Midnight had just struck, and Sun Yixie and Huang Donglai, with bellies full of food and drink, finally returned to the inn.
Tonight, having indulged in a hearty meal, both were in high spirits, which consequently made them somewhat lax in vigilance.
Pat-pat-pat—
"Little brother, trouble you to open the door," Huang Donglai said in a slightly tipsy tone as they reached the inn's entrance, knocking on the door a few times.
Soon, footsteps could be heard inside, and shortly after, someone opened the door a crack.
"It's so late, who is it?" The voice of the 'shop assistant' sounded as though he had been awoken from sleep, tinged with irritation.
"We are guests staying in the upper room, sorry for disturbing your sleep by staying out so late," said Huang Donglai as he pushed the door open and walked in, slipping some money into the assistant's hand as he passed.
Sun Yixie also entered, telling the assistant, "No need to see us off, we can go up by ourselves."
