110 Going nowhere (1/2)

Liu Sumeng chased Chen Anyue out into the courtyard. She was in a rush, hiding her embarrassment and flustered face with a hurried pace. And though she knew she could hear the Ivory Sword Saint chase her steps, she dared not turn back.

She dared not have a glance and see his face.

”Where are you going?” She heard him ask.

The words spilled out in a fluster, ”I…I just need some air.” She was making it to the gate. The city was on the other side, an atmosphere full of festivities and things to distract her from her thoughts.

There was a long, stone-paved road that wound downward into the heart of the city. From the golden manor's lofty spot, the city of Reling at its feet was like a sparkling gem. Echoes of song trailed up like rising steam, dots of lantern light glowed in welcome.

In a trance, Chen Anyue went toward the lights and the sounds.

”It's late.”

”...I'm a grown woman,” she said stubbornly, thinking about all the times she wished to say those very words to her own father but didn't.

Liu Sumeng caught up to her side. This time he accompanied her in silence.

In the belly of the city there was the waft of street food, greasy and fragrant.

A mess of ugly thoughts churned in Chen Anyue's heart. She didn't know who she was most frustrated at. This stony-faced fiance of hers, who rejected her while treating her so sweetly, or maybe her precious little Shidi who desired the man who was promised to her.

Or herself, for having these mean thoughts in the first place.

Never had she been in such conflict with her own feelings before. Not even her frustration with her family's overbearing nature came even close to the vivid emotions that flared so loudly in her heart, refusing to quell.

Her eyes looked at noodles being cooked on a flat heated stone. She never even tried such a thing before. Her brothers would scold her for craving oily foods.

”Do you think me pitiful?” She dared not look up at the person who stood silently at her side.

”No.”

'Do you like me more now?' But she didn't dare ask that. Not this time, not after…

And Chen Anyue hated herself for feeling angry at Yuan Xuelan. Why did he have to like the man who she was trying desperately to win? And was she a villain for wanting him?

...and who did Liu Sumeng like more?

This question she was fearful of asking. And she didn't know what she was afraid of more; Liu Sumeng's answer, or her own reaction to the answer.

”Liu-ge,” she said, tilting her voice to be a little playful. ”I want one of those.” She pointed to one of the fried cake stalls. Perhaps she was behaving a little childishly, but after seeing her own Shidi kiss her fiance, could she really be blamed?

”...” Liu Sumeng was quiet but obedient. He pulled out his coin pouch and bought her one of the fried cakes.

For the first time in her life, she took a bite out of the sweet, greasy thing. The red bean filling was sharp with the amount of added sugar. The crumbs tickled her mouth as flavor exploded. It was so sweet!

Inspiration took hold of her and she decided that today she would let her vices be. There were so many things she had dared not try before.

”Liu-ge,” she said with a honeyed voice, ”There is somewhere I want to go.”

Liu Sumeng was so kind to her. He nodded and followed her whims. They found themselves at a rowdy inn.

There were men screaming and shouting with red faces. The waiters and waitresses were equally as loud, shoving, and elbowing their way through just to deliver drinks and meals to the cramped customers.

It seemed that there was a game of yanqian [1]in the middle. People threw down bets as the croupier sorted the beans with a long bamboo stalk.

Chen Anyue and Liu Sumeng were sorely out of place. The smell was extremely thick from both food and sweat. These two refined cultivators stood out like a sore thumb. But to anyone that dared even chance a look at her, Liu Sumeng gave them an icy glare, warning them to back away.

No one was drunk enough yet to start a fight with this refined young master and he prayed that no one would be a fool too. Liu Sumeng had no idea why Anyue brought him to such a place. But for now, he would do what he could to please her.

The truth was, the Ivory Sword Saint was also at a complete loss. He did not understand what had happened. Had he made a mistake? Or was it Xuelan the one making the mistake? The sensation still tingled on his lips. Both warmth and anxiety swarmed in his heart.

At first, he had only wished to follow Chen Anyue to make sure that she didn't misunderstand. But he wasn't sure what it was that was to be misunderstood, or what the reality of the situation even was.

The master of the inn was wiping his face with sweat. His complexion seemed poor as he looked upon the young miss and young master that have just entered his establishment. ”P-Please wait just a moment! I will get a table for you!” He looked over as a young boy and barked, ”You! Go get a table right at this moment, I don't care if you have to throw people out!”

On a normal day, Chen Anyue would have shaken her head and told them that it was okay, and they could wait. But today was different. And she only waited, feeling giddy and a bit evil as a table was cleared just for their sake.

”What can I get for Young Master and Young Miss?” The master of the inn bowed to them and smiled in a way that told of both nerves and greed.