The crowd around us is still clapping, causing Huang Xiulan to blush, her face is almost like a giant tomato. Zhi just laughs, as Xiulan covers her face with her hands. After a few more seconds, Zhi waves to the surrounding people and says, “Alright everyone, we thank you for taking the time to listen to that lovely song, by this young lady. But we are done here for the day. It’s time to go eat dinner for us.”
Zhi can hear a few people grumble, but all of them bid us farewell. While a few that were waiting to have their [Fate] read, promise to seek me out tomorrow. Turning around to look at Hai Zhao, and the old monk. The monk is gone now, taking the time Zhi was busy with people to make his escape. But Hai Zhao is still there and is looking at Huang Xiulan in a daze, his mouth hanging slightly open. Zhi reaches over and pushes his mouth closed, causing an audible click.
Hai Zhao snaps out of his daze and looks at Zhi, then glances at Xiulan again. Zhi places his hand on Zhao’s shoulder, leans in a little and speaks softly “Looks like your partner took off on you, while you were lost in thought.” His eyes blink and he looks around rapidly.
“My uncle took off!” He stops moving and slowly looks back towards Zhi. His eyes are wide and his mouth is open slightly from what he just said. His body is tense, and it looks like he will try to run at any time.
Zhi flashes a smile while saying, “You can try to run, but you already know I can catch you if I want.” His shoulders slump slightly at those words and you can see the defeat in his eyes already.
“How about we take a walk Zhao? You live around here, correct?” His head bobs up and down to the question, his eyes downcast.
“Okay, let's get our dinner guest and then we will have a nice long chat over some food.”
Zhi turns around to look at Huang Xiulan, she has calmed down and her face is only slightly red now. “Miss. Huang, would you be interested in joining me and little Zhao for dinner?”
She glances at Zhao then me. “Sure that would be fine, but since you are inviting me, you must be responsible and pay.”
“Of course, it is only proper that this monk pays for you and little Zhao. Where would you recommend? The Blue Jewel that you work at?”
She pauses to consider for a moment, “The Blue Jewel would be the best choice, plus you could get my employee discount for the meal.”
“This monk thanks you for your consideration of my money pouch.” Zhi bows slightly, then reaches to the side to grab his khakkhara, pulling it out of the ground. He takes a moment to marvel how it looks exactly the same as when he first saw it. Not a speck of dirt on it. “Lead the way, Miss. Huang.”
The group of three begins to walk down the street, Xiulan leading confidently. Following behind is Zhao who is walking awkwardly, he continuously glances back at Zhi. Zhi is just casually looking around, while following behind them. The sunlight is finally beginning to fade, casting the sky above into a radiant canopy of red, orange, and yellow. Looking around the road you can see that most of the people are finishing up their business for the day. Some look to be heading home, some are going into tea houses or other restaurants. Zhi and Zhao follow Xiulan to a less busy restaurant. It is painted in ultramarine blue, and a big fake gem is above the entrance. It is somehow lit from within causing it to glow and sparkle in the fading light of sunset.
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Across the street from the restaurant, a middle aged man watches them enter. It wasn’t hard for him to hide from that monk, and it was even easier to follow them. Every time the monk would move with his staff it would ring out, even a blind man could follow them. After confirming that they entered the Blue Jewel he makes his way quickly to his home. Running down side streets and through back alleys. He had to get back and get some help, who knows what his nephew will tell that monk.
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They walk through the entrance and Zhi stops Xiulan as she heads for an open table on the first floor. “Do they have a private seating area?”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
She glances at him for a second, trying to read him. Coming to her decision, she doesn’t reply, but heads to a set of stairs. Zhi and Zhao trail a few feet behind her. On the second floor there is a woman dressed in a blue cheongsam, standing to the side of the second floor landing area. Down the hallway behind her you can see numerous doors. In front of a few of them there is a person standing, they look to be servers, from their matching uniform.
She smiles when she looks at Huang Xiulan, “Sister Xiulan, did you come for dinner? Let me help the young men behind you and I will find a spot for you.”
“Sister Meifeng, they are my guests for dinner.” Xiulan turns to the side and gestures at Zhi, “This monk was gracious enough to pay for me and this young man's dinner.”
The woman, Meifeng, is surprised for an instant. But recovers immediately and bows, “Welcome to the Blue Jewel, Sun Meifeng greets Sister Xiulan’s friends. Please follow me to your room.”
Zhi returns a slight bow, “Thank you, we humbly accept your hospitality.”
She leads them down the hallway and to a door near the end of it. “I will have some tea and menus brought to you. Please make yourself comfortable.” She gently shuts the door and leaves us alone.
The room is small but not crowded, with some simple decorations on the walls. In the middle of the room rests a low square table. With a set of dark blue cushions on each side of it. Zhi walks around the table and sits down on the cushions facing the door. He places his khakkhara behind him on his right side. While taking off his rice hat and seating it to his left side. Xiulan sits to Zhi’s left side at the table. As they settle in, Zhao is still standing awkwardly off to the side by the door.
“You need to relax little Zhao, come sit down. I want to have a talk with you.” Zhi points to the empty side of the table on his right side. Zhao fidgets a little at Zhi’s words but compiles, his body is tense sitting on the other side of the table from Xiulan. Head lowered and eyes looking at the table.
Zhi is the first to speak while he looks at Zhao, “So was today your first time trying to run that con?” Xiulan looks over at Zhi, but sees him looking at Zhao. She also turns to look at the boy. Zhao himself doesn’t look up, but slowly nod’s his head yes.
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Sun Meifeng walks swiftly to the end of the hallway, coming to a T-section. She takes a left around the corner walking through a set of double doors. Inside are some servers, they are removing food from a dumbwaiter and prepping plates. She looks at the closest person, “Bojing, take tea and menus for 4 people to room 9, but do not stay to take their orders.”
Before they reply, she has already walked out the room and makes her way to the other side of the hallway before descending a set of stairs. She walks out into a busy kitchen area, there are a few people cooking food. While a few servers move about to pick up or drop off orders, as a couple of dishwashers are cleaning plates in the back. Everyone is busy but they all notice Meifeng as she walks into the back office door, because it never happens when she is on shift.
After a few minutes she comes back out, following behind is a displeased looking older man. She mounts the stairs and then walks back to her post at the second story landing. The man following her, stops in front of door number 9 and listens. After a few seconds he moves away from the door and waits.
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“I thought so, it wasn’t bad. You probably practiced that a bunch to make it seem so natural. You guys would have done a decent job today if I didn't come along.” Zhi smirks at his own comment. While Xiulan is looking at him questionly.
There is a slight knock on the door, a slight delay, then a young man enters. He is dressed like the other servers, in black pants, an ultramarine blue shirt with a black vest over it. He comes in with a tea tray, some menus under his arm and stops for a second when he notices Xiulan. She smiles at him, while speaking, “It’s good to see you Bojing.”
“You too, Xiulan.” He sets out the tea. Then hands Xiulan a menu, before giving one to Zhi and Zhao. The boy takes it stiffly, but Zhi smiles and says thanks to him, before beginning to look it over.
Bojing poured four cups of tea. Moving the extra one to the empty seat at the front of the table closest to the door. The only one who notices is Zhao, because he is not looking at the menu. Bojing stands and says, “Just ring the bell when you are ready to order, someone will come in to take your order then.”
With that he backs out of the room. As he exits the door, he sees the displeased looking older man to the side. He motions him to close the door and come over. Before Bojing can speak, the old man asks quietly, “What do the two young men with Xiulan look like and how were they acting? What about Xiulan?”
“One is dressed like a monk, a very nice looking staff is laying on the ground behind him. He is relaxed and looks in a good mood. The other is a boy, he looks a little afraid. Xiulan herself looks at ease in their company, but her face is slightly flushed.”
The older man nods, “Good, very good. You may go, I will handle this matter myself.” As Bojing walks away, the older man stands in front of the door and waits.