A Hidden Summer Retreat

After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Mo Xie left his room and went downstairs.

On the ground floor, he found a meal already waiting for him on the dining table.

It was simple: two small plates of vegetables, a small plate of meat, and a bowl of rice.

The elderly woman sat beside the table and gave Mo Xie an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, young man. It's just ordinary home cooking. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, ma'am. I've never been a picky eater. I'm more than happy with this."

Mo Xie smiled and shook his head, then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

"What's your name, young man?"

"My name's Mo Xie. If you don't mind, you can call me Xiao Xie. That's what my family calls me."

"Xiao Xie... You look like such a good boy. Where's home for you?"

Perhaps because she had seen so few visitors lately, the elderly woman asked Mo Xie one question after another.

Mo Xie didn't mind. He answered them all and slipped in a few questions of his own.

Her name was Ye Xinlan. From her answers, he learned that only she and Ding Yumian lived in the inn.

When Mo Xie asked about the inn, Grandma Ye's expression fell. She sighed.

"Business used to be good. But ever since those rumors about a witch started going around, fewer and fewer tourists have come. Business kept getting worse, and now no one comes at all."

"I'm too old to manage other work. Thankfully, Mianmian became a mage and has an income."

Mo Xie noticed that while Grandma Ye spoke, Ding Yumian looked deeply uncomfortable. She kept her head down, pressed her lips together, and poked at the rice in her bowl.

*It must hurt to know the