Staying at a Hotel

Three years later, as they neared Suotuo City, Jiang Jiu couldn't help marveling at how quickly time had passed.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Wu pressed up behind Jiang Jiu and rubbed her cheek against him.

Three years had passed, and Xiao Wu seemed determined to compete with him in height. She'd shot up to nearly 1.8 meters. Aside from her still-youthful face, there was no problem calling her an adult.

Luckily, Tang San was there to bring up the rear, and at 1.75 meters, Jiang Jiu couldn't exactly be called short.

"Arriving somewhere new, facing new challenges, and growing in new ways."

"Mm, I know! You're homesick, aren't you, Xiao Jiu?"

"Hmph, you laughed at me earlier for crying because I didn't want to leave. Turns out you're the one who's slow to react, Xiao Jiu."

"Home is wherever the people you care about are."

"All right, all right, enough of that. Come with me to buy new clothes first!"

Xiao Wu shoved Jiang Jiu forward by the shoulders as they walked.

"Let's find somewhere to eat first, then somewhere to stay. Once we've settled in, I'll take you shopping." Jiang Jiu didn't budge.

"That works, too."

After years of Jiang Jiu's influence, Xiao Wu had finally gone from vegetarian to carnivore.

For one thing, you couldn't do heavy training without eating plenty of meat. For another, she'd realized the cause-and-effect logic of eating more to grow better.

Xiao Wu's figure now could only be described as absolutely explosive. She wasn't just blessed with a pair of killer long legs anymore.

"Xiao San, don't fall behind."

"That's right. Most of our money is with you, after all."

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Jiu tapped Xiao Wu on the head.

"Brother Jiu, I'm right behind you." Tang San wasn't annoyed. He agreed wholeheartedly with Jiang Jiu's earlier words, "Home is wherever the people you care about are." Whenever Jiang Jiu was around, his temper was exceptionally mild.

After entering Suotuo City, they first found a restaurant.

They ordered a few signature dishes and took a table where they could watch the street.

"Everyone seems so busy," Xiao Wu remarked, watching passersby hurry along.

"That's what a big city is like."

"Then I still like Nuoding better."

But when it came time to find a hotel, Xiao Wu spotted all the dazzling shops lining the street and promptly forgot what she'd said.

"Xiao Jiu, this place is amazing! I've seen so many things I want to buy!"

"Sure, sure. We'll go shopping in a bit."

Jiang Jiu had managed to save quite a bit over the past few years. He wasn't rich, but he had enough for Xiao Wu to buy things.

"Hehe, Xiao Jiu, you're the best! Wow, Xiao Jiu, let's stay here for a few days!"

Naturally, Xiao Wu had her eye on the Rose Hotel.

There was no particular reason. They'd traveled from Nuoding City to Suotuo City, so they had to have entered through the western gate. And just inside that gate, the Rose Hotel—a distinctive, high-end establishment—was an unmistakable landmark.

The hotel had been built in the unusual style of a giant rose, making it hard to forget.

Couple's hotels sure went all out these days. The owner of the Rose Hotel was definitely a genius.

The hotel wasn't just all show, either. Its interior decor and service were top-notch, completely unlike anything from this era.

Even if you didn't think of it as a couple's hotel, it was still one of the best places to stay.

"What? Ten Gold Soul Coins for one night?" Xiao Wu changed her mind as soon as she heard the price.

One night's stay cost a tenth of her monthly allowance. With those ten Gold Soul Coins, she could buy who knew how many new outfits.

"Guest, that's the price for our best room. We also have rooms that are a little less expensive."

The receptionist explained to Xiao Wu, but his eyes were on Tang San.

He couldn't help it. He'd seen plenty of people like Young Master Dai, so it was easy to mistake Tang San for a hidden "big spender." After all, he was with those two "beauties," walking arm in arm. Surely he had something going for him.

"How much per day for the cheaper rooms?"

Xiao Wu was quite pleased with the hotel, but the price had her hesitating.

Jiang Jiu, meanwhile, was thinking about something else.

Why hadn't the classic "there's only one room left" scenario come up?

Or was Xiao Wu so used to haggling while shopping in Nuoding City that she'd become too sensitive to prices, and asked about the room rate right away?

Seeing that his imagined "big spender" showed no reaction, as if he hadn't picked up on the hint at all, the receptionist could only continue explaining the other room options to Xiao Wu.

"Do you still have these two?"

It looked like they wouldn't run into any sucker today. Jiang Jiu went ahead and chose two rooms on the top floor.

Money was meant to be spent. A few dozen Gold Soul Coins wouldn't keep him from affording a Storage Soul Tool worth tens of thousands.

"Guest, yes, we do!" The receptionist realized he'd misjudged them. The real "big spender" was someone else!

"Xiao Jiu, isn't this a little too expensive..."

"We're only staying a few days. We might as well stay somewhere nice. It's not like we can't afford it."

If Jiang Jiu had suggested they stay at a budget hotel, Xiao Wu would have been fine with it. But there was no need.

"We could buy so many new outfits with that money..." Xiao Wu kept muttering as Jiang Jiu led her up to the top floor.

"Xiao San, your room is 'White Innocence.'"

The name was a little hard to swallow—more or less the same as "pure and chaste"—but it was still the best option. It was much better than Yellow Sincerity or Green Parting.

Jiang Jiu didn't understand why a couple's hotel would have a "Green Parting" theme, either. Maybe he was just too young.

"Xiao Jiu, Xiao Jiu!"

On the other side, Xiao Wu entered the room she'd be sharing with Jiang Jiu, then came rushing back out in excitement. She grabbed him and dragged him inside, leaving Tang San behind. He held the key Jiang Jiu had given him, gave a wry smile, and unlocked his own room.

Once inside, Jiang Jiu understood why Xiao Wu was so excited.

Pink Tenderness was pink and dreamy, pink and sweet. Every detail of the suite struck straight at Xiao Wu's girlish heart. If you asked her now whether she'd stay for ten Gold Soul Coins a night, she'd definitely nod.

The room was certainly friendly to Xiao Wu. For Jiang Jiu, not so much. Well, it was only a place to sleep.

Xiao Wu's delighted cries kept ringing through the room. She loved the furnishings far too much.

"Xiao Jiu, do you think we should decorate our future house like this, too?"

The house Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu had lived in back in Nuoding had already been bought, and Xiao Wu had gradually arranged all its decorations herself. Now, she was brimming with fresh ideas.

"..."

"Xiao Jiu, come look! This heart-shaped bed is so cute, too."

"Mm."

There were gauzy curtains and lace everywhere.

Jiang Jiu bent down and ran a hand over the bedding. Setting aside appearances, it felt like it would be very comfortable to sleep on.

Xiao Wu watched as he was gradually lured over.

"Hehe."

She pounced like a rabbit and pinned Jiang Jiu to the bed.