"Hey, aren't you that girl who brings bad luck on good days? What are you up to this time? Better not be after someone's money!" A young boy's voice is heard loudly from downstairs.
"I don't need coins! And I do not bring bad luck!" Li Qiao protests. She grabbed her pouch of coins away from him.
"Then what are you here for? Don't tell me you want to travel. You're fooling nobody, lady. Who sent you? Was it Mo Rui? That guy really pisses me off. Did he pay you this much for stalking me?" He grabs the pouch, messing around with it, out of her reach. "Hah, I know I'm handsome. No fair lady can resist my charm! Just say you want to spend time with me. Maybe I'll free my schedule and offer you attention." He says cocky
"That's my business, creep! And I would never see myself with an arrogant little boy like you! Ever! I'll tell your mom how much of a troublemaker you are."
I wake up to the commotion downstairs, still half asleep and groggy from the uneasy sleep. I yawn as I come downstairs. I silently make my way like a ghost to them and stand right behind the small boy. I grab the wrist holding the small bag, pulling it down to her. "It's impolite to cause such a ruckus first thing in the morning," I say in a harsh, yawning.
Li Qiao takes the chance and earns her bag back. "Morning, mister James!"
"Good morning to you, too, kid." I smile gently at her, face serious, the second I look at the troublemaker. "What's this little fella doing here? Don't you have school, kid?"
"Let go of me! I will tell my brother about you! He will kill you for messing with me!"
"Oh, really? Who's this brother of yours?"
"Only the most ferocious knight of Lord Xie's men!"
"Oh?" I grin, my black eyes locking gaze with Li Qiao's blue, communicating through gazes. "Tell me more." She bends down to his level. "And maybe you'll be rewarded for the collaboration." She states, rummaging through her dress's pockets, reaching for a small sweet. The little boy blushes at the sudden closeness, intrigued by the sound of the candy wrap coming from her.
"No! I'm not a little boy you can bribe with candy!" He pouts.
"Pleaseeeee," Li Qiao pouts too, her pupils widening.
I simply observe the interaction between the two. I chuckle at the sight of her pouty lips and pleading eyes.
"Zichen!" A woman's voice is heard in the distance. "Zichen! Where are you?"
"Eh? Is that your mom? Don't worry her." I pick up the little boy and carry him out of the inn. The lady looks at us, seeing her son in my arms. She hurries to us. "Zichen! How many times does mom have to tell you to stop running away? You worry me sick!" She grabs him from my arms and puts him down. "I am deeply sorry for the trouble my son has caused you. He's very naughty at his age and wants to do as he pleases, but he has a very kind soul. Please excuse him for his attitude." She bows down, feeling the guilt heaving on her back. I pull her up straight, patting her shoulder.
"It's alright, miss. He doesn't seem like a bad person." I pat the child's back, too. "Be a good and obedient child. Don't cause any more trouble for your mother." I smile at him, in exchange for a big pout he gives.
"We need to find more information about this Lord, Xie Yun. He seems like a big shot around here." Little lady suggests the obvious.
"Did you try asking around?" I grin.
"Did you?" she gives me a challenging gaze. She holds the sword given to me to my chest. "You'll need this. Don't lose it."
I laugh, amused by her serious tone. "As you command, princess."
…
The town didn't seem so big. There were a few taverns and traders along the main street.
I put my arm around Li Qiao's shoulders. "Got any clue how to obtain the location for this Lord?"
"I only know that he lives somewhere at the top, in between the two tallest mountains."
"Seems about right for me. Wouldn't want any little girls like you running around lost in those mountains." I ruffle her hair.
"You look awfully calm, given the fact that you traveled a thousand years back."
That state makes me pause my brain, surprised that she noticed before I did. I tilt my head, just losing myself in her eyes. She's bold. I like that. "You're a very clever girl… I give you that." I sigh. "People my age tend to adapt to situations rather than panicking around." I say proudly, raising my head straight.
"I admire you for that fact, mister." She looks up at me through her lashes, her eyes glittering in the sun's light. A smirk appears on my face.
"Eh! Sir! Hold on!" A male voice appears loud behind us. I look over my shoulder, seeing a young man taking a break to grasp some air. "I…I was hoping you could help me with something!" We stop in our tracks, facing him.
"I… I heard you want to reach Mount Tai… Lord Xie Yun." He says between breaths.
"Yeah. What about it?" Li Qiao steps forward.
"I want to come along. My sister was forced to be a servant there, and I want to bring her back."
"What's in it for us?"
"I know the way. I've been there many times in the woods with my sister before, not until recently that she was taken away by force. And maybe I can also help you with whatever deal you want to have with Lord Xie."
"I can't believe I'm doing chores for kids." I massage my head's temple. Li Qiao looks up at me, reaching up to my face and fixing my hair away from my face. I look down at her figure, focusing on the feeling of her fingers across my face.
"With good deeds comes greater karma." She whispers.
The guy tries to catch our attention. "Uhm… hello? I'm still here." He reaches out his hand and taps Li Qiao's shoulder. Not even a second passes, and she looks over her shoulder at him, her eyes narrowing, annoyed. I, on the other hand, hide half of my face behind her head, my eyes peeking out of her hair, glaring at the boy. He quickly keeps his distance. "Okay, okay. Lovebirds." He scoffs, pouting, turning away, and waiting patiently. Li Qiao turns her eyes back at me, her pupils dilating ever so slightly with every caress.
"If you say so… wouldn't want to piss off a little girl like you. Let's go, shall we?" I smirk, just a fraction of a second before straightening my back and towering over the two. "Alright, fella. What's your name?"
"Ruo Xuan!" He smiles. "Just turned 24."
"Oh? I'm only 2 years older." I chuckle.
His eyes shone like stars. "Really?? Are you my first ever friend of the same age then?" He smiles from ear to ear as he stands side by side and loops an arm around my neck.
"Now, now. I'm still older than you."
"Yeah, but not that old!" His excitement shoots like arrows everywhere.
"You're my buddy now! Eh, how old are you, miss?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Li Qiao crosses her arms in front of her chest, raising her head to look more powerful. "I'm stronger than you'll ever be and imagine to be.
He sticks out his tongue, nudging me left and right, still stuck under his arm. "Heeey, you're definitely younger if you're so defensive! You can't lie to me!" He runs off in the town.
"I'm not defensive! You have no manners!" She gets offended, picking her dress up from the floor, and starts running after him.
I shake my head, a sigh, just looking at them bantering and playing from afar. I look around, clearing my throat, not knowing the way, calmly following them, spending just one more day dedicated to enjoying ourselves, before everything else.