Maidservants (8)

Anna left, tears streaming down her face, after receiving Mi's affirmative reply. Mi walked alone towards the Flower Fate Inn. She pondered her plans for the next two days. Now she had a stable job, a young daughter named Betty, and a little girl waiting for her to rescue. She needed a quieter place to stay; continuing to live in the bustling inn was becoming inconvenient.

Sheila, the owner of the Flower Inn, was a plump woman who always greeted people with a smile before they even spoke. Mi had been staying for almost two months without paying a single copper coin in rent, and had even taken dozens of silver deris from the landlady to commission a carriage for Anna. Sheila didn't seem to care at all. Whenever Mi left, she would smile and see her off, telling her to have fun. When Mi returned, she would greet her warmly, "What fun things did you see today? Are you tired?" Regardless of whether Mi answered, she could chatter on and on.

"You're back!" Seeing Mi step into the inn, Sheila looked up from the ledger behind the counter and greeted Mi with a smile: "Would you like me to prepare dinner for you?"

“Get me a pot of water,” Mi thought for a moment, she needed to talk to Sheila: “Sheila, if it’s convenient for you, please come in too.”

Sheila personally carried water to the innermost room, where Mi lived. The room was small, with only a bed, a small table, and a chair. Now that Mi had found a job, she had to consider the issue of long-term accommodation. The restaurant was tiny and certainly couldn't provide Mi with lodging, and even if it could, Mi didn't want to spend 24 hours a day in the restaurant.

“Sheila, I’m looking for a place to stay long-term,” Mi said, taking the water glass Sheila offered her and giving Sheila her chair. She then sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Is the master leaving?" Sheila wasn't worried that Mi couldn't afford the rent. Rather, there were many benefits to having a nobleman stay at the inn. Recently, the security team had been causing less trouble, all because of the marigold coins that Mi had pawned with the landlady.

“This room is a bit too small,” Mi looked around. “If you have a larger place to recommend, it doesn’t have to be particularly big, just one bedroom and one living room will do.”

“We have rooms like that at our inn,” Sheila said quickly, standing up. “Please come with me to take a look, sir.”

Huayuan Inn is a square-shaped inn, a two-story building near the street. The first floor has a counter and a small tea room in the center, with the rest being single rooms. Behind it is a square courtyard; on the left are water rooms with washrooms and bathing facilities, and on the right are rooms specifically for female guests. At the very back is a separate three-story building. The first floor has a kitchen and living quarters for the staff, while the second and third floors are large communal sleeping area for migrant workers from other places.

Sheila, holding a candlestick, led Mi upstairs to two one-bedroom apartments. There was a small bedroom and a small living room with a table and two chairs. Best of all, there was a small balcony with a recliner. The rooms were a good size, and with only two suites upstairs, there wouldn't be constant foot traffic. The room facing the street had a soft, moonlit glow streaming through its window, and Mi fell in love with it at first sight. After looking around, she chose the one on the east side and moved in.

The Flower Inn was located in a narrow alley. Mi stood on the balcony, looking across the alley, which was no more than two meters away. Through the curtains, she could see the silhouettes of people in the opposite house, and if she spoke a little louder, she could hear their conversation. The alley was narrow, the houses were densely packed, and the place was full of the warmth of everyday life. For the first time since entering the Flower Kingdom, Mi felt relaxed.

The blue moon cast a cold, eerie light, casting a shadow across half the street from the opposite building. There were no streetlights, only the faint glow of candlelight from the shopfronts. The street was almost deserted, so quiet you could barely hear a sound. Mi knew that soon the backyard would come alive; the migrant workers would return, carrying the faint scents of alcohol and cosmetics. Mi hesitated, wondering if she should move to a quieter inn, but—she remembered the surprise she felt when she first saw the Flower Fate Inn. A small flag hung at the entrance, depicting a small house, a table, and a chair. A pot of tea steamed gently on the table, as tranquil as a grandfather's cottage in the countryside. Sitting in that chair, one could almost hear the soft strains of opera singing.

Several potted plants sat at the entrance of the inn, with a few quaint little stones scattered haphazardly inside. Inside, the plump landlady, with a kind face and slightly sallow skin, stood with her brown hair neatly tied back. On the natural wood counter, a few pink and white flowers bloomed in a dark brown ceramic pot, emitting a rich fragrance. Opposite the counter were a few bamboo chairs and two small tables, each with a tiny vase about two fingers wide filled with green shoots. Soft cushions adorned the chairs.

Once Mi sat down, she didn't want to leave. The setting sun's light streamed in through the doorway, and specks of dust danced in the air. For a moment, Mi felt a sense of disorientation, as if she had been transported to another time. The landlady brought her a glass of water and quietly sat opposite Mi, her crochet hook moving deftly, creating one round little flower after another. The quiet made Mi wonder if she had returned to Earth. In the old house in the countryside, Grandpa was listening to opera, and Grandma was crocheting; she would make her a beautiful little jacket later.

Mi decided to stay here during her stay in Sun City, and she packed a few clothes and odds and ends into her new room upstairs. Sheila brought in tea and snacks again, and took a box from her bosom and handed it to Mi, saying, "This is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it, sir."

"You're too kind," Mi said, taking the box and feeling its heavy weight. She opened it with a puzzled look and found it full of silver coins. Mi then looked up at Sheila.

“I know you need these, sir,” Sheila said, lowering her head to avoid Mi’s gaze, as she poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. “I would like to exchange the gold coins you left with me for these.” Sheila thought for a moment and said, “You can live in this small apartment permanently, for free. If you need a contract, I can go to the government office to get one for you.”

“Why?” Mi looked at Sheila. “A single gold coin isn’t worth that much.”

"It's worth it for adults to stay here."

The city of Taiyang is generally safe. While petty theft does occur, it mostly occurs in the west and north of the city. These thieves are extremely agile and know who to avoid, because if caught, they will be permanently removed from public life.

There are many merchants and shops in the south of the city, and the security team often patrols here to maintain order. That being said, they inevitably receive some extra benefits. Some ruthless people might visit three times a day, right around mealtimes.

Flower Fate Inn was a family business passed down through Sheila's family, not a large inn with powerful backers. Dealing with a sheriff like that meant she could only pay for peace. However, most of the inn's guests were women or laborers, earning only a meager income, barely enough to make ends meet. Since Mi moved in and was given a marigold coin as payment, Sheila tried having the sheriff check the coin when he came to verify its authenticity. The sheriff, while mocking Sheila for being cheated, checked the marigold coin. Later, hearing that the holder of the marigold coin lived in the inn, no further fees were levied on Flower Fate Inn, though normal taxes were still collected. At the end of the month, the landlady found that they had accumulated a surplus of about five silver dahs compared to previous months. When Mi asked for a place to stay, Sheila was still lamenting that her good days were coming to an end. But when Mi decided to stay upstairs, Sheila immediately took out all her savings to exchange for the marigold coin and decided to treat the amulet to her free of charge. However, Sheila couldn't tell Mi any of this, and Mi couldn't tell Sheila that the marigold coins were a gift from someone else.

It was only then that Mi realized the chubby, smiling Sheila was the real owner of the Flower Fate Inn, not just some manager. Mi knew almost nothing about the laws of Sun City; all her common sense came from the local guide Fried and her stereotypes. Perhaps because the owner was a woman, the Flower Fate Inn had quite a few female guests, including some exceptionally beautiful models displayed in nearby shops. These girls came and went quickly, only stopping briefly to rest when they came from the countryside. Beautiful women always had more opportunities, and in just two months, the room next to Mi's had seen several different groups of guests.

“I won’t be staying here for long,” Mi said, returning the silver to Sheila. “I will pay you the rent, and you will still have this marigold until I pay off all my debts to you.”

“Yes, thank you, sir.” Sheila put the box away. “Whenever you come to Sun City, this room will be reserved for you forever.”

“Okay, you can go and draw up a contract.” Mi thought she could still provide this convenience. She was taking advantage of the red-haired Anne’s marigold coin influence and now she was sharing a little bit of the tiger’s prestige with Sheila.

Mi returned to the Twin Towers under the cover of night. Betty sat on the bed, holding a book and lost in thought. A candle on the bedside table emitted a dim yellow light. She looked around from time to time, hoping for that figure that had appeared out of nowhere.

Mi finally remembered what she had forgotten yesterday: she had forgotten to visit Beatrice. Mi looked Beatrice over; her complexion was no longer as haggard and withered as before, and her dark circles were less noticeable, indicating she had slept well these past two days. Holding the lunchbox, Mi was once again amazed by this wondrous world. She materialized, and Beatrice blinked, then leaned out of bed, resting her body against Mi's neck, murmuring, "I thought you were gone."

Mi tucked Beatrice into bed and took out a lunchbox. Beatrice turned her face away, saying, "I don't want to drink it, I'm not sleepy." Mi was pleased that Beatrice had regained her temper. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Are you hungry?"

"Hungry." Beatrice's eyes sparkled as she stared at Mi, knowing she had a magic pocket. The witch's space was truly invaluable. Mi brought out a plate with two pancakes on it, made that afternoon. Mi had borrowed a plate from the restaurant and saved two for Beatrice. Beatrice and Mi stared intently at the plate, and Mi forgot to bring cutlery.

"Okay, let me pour you some water." Mi calmly placed the plate on the table, picked up the kettle and poured water. She washed Bai Cuisi's hands, dried her fingers with a clean towel, and then said, "Here, eat with your hands."

Bertram hesitated briefly, pursing her lips, then resolutely reached for a pancake, taking bite after bite, stuffing her mouth full until she finished it. She picked up another pancake, muttering, "Teacher Aman would faint if she saw this." Teacher Aman was the strictest etiquette teacher at Derek Palace, incapable of doing anything even slightly improper, and utterly intolerant of any vulgar behavior.

"Are you happy?" Mi tucked a stray strand of hair behind Petrus's ear.

"Mmm, it tastes even better when eaten with your hands." Beatrice took a couple of bites, stared at the pie for a moment, and asked, "What kind of dish is this? It's so delicious!"

"cabbage."

"Ah, this is much better than Derek's roasted cabbage." After finishing the pancake, Petris licked her fingers without any regard for etiquette, then licked her oily lips with her little tongue before letting out a big yawn.

Mi brought water and washed her hands and face before opening the lunchbox and saying, "Have a couple of sips of water and rinse your mouth."

Petric took a small sip of water and said, "Don't leave."

"Okay, I'll stay with you." Only after receiving a satisfactory reply did Beatrice take a few large gulps of water. Mi took Beatrice's book: "Reading another Yeti story?"

“I would like to hear the story of the Shari people, but it’s not here.”

“Lie down, I’ll read to you.” Mi sat down next to Petrus and opened the book: “The Yeti, the ruler of ice; the Yeti, the embodiment of destruction…” Petrus’s breathing grew heavier. One hand rested on Mi’s leg, while the other gripped Mi’s clothes tightly. There was only air there; Petrus’s small hand clenched into a fist. Petrus slept more peacefully. Her breathing gradually calmed, and her brow relaxed. This time, no demon disturbed her sweet dreams.