In that moment, as the waiter stepped in, both Mu Anxiao and A'chu fell silent.
The waiter approached the table, placing the tray with the teapot and cups down. He glanced at both Mu Anxiao and A'chu as he spoke, "This pot of tea will be on your tab." His gaze then shifted to A'chu.
A'chu looked at the waiter calmly and nodded.
The waiter chuckled, "You weren't this generous when Young Master Song Xu came. I suspect you're doing this deliberately to annoy him." He deliberately cast a sidelong glance at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao understood the waiter's implication. She tilted her head up and fixed her gaze on him, "Do you know what I detest the most?"
The waiter was unfazed by Mu Anxiao's words. Instead, he looked at her with a calm expression, smiled, and said, "We're not acquainted, so how could I possibly know what you detest? Your question is quite amusing." "Since we're not acquainted, why are you spouting nonsense? If we were, you'd be flying high." Mu Anxiao deliberately chose harsh words.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's retort, the waiter's face immediately stiffened. "Do you know how to speak?"
"Now that you know those words are unpleasant, does that mean yours are pleasant?" Mu Anxiao intentionally picked a fight with the waiter. "Let me tell you, the type of people I detest most are those who spout nonsense. Just because you work here, does that make you so great? Haven't you looked in the mirror lately? Take a good look at your own character."
"You..."
"What 'you'? I have a good temper and won't stoop to your level. If it were another young master," Mu Anxiao interrupted, glaring at the waiter, "he would have already cut off your tongue."
"Others wouldn't be so cruel," the waiter said indignantly.
"I once knew a young master who was exactly like that. You'll know when you truly encounter such a person," Mu Anxiao said lightly.
Decades ago, when Mu Anxiao was a beggar, she had witnessed such scenes. It was precisely because of their cruelty that the memory was so vivid. By telling the waiter this now, she wanted to remind him that all cruel things happen without warning. Especially in this place, one had to be cautious.
As for whether the waiter would listen or understand, she had no idea. However, she believed it was better to say something than nothing.
"You..." The waiter grew fearful, his gaze towards Mu Anxiao clearly becoming more cautious. "You don't need to tell me, I know." He had indeed taken her words to heart.
Seeing the waiter's reaction, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but smile. "If you know, then you may leave."
"I need to pour tea for you," the waiter said, reaching for the teapot.
Worried that the waiter might overhear what A'chu had just said, Mu Anxiao deliberately fixed her gaze on his face. "..."
Reading Mu Anxiao's look, the waiter withdrew his hand from the teapot. "I'm leaving," he said. Losing the courage to meet Mu Anxiao's gaze, he turned and walked away.
Mu Anxiao's lips curved into a smile.
Immediately after the private room door closed, Mu Anxiao turned her attention to A'chu.
A'chu likewise focused her gaze on Mu Anxiao. "It seems you've been through quite a lot."
"It's alright, I've just seen too many such scenes," Mu Anxiao said. She glanced again towards the private room and asked, "Aren't you afraid he'll hear what you said?"
"What is there to be afraid of?" A'chu countered.
With a hint of caution, Mu Anxiao picked up the teapot, poured tea, and said, "Aren't you afraid he'll report you?"
"Ouyang Ye has never been here before," A'chu stated calmly.
"Never been here before?" Mu Anxiao repeated, putting down the teapot. She recalled the task list Ouyang Ye had given her and smiled, "Are you joking?"
"Why would I joke with you about this? For instance, the matter of delivering food was all arranged by him."
"Arranged by him?" Mu Anxiao had always assumed everything was done by Ouyang Ye himself. Hearing A'chu say this, she was taken aback.
A'chu explained, "He operates in secret, naturally. He can't let too many people see him. Therefore, everything he does is done through others."
"Is that so?" Mu Anxiao understood. Then, remembering the floral scent wafting from the corridor, she couldn't help but ask, "There's more than one demon soul here, isn't there?"
"I am not a demon soul," A'chu replied.
From the very beginning, A'chu had never admitted to anything, which was why Mu Anxiao had always been certain her own deductions were accurate. She hadn't expected A'chu to deliver such 'surprises.' Mu Anxiao was rendered speechless by A'chu's statement.
"..."
Seeing Mu Anxiao's reaction, A'chu laughed. "What's wrong? You didn't think I was a demon soul all along, did you?"
"Aren't you?" Mu Anxiao retorted, a trace of awkwardness creeping into her smile.
A'chu said, "Of course not. That's precisely why we use these floral scents to mask our demonic energy. Otherwise, it would be too dangerous."
"You fear immortals?"
"Naturally. Those immortals just love to stir up trouble. Many of our sisters have been captured, especially..." A'chu's eyes filled with hatred. "That Mu Anxiao. I heard she's the most detestable. If it weren't for her, our demon realm wouldn't be in such chaos. She's truly despicable." As she spoke, she clenched her fist and slammed it forcefully onto the table.
Mu Anxiao's heart sank. She tried to say, "She never offended you, you're being too dramatic." As she spoke, a chill ran down her spine.
A'chu continued, "Yes, she didn't offend me personally, but her actions are still quite hateful. Do you know she's a thief?" As she said this, her gaze towards Mu Anxiao became serious.
Hearing A'chu's words, Mu Anxiao felt a surge of grievance. But for the sake of her mission, she had to suppress it. "Isn't she an immortal? How can she be a thief?"
"I heard she was originally just a wretched beggar. Later, she was saved by a great immortal named Shen Yan. In the end," A'chu frowned slightly, "she used her own wiles to make Shen Yan fall for her. She leveraged Shen Yan's feelings to secretly steal his immortal blood. After that, she absorbed all of Shen Yan's spiritual energy and became an immortal. Ultimately, that Shen Yan died of grief." She shook her head as she spoke.
"He died of grief?" Mu Anxiao said blandly.
"Yes, he died of grief," A'chu affirmed, banging the table again. "Absolutely detestable."
Mu Anxiao looked at A'chu's anger towards 'this matter' and thought of the demon souls she had captured and who had since escaped. She mused, 'It seems my past has been horribly altered.' With that thought, she glanced at A'chu's fist and said, "Let's have some tea." She picked up a cup filled with tea and offered it to A'chu.
A'chu heard this, withdrew her anger, took the teacup, and said, "Thank you."
Mu Anxiao gave a dry chuckle.