The Inn of Coming Riches - 42

As Chi Xiao stepped into the inn, his originally volcanic and violent aura abruptly halted upon catching the scent of stir-fried pickled radish and perilla plum chicken wafting from the hall. "Xiao Long, you said... this is it?" Chi Xiao asked gruffly, his gaze sweeping around before settling on A Su, who was on a ladder hanging a lantern. At this moment, A Su was dressed in a clean and neat gray-blue cloth tunic, her hair casually tied up with a wooden hairpin. She held a small hammer in her hand and had two small iron nails clenched in her mouth. "Guests, are you here for a meal or a stay?" A Su mumbled indistinctly, spitting the small nails into her palm and nimbly leaping down from the ladder. Her leap – the instinctive habit of landing on her left foot first and subtly shielding her old waist injury with her right hand – caused Ying Ren, who had been silent until now, to gasp! "Jing Wen...?" Ying Ren blurted out. A Su's body stiffened slightly, then she turned around as if nothing had happened, revealing her signature gentle smile. "You must be mistaken, sirs. The innkeeper's surname is Guan, and her given name is Cai Hua. Everyone calls me A Su. What would you like to order?" Chi Xiao strode forward, his massive shadow engulfing A Su. He lowered his head, staring intently into her eyes. This woman before him bore a 70-80% resemblance to "Su Jing Wen," who had stood on the volcano's peak years ago, sword in hand, shielding them from the destructive heavenly fire. However, her demeanor was entirely different – Su Jing Wen always carried an air of fierce determination and the pressure of survival.