At three in the afternoon, the summer heat had dissipated, leaving the sunlight warm and a cool breeze blowing along the tree-lined paths near the Forest of Myriad Forms.
When Le Yu arrived, he discovered that Shi Wen and another young girl had already been waiting for quite some time.
Since he had agreed to teach Shi Wen combat arts, he naturally wouldn't break his word—though if he did, it would have to be after the All-Knowing Eye examination, lest Shi Wen bellow, "Who needs to learn these combat arts anyway? Qin Leyin, you're blind! Just you wait!"
"Good afternoon, Teacher Red Music."
The two of them greeted Le Yu in unison when they saw him arrive. Shi Wen seemed somewhat reluctant, but the girl beside him kicked his leg, so he could only follow along and offer his greeting.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Shi Wen." Le Yu looked at the newcomer. She was dressed very simply, and her appearance was impossible to judge—not because she was plain, but because her entire face was swollen and covered in bruises, making her look like a pig's head. Le Yu couldn't tell whether she had been beautiful or ugly beneath it all.
Bandages covered her from head to toe as well, as though she were bullied every single day. She was almost comparable to the slave girl Sylvie.
"May I ask who you are...?"
"I'm a kitchen helper at the Pig Food Cafeteria. My name is Lai Ya." The pig-headed girl hurriedly introduced herself, then took out a box of steaming pastries. "I made some flaky meat pies on my way here. It's just a small token of my appreciation."
Le Yu gave them a sniff. They smelled pretty good. "Set them down for now. What are you doing here?"
Lai Ya said,