Myriad Spirits Opens for Business! Great Flame Chamber of Commerce!

Li Bufan was left at a loss by Zhao Jingyao's question. After all, what had happened yesterday was truly rather strange.

He couldn't exactly say, "You took off my clothes and held me while we slept for the entire night," could he?

He could only brush it off vaguely, pretending nothing had happened. "I slept quite well. Uncle Zhao's newly renovated Ten Thousand Spirits District has very nicely arranged rooms, and the soundproofing is good too. I slept straight through until dawn."

Upon hearing Li Bufan's words, Zhao Jingyao's little face reddened again. Yet she did not expose him, merely lowering her head and softly murmuring, "Mm."

Just then, a burst of hearty laughter came from outside the courtyard, the voice arriving before the man did. "Worthy Nephew Bufan! Are you up yet?"

Hearing her father's voice, Zhao Jingyao immediately panicked. Instinctively, she wanted to hide, but Zhao Mengdong had already entered, leaving her no time at all.

Her heart pounded like a drum, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes. Her face went red, then pale, as she feared her father might notice something amiss.

Zhao Mengdong strode into the courtyard, an excited smile on his face. "Worthy Nephew Bufan, come on, it's almost time! The guests have all arrived. We're the only ones they're waiting for."

Then his gaze shifted to Zhao Jingyao, and he paused slightly. "Eh? Yao'er, why are you here?"

Zhao Jingyao stammered, "Father, I... I came to call Big Brother Li." Her voice was soft and carried a trace of guilt, but in her haste, she came up with a reasonable excuse. "I was afraid he'd oversleep and delay the auspicious hour."

Zhao Mengdong nodded without giving it much thought. "Good. Perfect timing—Yao'er, go with Worthy Nephew Bufan. You are the