Chapter 38: Tea House
Xueqin stood in front of a three-floor house in Greenlake City, the nearest city to the Sword Valley, without taking into account Sword City. Greenlake City had a lot of houses rather than tall building and the houses there had a touch of classic, trying to imitate 20.000 years old constructions, making it seem a large village rather than a city.
Xueqin gulped a little nervous before entering, breathing profoundly trying to calm himself, stepping forward.
"Welcome to our Guo Tea House" A young and vibrant girl welcomed as she detected a new person coming. The girl lowered her view looking at Xueqin with a confused and worried face "Are you lost, little brother?" She asked with a warm smile. A tea house wasn't the usual place for a 9 years old child to go alone so she think that he might have been lost.
Xueqin shook his head "No, I came for a reservation. I am called Xueqin."
The girl's eyes went wide, her face paling. She bowed 90º "Truly sorry for not recognizing you, young master."
'It must be her doing' thought Xueqin. He smiled at her and shook his hands "Don't worry"
"I will immediately guide to your table" The girl said incredibly respectfully, guiding Xueqin over the tea house.
Inside, light music was playing over, plus the essence being used there, they created a warm and calm environment. There were very little tables, very separated from each other and all of them were full, people calmly drinking their tea.
Xueqin was guided over the second floor where only 5 tables stood. Looking over the room, Xueqin could see all the tables full and in the corner table, he was able to find who he was searching, a beautiful woman accompanied by a cute little girl, both of them with flowing distinctive pink hair, they were Ning Xiaoran and her granddaughter Ning Weilan.
Just as Xueqin left the Sword Valley, he contacted Ning Xiaoran at the Spirit Pagoda of Sword City. The Spirit Pagoda there was very little, with something 3 floors, nothing like the immense and powerful at Shrek City. Once he showed the Ning token, he was immediately let for a communication with her.
In the end, Xiaoran preferred to talk directly, so both scheduled to meet in three days at the Guo Tea House of Greenlake City, today being the date.
Xueqin approached the Ning women that sat with elegance and refinity, making the perfect image of nobility.
"Nice to see you again, little Qin" Xiaoran smiled at him.
"Nice to meet you too, aunt Ran" Xueqin lowered his head a little, remembering how she requested to be called.
"Hello, Xueqin" Weilan smiled at him, but he could sense it a little forced.
Just as Xueqin sat down over a chair, a waitress served an amber drink to him.
"You have grown very handsome, like a charming little prince" Xiaoran smiled, her amethyst eyes glinted "And I see that your strength had also grown."
"Thanks, I worked very hard. But" Xueqin looked directly at Xiaoran's eyes "Could we talk about why we met?"
"You are too impatient, you must learn to enjoy the moments" She sipped her tea with a extreme elegance "Especially in your youth." She made a thoughtful look "But I suppose that being impatient is a sign of infancy. You shouldn't try to grow too quickly."
Xiaoran looked at Xueqin who had a confused face, not really understanding and giggled a little "So about your request. What do you want to ask me?" She smiled, but this time was a little professional smile devoid of any warmth.
"I want to find someone, I want to ask for your help to find her" Xueqin requested.
"Finding someone, eh? It would be a dangerous person? A person to have revenge?" Xiaoran looked intensely at Xueqin's eyes "No, you are too young for that. Should it be family?"
"It's about my big sister from the orphanage, Qian Chi. I want to meet her again" Xueqin said "Would you help me?"
Xiaoran sipped her tea "You know that there will be some kind of repayment if I were to help you?"
Xueqin nodded "I will do whatever is in my hands"
"First of all. Can you tell why I requested you to meet me here? In this concrete place?" Xiaoran asked.
Xueqin blinked in surprise but quickly calmed "Will my answer be related with you helping me out?"
"Let's say that it would affect in what way my negotiations go" Xiaoran mysteriously said.
Xueqin made a thoughtful look "We could have met at Sword City that I was already there, but you decided to Greenlake City, the nearest city. If I must say, I think that you would rather avoid Sword City, or more precisely the Sword Valley."
"Let's suppose that it's correct, do you have any idea why?" Xiaoran asked.
"I suppose that is due to the low reputation of the Spirit Pagoda there?" he said unsurely "It's clear that in Sword City is very low respected comparing with other cities. Not only it was the smallest height, it was also the most run-out that I saw in my travels, as in the Sword City people focus over Sword Cultivation rather than Soul Cultivation."
"A good answer" Xiaoran smiled "Now, could you tell me why I choose this Tea House?"
"Because it's a public place" Xueqin said surer "Our surroundings are isolated, people outside are able to see us, but not listening, creating a little public audience but it wouldn't disturb us." Xueqin had already thought of the reason for meeting there, his answer being thought over the two days waiting.
"Why?"
"It should be to give me a sense of security. As a high ranking person, your image should be extremely important. So you want to think that I am secure as I wouldn't think of you attacking me here, taking advantage of me" Xueqin answered.
"Taking advantage? What I could gain from a little boy such as yourself?" Xiaoran asked,
"I don't really know. But I know that you want something from me. I could sense it in your eyes" Xueqin answered.
"Hahaha" Xiaoran laughed "These eyes of mine are really useful, but they will always reveal me. You are correct, I am interested in you. Of course, I only have good feelings, don't expect anything bad" She made a pause "You talked about the sense of security. It worked?" She said lifting an eyebrow.
"Of course not. With your power and influence, you should be able to do anything that you want to me, being impossible for me to resist. For what I know, all the people here could have already been selected by you, being your men" Xueqin answered.
"Thinking like this, why did you come? Why put in danger coming to me?" Xiaoran asked curiously.
"It's exactly because I knew it" Answered Xueqin calmly "I doubt you hadn't already found information about me. I am an orphan, 6 years living in an orphanage and 3 years living like a hermit. I don't really know about the world nor what to do to search for my big sister nor in the future. In the end, if you used your resources, I wouldn't be able to escape, there's no need for you to personally meet me."
"You have great power and influence and are even a little curious about me, wanting me for something. You have enough power to force me, but you didn't. Instead, opting for a warm approach, trying to take my good side. I would choose you over the unknown, hiding their objectives" Xueqin answered.
The smile over Xiaoran grew bigger "Good answer, very good answer. I am a little sad being only seen as a method for you, but I think that I can't expect anything else having us meet so little." She made a sad face "Lastly, have you any idea of what my requirement would be?"
"I suppose is related with my talent and strength, so maybe recruit me?" Xueqin turned to Weilan who had stood silent all the conversation "Or maybe it has to do with Weilan. That would explain what you brought her here."
"You are very intelligent and shrewd for your age, little Qin" Xiaoran giggled "I had your answer, so I will tell you mine" She said seriously "I didn't like Sword City for my personal reason, it did not have anything to do with the Spirit Pagoda. For the Tea House, you forgot about the most important thing from this place."
"What?" He asked curiously.
"They made a delicious apple juice" She said signaling at the glass in front of Xueqin "You should taste it. Wei'Er really loves it"
Weilan blushed a little as she sipped the apple juice in front of her.
"And over searching for your big sister, I will help you. You had answered my questions, so you can take this as your repayment" Xiaoran said "But, I would really like to request something for you. You can be calm, you are completely free to deny it. My decision of helping with your sister won't change. I promise over the Ning name."
"What would it be?" asked Xueqin unsure.
Xiaoran extended her arm towards Xueqin and smiled warmly "Would you be Weilan's guardian? As well as my grandson?"
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