Manbao suddenly opened her eyes, and after a moment, she realized it was Keke calling her in her mind.
She didn't get up immediately. Instead, she moved her limbs to awaken her body from slumber, then lifted the covers and rose.
Her eyes had adapted to the darkness, and she could vaguely see the furnishings in the room. She got out of bed, felt her way to the window, and slightly opened a crack to look outside.
Below, about twenty horses were lined up at the entrance. In the dim light, she saw the group from this afternoon leaving the inn with their bundles, mounting their horses one by one.
The innkeeper, whom she'd only met twice, escorted them to the door, smiling broadly as he clasped his hands in farewell.
The person at the front took the reins and suddenly sensed something, lifting his gaze like a bolt of lightning. Manbao instinctively leaned back. Keke noted her accelerated heartbeat and said, "Host, he isn't looking at you."
