grabbed a cup and gulped the whole thing down in a few mouthfuls. Moments after, she proceeded with grabbing a pair of ivory chopsticks before beginning her devouring feast. The waiter watched on, unamused, while giving her a comeback to her previous complement.
“...Well, our restaurant has a great pride, young Ms. Being efficient with our orders is one of the reasons people flock to us like doves. But, don’t you think that you can trick me into telling you our secret routines. It’s a thing that I and the others will take to the grave.”
But as expectedly, there came no reply besides the heavy munching of teeth on crunchy meat.
“Tastee-munch, i’s vary tastetee, Waiter,” finally replied the satisfied maiden.
“...”
.
.
The waiter looked down at her plate as he passed by her table. It was very near its finishing like she was a gluttonous beast, and for some weird reason, it tugged some of his heartstrings. The sight of her eating was very passionate, in the way he could illogically sense it.
And so there he decided to stay, watching her finish the last of the pieces of pork belly and tofu bits in an empty bowl while vegetable water remained at her side. Placing down her chopsticks, a loud sound emerged from deep within her.
BURP!
It came out so suddenly, TianXing felt embarrassed at how loud it was and promptly covered her face with her sleeves, hiding the red face.
“Here”
“huh?”
Seemingly enjoying the finale of that scene, the waiter handed her a warm damp napkin from the tray he carried which was usually reserved for services to the upper classes of society.
Fortunately for him, she accepted it.
“Thanks but this won’t cost me extra right?”
A slight hesitation was found in her voice.
“Listen clearly, young Ms, I could have given you a specialty dish for the wealthy with pink river dolphin meat but that’ll just be torture in the end, no?”
“So…”
“Don’t worry about it, it’ll just go unrecorded.”
Settling for his word, TainXing folded the towel to wipe her sweaty, grime-filled face and it felt fresher since she didn’t apply any makeup. Not that she was ever sensitive about it.
“So, young Ms, what are you gonna do next after you leave our shop?”
“That’s none of your business, Mr Waiter.”
“I have a hunch, and it's a good one.”
“...”
She remained silent and vigilant.
“As a welcome gift to a new fellow metropolitan like yours truly, I will answer all your questions and any of your doubts about this place. Those books you carried along with you would be insignificant to my experience here for a lifetime.”
“Don’t trick me into giving you a hefty tip, Waiter!”
With that, she slammed the payment hard onto the table. It cost her a whole three silver taels less than most places who charged five. Gathering her two boxes of luggage, TianXing made her escape. Unfortunately, that was when the waiter made his move. He whispered something close in her ear as she passed by him.
“One does not race a horse on all fours.”
“Hold it! How did you-”
“You must keep your calm, young Ms. I know that for whatever reasons you came here, it was not a soaring and immature ideal. So lower your tone. We are still in a civil establishment.”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked dumbfounded.
“It’s for these interactions that I stagnated my job as a head waiter. Especially with a rapidly changing economy such is the influence of foreign interference.”
He casually took a seat for a job he was meant to be serving for and gestured his palm forward, to another chair beside him.
“Your story is my payment. Fair enough?”
Scrunching up her soured face, she reluctantly took the seat.
“Are you sure I can trust you?”
She asked a second time.
“...Welcome to the City of International Commerce!” was all he gleefully replied.