Chapter 32: The Shameless Jiang Siming
Jiang Siming looked at the others, all of them sleeping like the dead, and felt a headache coming on. He couldn't just leave them here, could he? Luckily, Suiyu Pavilion provided both food and lodging. He slipped one hand beneath Zhu Zhuqing's smooth, jade-like legs and carefully lifted her into his arms.
Jiang Siming slowly made his way to the front desk and said softly, "Sorry to trouble you, but I'd like eight rooms."
The young woman at the front desk gave Jiang Siming a strange look. It was no wonder she'd get the wrong idea. He was holding a drunk girl while asking for a room—and not just one, but eight. It was quite a scene. But she was only the receptionist, and she knew there were some things she should say and some she shouldn't.
Jiang Siming wore an utterly helpless expression. What could he do when he'd ended up with a bunch of drunks? They couldn't hold their liquor, yet they'd still acted like hotshots.
"I'm sorry, sir. We don't have that many rooms. There are only four suites left. Would that be all right?" the receptionist asked respectfully.
Jiang Siming thought it over. Boss Dai, Tang San, Oscar, and Fatty could share one room. Xiao Wu and Rongrong could each have a room to themselves. That left one more room. It was fate! Jiang Siming stood there, grinning foolishly without realizing it.
"Sir? Sir, are you all right?" The receptionist gave him an even stranger look.
"Ahem, I'm fine. Yes, four rooms will do." Even Jiang Siming's thick skin couldn't quite take it.
"Certainly. Here are your room cards," the receptionist said respectfully.
Jiang Siming returned to the private room and saw that everyone had already started snoring. Zhu Zhuqing, in his arms, snuggled even closer against him. He could only smile helplessly. The Evil God Hook slowly emerged from behind him. First, he tossed Dai Mubai and the others into their room. Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Siming had a mischievous idea. A minute later, he looked over his handiwork with satisfaction, then closed the door and left. If the Evil God Hook could talk, it would surely have cursed Jiang Siming: The first time you use me, and this is what you make me do? I'm not even human—you're the real dog here!
Next, he settled Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong into their own rooms. Then he carried Zhu Zhuqing into the last one. The Evil God Hook lifted the covers, and Jiang Siming held his breath as he carefully laid Zhu Zhuqing on the bed.
"Mmm," Zhu Zhuqing murmured.
Jiang Siming cursed inwardly. What is this? Don't do this to me.
Compared to Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing's figure was ridiculously well-developed.
"Form is emptiness; emptiness is form," Jiang Siming silently repeated to himself. Slowly, he pulled up the covers and tucked Zhu Zhuqing in.
Afterward, Jiang Siming sat cross-legged on the floor and began his nightly mirror training.
What Jiang Siming didn't know was that, not long after he closed his eyes, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly opened hers. Looking at the man before her, who couldn't exactly be called handsome, she gave a blissful smile, then closed her eyes again and drifted back into a daze.
The next morning.
A sudden commotion and a burst of shrieks jolted Jiang Siming awake. He realized there was a blanket over him. Glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, who was still asleep, he carefully got to his feet and went to the bedside. Sunlight fell across her eyelashes, making them tremble faintly. Perhaps because she'd drunk too much the night before, a faint blush still lingered on her cheeks. Jiang Siming couldn't help gently tapping the tip of her delicate nose.
Her adorable little face scrunched up, and her nose wrinkled slightly. She slowly woke. When Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes and saw Jiang Siming so close, she panicked, pulled the covers up, and hid her face beneath them.
"Sleepyhead, time to get up. You've got a Spirit Fighting match tonight. I'll take you shopping during the day, all right?" Jiang Siming said gently.
Zhu Zhuqing cautiously peeked out, blinking her eyes to show that she agreed.
Another argument broke out, drawing both their attention. Jiang Siming turned his head and grinned mischievously. He had a pretty good idea that it had to do with Tang San and the others. After washing up, the two of them left the room.
When they reached the hall, Jiang Siming saw Dai Mubai and the others glaring at him furiously. Even the usually composed Tang San seemed utterly dazed.
"Jiang Siming, you tell me—was it you?" Dai Mubai roared.
"No way. That can't be true. In my dream last night, I was clearly..." Oscar shook his head, still unable to believe it.
"Jiang Siming, I'm telling you, I've lost my purity!" Dai Mubai said miserably.
Jiang Siming could see he'd taken the joke too far, and quickly admitted defeat.
"I was wrong, I was wrong," Jiang Siming said, pleading for mercy. Zhu Zhuqing, beside him, looked puzzled.
"What happened?" Zhu Zhuqing asked Jiang Siming.
"Don't you dare say a word, or I'll beat you to death!" Dai Mubai hurriedly warned him. If the girls found out that the four of them had slept through the night without any clothes on, they'd never be able to hold their heads up again.
"Too noisy! What are you all yelling about so early in the morning?" Rongrong and Xiao Wu had been woken up by the commotion as well. Fortunately, the other people staying at Suiyu Pavilion all had money and knew better than to get involved. They could tell the group was no ordinary bunch and didn't want trouble.
"Boss Dai, I was wrong. Forgive me," Jiang Siming suddenly said in a serious tone. Of course, it was just a way to confuse the "enemy."
"Brother Siming, you'd better let us beat you up today. How else are you going to make it up to my fragile little heart?" Ma Hongjun sobbed.
Tang San had come back to his senses, and he nodded too.
Oscar glanced at Ning Rongrong, and his face gradually turned red. Dai Mubai saw how hopeless Oscar was, nudged him, and signaled that they needed to stand together.
"Oh, right. Siming, we're definitely beating you up this time. Be a good sport and tie yourself up," Oscar said.
"Fine, do whatever you want with me. I won't use a Soul Skill or my Martial Soul, and I'll just stand here and let you hit me. How's that?" Jiang Siming spread his hands helplessly.
Dai Mubai and the others had clearly gotten what they wanted. Only then did they say fiercely, "That's more like it. But if you dare tell anyone about this, I'll take you down with me."
"Fine. But let's leave it for another day, all right? You've got a match tonight," Jiang Siming said, putting on an exaggeratedly tough act. "I'm scared, I'm scared."
The others exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
They nodded, but Xiao Wu and Rongrong weren't having it.
"Brother, tell me what happened. I've been listening this whole time, and I still don't understand," Xiao Wu said, looking at Tang San.
Tang San smiled awkwardly but didn't say anything. The truth was simply too embarrassing to explain.
"Xiao Ao, you tell me," Ning Rongrong said. Seeing that she couldn't get anything out of Tang San, she turned to Oscar.
Oscar looked at Ning Rongrong and seemed ready to speak, but Dai Mubai covered his mouth.
"Zhuqing, ask him! Aren't you curious? What if Brother Siming did something to betray you?" Ning Rongrong teased Jiang Siming.
"Rongrong, don't go making things up. Your Brother Siming is pure and spotless," Jiang Siming said, suddenly flustered. How had this turned into something about him?
"No, I'm not curious. I trust Siming." Zhu Zhuqing took Jiang Siming's arm and spoke gently.