As dusk fell, shops on the street gradually opened, and some small vendors hung lanterns and set up stalls along the roadside.
Mu Run left the restaurant with a warm welcome from the waiter.
Because he had received a tip, the waiter was especially enthusiastic towards Mu Run, "Sir, can you see the Star Gazing Tower? Just walk in that direction, and you won't go wrong."
"Okay, I'll come back to eat your crab roe buns when I have time, they taste amazing."
"Thank you for your patronage. Please take care as you go, or you might lose your belongings in the crowd."
This last sentence was a well-intentioned reminder to Murun to be careful of pickpockets who might steal things.
Mu Run smiled and nodded, then blended into the flow of people.
After walking for a while, Mu Run's sleeve pocket had been touched five times... She couldn't help but wonder if this was a city of thieves?
We've arrived at the Star Observatory.
Before Mu Run could even enter, he heard the sounds of string and wind instruments coming from inside, with the melodious sounds of sheng and xiao.
"I didn't expect it to be such a refined and elegant place." (Chinese website)
Inside the Star-Gazing Tower, there were indeed many literati and scholars, some enjoying music and dance, others discussing world affairs.
A waiter stopped Mu Run, "Excuse me, sir, do you have an invitation?"
Mu Run asked, "Do I need an invitation to enter the Star Gazing Tower?"
The waiter replied very politely, "Yes, that's the rule in our establishment. If you have an invitation, you can enter for free; otherwise, it will cost three taels of silver."
Mu Run: "...This is robbery!"
The waiter remained unfazed, smiling politely as he said, "I'm just following orders, sir. What do you think?"
Mu Run took out a three-tael silver coin from his sleeve pocket, which he actually took from his spatial storage, and tossed it to the waiter.
The waiter took the money and said, "Please wait a moment, sir."
Soon, the waiter brought over a jade plaque engraved with the three characters "Guanxinglou" and handed it to Mu Run. "With this plaque, you may move freely around the fifth floor and the private rooms that are already booked."
Mu Run took the jade token. "I want to inquire about some information. Who should I contact?"
The waiter wasn't surprised at all. "Please follow me, sir."
Mu Run followed the waiter up to the third floor.
Finally, they stopped in front of a room with a painting of plum blossoms hanging on the wall.
The waiter knocked on the door. "Manager, we have a customer."
After a while, a sleepy, hoarse voice came from inside, as if the person had just woken up, "Come in."
As the door was pushed open by the waiter, Mu Run smelled a crisp, cold fragrance of plum blossoms. She glanced again at the plum blossom painting by the door, removed the veil from her head, and stepped across the threshold.
Upon entering the room, one sees a man in a purple-red fur robe with white feathers at the tips, reclining on a couch by the window. His eyes are unlike those of ordinary people; they are a dazzling golden-red, like the afterglow of the setting sun. With slender eyebrows, fair skin, and crimson lips, his gaze exudes endless charm and allure, captivating the soul.
Even though Mu Run was used to seeing beautiful women, he couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart.
This man is a vixen!
A sentence flashed through Mu Run's mind subconsciously.
Seeing that Mu Run stood motionless, showing no infatuation with her and remaining calm as usual, the man was quite surprised. He raised his left eyebrow slightly, his eyes flashing as if he wanted to steal Mu Run's soul.
Mu Run secretly gasped, but remained unmoved on the surface, and asked, "You're not the head manager."
The man gazed at Mu Run with a smile in his beautiful eyes, his voice clear and melodious like the lingering sound of a zither, "How did you figure that out?"
"You're not like a plum blossom, you're more like a peach blossom. Hmm, a peach blossom demon!" Mu Run looked at his handsome face, which carried an alluring yet bewitching quality, and replied solemnly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
