Chapter 366 - 251: Snow’s Inn
Chapter 366: Chapter 251: Snow’s Inn
For instance, the "Golden Essence Bath" is simply a hot spring rich in golden sulfur crystals.
And the "White Snake Bath" has cloudy, milky-white water with a distinct sulfurous smell. Both are said to help with skin conditions and arthritis.
There are also others that include privately-made medicinal packets for special effects.
When she introduced the "Tide’s Roar Bath," Li Xiang was dumbfounded. What the hell? ’The "moaning tide" bath?’
He gave the beautiful proprietress a bewildered look. Her pretty face flushed red as she said in a tiny voice, "You’ve misunderstood, sir. It’s not *that* kind of ’moaning’... We add extra salt, so the bath foams with salt crystals like ocean waves. It’s excellent for heat retention and perfect for those who are sensitive to the cold."
Li Xiang said, "Ohh, so it’s *that* kind of ’tide’s roar.’ A rather... distinctive name. Alright, what’s next?"
The beautiful proprietress continued, "We also have our special ’Snow Viewing Bath’ and ’Star Gazing Bath.’ Both are open-air baths. From the ’Snow Viewing Bath,’ you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji while you soak. The ’Star Gazing Bath’ is for the evening, allowing you to admire the vast starry sky from the hot spring."
Li Xiang said with a laugh, "In this god-awful weather? You’d be lucky to see any stars. And as for the snow... I’ll pass. I see it every day. I’m sick of it already."
Southerners, who once found snow a rare and precious sight, had been hit by massive snowstorms for the past two years due to the drastic climate change. Many had long since lost their initial joy, now complaining endlessly and desperately missing the warm winters of the past.
"Then let me recommend some others..." The kimono-clad proprietress, gentle as water, continued her introductions.
Ultimately, Li Xiang chose the "Underground Secret Bath." It was in a grotto deep underground, utilizing a natural cave to create a mysterious atmosphere.
"You offer lodging here as well?" Li Xiang asked.
"Yes, sir. Each private bath comes with a guest room. The ’Underground Secret Bath’ you’ve chosen includes a deluxe room with a king-sized bed, tatami mats, air conditioning, a private bathroom, a desk, a refrigerator, and internet access... It has every amenity. The only thing is, because it’s so deep underground, there are no windows. But the privacy is excellent. It’s also our only underground chamber, and it just happens to be available these few days."
Li Xiang glanced at the price. It was the most expensive, at 46,000 yen a night, about 2,200 RMB. But he didn’t care. ’Take from the people, use for the people.’ He had plundered a great deal of wealth in Japan, including gold and jewels, as well as a lot of cash in yen. This proprietress had a great attitude, she was beautiful, and she had that certain ’Jian’an flair.’ Helping out her business was a trivial matter.
Right then, after a moment’s thought, Li Xiang booked it for five nights. He might as well treat it as a vacation.
The beautiful proprietress was instantly overjoyed. In truth, her inn was quite small, and business had always been lukewarm. The most expensive room, the underground grotto, rarely had any guests. Worse still, for the past six months, she’d been targeted by some nasty old man. He used his family connections to constantly send various departments over to inspect this or that, even forcing her to shut down for a two-week "rectification." Business had been getting worse and worse.
She never expected that, just after managing to reopen, a Chinese-speaking gentleman would arrive and book the room for five nights straight. ’He must be a gift from heaven.’
At that moment, Li Xiang also noticed that he seemed to be the only guest in the entire inn.
’Is it because it’s so early in the morning?’
Little did he know, even when it wasn’t early, the inn had very few guests. Previous guests who came to soak in the springs and stay the night had received mysterious, threatening phone calls the moment they took off their clothes. They were forced to check out immediately, fleeing in terror.
"So, where is this Underground Secret Bath? How do I get there?" Li Xiang asked.
The beautiful proprietress said, "I’ll take you."
She stood up and was about to lead the way for Li Xiang when the tender cry of a little girl came from a nearby room. "Mama~, Mama~"
Judging by the sound, it seemed to be two little girls who had probably just woken up and were looking for their mother.
The girls were calling "Kaa-chan," which meant "Mama." Li Xiang wasn’t fluent in Japanese, but he understood a few common phrases, like "konnichiwa," "iku," and "yamete."
There are many ways to say "mother" in Japanese, but "Kaa-chan" is typically an affectionate and somewhat wheedling term used by small children.
The beautiful proprietress called out a few phrases in Japanese. Li Xiang couldn’t understand them but assumed she was trying to soothe the children. However, they kept crying out for their mama.
"Sir, could you please wait for just a moment?" the beautiful proprietress asked, turning back to Li Xiang with an apologetic smile.
Li Xiang smiled. "It’s no problem. Go ahead."
"Thank you, thank you." The beautiful proprietress bowed quickly and scurried toward her daughters’ room with hurried, short steps.
A few minutes later, the beautiful proprietress emerged after soothing her daughters and bowed to Li Xiang. "I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting, sir."
"It’s fine. Let’s go."
And so, led by the beautiful proprietress, Li Xiang arrived at the underground bath. He looked around and was quite satisfied with the place.
"This will do."
"Please, enjoy your time here. If you need anything at all, just let me know. I can also provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And if you have any dirty clothes that need washing, you can give them to me, and I’ll launder them for you."