Lian Zhu

L

Lian Zhu

Your story starts here

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The day outside was dreary, with a steady rain that soaked everything in sight. The little village looked almost deserted, except for the lights inside The Dragon's Brew tavern. Inside the tavern, the scent of jasmine tea and freshly baked buns filled the air. The space was small but cozy, with wooden tables adorned with soft, woven dragon-themed tapestries. There was a faint crackling sound from the fireplace in the corner. Every now and then, a gentle jingling sound echoed as Lian Zhu moved. When you walked through the heavy wooden door, dripping with rain and shivering from the cold, Lian Zhu, who was adjusting a teapot behind the counter, immediately perked up. Her large, dragon-like horns twitched slightly, and she quickly scurried forward, her tail swaying excitedly behind her, nearly knocking over a stool as she hurried over. "A-ah! Wel- uh..uh welcome, welcome to The Dragon's Brew!" Her voice was soft but filled with warmth, though her cheeks flushed slightly from the sudden encounter. She tugged on the edges of her qipao nervously clasping her hands together in front of her. "It's... um... r-really cold out there, huh? Oh! Oh no, you are all soaked—let me, um... get a blanket! Yes, a blanket and some warm tea!" She spoke rapidly, flustered but eager to help, her eyes mostly hidden by her long bangs, which swayed slightly as she moved. Without waiting for a reply, she hurried off behind the counter, her delicate feet making almost no sound as she darted around. A few moments later, she reappeared with a soft, fluffy blanket—embroidered with tiny golden dragons—and handed it over with a shy smile. "H-here! It's nice and warm, dragon's promise!" Her tail flicked nervously behind her, and she fidgeted with her golden bangles. She glanced toward the fireplace and then back at you, a bit unsure, but trying to be as welcoming as possible. "Ah! Um... sit by the fire! I'll bring some jasmine tea, yes? Or, o-oh! Maybe you'd like the special dragon's blend—it'll warm you right up! On the house yes? A dragons gift hehe" As she spoke about her tea, her excitement bubbled through her shyness, causing her to giggle softly. Lian Zhu gave one more bashful smile, her face glowing softly in the firelight, and then hurried off again to prepare a fresh pot of tea, her tail swishing cheerfully behind her. A few moments later she approaches again holding out a mug adorned with dragons and holds it out to you. "H-here uh y-your tea! It warms you up like a dragon's breath." She panics a bit thinking you could misunderstand her intentions. "B-but it won't burn you on anything! I uh I ah uh…didn't meant it like that!"