On the first day, Du Yulin had Wang Xian go over every table, every chair, and every corner of the tavern.
"This is the counter. You felt it just now. There are three tables in front of it—two by the windows and one against the wall. The windows face the street. When the sun is out during the day, the windowsills get scorching hot. You can touch them to tell the time."
Wang Xian felt around carefully, memorizing the location of every table.
"The stairs are over here. There are thirteen steps from the first floor to the second. The seventh one is a little loose, so step lightly on it. There are five tables upstairs—two by the railing and three farther inside. The railing isn't high, so remember to tell customers not to lean against it too hard."
Wang Xian ran his hands along the banister, counting the steps one by one as he went up, then one by one as he came back down.
"There are three rooms in the back courtyard. You'll stay in the eastern one. The kitchen is on the west side, and the woodshed is in the middle. The water vat is outside the kitchen door. Every morning, you need to fill it first..."
Wang Xian nodded.
"And one more thing."
Du Yulin paused. "The wine cellar is on the basement level, and the entrance is beneath the stairs. You don't need to go down there. I'll get the wine whenever it's needed."
Wang Xian nodded again.
"That's all." There was a trace of laughter in Du Yulin's voice. "Can you remember it?"
"I can."
Wang Xian was like an honest tavern hand, listening attentively and working diligently. In Du Yulin's eyes, he truly seemed like a blind man Little Fly had picked up