Zhou You did not hurry to answer. Instead, he took out a candle and lit it.
The thing outside the door did not leave. It simply waited in silence.
Only then did he let out a long breath, extinguish the candle, and open the door.
Outside, Second Waiter was smiling at him, a food box balanced on one hand.
"Did you rest well, sir? I've brought you something to eat..."
As he spoke, he stole another glance into the room.
"It's dark already. Why haven't you lit a candle, sir?"
"...You gave me so few candles today that I thought I'd save them for reading late into the night."
Who would have thought?
At those words, even the previously carefree Second Waiter looked somewhat apologetic.
"Ah, there's nothing we can do. We're short on those to begin with, and the innkeeper keeps telling us to conserve them... How about this? You're a scholar, sir, so you can't do without them. Tomorrow, I'll speak to the innkeeper. Even if you haven't used yours up, we'll top you up to at least two each time. How does that sound?"
...That's an option? Zhou You looked at Second Waiter, then bowed slightly.
"Sorry for the trouble."
Second Waiter waved his hands hurriedly.
"No, no, sir! You hold scholarly honors. You're putting me to shame... Well then, please enjoy your meal. I'll take my leave."
Once the door closed, Zhou You turned his attention to the food box.
It was lavishly decorated with gold and silver designs, looking entirely out of place in this inn converted from a private residence.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhou You lifted the lid with his sword.
To his surprise,
there was nothing unusual inside.
Unlike the horrifying steamed buns from earlier, it contained only three things: a