Chi Meng idly studied the decorations in the shop, then glanced at Little Girl playing with a cloth ball.
Li Ping'an had taken Qin Shi off to eat and drink, and the two old acquaintances were chatting.
Chi Meng could not get a word in from the sidelines and felt thoroughly bored.
She looked at Little Girl teasingly. "Come here!"
Little Girl looked up at her, then ran off with the cloth ball in her arms, seemingly unwilling to pay her any attention.
"Hey~ That little brat!"
"Oh... oh... in that case, stay here.
If you want to go beyond the pass and kill enemies, go leave your name at Demon-Suppressing Pass.
I got to know Qianlong, who oversees Demon-Suppressing Pass, a while back. You can go ask him," Li Ping'an said.
"Th-th... thank you, sir."
"Who's that girl traveling with you?"
"I m-met her along the way."
"Along the way? Then she can stay here with you. You look worn and dusty from the road, so take a hot bath first.
Tell me if there's anything you want to eat, and I'll have Fairy make it for you.
Ah, isn't it time you got a couple of new outfits?
Hmm, I'll have Old Ox take you into town tomorrow to pick one out..."
Qin Shi nodded dazedly and downed a cup of wine.
"Actually... actually..."
"Actually what?" Li Ping'an asked.
"N-nothing."
Qin Shi had wanted to bring up White Jade Capital, but after all that, he felt too embarrassed to say it.
He scratched his head. "Sir, h-have you been well lately?"
"Very well." Li Ping'an gave a warm, easy smile.
Feeling guilty, Qin Shi took another sip of wine and stopped bringing up White Jade Capital.
Li Ping'an picked up a bite of food with his chopsticks.
*Hmm,