I Don't Like the Weather When You're Not Here

"Yes." Evan Xiao immediately handed the silver to the innkeeper.

The innkeeper glanced at Grace and added, "There's also a woodshed room available. Would you like it?"

"No need, we're husband and wife," Evan Xiao replied.

"I see! Then please, follow me!" The innkeeper led them up to the second floor.

As Grace walked, she couldn't help but think: Tonight, with the dark sky and high winds, a lone man and woman sharing a room...

I wonder how soundproof that room is?

The room was actually quite nice—spacious, clean, fully furnished, with a classic vintage feel. By the window, there was even a writing desk with ink, paper, and brushes.

And that bed—huge, with brand new sheets and bedding.

Grace only glanced at it before her cheeks turned a bit red. She quickly looked away and walked to the window.

Outside the window was a cluster of banana trees and some bamboo. It had really started to rain, the drops pattering against the banana leaves with a soft, rustling sound.

"It's really raining," Grace said, turning to Evan Xiao.

"Mm."

Grace sat at the desk by the window, rested her chin in her hands, and gazed outside, feeling that the scene was quite poetic.

Evan Xiao brewed tea himself, glanced at her, and asked, "Do you like rainy days?"

"I didn't used to like rainy days," Grace replied. "Now, maybe because I finally learned to swim, I actually don't mind them. When it rains... there's a kind of hazy mystery to it."

As she spoke, she turned to Evan Xiao and asked, "What about you? Do you like rainy days?"

"Mm."

"Then what kind of weather do you dislike?"

Evan Xiao poured a cup of tea, walked behind her, and reached over to place the tea in front of her.

Then he said, "I don't like the kind of weather when you're not around."

Grace turned to look at him—he was gazing down at her, eyes full of meaning...

Grace's heart skipped a beat. She leaned her head against him and said, "Once the competition's over, we'll be together forever—never apart again."

Evan Xiao placed his hand on her shoulder, saying nothing.

They quietly snuggled together, watching the rain beat against the banana trees outside the window.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Evan Xiao went to open it—it was the innkeeper.

"Is there something you need?" Evan Xiao asked.

"Well, sir, here's the thing. Two more guests just arrived and..." The innkeeper hesitated, taking out two hefty gold ingots. "They asked me to see if you'd be willing to sleep in the woodshed for a night and let them have this room in exchange for all this gold?"

Evan Xiao's expression didn't change. "No."

"Oh... Well, I'll go let them know then..." The innkeeper turned to leave, but just then, someone else came over and said, "If that's not enough, we can offer more. Ten gold ingots—will that do?"

Ten gold ingots—enough to buy the whole inn.

The newcomer was a boy of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed like a servant.

He had thick brows and big eyes—a face that looked like he knew how to handle things.

And his voice was a bit unusual, like a boy going through puberty—except a little sharper than most.

Evan Xiao glanced at his crotch and said, "We don't need money. We only need this room."

"Then, spirit tools? Spirit treasures? Spirit jade? Whatever you want, we can give it to you."

Grace listened inside, curious—who was so loaded?

She got up and walked over, poking her head out from behind Evan Xiao to take a look.

One look—and she was stunned.

It was... Felix Zeng.

The trusted chief eunuch serving Emperor Tuoba Hong of the Vermilion Kingdom—though right now, he still looked like a young eunuch...