The air around was a bit cool, and the sandy ground felt a little unsteady underfoot. In the distance, a two-story white, long English-style mansion could be seen surrounded by many jasmine trees, creating a tranquil and pleasant environment that looked like a perfect place for a vacation.
The visitor gently massaged his shoulders, which had been aching from recent overwork, and let out a soft sigh. "It seems like it's been a long time since I've been to the Other Shore Pavilion. I wonder how everyone is doing?"
She folded her pure white wings, then scratched her short hair, brushing a few strands of long brown hair that had fallen across her cheeks behind her head. She thought to herself that after being busy for so long, she must take a good rest this time, otherwise her body would not be able to keep up with the speed of her mind.
While you're at it, spend some quality time with Eun-rye, your close friend who's always lonely. I wonder if Eric is home?
As one strolls closer to the building called the Other Shore Pavilion, one can't help but relax, and a sense of ease appears on one's gentle face.
In front of the pavilion, a tall, slender man with shoulder-length black hair was sweeping fallen leaves. Upon seeing the newcomer, he cheerfully greeted her, "Nan! You've come!"
"Wei Ran, no work today?"
"What a coincidence, it seems like it's been a long time since we last met?" The man named Wei Ran smiled happily. "Well, everyone's been busy, it's rare to run into each other. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
"I'll be on vacation soon, a three-day break, so I can relax here for a while. Is Eric here?"
"I went back yesterday. Eun-rye is baking cookies in the kitchen; we'll have some snacks to go with tea soon."
"That's great. By the way, where's your Yibi pen?"
"He has work and hasn't returned yet." Putting away the broom, the two walked side-by-side onto the gravel path and entered the Other Shore Pavilion. The man named Wei Ran announced into the house, "Eun-rye, Nan has arrived."
Upon hearing Wei Ran's report, a man with light gray pupils, long straight red hair, and a face with Western features poked his head out from the kitchen. "You're here. Come sit in the courtyard; the cookies will be ready soon!"
Seeing that Eun-rye looked alright, Nan was slightly relieved.
Soon, the three of them sat together in the courtyard drinking tea. The fruit tea was steaming, and the moderate temperature allowed the aroma to fully develop.
The blue hydrangeas were in full bloom as usual, and the air was filled with the aroma of buttered cookies, making me feel indescribably relaxed.
A soft sound of a door opening came from outside, followed by footsteps. The sounds stopped as the door closed behind them. The three people in the courtyard exchanged glances. Eun-rye spoke first, "The tenant from room 103 has probably returned?"
As the curator of the Other Shore Pavilion, Eun-rye had a clear understanding of all the guests' information and roughly knew their entry and exit times.
"Actually, I've had this question for a long time: who exactly is the guest in room 103?" Wei Ran couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him. Although he was a guest of the Other Shore Pavilion, Wei Ran was now a regular resident here, and he had only seen him a handful of times.
Her tall, model-like figure was very eye-catching. She wore black-rimmed glasses and often dressed in a hooded long-sleeved shirt with jeans, always pulling the hood up over her head. She was taciturn but quite polite; on the few occasions we met, she would nod and greet me.
Because of the hat, I can't see the hairstyle, but it seems to be dark hair with a bluish tint. The eyes are a bright black, so they are probably Asian.
"You mean Han Jing? He's a special case."
"Which guest in the Other Shore Pavilion isn't a special case?" Eun-rye retorted without any restraint.
"That's true." Nan took a sip of tea and continued, "Han Jing is also a part-time Grim Reaper."
"Huh?! What's this about part-time jobs? Can you really do this kind of job part-time?" Wei Ran couldn't help but ask in surprise.
"That's why it's considered a special case. Usually, Han Jing only comes back when Death is busy; when he's not busy, he lives like any other person in the human world," Eun-rye said, munching on a crisp biscuit.
"So Han Jing is the Grim Reaper?"
"Not entirely... to be precise, maybe half."
"Half?" Wei Ran felt increasingly confused as he listened.
"Yes, half," Nan said softly. However, she seemed unwilling to tell Wei Ran any more.
In any case, guests at the Higan Pavilion usually stay there because of special circumstances or because they have their own unspeakable difficulties.
The hidden meaning is unclear; perhaps the time is not right. Wei Ran himself also had a strange experience, and since Nan does not intend to continue talking about it, there must be a reason.
Let's put aside our curiosity and enjoy this rare moment of leisure.