Lin Mu opened his eyes as the morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains and sounds came from the main room outside.
He stood and stepped out.
The moment he did, he stopped.
Daoist Chu sat on a couch with his hair a bit messy, clothes slightly crooked, and smelling faintly of perfume. Meng Bai sat next to him, looking half alive and entirely miserable. His eyes were bloodshot, his face pale, and he smelled just as strongly of perfume as Daoist Chu.
Cattaleya was leaning back with her arms crossed, wearing an expression that was a mix of amusement and smug superiority.
Little Shrubby trotted behind Lin Mu, sniffing the air. "It smells strange. Sweet. Sharp. Alcohol mixed with sadness."
Lin Mu stared at the duo. "Did you two go to a pleasure pavilion?"
Daoist Chu coughed loudly and looked away. Meng Bai covered his face with both hands.
Before Lin Mu could ask anything more, Cattaleya grinned from ear to ear.
"Lin Mu, you have to hear this story."
