The conversation continued in Odette's room.
At the other end of the hotel, in another room, a completely different scene unfolded.
Varesa pushed open the door to the inner room and peeked out.
" Little Bai You --"
Bai You was sitting by the window, holding a half-eaten candy in her hand, when she heard this, she looked up.
"Hmm?"
"You come."
"What are you doing?"
"You'll see when you get here."
Varesa's eyes sparkled like two stars.
Bai You could tell from her expression that she was up to something again.
She put the candy down, stood up, and followed her into the inner room.
As soon as the curtain was lifted, a wave of heat rushed towards me.
Bai You was stunned.
The inner room was a small bathroom, and in the center of the bathroom stood a huge wooden tub.
The wooden tub was bigger than any she had ever seen anywhere else, and it was full of steaming hot water.
The steam filled the air, making the entire bathroom feel hazy and misty.
"When did you... do this?" Bai You blinked.
"Just now," Varesa said with a smile.
"I had the hotel staff carry it up, and I boiled hot water, adding it in bucket by bucket."
She patted the rim of the bucket.
"Come on, give it a try."
Bai You walked to the bucket and reached out to probe the water's surface.
Hot.
It wasn't scalding hot, but rather the perfect kind of heat that made you want to immerse yourself in it.
"Let's go to a bar," Varesa said. "Don't you love taking hot baths?"
Bai You looked at her.
"And what about you?"
"I'll be there in a bit." Varesa waved her hand, "You go first, you go first."
Bai You felt something was off, but didn't think much of it.
She turned around, her back to Varesa, took off her outer skirt, and then, holding onto the edge of the tub, carefully stepped into it.
Hot water reached above his ankles, then his calves, and above his knees...
The instant her legs disappeared into the water, a soft light flashed underwater.
Legs are gone.
Instead, there was a long fish tail, adorned with white and blue sheen.
The fish's tail swayed gently in the water, creating a series of fine ripples.
Bai You sighed comfortably, leaning against the tub so the hot water reached her shoulders.
"... So comfortable."
She closed her eyes, her tail swaying lazily in the water.
"Hmm."
Varesa's voice came from beside me; she sounded to be in a good mood.
Bai You didn't open her eyes.
Then she heard a rustling sound.
It looked like something had been taken apart and then poured into the water.
Splash--
A faint floral fragrance wafted through the steam.
Bai You opened her eyes.
Varesa was holding a small porcelain bowl and was scattering a handful of dried flower petals from the bowl into the bucket.
Red, pink, and white petals fell onto the water's surface, swirling and spreading out in a layer.
"What is this?" Bai You asked.
"Flower." Varesa didn't even look up.
"I know it's flowers," Bai You said. "I asked you why you're scattering flowers?"
"Take a bath," Varesa said confidently, "A petal bath is good for the skin."
Bai You was skeptical.
Oh.
Then she closed her eyes again.
But less than two seconds later--
"Splash."
Another sound.
This time, it was... poured into the water.
Bai You suddenly opened her eyes.
"Wait, what is this?"
"Milk." Varesa held up an empty bottle, "Just warmed up."
"Milk?!"
"Hmm, a milk bath." Varesa said seriously, "Soaking like this will make your legs white and tender."
Bai You looked at the bucket of water that was starting to turn white, and then at her own bluish-white fish tail soaking in the water.
"... But fish don't have legs."
"Fish can also be white."
"..."
Before Bai You could speak, Varesa had already turned around and started rummaging through the small table next to her.
On that small table, a row of bottles and jars were neatly arranged.
Bai You narrowed her eyes, suddenly having a bad feeling.
really--
Varesa unscrewed a jar, scooped out a spoonful of honey, and with a "glug," poured it into the water.
"Honey?!" Bai You's voice changed.
"Hmm."
Can you take a bath with honey?
"Yes," Varesa said, "It's slippery."
Then, she unscrewed a small paper package.
"What about this one?"
Ginger slices.
"Ginger slices?!"
"Dispel cold."
"If you pour in the ginger slices, the water will get even hotter!"
"I want it hot." Varesa nodded and picked up a small bottle.
Bai You's eyes widened.
"Wait, wait, wait, what is that?"
Salt.
Salt?!
"Hmm."
"Why are you adding salt to the water?!"
"It has a deep, authentic flavor," said Varesa.
Bai You:...
She opened her mouth, but didn't react for a moment.
Into... the base flavor?
What flavors should be incorporated into the base taste?
She looked at herself in the bucket again.
A fish is soaking in hot water with floating flower petals, milk, honey, ginger slices, and salt.
Bai You suddenly realized something.
" Varesa," she said slowly, "Are you...?"
"Shh." Varesa held up one finger, "Don't speak, just two more ingredients."
Bai You watched her intently as she picked up a small handful of red things.
"Are those goji berries?"
"Hmm."
"... You even added goji berries?"
Color scheme.
Varesa sprinkled the goji berries in, then took out a small piece of bright green scallion from the side and, to Bai You's horrified gaze, slammed it onto the rim of the bucket.
"Don't add this yet," she said earnestly, "Sprinkle it when it's done cooking."
Bai You:...
She finally couldn't hold back anymore.
" Varesa!"
"Hmm?"
"What are you doing?!"
Varesa blinked, looking completely innocent.
"Make soup."
What kind of soup should I make?!
Fish soup.
"..."