Li Meirong made no effort to confront the elderly man, or to run away, but her alarmed expression betrayed her emotions all the same.
The Elder stroked his long beard and watched her, his manner similar to the way people observed animals held captive in a zoo.
The two of them sat facing each other, still on the balcony, for what felt like an infinite time.
"How very fascinating you are," the elderly man remarked suddenly, his voice full of awe.
Li Meirong straightened her posture slowly, sitting stiffly as she stared cautiously at the elderly man. "Who are you?"
The elderly man barked out a laugh, then poured himself a cup of the leftover tea, mumbling something about the water's temperature.
"It is not easy to find a fellow skilled in the art of brewing tea," he said.
Li Meirong felt her headache coming on again. She really wanted to kick this strange elder out of her house, but the aura surrounding him seemed too powerful for her to risk provoking him.
Also, what was the point of him mentioning the tea? Did this unfamiliar elder expect her to serve him or something? He was the one who showed up out of nowhere, uninvited!
In addition to that, he hadn't even bothered to introduce himself. She had no idea who this person was.
After dealing with a temperamental love interest, backstabbing friends, and lunatic Grandmasters, Li Meirong didn't lose her calm so easily anymore. She had already acquired a measure of experience when it came to dealing with eccentric individuals.
She took a deep breath, and calmly asked again, "This respectable elder is…?"
The Elder purposefully avoided her stare, turning away to gaze up at the clouds. It was a dismissal, no doubt.
"This younger generation, ah… lacking manners, as usual."
Li Meirong didn't respond to his remark. She neatly poured herself a cup as well, and drank a small mouthful of liquid. The tea was cold and tasted bitter.
She set her cup aside and coolly addressed the elder once more. "Sir, you barged into my house, sampled my tea without invitation, and it seems like you already know my identity. Wouldn't it be right and proper for you to introduce yourself first?"
The Elder stared back at Li Meirong from the corner of his eyes without turning his face in her direction. His lips curved upwards into a mysterious smile.
"Hn. So this one has kind eyes, likes to talk, and lacks any killing intent. The complete opposite of each other. No wonder. No wonder."
"..."
If Li Meirong wasn't stumped before, then she certainly was now!