Chapter 34: Only One Room Left?

Ni Wei struggled to free her head from His’s grip, turning to look out the carriage window.

Seeing this, His smiled and withdrew his hand, not pressing her further.

Though the girl’s face remained composed, she could feel her heart beating a little faster than usual.

After all, she had grown up under her sister’s protection, and now she was going on a solo outing with her employer.

Ni Wei sneaked a glance at His.

He was already leaning back in his seat, eyes closed, a slight smile on his lips, looking quite at ease.

‘What kind of person is he? The Church came looking for him just yesterday, and now he’s this relaxed…’

“Um…”

The words barely left Ni Wei’s lips before she didn’t know what to say next, forcing herself to swallow the rest.

“Hmm?”

His opened his eyes, looking at the girl with interest.

“Did you want to say something?”

“No… nothing!”

“Oh.”

His closed his eyes again.

Ni Wei bit her lip.

Before, she never lacked things to say to His.

Even if most of it was sarcasm…

But now that the misunderstanding between them was cleared up, why couldn’t she figure out how to talk to him?

“You… why aren’t you talking to me?”

Finally, the girl couldn’t help but speak first.

His opened his eyes again, a playful look on his face.

“Why should I talk to you?”

“Well, I’m your maid, right? It’s part of my job to keep my master company on the trip and help pass the time.”

“I don’t need that service. Besides, you’re on break now, aren’t you? Stop thinking about work.”

Seeing His about to close his eyes again, Ni Wei quickly said,

“Don’t… don’t! Fine, I want to talk to you, okay?”

“Alright… fine.”

His sat up straight.

“When we get to the Royal Capital, is there anywhere in particular you’d like to go?”

Ni Wei thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head.

“I don’t know much about the Royal Capital…”

“Don’t know much? Then why did you want to go there?”

His’s question left Ni Wei stunned.

Right, why did I say I wanted to go to the Royal Capital?

I don’t know anything about the place, and there’s nothing special I want to see…

“I just… wanted to get out and see things!”

Ni Wei turned her face away, her voice unconsciously rising.

“Everyone says the Royal Capital is the most bustling city in the Kingdom. I wanted to broaden my horizons too.”

His looked at the girl’s slightly reddening ears and didn’t press further.

***

The carriage traveled for most of the day, the scenery outside changing from plains to rolling hills.

By evening, a small but lively town came into view.

“We’re here.”

His put away his map and stretched.

“This is Yihanfa Town. We’ll be staying here tonight.”

“Mm-hmm…”

Ni Wei’s attention had already been captured by the completely unfamiliar scene outside the window, her eyes full of wonder.

She only gave a perfunctory reply to His’s words.

Seeing this, His shook his head.

He stood up, lifted the carriage curtain, and spoke a few words to the driver.

Moments later, the driver stopped the carriage at the town entrance.

After the two got off, he drove away alone.

“Why is he leaving?”

Watching the carriage grow smaller, Ni Wei finally snapped back to reality and looked up at His.

“According to the map, there’s a rest stop for drivers nearby with better fodder for the horses. So I told him to stay there tonight.”

“Oh…”

The girl nodded thoughtfully.

‘So tonight, it’s just the two of us…’

“Don’t worry, I already told him we’ll meet back here tomorrow morning.”

His said, instinctively wanting to reach out and pat his little maid’s head, but then remembered her complaint in the carriage and held back the impulse.

“Come on, let’s get you something to eat first.”

***

As soon as they entered the town, Ni Wei was drawn in by the aroma of roasting meat wafting through the air.

“So fragrant!”

The girl unconsciously swallowed, then immediately realized her reaction was a bit undignified, and quickly composed her face.

His couldn’t help but laugh at the sight and hurriedly led her into the largest steakhouse in town.

Pushing open the wooden door, a rich scent of meat mixed with charcoal hit them.

The place was lively, nearly every seat taken.

“Oh! Young man, you’re here?”

A middle-aged woman with a sturdy build peeked out from behind the counter, enthusiastically waving at His.

“Last time you came alone, and now you’ve brought a girl?”

Ni Wei’s face flushed bright red.

“No… no! We’re not…”

“Haha, don’t be shy, young lady!”

The landlady laughed heartily and led them to a small table by the window.

“Come, come, sit here. I saved this window seat for you—it’s nice and quiet here.”

Ni Wei sat down with her head lowered, but the blush on her face refused to fade.

‘What’s that supposed to mean? We’re just employer and maid! Absolutely nothing more!’

“Their specialty is roast venison.”

His flipped through the menu without looking up.

“But for the two of us… we probably can’t finish a whole portion. How about we each order a steak instead? What do you think?”

“Whatever you decide…”

Ni Wei muttered, but her gaze involuntarily fell on His.

‘Come to think of it, what the landlady said just now…’

“Have you been here before?”

“Yeah.”

His nodded.

Ever since he made a fortune using the information provided by the System, he often ventured out to visit nearby towns.

“Then why didn’t you deny it when the landlady said that?”

“Deny what?”

“Can’t you tell?”

Ni Wei realized her voice had gotten a bit loud, so she cautiously glanced around before lowering her voice to speak to His.

“She thought I was your girlfriend!”

“Oh.”

“What do you mean, ‘oh’?!”

“See? I told you you’re still a child.”

His closed the menu and waved at the landlady.

“The more you try to explain things like that, the easier it is for others to misunderstand. Got it?”

“I!”

***

Soon, the steak was served.

The sizzling meat on the iron plate, crispy on the outside and tender inside, gave off an irresistible aroma.

“Eat while it’s hot.”

His reminded her, then started eating himself.

Watching His enjoy his meal so much, Ni Wei tentatively took a small bite.

Her eyes lit up instantly.

“Well? Good?”

“Mm!”

The girl nodded vigorously.

Even though the meals at the Blackstone Mansion were excellent, they were the kind of refined dishes nobles liked, which Ni Wei wasn’t entirely used to.

This simple town-style steak was much more to her taste.

Halfway through the meal, the landlady came over with a pot of hot mulled fruit wine.

“Young man, I haven’t properly thanked you for last time.”

The landlady set down the fruit wine and patted His on the shoulder.

“This is on the house. Don’t be polite!”

“Ah, it was nothing.”

His took the fruit wine with a smile and poured himself a cup.

After the landlady left, Ni Wei quickly asked,

“What happened last time?”

“You have so many questions…”

“Hmph, fine. Don’t tell me.”

Ni Wei took two big bites of steak in a sulky manner.

“It’s nothing major.”

His looked at her greasy mouth, barely holding back his laughter, and offered on his own.

“Last time, a guy came in, ordered a ton of food. The landlady even warned him, ‘That’s going to cost a lot, sir.’ But he insisted on ordering that much, and sure enough, he ended up dining and dashing. Even though a few people in the shop were watching him, that guy—who knows what his deal was—ran like lightning, gone in a flash. These steakhouse businesses run on thin margins. Getting stiffed like that really stings…”

“So you paid his bill?!”

Ni Wei’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“It was just a meal.”

Seeing His’s nonchalant attitude and remembering the landlady’s cheerful face, Ni Wei felt a stir in her heart.

Back at the Duke’s Mansion, she had always thought of His as an aloof noble young master, with an invisible wall separating him from commoners.

But the way the landlady spoke to him just now—she treated him like any ordinary person.

And his response to her was completely different from those arrogant nobles.

Neither condescending nor insincere.

“What are you thinking about?”

His’s voice interrupted the girl’s thoughts.

“Nothing!”

Ni Wei quickly lowered her head and continued wrestling with her steak.

***

After dinner, His took the opportunity to ask the landlady about a room for the night.

“Oh dear, young man, I’m so sorry!”

When she heard he wanted a room, the landlady scratched her head awkwardly.

“Two merchant caravans came by today, and all the rooms are full.”

Hearing this, His raised an eyebrow.

‘Next, you’re going to say there’s only one room left, right?’

“We only have one room left now, you see…”

‘Just as I thought!’

“Alright, it’s still early. Let me check other places first.”

As he spoke, His took out a silver coin from his pocket.

“This is for the meal. Consider the extra as a deposit on the room. Keep it for me—if I can’t find anywhere else to stay, I’ll be back.”

“Sure, sure. You can count on me.”

The landlady took the silver coin with both hands and agreed readily.

His turned around and found Ni Wei standing still, spacing out again.

“Hey, let’s go! What are you standing there for?”

“Huh? Oh, oh…”

Ni Wei lowered her head and followed behind His, but her mind was in turmoil.

‘If… if there really are no rooms today, does that mean we’ll have to sleep in the same room?’

Thinking about it, Ni Wei took a deep breath.

‘It doesn’t… sound so bad…’