Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 267 : Escape To The Human Realm (4)

Chapter 267: Chapter 267 : Escape To The Human Realm (4)

Ah Yan’s mother, too, changed a lot.

Xie Jianyu remembered the frail, gaunt woman of the past, her skin stretched tightly over her bones. Her poor health had confined her to her dilapidated house, unable to venture out in search of food. She relied on her young son for everything.

Now, the skinny woman had blossomed. She was sturdy and strong, like a towering willow tree. Her eyes were no longer dull and lifeless, but sparkled with vitality and confidence.

The woman stemmed her hands at her hips and glared at her son.

"Mom, don’t be mad yet! Look, I brought guests back home!" Ah Yan cried out. He stepped aside to grant his mother a better look.

He said guests, but he was referring to one of the benefactors who had changed their lives for good.

Ah Yan’s mother stared at Xie Jianyu, then at Mingyu. Their drenched appearance made it difficult for her to recognize them, but then, slowly, understanding dawned on her face.

"Young... Young Master?" She spoke hesitantly.

Two young men arrived in Rainbell Town, determined to bring it back to life. One was a handsome young man with a cheerful disposition, while the other was a quiet beauty.

She never knew their names, nor did she dare to ask. In her heart, she referred to them only as "Handsome Young Master" and "Beautiful Young Master."

Beautiful Young Master had returned to Rainbell Town. Although he no longer looked as pristine and immaculate as he had in the past, his bright almond-shaped eyes, pronounced nose and jawline, and fair, jade-like skin were unmistakable.

Ah Yan’s mother fell to her knees, clutching the end of Xie Jianyu’s wet robe. She sobbed, "Young Master! Oh, Young Master, you have returned! What happened to you???"

Their display was starting to attract the attention of the restaurant guests. Xie Jianyu quickly helped the woman to her feet.

"Big Sister, please don’t be like this," he said. "We were caught in a storm and Ah Yan offered us a place to stay for the night."

"Nonsense!" The woman’s voice rang out sharply. "What one night? Stay here as long as you want! Ah Zhu, what are you still standing there for? Take our guests to our finest guest chambers and provide them with two sets of new clothes each. NOW!"

Ah Zhu quickly ushered Xie Jianyu and Mingyu outside of the restaurant through the backdoor. It turned out that the huge inn that they passed on their way to the restaurant belonged to Ah Yan’s mother.

Ah Zhu handed the guests over to the inn attendant, with the specific message to take very good care of them.

"Madam’s important guests," he said. "Give them the best rooms, best clothes, best food, best everything."

The inn attendant in charge, a woman in her forties, nodded in assent.

The guests were soaking wet, so she directed them to the bathing area.

"The gentlemen bathe in the left side, the ladies in the right side," she told them while handing them one set of bathrobe each.

The woman returned a while later with clean and warm clothing for them. She also took their old clothes to be cleaned.

Ah Zhu waited patiently at the inn reception area for Xie Jianyu and Mingyu. When they finally emerged from their rooms, he was impressed by their transformation.

Mingyu’s long hair was now braided and secured at the back of her head with several silver hairpins. She wore a yellow robe with delicate floral patterns and a pair of wooden sandals. Her appearance was both elegant and feminine.

Xie Jianyu had rearranged his hair into a high ponytail, tying it back with an inconspicuous grey ribbon. He had also removed his dragon-shaped hair crown, replacing it with an inconspicuous blue-grey ribbon. The white and grey robe that the inn attendant had provided him fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and slender waist. He looked like a handsome and noble young man.

"Young Master, Young Miss, please follow me back to the restaurant. We have prepared a table specifically for you!" He said as he bowed respectfully before the two guests.

True to his words, a partitioned dining area had been prepared in the restaurant for them.

Ah Yan and his mother were already waiting for them. When they arrived, the mother and son were in the middle of arranging a rich feast for the two precious guests. The table was groaning with the weight of delicious dishes, each one more tempting than the last.

Xie Jianyu and Mingyu were used to the exquisite cuisine served at Fuxi Palace, but the dishes from the Human Realm were something else altogether. Mingyu’s eyes widened in delight as she surveyed the feast before them.

There was roasted duck with crispy skin and juicy meat complete with a plate of thin pancakes for wrapping purposes; fish steamed to perfection in a savory mushroom and tofu sauce; and stir-fried spring vegetables with vibrant colors and flavors.

Mingyu gasped as the tantalizing aroma of the food wafted through the air. She had to swallow hard to keep her saliva from dripping. The dishes looked so delicious, she could hardly wait to try them.

Xie Jianyu, on the other hand, felt a wave of nausea wash over him. The smell of the food was too strong, too overwhelming.

"Mmmph...!!!"

Xie Jianyu’s hand flew to his mouth, just in time to prevent himself from vomiting. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the nausea that was roiling his stomach.

Ah Yan’s mother was quick to react. She rushed over to Xie Jianyu’s side and took his arm. "Young Master," she said urgently. "Come over here."

Xie Jianyu allowed her to lead him outside. He felt weak and dizzy, and his stomach was still churning. He had already vomited earlier that day, and now there was nothing left to throw up but water and acid.

"Young Master, are you alright?"

Ah Yan’s mother gingerly patted Xie Jianyu’s back, her eyes filled with concern. Xie Jianyu rinsed his mouth under the running water and dabbed it dry with the end of his sleeve.

"Big Sister," he said, "I need a favor. Can you arrange for a good, discreet physician?"

The pain in his lower abdomen was gradually becoming stronger.