Under the warm sunshine of spring, the inn run by Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi appears even more lively. The golden light on the cobblestone road seems like a path leading to a dreamland, and the gently swaying sign in the wind seems to whisper a welcome to every passing guest.
Inside the inn, everything is in perfect order, with a clean courtyard and neatly arranged tables and chairs, all reflecting the owners' attention to detail. Mo Deqian, dressed in his iconic clean blue shirt, is focused on trimming the flowers and plants in the backyard. Every movement he makes exudes a temperament of detachment and determination, as if isolated from the world, immersed in his own realm.
Xiao Xiangzi was busy in the lobby, her movements swift and skilled as she attended to the various needs of the guests. However, her gaze would occasionally drift unconsciously towards the backyard, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, a silent expression of her attention and admiration for Mo Deqian.
On this day, a wealthy and refined-looking merchant entered the inn, and Xiao Xiangzi quickly stepped forward to greet him. The merchant's eyes swept over the tidy lobby, showing a hint of satisfaction.
"The inn is managed quite well, clean and tidy, with a lot of style," praised the merchant.
Xiao Xiangzi smiled slightly and responded, "Thank you for the compliment, may I ask what services you need, sir?"
The merchant gently stroked his beard, a hint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "I've heard that this place not only has an elegant environment but also very thoughtful service. I wonder if your inn has any unique features that are worth my special appreciation?"
Xiao Xiangzi pondered for a moment and replied, "The most unique feature of our inn is undoubtedly the garden in the backyard. The flowers and plants there are all personally planted by Shopkeeper Mo, each with its own unique story."
The merchant's eyes lit up at the words, "Oh? Then I must go take a look."
Xiao Xiangzi led the merchant through the inn and into the backyard. Mo Deqian was busy trimming a peony in full bloom, appearing focused and serene. He remained undisturbed by the arrival of the merchant, maintaining his aloof and old-fashioned demeanor.
The merchant looked around the garden, nodding in admiration, "This garden is truly a hidden gem, every plant looks exceptionally exquisite."
Xiao Xiangzi smiled faintly, knowing that this was Mo Deqian's thoughtful effort. She said to the merchant, "Behind every plant, there is a story. For example, this peony is said to have been brought by a wandering swordsman from afar, who left behind an unforgettable memory here."
The merchant listened with great interest and couldn't help but ask, "So, do you have any other special stories at this inn?"
Xiao Xiangzi paused and said with a smile, "Every part of the inn has a story, but the most exciting stories are woven by each guest themselves."
At this moment, Mo Deqian finally looked up and, with his sparse words, simply joined the conversation: "Each person's visit adds a unique scenery to this inn."
The merchant nodded, seemingly very satisfied with this response. He took out a sparkling gem from his pocket and said, "This is a gem I brought from afar. I would like to give it to you as a token of my respect."
Xiao Xiangzi's eyes flashed with a hint of greed, but she quickly concealed it and modestly accepted the gift. Mo Deqian simply smiled faintly, without expressing much emotion.
After the merchant left, Xiao Xiangzi approached Mo Deqian with the gem in her hand, her eyes filled with excitement. "Look, this gem is so beautiful."
"We can use it to decorate the inn, or even sell it for more funds."
Mo Deqian glanced lightly at the gem, then shook his head gently. "Let's not lose sight of our original intention for the sake of wealth. We run the inn not for riches, but for the stories of those who pass through and the solace of their souls."
Xiao Xiangzi listened quietly for a while, then smiled and carefully put the gem into his pocket. "You're right. Our inn is a harbor for stories, not just a place for accumulating wealth."
From that day on, the gem was placed in a corner of the inn, becoming the beginning of another story. Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi continued to welcome each guest in their own way, listening attentively to every story.
In the afternoon, a girl dressed in luxurious attire arrived at the inn. She was traveling alone and appeared a bit weary. Xiao Xiangzi warmly welcomed her and prepared a fine guest room. After checking in, the girl wandered around the inn, seemingly curious about everything.
Mo Deqian noticed the girl's unusual behavior and his eyes revealed a hint of caution. That night, he and Xiao Xiangzi discussed a plan of action in the room.
"This guest seems unusual," said Mo Deqian in a calm and deep voice. "Her behavior and demeanor are quite different from ordinary travelers. We need to handle her carefully."
Xiao Xiangzi nodded gently, her eyes filled with a bright intelligence. "I feel the same way. Her gaze often lingers in every corner of the inn, as if searching for or observing something."
After discussing, the two of them decided to observe the girl's actions for the time being and not easily reveal any flaws.
As time passed, the girl's behavior became increasingly strange. She often came and went late at night, and her whereabouts were mysterious. Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi began to feel uneasy, and they decided to secretly follow her to see if they could discover anything.
On a hazy moonlit night, Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi followed the girl quietly. The girl arrived at a small grove behind the inn, where it was dark and quiet, with the moonlight casting mottled shadows on the ground through the leaves.
The girl stopped in the grove, seemingly waiting for something. Before long, another figure quietly appeared. Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi hid in the shadows, observing the situation ahead through the cracks in the leaves.
The two talked for a while, but Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi couldn't hear their conversation clearly due to the distance. Just then, a powerful aura suddenly struck, causing Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi to immediately be on high alert.
Suddenly, a fierce battle erupted in the woods. Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi dared not be negligent and quickly joined the fray. The battle was intense and dangerous, with shadows intertwining under the moonlight, and the moves were both exquisite and deadly.
After a fierce battle, Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi finally subdued their opponent. It turned out that the young girl was a skilled martial artist in the jianghu, and she had come to the inn in search of an important item. After some negotiation, Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi learned the truth and allowed the young girl to leave.
This experience brought Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi closer together. They supported each other in danger and faced challenges together. This was not just physical cooperation, but also a mental understanding.
In the future, the tacit understanding between Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi deepened at the inn. Their eye contact became more frequent, as if they could read each other's minds at a glance. When handling inn affairs, they always found the best solutions quickly, often reaching a consensus with just a glance.
As time passed, Mo Deqian's feelings for Xiao Xiangzi grew deeper. He found himself increasingly reliant on her presence, her intelligent and independent nature, her particular obsession with money, and even her quirks and greed, all made him smile knowingly.
One evening, Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi were stargazing on the roof of the inn. The night sky was clear, and the stars were shining brightly. Mo Deqian sat quietly, occasionally glancing at Xiao Xiangzi.
Xiao Xiangzi felt Mo Deqian's gaze and turned to look at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She softly asked, "Mo Deqian, what are you thinking about when you look at the stars?"
Mo Deqian smiled slightly, his voice deep and warm: "I was thinking, on a night like this, being able to stargaze with you is a fortunate thing."
Xiao Xiangzi felt a subtle touch of emotion in her heart. She gently moved closer to Mo Deqian and said softly, "Me too, with your company, I feel very at ease."
On that quiet night, the two sat on the rooftop, facing the starry sky, their hearts gradually drawing closer in the tranquil night.
Beneath the starry night sky, Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi sat facing each other, their hearts filled with myriad emotions yet maintaining a calm demeanor. Xiao Xiangzi turned her gaze towards the dark night in the distance and suddenly suggested, " Mo Deqian, shall we go to the lake and try out the new fishing rod? I heard there's a rare monster fish in the lake recently, catching it would be quite a challenge."
Mo Deqian A hint of interest flashed in his eyes. Though he spoke little, every word carried weight: "Good, if this strange fish is truly as cunning as rumored, it will surely allow us to showcase our skills."
So, as the moon gradually descended in the sky, they set foot on the path leading to the lakeside. The lake water shimmered with a faint silver light under the moon, and the wind gently stirred the ripples on the surface. Finding a secluded spot, the two of them began night fishing.
Xiao Xiangzi took out the carefully crafted fishing rod and skillfully secured the bait. Her movements were agile and professional, showing her familiarity with this skill. Mo Deqian stood quietly to the side, his gaze calm and focused on the movement of the water.
As time passed, the moonlight on the lake surface was soft and gentle like silver threads. Suddenly, Mo Deqian made a move, his wrist turning sharply as the fishing rod tightened. A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Xiangzi's eyes: "It looks like a big fish has taken the bait."
Mo Deqian's movements are extremely professional. He slowly tightens the line while coordinating with the struggles of the fish. After a tug-of-war, a shiny silver big fish is finally dragged onto the shore. This fish is huge, and its scales shimmer dazzlingly in the moonlight.
Xiao Xiangzi couldn't help but exclaim, "This fish is indeed extraordinary. Your fishing skills are truly remarkable."
Mo Deqian responded lightly, "It's just luck." Although his tone was indifferent, a hint of satisfaction could be seen in his eyes.
During the fishing process, the two did not speak much, but this silent companionship made them feel an unprecedented spiritual connection. In the face of a common goal, they each demonstrated their expertise and deepened their understanding of each other without words.
After finishing fishing, the two of them returned along the path by the lake. The stars in the night sky were still twinkling, and the moonlight on the lake was still gentle. They didn't speak on the way back, but their hearts were quietly rippling like the ripples on the lake.
Back at the inn, they prepared the big fish to take to the market the next day. Xiao Xiangzi looked at the fish, a hint of greed flashing in her eyes, and murmured, "If we can sell this fish for a good price, it will be a significant income for our inn."
Mo Deqian heard this and smiled lightly, but did not say much. He knew Xiao Xiangzi's attachment to money, but he also knew that for her, it was not just a pursuit of wealth, but also a longing for independence and freedom.
That night, Mo Deqian and Xiao Xiangzi returned to their rooms, but the unique experience lingered in their hearts. Their relationship became even closer because of these shared moments. In the following days, they found themselves in their element in managing the inn, and their understanding and trust in each other became the most precious wealth in their shared life.
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