"No room service!"
Dai Chengfeng lay on the soft bed, shouting in exasperation at the knock on the door.
But even so, he reluctantly took a deep breath of Qiu'er's fur, savoring the soft touch mixed with her fresh scent, then slowly got up and opened the door.
After all, although he had shouted like that, Dai Chengfeng knew…
The Swan Hotel, located in the heart of Tian Dou City, might indeed have transactions involving money and favors, but since he hadn't actively requested anything, they wouldn't come knocking to offer services either.
It was impossible that they thought he was brought here by Ning Fengyuan and decided to proactively serve him, right?
Dai Chengfeng chuckled and shook his head. Soon, the door opened.
A faint scent of lavender wafted down the corridor, likely from the hotel's freshly cleaned carpets.
Outside the door, as expected, it wasn't a seductive woman but rather a "farmer" dressed in coarse linen clothes, a tobacco pipe tucked into his waistband.
Mud clung to the edges of his cloth shoes, and bits of grass were embedded under his nails. He looked as ordinary as one of the countless refugees flooding into Tian Dou City every day.
His face was also extremely plain—even to the point where you might forget his appearance the moment you turned away.
"Who are you?"
Dai Chengfeng looked into the man's cloudy eyes but noticed the unnatural bend of his left pinky finger—a habit caused by years of gripping a pen.
"So, he's not an ordinary person after all."
As Dai Chengfeng pondered, the man pulled an envelope from his chest.
"Lord Dai Chengfeng, someone asked me to deliver this letter to you."
The "farmer" spoke in a deliberately hoarse tone, and as he extended the letter with his right hand, half an inch of a blue tattoo resembling a spreading swan slipped out from under his sleeve.
"Oh?"
Dai Chengfeng's lips curved slightly upward. Although this "ordinary person" didn't say who sent the letter, Dai Chengfeng already knew perfectly well.
Not only was it obvious that this man was a spy, but Dai Chengfeng had just arrived in Tian Dou City mere hours ago. Aside from entering the city and checking into the hotel, he hadn't done anything else.
Aside from Qian Renxue, who else would be so attentive toward him?
With that thought, Dai Chengfeng accepted the letter from the man.
The messenger didn't linger and quickly departed.
Dai Chengfeng, curious, opened the envelope and began reading its contents.
Meow meow~
At this moment, Qiu'er leapt off the bed, the mattress springs creaking softly as she landed on Dai Chengfeng's shoulder.
"Whose letter is it?"
Bang!
Dai Chengfeng hastily put the letter away, preventing Qiu'er from seeing its contents, and flicked her forehead with his knuckle.
"These are adult matters. Little kids shouldn't pry."
"Evil Dai Chengfeng!"
Qiu'er clutched her head, her ears drooping as tears welled up in her eyes from the pain.
"You've told me countless times that hitting me won't make me smarter, and besides, I'm thousands of years old! How am I still a kid?"
She angrily slapped Dai Chengfeng's back with her tail. Qiu'er felt wronged, Qiu'er protested!
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng chuckled and gently rubbed her head, his thumb brushing against her damp nose. "Alright, I won't do it again next time."
"I'll treat you to some meat tonight. Will you forgive me?"
"Really?"
Qiu'er's eyes instantly lit up like stars, her paws clutching Dai Chengfeng's wrist, completely forgetting her previous grievances.
"You little foodie, how could I possibly lie to you?"
"Dai Chengfeng, we're the best friends in the world!"
Upon receiving Dai Chengfeng's confirmation, Qiu'er immediately nuzzled his chin happily, her fluffy head tickling his neck, her big eyes curving joyfully.
---
Evening, Dai Chengfeng's room.
Dining table.
The crystal chandelier scattered golden light across the creamy white tablecloth.
Qiu'er sat on the table, her paws clutching a roasted chicken leg thicker than her forearm. Grease dripped from the corners of her mouth onto her lace bib as she ate contentedly.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng chuckled and shook his head. Then, using his chopsticks, he picked up another chicken leg and offered it to Bibi Dong.
"Teacher, please eat."
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's words, Bibi Dong's brows instantly furrowed.
Her violet eyes glimmered with caution in the candlelight as she silently stared at Dai Chengfeng, making no move to accept the offering.
"What are you trying to do?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng gave Bibi Dong an innocent look. "Teacher, what could I possibly be doing? I just want to show my filial piety to you."
"Why are you so tense?"
"Would you really be so kind-hearted?"
Bibi Dong didn't believe him. She sneered lightly, swirling the red wine in her glass, creating ripples.
Still wary, she made no move to take the food Dai Chengfeng offered.
"Is it poisoned?"
Dai Chengfeng sighed in exasperation. "Teacher, is this how you see me in your heart?"
"Hmph! What else should I think?"
Bibi Dong sneered again. "I won't comment on other times, but when it's just you and me, you, Dai Chengfeng…"
"You're nothing but a rebellious disciple who loves defying your master!"
"You suddenly being so considerate toward me—it's either because you have ulterior motives or you want something."
Dai Chengfeng awkwardly chuckled but still used his chopsticks to push the chicken leg into her plate. "Teacher, you know me too well. I do have something to tell you."
"I don't know… whether you'll agree."
Bibi Dong looked at Dai Chengfeng. Upon hearing that he wanted something, she relaxed slightly.
"Go ahead, what is it?"
This time, Bibi Dong accepted the chicken leg but still didn't eat it. She simply placed it on her plate and continued watching Dai Chengfeng.
After all, she still didn't know what he wanted to say.
Not eating it gave her room to negotiate.
Dai Chengfeng smiled and said, "Teacher, I have something to do tonight and need to go out. I might return late, so tonight's cultivation between us…"
"Don't you think we can skip it just for tonight?"
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly, suspicion filling her eyes as she looked at Dai Chengfeng.
Originally, Bibi Dong shouldn't have asked, but she couldn't help herself: "You actually have acquaintances in Tian Dou City that require a meeting in the middle of the night?"
"Or could it be…"
"Are you already starting to resent providing divine power to me?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng hurriedly shook his head. "How could I?"
"I wish I could hold your fragrant, soft body every night and fall asleep. How could I possibly resent it?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "fragrant," his gaze sweeping over the collarbone exposed by her neckline.
There, the marks of his teeth from earlier this morning remained, and even lower…
"Teacher, I really do have something to attend to tonight."
"So, what do you think?"
In the end, Bibi Dong nodded, lifting her wine glass and taking a sip. "Fine, go early and return early."
"Yes, Teacher."
As Dai Chengfeng spoke, he stood up and walked toward the door.
"Be careful!"
At this moment, Bibi Dong called out to Dai Chengfeng's retreating figure. "This is Tian Dou City. It's different from your Star Luo Empire or the Spirit Hall. You're their 'enemy.'"
"Thank you for reminding me, Teacher."
Dai Chengfeng's lips curved slightly upward. He could clearly sense the change in Bibi Dong.
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