A Soul-Stirring Bowl of Poisonous Chicken Soup, Just for Tang San!

"I'll definitely defeat you today!"

He abruptly summoned his Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, and the black First Spirit Ring lit up.

"First Spirit Skill—Entanglement!"

Dozens of Blue Silver Grass vines shot fiercely toward Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu.

The blades carried a faint poison, clearly having been tempered.

"Is that all you've got?"

Lin Qingmo sneered, not moving an inch.

With a casual tug of his right hand, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass snapped apart.

"Your spirit skill is still this laughably weak."

Lin Qingmo's tone was calm, yet it carried immense pressure.

He had no interest in this guy at all.

"Get lost. Don't follow us again, or you won't be so lucky next time."

Seeing how unfazed Lin Qingmo was, Tang San's resentment and hatred only intensified.

He gritted his teeth, his nails nearly digging into his palms.

But he knew he truly was no match for Lin Qingmo.

"Lin Qingmo, just you wait!"

After spitting out that vicious threat through clenched teeth, he turned and vanished around the street corner.

The gloominess in his eyes was even greater than before.

"This guy really never learns."

Xiao Wu pouted, her tone full of helplessness.

Lin Qingmo rubbed her hair and smiled. "Ignore him. Let's go buy some Candied Hawthorn."

After taking only a few steps, Xiao Wu suddenly stopped.

She pointed at a lavishly decorated hotel in the distance, her eyes lighting up.

"A-Qing, why don't we find somewhere to stay first?"

"So that guy doesn't follow us again."

Lin Qingmo looked in the direction she pointed.

The four large words "Rose Hotel" on the sign were particularly eye-catching.

Its architecture was romantic and luxurious, with pink rose vines crawling all over the outer walls.

Most of the people entering and leaving were couples, behaving intimately.

He instantly recalled that Tang San and Dai Mubai had clashed here in the original story.

Seeing Xiao Wu's expectant expression beside him, Lin Qingmo looked oddly amused.

He deliberately teased her. "Xiao Wu, do you know what kind of hotel this is?"

Xiao Wu blinked her rabbit-like eyes.

"What kind of hotel is it? It looks really pretty."

"It's a couples' hotel."

Lin Qingmo suppressed a laugh as he explained unhurriedly.

"It's specifically for couples to stay in. Is it really appropriate for the two of us to stay here?"

"A c-couples' hotel?"

Xiao Wu's cheeks instantly turned red as ripe apples.

Some embarrassing images flashed through her mind, and her gaze began to dart away.

She instinctively clutched Lin Qingmo's sleeve, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"D-does that mean... it's n-not okay?"

The moment she said it, her heart began pounding as if it would leap from her chest.

Yet she secretly thought, Living with A-Qing doesn't seem so bad...

Seeing her bashful appearance, Lin Qingmo could no longer hold back his laughter.

"Of course it's okay. Why wouldn't it be?"

He reached out and took her hand, warmth passing between their fingertips.

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and the shyness on her face was instantly replaced by delight.

"Really? You don't mind, A-Qing?"

"Mind what?"

Lin Qingmo raised a brow.

"Anyway, I'm the one getting taken advantage of."

He took Xiao Wu's hand and headed toward the Rose Hotel.

Xiao Wu muttered inwardly, Then why did you say before that I was an old rabbit eating tender grass?!

Beneath the Rose Hotel's portico.

Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu stood side by side.

The afternoon sun stretched the shadows of their clasped hands long across the ground.

At the distant street corner, Tang San's expression was terrifyingly dark.

He stared fixedly at the backs of the pair leaning close together.

His fists clenched with crackling sounds, as if he wanted to crush his own bones.

His nails had long since pierced deep into his palms, drawing blood, yet he felt no pain at all.

The hatred churning in his eyes was like tangible fire, nearly burning away that blinding scene before him.

"Lin Qingmo...!"

Tang San forced the name through his teeth, his voice hoarse and twisted.

Five years.

Scenes of countless humiliating defeats over those five entire years frantically replayed in his mind.

Every time he had been effortlessly knocked down by that man.

Every time he saw the trusting look in Xiao Wu's eyes when she looked at Lin Qingmo.

That jealousy and humiliation, rooted deep in his bones, wrapped around his heart like poisonous vines.

Growing tighter and tighter.

His master Yu Xiaogang's words had now become both his only solace and his "poison."

"Xiao San, remember, women are naturally drawn to the strong."

"That Lin Qingmo is merely relying on a little outside help. His talent is far inferior to yours."

"As long as you become stronger, you'll eventually surpass him and take back everything that belongs to you."

"Strength... I'll become the strongest..."

Tang San murmured softly, but his gaze became ever more crazed.

He suddenly raised his head and stared at the hotel's ornate doors.

"One day, I'll trample you beneath my feet!"

The ruthlessness in his voice sent chills through even the passing pedestrians.

"Xiao Wu... you'll definitely return to my side."

The vow was as light as a whisper, yet as heavy as a curse.

They stepped into the Rose Hotel.

Warmth and fragrance washed over them.

The front hall was decorated with utmost luxury and romance.

A huge crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, refracting hazy halos of warm yellow light.

Many classical oil paintings of lovers hung on the walls, their brushwork gentle.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of roses, delicate and lingering without being cloying.

Xiao Wu instinctively gripped the hem of Lin Qingmo's clothes.

A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks, as though she had applied rouge.

She secretly glanced around, her lively rabbit-like eyes full of shyness and curiosity.

"Um..."

She released his clothes and shuffled toward the front desk in tiny steps.

Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito's hum.

"Please... give us two adjacent rooms. Thank you."

"No need."

Lin Qingmo's warm yet clear voice rang out.

He stepped forward, a playful smile at the corner of his lips.

"One room will do."

"Ah?!"

Xiao Wu abruptly looked up, her rabbit-like eyes widening round.

Her cheeks flushed crimson at a speed visible to the naked eye, like ripe cherries.

The little deer in her heart began crashing wildly about: O-one room? A-Qing wants to... live with me?

She felt as though even the tips of her ears were burning.

Lin Qingmo naturally clasped her slightly cool hand behind his back.

The warm, solid touch at his fingertips strangely soothed her panic.

"Two rooms would be a waste of money."

His tone was utterly serious, though amusement rippled in his eyes.

"A Twin Room will be enough. We can use the money we save to buy you Carrot Cake."

The young woman at the front desk looked at the strikingly attractive boy and girl.

A knowing, teasing smile appeared on her face.

"You two could get a king room instead. That's our special Couples Suite?"

Her tone was light, with obvious playful teasing.

"There's only one Couples Suite left tonight."

"It has a Rose Bath, a romantic candlelit dinner, and a Viewing Terrace overlooking Suotuo City!"

Xiao Wu lowered her head even further, nearly burying it against her heaving chest.

She secretly raised her eyes and gave Lin Qingmo a quick glance.

Shyness, panic, and a trace of anticipation that even she had not noticed mingled in her gaze.

Lin Qingmo took in all her little movements and secretly laughed.

Yet his expression remained serious.

"Just give us an ordinary Twin Room. I prefer separate wet and dry areas, thank you."

"Oh?"

The front desk attendant raised her brows even higher, her gaze becoming increasingly meaningful.

She thought, This handsome kid really knows what he's doing.

"Certainly, please wait a moment~"

She swiftly completed the paperwork and handed over two delicate brass keys.

"Room 202, at the end of the second-floor corridor."

"Wishing you both... a pleasant stay~"

She drew out the final note, full of good-natured teasing.

"Thanks."

Lin Qingmo accepted the keys.

"Let's go look around some more."

"Mm..."

Xiao Wu's steps felt light and floaty, as though she were walking on clouds.

Her cheeks were still burning, but sweet little bubbles kept rising in her heart, like she had just eaten her favorite Carrot.