174 A Fateful Reunion 1 (1/2)

The following morning while deep in her slumber, Rin had started to feel her chest become somewhat uncomfortable. Her eyes blearily opened awake, her eyelashes faintly batting against her lids when she blinked. Streaks of sunlight penetrated the window and blinded her slightly.

The moment she glanced down, her body stiffened. Curled up in Rin's arms, was none other than Aiguo. However, his head was resting closely on her chest. At some point, he snuggled himself deeper.

Rin was shocked, frozen for a second before a boiling rage overtook her.

”Insolent little…Get up!” She immediately retracted her foot coiled around Aiguo's and delivered a swift, merciless kick.

While sleeping, Aiguo woke up from the harsh impact. Before he had the chance to process the situation, he fell out of the bed. On the floor, Aiguo's eyes blinked awake, his spiky hair slightly tousled. When he realized what happened, his expression darkened.

He opened his mouth but stopped himself from saying anything when he saw Rin's expression. The dark aura around her, her furrowed brows and the thin line formed by her rosy lips; all these signs showed that she wasn't happy.

For whatever reason, he knew he was apparently in the wrong. In the end, he said nothing and cleared his throat.

”G-Good morning, Rin.” He scratched the back of his head.

”Mm.” Rin hummed, her arms crossed over her chest.

Glaring at the boy a few more seconds, Rin's eyes glanced at the window. From the sun shining through, she could guess it was early in the morning. Sighing softly, Rin uncrossed her arms and walked over to the table.

”Come on, start getting ready, we're leaving soon.”

Aiguo nodded and got up from the floor. When the two finished packing all their belongings, the sound of the door knocking caught their attention. Assuming it was the inn worker reminding them that their stay was over; Rin walked to the door.

The moment she opened the door, a man suddenly rushed in. Rin's neutral expression disappeared as her pupils contracted.

He swung his dagger at Rin, who stepped back and grabbed the chair behind her. Having failed to hit his target, the man cursed and lunged again. However, before he could react, Rin had already swung the chair towards him and struck him in the head, hard.

Then, Rin grabbed hold of the broken leg of the chair and again, slammed it hard against his head until blood formed at the top and flowed down his face. When he collapsed to the ground, the room fell silent.

Aiguo stood in the corner, his face pale with fright and hands slightly trembling. Rin's expression at this moment had turned threateningly cold.

”Are you all right?” She looked over at the frightened boy.

In shock, Aiguo finally recovered himself a little.

”Y-Yeah…”

Just as Rin opened her mouth to speak, she caught the sound of heavy footsteps making their way up the stairs. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Grabbing her crossbow on the table and hurling it over her shoulder, Rin walked toward the window. She peered over at the street below; must be five stories down.

Lowering her head for a moment as if in deep thought, she suddenly unlocked the window and walked over toward Aiguo.

”We're leaving.”

”W-What?” Aiguo stuttered and was shocked when he felt the seemingly petite girl lift him. ”Rin?”

”If you're scared, just close your eyes.” She said calmly.

At that moment, just as Rin took a few steps toward the window, a group of burly men barged into the room. When they turned their heads to the window, they were stunned. Looking over her shoulder, Rin's lips suddenly curled into a cold smile.

Then, without hesitation, she turned back toward the window and jumped out, the men shouting behind her.

…

”Blegh, what's with this rice?” Bai Han's smacked his lips. ”It tastes like sand!”

Sitting across from him, an eyebrow rose on An Sun's face, but he said nothing. However, Bai Han was very quick to notice his expression.

”What? What was with that face?”

”Just didn't think you'd be such a picky old man.” An Sun said amusedly behind his cup of water.

The look in Bai Han's eyes darkened.

”It's not being picky, it's called having standards. Besides, if I'm paying to eat and sleep here I'd expect to have a decent meal, not grains of sand!” Bai Han pushed the rice aside and harrumphed. ”And don't act like you're any better than me. I saw your expression when they said there was no wine.”