Chapter 8

When Luo finished his work, the boss lady also came out with two plates of food. She first placed the food on a table, then went back to the bar and took out a candle that had burned down to the size of a thumb, lit it, and the tavern became a bit brighter. Xiaoxi noticed the rewrapped package on the bar and the slightly cleaner floor, understanding something, and a look of gratitude appeared on her face. "Come and eat, sir," Xiaoxi called to Luo.

"Um... I said to make something simple, and you really made something simple? Is this what we're having for dinner?" Luo pointed in surprise at the two plates of black mush on the table. Luo recognized it; it was mashed potatoes, which he often ate when his family had a poor harvest or when life was tough.

"This... this is the only food I have. I'm sorry, sir," Xiaoxi said in a low voice, her face turning red, and she seemed on the verge of tears.

"Forget it, I haven't had mashed potatoes in a long time. It's like a trip down memory lane," Luo quickly changed his tone, seeing that the beautiful boss lady was about to cry again. To be honest, Luo, who now ate meat every meal, found it difficult to go back to eating mashed potatoes that were roasted and sprinkled with a little salt. Luo was very curious about what this woman was going through. The small candle on the table, which could be exchanged for a meaty meal at the military camp, was a luxury item, mostly used by nobles due to its high price and complex production process. It was rarely used by the common people, and even if it was, it was only by wealthy farmers and small merchants. Uncle Jiaxue's tent was lit by oil lamps, and Luo's tent relied on torches for lighting and entertainment.

"I'm just curious, you're a well-known bar owner, and you eat this for every meal?" Luo teased the teary-eyed boss lady. Without waiting for her to respond, he picked up the plate of mashed potatoes and started eating voraciously. He was really hungry, having drunk a lot in the afternoon without eating anything, and his stomach was burning.

The boss lady wanted to say something but, seeing Luo's rough eating style, swallowed her words. Unlike Luo, who ate from the plate with his hands, Xiaoxi used a spoon, taking one spoonful after another, savoring it as if it were a delicacy, with great grace. Although the portion she gave Luo was twice as much as hers, Luo quickly finished it and still wanted more.

"You eat so fast..." Xiaoxi muttered, "Here, I can't finish it anyway. You can help me eat it." She then scooped half of her food onto Luo's plate. Luo was indeed still hungry and, seeing the beautiful boss lady give him her food, didn't say much, just picked up the plate and continued eating.

After Xiaoxi finished the last bit of mashed potatoes on her plate, she looked up to find Luo sitting with his legs crossed, a smile in his eyes. Xiaoxi couldn't bear his gaze and quickly got up to clear the plates, heading to the kitchen.

When Xiaoxi returned, the two sat on opposite sides of the table in silence, with only the small candle in the center flickering. "Tell me, why is your life so hard? It shouldn't be like this for you," Luo broke the silence and asked.

Looking at the man who seemed willing to help her, Xiaoxi held back her emotions and told the truth. "Although my small tavern makes about thirty copper delers a day, and sometimes even fifty when business is good, most of the money doesn't end up being mine," Xiaoxi said, her head lowered.

"Are you being robbed by local thugs? Like today?" Luo asked.

"Yes..." Xiaoxi said softly, as if remembering something unpleasant, and a pained look appeared on her face.

"How can that be? Just these thugs? Don't they know that the tavern serves soldiers from the military camp? What about your husband? Isn't he connected to the higher-ups in the camp? If he just said a word to them, I'm sure someone would come to your aid," Luo asked, puzzled.

"When people are hungry enough, they don't think much. These thugs are destitute civilians. Now, in this small town, only my tavern and the women behind it can make money," Xiaoxi explained, adding shockingly, "And my husband has long abandoned me..."

"Huh? Why?" Luo was really curious now. The beautiful boss lady had been abandoned by her husband? Was the man's head kicked by a donkey? To give up such a beautiful wife.

"Since he connected with your army, he has become the most powerful person in Jisa Town. Everyone in the town and the refugees from other places have to flatter him. He doesn't lack for women now," Xiaoxi said with a bitter smile, adding, "The women who do the trade behind the tavern are all under his control, and he doesn't want me, his old wife, anymore."

"Maybe as compensation, he gave me the tavern," Xiaoxi continued, brushing her hair. "At first, the thugs were afraid of his reputation and the soldiers drinking here, but later, driven by hunger, they didn't care anymore. After my customers left, they would come to rob me. Over time, they realized my husband no longer cared about the tavern, and they became more and more brazen."

"Why don't you ask the soldiers drinking here for help? If you asked someone like me, I'm sure someone would help you, after all, we still drink here," Luo asked.

"Even if they help, it would only be temporary. Those thugs wouldn't let me off after that..." Xiaoxi said sadly, "Now, the ale in the tavern is from the old stock. Because the money I earn is stolen and prices have skyrocketed, I haven't brewed new ale in a long time. I estimate it will run out in less than a week, and I might end up like the women behind the tavern..." The beautiful boss lady's sad expression was heart-wrenching.

"Do you want me to protect you continuously, rather than just teach those thugs a lesson once?" Luo asked, crossing his legs again.

Seeing her thoughts revealed, the boss lady's sad face turned red, and she bit her lip, nodding slightly.

"First, I'm just a small squad leader with ten men at most. The camp has training, and I don't have enough people to stay and protect you. Besides, I might have to go to war again soon. Even if I protect you now, what will happen when I leave?" Although Luo wanted to help her, he was a rational person and refused the beautiful boss lady's request.

Xiaoxi's face turned pale at Luo's refusal, and a look of despair appeared in her eyes. The candle on the table had burned down to the bottom, and the weak flame flickered, finally extinguishing with a wisp of white smoke, plunging the tavern into darkness. The moonlight was good tonight, shining through the window cracks and casting a pale light on the two of them, who stood still like stone statues.

"Sniff... sniff..." The beautiful boss lady began to sob softly. This unfortunate woman had shed more tears today than in a whole year. She was lost and helpless, not knowing what her future held. Luo was also at a loss, as this world was such that there was no love or hate without a reason. Everyone had their own way of living, and he couldn't even guarantee his own survival in the war, let alone take care of a stranger.

"Sigh... I'll have a few people watch over the tavern for the next few days. You can do business safely for a few days, then take the money you earn and go to the occupied area of Peters or seek refuge with relatives," Luo decided to help the beautiful woman as much as he could, giving her a way out. "I can only do so much." With that, Luo got up to leave, as it was getting late and the camp was about to close.

Hearing Luo's words, the boss lady's sobs grew louder, her tears streaking her face, but she continued to cry, as if helpless against her fate.

Luo slowly walked to the tavern door, no longer trying to console her. Let her cry; only by experiencing it could one become stronger. The boss lady's sobs gradually subsided, and just as Luo was about to move the wooden board at the door to leave, a warm body embraced him.

"I can't let you help me for nothing," the boss lady said hoarsely, "I have nothing left but this tavern and a few barrels of ale. I can't think of any other way to repay you." Luo could tell that, besides wanting to repay him, the beautiful boss lady was also feeling desperate and reckless.

"You don't have to do this, we actually..." Luo didn't finish his sentence as a hot tongue blocked his mouth. The beautiful boss lady, Xiaoxi, hugged Luo's strong chest and kissed him passionately, silencing his words.

Luo, who hadn't touched a woman in a month, couldn't resist such passionate kisses. The dry wood met the raging fire, and he began to respond roughly, picking her up and preparing to satisfy his desire right there. "No, not here, let's go upstairs..." Xiaoxi, dazed by Luo's passionate kisses, was still somewhat clear-headed and urged him to go upstairs.