NOVEL WEB chapter 141
Chapter 66, The Inn
“Senior’s potion has become even more powerful, hasn’t it?”
“Right? This is my proud improved version. Not only can it take effect instantly, but it also allows the person who wants to change to do so at will. Though, comparatively, the duration is much shorter.”
“It feels like it could be used for some really great things.”
“Junior, that’s not okay for lewd purposes.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to use it for that! Can’t I just do good deeds without leaving my name after turning into someone else?”
“Giggle, let’s just say that’s you, Junior.”
As dusk approached, the flow of people on the street gradually increased.
After a day’s labor, in this era with little entertainment, most people still stepped out of their homes to enjoy the rare tranquility and prosperity of this street in the lower city.
Not far from the riverside, the sound of a bustling crowd and children’s screams could be heard, as if some event was taking place.
This was indeed the most serene and beautiful time of the day, and it was also the time Mu En looked forward to the most.
He was still flipping through that guidebook, quickly confirming what other places were worth visiting.
Even if the senior didn’t consider this a date, Mu En still hoped to see her under the sunset, her smile like a blooming flower, her hair gently lifted by the breeze by the river.
That would surely be beautiful.
But just at that moment, the senior suddenly said goodbye.
“Well then, let’s call it a day.”
“Now?”
Mu En’s hand, which was flipping through the guide, froze slightly as he looked up in disbelief:
“The time should still be early, right?”
“It’s already not early, Junior.”
Anna twirled the ends of her hair and chuckled:
“I’ve had enough fun, and I have a little personal matter to attend to next.”
“You clearly didn’t have much fun, did you?”
Mu En sighed.
This one-sided date, as he perceived it, was doomed from the very beginning.
In his imagination, there would be sunshine, flowers, a romantic lunch or dinner, a charming sunset, a starry night, and under the night sky, with the academy closed, a blushing girl shyly suggesting they share a hotel room…
He crossed out the last one, as it felt like such a thing could never happen with his senior; only he would be the one blushing in her presence.
But aside from the weather being somewhat decent, none of the things Mu En had hoped for actually occurred.
Instead, it was filled with twists, chaotic scenes, sudden confessions, and the fleeting murderous intent of a girl.
What a mess, could it get any worse?
“Isn’t this a bit too rushed?”
Holding onto the last shred of hope, Mu En suggested:
“The guide says there’s a special spring not far from here. If you approach it with sincerity, you can see your true love in its reflection. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Why not give it a try, senior?”
“True love?”
The senior averted her gaze, unsure where it landed:
“Sorry, I don’t really believe in such things.”
Her voice seemed to be carried away by the wind, drifting far off.
Mu En felt a moment of daze, unable to distinguish whether what she didn’t believe in was the gimmicky spring or the very words “true love.”
“Well, I’m off then, junior. See you at the academy.”
Anna smiled gently, bidding farewell softly.
In the approaching evening breeze, she turned, her skirt swaying, and walked into the bustling crowd.
Watching her silhouette, Mu En instinctively opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to keep her.
“Goodbye, senior.”
In the end, only an empty farewell remained, crumbled by the wind, disappearing into the twilight that was about to rise.
…
“Ah, seriously.”
After Anna left, Mu En irritably scratched his head, tearing apart the guidebook that had become somewhat wrinkled after just one day of use, tossing it into the trash can.
“In the end, I still couldn’t repay my senior.”
He sat on a bench meant for tourists to rest, looking up at the darkening sky in the distance.
Originally, his purpose was to buy something for his senior or do something for her.
Yes, this wasn’t really a date at all.
Viewing it as a date was, at most, just his little scoundrel heart playing tricks.
But in the end, aside from letting his senior witness a few laughable farces, he accomplished nothing.
Instead, the image of his senior seemed to be hidden in the mist, becoming increasingly unclear.
“Senior, what are you really thinking?”
In Mu En’s murmurs, fireworks rose, like countless stars converging together, then bursting apart.
Not far away, the crowd erupted in excitement, marveling at the fleeting brilliance.
Mu En’s figure appeared somewhat solitary.
“Meow—”
Suddenly, a cat’s meow echoed.
Mu En turned around; the light cream-colored kitten that Senior had rescued during the day had returned, rubbing against Mu En’s hand and meowing.
Mu En picked it up and scratched its chin.
The kitten quickly tilted its head back, squinting its eyes, emitting a comfortable purr.
“What a silly little cat.”
Looking at the kitten’s foolish expression, Mu En couldn’t help but laugh and say:
“You didn’t come when the senior was here, but now that she’s gone, you’re trying to get close.”
“At this rate, you’ll end up being a fool!”
……
……
After watching the fireworks display alone, petting the cat alone, and rejecting the advances of a big sister on the street, as the sky darkened, Mu En decided not to return to the academy.
He found a hotel that looked quite luxurious and requested a room with a private bath.
“I’m very sorry, but we only have a couple’s suite available right now.”
The receptionist said apologetically:
“Recently, there have been events in the streets, and there are many tourists; all the other rooms are fully booked.”
“Is that so?”
Mu En thought for a moment and decided to take the room.
In a place like the lower town, if even the luxurious hotel rooms were fully booked, then other ordinary hotels were probably packed as well.
Although staying in a couple’s suite after a failed date felt rather desolate, Mu En, having gone through so much, now felt mentally and physically exhausted and didn’t care about it anymore.
“Please take your key.”
The receptionist respectfully handed over the key with both hands.
“Thank you.”
Mu En smiled as he accepted the key, secretly thinking that the service at this hotel was quite good.
Following etiquette, he casually left a small tip and, without further thought, followed another attendant to his room.
After Mu En left, the receptionist, who had maintained a perfect business smile, suddenly let her expression drop, glancing to the side with a look of terror.
“Is this… enough?”
“Yes, it’s enough.”
A voice emerged from the shadows.
Beside that shadow, there seemed to be the figure of the hotel owner, curled up in a corner, trembling.
“You can operate normally now.”
The shadow patted the owner’s shoulder and said softly:
“But remember, you mustn’t disturb me.”
“Woo woo woo!”
The owner nodded vigorously, vowing with his eyes that no matter what sounds he heard, he would never approach that room even a step.
“Very good.”
The shadow smiled with satisfaction, turned, and left, humming a tune, moving lightly.
In the shadow’s hand, the spare key to the room danced nimbly at the delicate, pale fingertips.
Just like her heart, filled with excitement and joy.
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