Chapter Fifteen: Running a Stall

Fine threads of rain fell upon the streets of Leaf Night City, where a mistress and her servant wandered through the empty avenues. After leaving Lan Liu, Su Ziye had searched many places, yet without exception, at the time when housing was most scarce in Leaf Night City, not a single room could be found.

"Miss, I'm telling you, maybe you should just accept that Master Lan," Su Ziye pleaded weakly in the rain, helpless and forlorn.

Liuru looked at the young man before her, somewhat speechless. "Why don’t you accept him instead?"

"I’d give myself away for free, but even then the young master wouldn’t want me," Su Ziye replied, full of confidence. "Look, the sky is almost dark. If this goes on, we’ll be sleeping on the street. You seem carefree, but pity me with these heavy bags."

Liuru instinctively glanced upward. The sky remained a gloomy gray, with not a hint of sun—only countless slender silver threads quietly descending from the heavens. Yet the light was indeed fading, and soon night would fall.

"Why don’t we seek out Mr. Zhou Yi?" Su Ziye persisted, offering advice. "Everyone says it’s hard to find a room in Leaf Night City, but you insist on toughing it out."

Liuru pinched her smooth chin, looking at her free-spirited little companion. "Tell me, are you always thinking of selling me off?"

"Even Han Xin endured humiliation beneath another’s legs—perhaps you could suffer a little…?" Su Ziye’s words trailed off as he clutched his forehead with an "ow!"

Liuru withdrew her finger, which had flicked Su Ziye’s brow, and pondered. "Then it’s time for Plan B."

"Plan B?" Su Ziye paused, then remembered. "Alright."

With that, Su Ziye trotted to a sheltered eave, shedding his burdensome pack. Liuru approached slowly as Su Ziye began to unpack various trinkets—tiny teacups, miniature bowls, small statues and figurines, all sorts of curios.

By the time Liuru reached his side, Su Ziye had lined up the items on a cloth, unmistakably forming a street stall for sale. Liuru stood behind him, while the boy squatted, the array of small objects laid out before them, and rain pattered ceaselessly beyond the eaves.

In this seemingly deserted city, the scene was almost worthy of a painting.

...

...

"Young master, we’ve found them."

A voice sounded in Lan Liu’s ear.

"Where are they now?" Lan Liu asked, gazing at the half-kneeling man before him.

"As you expected, they haven’t found a place to stay in the city," the man replied respectfully. "Instead, they’ve set up a street stall."

"A street stall?" Lan Liu could hardly believe his ears, genuinely baffled.

"And then?" Lan Liu pressed.

"Awaiting your instructions, sir?" The man was unsure what else to report.

Lan Liu considered. "Are they selling anything?"

The man hesitated. "The legitimate markets in Leaf Night City are East and West Market. No decent person sets up stalls on the street. Even if we ignore it, the Snow Burial Society will surely drive them away."

...

Lan Liu’s eyes brightened. "Yes, Snow Burial Society! You’ll pose as members of Snow Burial, and do as I’ve instructed..."

His orders concluded, but the man before him remained motionless.

"Are you deaf?" Lan Liu said irritably.

"Sir, Leaf Night City is after all the territory of Snow Burial Society..." the man reminded him cautiously.

"I know," Lan Liu replied, boredly rubbing his nose. "So act quickly, before the real Snow Burial Society finds them."

...

...

"Both of you, stalls must be set up in West Market."

A tall girl in a snow-white uniform stood before Su Ziye and Liuru, speaking earnestly.

"And you are...?" Su Ziye asked, observing her short, businesslike black hair and serious demeanor.

"Snow Burial Society." The girl tugged at the snowflake-shield emblem on her right arm. "According to Article 7, Clause 5 of Leaf Night City’s Street Management Ordinance, all private commercial activities must be conducted in West Market. You are already in violation."

"So Snow Burial Society is basically the city management, right?" Su Ziye grinned. "May I ask your name?"

"My Snow Burial Society number is 1242. You may call me 1242." She fixed Su Ziye with a solemn gaze. "Please pack up your stall immediately. As a reminder, Snow Burial Society is authorized to enforce the law across all of Leaf Night City."

"Wait!" Su Ziye interrupted her. "How do you know I’m conducting a private commercial activity?"

1242 looked at him. "Because I’m not stupid."

After all, the stall was laid out—what was there to deny?

"If we’re not conducting business?" Su Ziye resisted. "Look, these little things are cute, aren’t they? If it’s just performance art, it shouldn’t violate any ordinance."

"Our president taught us: If something walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck." 1242 continued solemnly. "Besides, your items are indeed cute. If you don’t pack up soon, I’ll confiscate them."

Her earnest threat was almost endearing.

"So violent enforcement is a feature of city management everywhere, even in different worlds," Su Ziye sighed, resignedly beginning to gather the goods.

At that moment, the air in the rain suddenly rippled in a strange way. The undulations resembled water ripples but, appearing in the air, carried an unsettling aura.

From within these ripples, a small black figure quietly stepped forth. She wore a broad black cloak, her face hidden deep within the hood. She stood in the rain, yet each droplet passed straight through her, falling directly to the ground.

Su Ziye’s gaze shifted behind 1242, prompting 1242 to turn instinctively. She too saw the ethereal figure that had suddenly appeared.

"Th-Third Highness," 1242 stammered.

But the figure addressed as Third Highness seemed not to hear. She stepped forward, squatted, and began carefully choosing among the cute trinkets.

1242 grew instantly alert, hurriedly warning, "Third Highness, please—don’t!"

It felt like watching a child about to put something dirty in their mouth—an urgent panic.

Su Ziye maintained his composure, smiled, and asked, "Which would you like?"

The Third Highness tilted her head, pondering, then pointed to a ginger-yellow duckling.

"I’ll wrap it up for you," Su Ziye said warmly.

But the Third Highness shook her head slightly. In the next instant, the duckling she indicated vanished without a trace.

Simultaneously, the cloaked girl extended her palm downward. A shiny gold coin fell from her hand onto the blue cloth.

"No change needed," she said softly, her form beginning to fade once more.

"Wait!" Su Ziye called after her.

"Snow Burial Society won’t let us accept money!" Su Ziye pointed at 1242.

1242 watched as the Third Highness paused, seeming to turn her gaze toward her, and was briefly flustered.

"Third Highness, for you it’s fine," 1242 explained gently.

The Third Highness seemed not to hear. She tilted her head, thinking deeply, then slowly retrieved the ginger duckling from within her cloak, and, with deliberate care, placed it back onto the blue cloth.

Every movement seemed to play out in slow motion; everyone could feel the girl’s inner struggle and reluctance. Yet her hand did not falter.

"Don’t you think you’re cruel?" 1242 scolded Su Ziye sharply.

"Whose side are you on?" Su Ziye retorted, then turned to the Third Highness.

"Though we can’t accept your payment, may we ask you for a favor?"

The girl lifted her head. In that moment, seeing her true face, Liuru felt her breath catch. She instantly understood the reason for 1242’s deference to the Third Highness.

And in Su Ziye’s eyes, the stunning beauty’s eyes seemed to light up for a fleeting instant.

"We have nowhere to stay," Su Ziye said honestly.

In the next moment, everyone vanished from where they stood.

The street returned to its empty silence, with nothing but rain falling in lonely solitude.