Liu Shinian also defended himself.
"That's what I thought, though with a tiny bit of ulterior motive."
"Alright, since they've all pleaded for you, I won't hit you."
"Mhm." Seeing that I wasn't going to hit him, Liu Shinian was quite happy.
The two maids, seeing that I could actually subdue the number one playboy of Nanhai City,
were very envious and asked one after another.
"Miss, you are truly amazing, to be able to subdue the number one playboy of Nanhai City.
May I know your name, Miss?"
"Miss, could you perhaps reveal your method of subduing people to us?"
I chuckled shyly.
"Hahaha, it's nothing, just a habit, a habit."
Despite feeling embarrassed, I couldn't help but pat Liu Shinian.
Liu Shinian, seeing that he had not only lost his authority but also his dignity, was displeased.
He glared at me with his big, unhappy eyes.
"My name is Liu Muye, and they are A Li and A Da."
In my happiness, I decided to introduce A Li and A Da as well.
A Li and A Da said shyly,
"Hello, sisters."
The two maids replied,
"Hello, I'm Qing Shui, and she's Luo Zhu. We are both the young lady's maids."
"Oh, it's quite something to be her maid."
A Da, uncharacteristically, spoke up.
Qing Shui laughed heartily.
"It's alright, though it did take some effort.
However, you all, our young lady is not seeing anyone today, so please leave."
"Okay, we'll be going then."
"Yes, please take care."
It seemed we couldn't stay here any longer.
I had no choice but to drag the reluctant Liu Shinian,
along with A Li and A Da, away from there and back to our lodging.
Upon returning to the guest room, everyone was exhausted.
We had searched all day but couldn't find Zhang Tianshi.
I sat on the straw mat with some dejection, full of disappointment, and said,
"Could Zhang Tianshi have already left Qianji Hall?"
A Li thought it unlikely.
"He shouldn't have. The Heroes' Assembly hasn't ended yet.
As one of the invited guests, Zhang Tianshi
certainly wouldn't leave before the assembly concluded.
He might be in some room within Qianji Hall.
It's just that this place is too vast, and we are finding it difficult to search."
A Da suddenly seemed to recall something and said,
"I remember seeing someone call out to Zhang Tianshi before.
He was with the owner of Qianji Hall at the time."
"Did you see him today?"
I asked urgently.
A Da thought for a moment and shook his head.
"No, I was eating at the market all day."
"Sigh!"
I sighed helplessly.
I became curious. Liu Shinian remained silent.
This was unlike him; how could this chatterbox bear to not speak?
Curiously, I turned around and saw Liu Shinian lying on the ground, his back to us,
propped up on one hand, resting his chin, quiet.
"Liu Shinian, what's wrong?"
I asked him curiously.
"Sigh!"
Liu Shinian sighed deeply, refusing to say more.
"What's wrong with him?"
I looked at A Li and A Da in confusion.
A Li guessed,
"Perhaps Brother Liu is feeling sad because Miss Xue Ji rejected him."
Indeed, Liu Shinian loved Xue Ji so much,
yet he was rejected by her. It would be difficult for anyone to bear.
A Da tried to comfort him.
"Brother, if Xue Ji doesn't like you, you can look at others."
Liu Shinian replied dejectedly,
"Who else can I look at?"
"Well, for example, Miss Muye."
"Me?"
I was confused. Liu Shinian, such a playboy,
if I were to like him, he'd be dreaming.
Liu Shinian looked back at me dejectedly, then turned away helplessly and said,
"She, she's a better match for A Li. Not my type."
"Tch, you're not my type either."
I thought disdainfully in my heart.
A Li coughed lightly and comforted him,
"Brother Liu, do you need some quiet time?"
Liu Shinian nodded heavily and said slowly,
"Yes, tonight, don't disturb me. Let me be quiet by myself."
I didn't realize he was so serious about Xue Ji.
However, there's an old saying:
What you can't get, forever makes you restless.
I guessed he was like that, but he also seemed serious.
I really didn't know what he was thinking.
We three chatted for a while and then felt sleepy.
Unfortunately, there were no beds in this room, so we had to make do on the floor.
So, we all lay down on the floor in various positions and fell asleep.
Until the next morning.
A ray of sunlight, like a gentle call, shone in from the window,
falling on the faces of those lying on the floor.
A Li's eyes were hit by this light.
In his drowsy state, everything suddenly became bright.
He rubbed his eyes and woke up from his sleep.
Looking around, he saw that everyone else was still sound asleep.
Only one person was missing. He thought that after a night of sadness, he should be better today.
He slightly raised his head and saw someone standing by the balcony.
He slowly got up and walked over. Downstairs, it was still noisy.
He wondered what fun there would be tonight.
"Brother Liu, are you feeling better?"
A Li asked Liu Shinian.
Liu Shinian turned around, startling A Li.
"A ghost!!!"
Liu Shinian had two huge dark circles under his eyes, and his face was haggard.
My and A Da's voices were also woken up by this loud shout.
Rubbing our eyes, we asked confusedly,
"What's wrong?"
Then we slowly got up and walked towards the balcony.
As we hadn't fully woken up yet, we were scared half to death by the person in front of us, and we screamed repeatedly,
"A ghost!"
"A ghost!"
Liu Shinian looked at us speechlessly and said weakly,
"It's me, Liu Shinian."
I rubbed my eyes and looked closely. It was indeed him.
But why did he look like a hanged ghost without a tongue?
A Li asked him,
"Brother Liu, why do you look like this?"
A Da also asked curiously,
"Brother, you didn't sleep all night, did you?"
Liu Shinian sighed deeply and told us about his bitter suffering.
"I, Liu Shinian, a lifetime of romance, yet I was defeated by Xue Ji.
My love for her is like the endless flow of the Yellow River.
My affection for her is like the mountains and rivers, boundless.
But, why? Why won't she accept me, boo hoo."
As he spoke, he turned his back, covering his face and weeping.
I didn't expect him to think about this all night.
A Da carefully pulled me and A Li in and discussed with us,
"I think Brother is too deeply in love and can't get over it for now.
Since Xue Ji doesn't like him, let him like someone else."
"How can he like someone else?"
I asked curiously.
"Miss Muye, it's up to you."
"Me?"
A Li and I looked at each other in confusion.
A Da explained,
"You pretend to be in a relationship with Brother, and when he feels better, you reject him."
I glanced at A Li and asked,
"Is that okay?"
A Li coughed lightly and thought for a moment, then said,
"Well, this method isn't impossible.
Our most important goal right now is to find Zhang Tianshi.
Brother Liu is key to leading us in the search.
His sudden state is not beneficial to us, so let's try it."
Since A Li thought it was feasible, I decided to give it a try.
So, under their gaze, I slowly walked towards Liu Shinian.
Clearing my throat, I said to him,
"Liu Shinian, forget Xue Ji. You still have me."
Liu Shinian turned around in surprise, looking at me with confusion.
My face flushed slightly, and I said shyly,
"If you don't mind, you can be with me."
"Hahaha."
Liu Shinian seemed to hear something funny and pointed at me, laughing.
"Liu Muye, what's wrong with you? You've taken a liking to me?"
His laughter made my courage, which I had mustered, suddenly dwindle.
I stomped on him. Liu Shinian quickly jumped away, asking me cheerfully,
"Did you mean what you just said? You want to be my companion.
However, I regret to tell you that you can at most be my concubine.
Xue Ji will be the main wife."
I looked at him with utter contempt and raised my hand to hit him, saying resentfully,
"Who would be blind enough to like you? Dream on.
Just pretend you didn't hear anything and continue being sad."
With that, I turned back inside in anger.
Liu Shinian laughed heartily and shouted,
"Being my concubine, it's not a bad deal!"
I retorted angrily,
"Dream on!"
A Li and A Da couldn't help but laugh.
I guessed that the two of them were destined to be poles apart.
Liu Shinian wiped his face, regained his spirits, and walked in slowly, saying,
"Alright, let's go find Zhang Tianshi."
I snorted and walked out on my own.
Liu Shinian grabbed me and said,
"Why are you still angry? If you want to be the main wife, it's not impossible."
I was somewhat speechless, but still said,
"Forget it, I'd rather be a passerby. Your love is too heavy."
"Perhaps in the future, we can end up together."
"Dream on, who wants to be with you."
Saying that, I broke free from his hand and walked towards A Li.
Naturally, I linked my arm with his. This relationship needed no further explanation.
Anyone with eyes could see it.
A Da said helplessly in his heart,
"Your relationships are really messy."
"I guess today will be lucky."
Liu Shinian guessed as he walked.
A Da asked him in confusion,
"Brother, how do you know?"
"I'm guessing. I guess we'll definitely find Zhang Tianshi tonight."
I turned my face away disdainfully.
He said he was helping us find someone, but in the end, he was just enjoying himself.
I really didn't know if it was good or bad to have him here.
Then, led by Liu Shinian, we went downstairs.
We searched frantically again during the day, but found nothing.
Qianji Hall was too large, and Zhang Tianshi was too good at hiding.
It wasn't until night that we had some clues.
Suddenly, a man dressed simply, wearing a round hat, appeared out of nowhere.
He blocked our way and said respectfully,
"My lords and lady, you are today's fortunate ones.
You are fortunate to participate in our Hundred-Person Banquet. Here is your invitation, please follow me."
Liu Shinian took the invitation and boasted proudly,
"What did I say? We'd have good luck, right? How am I, impressive?"
"Impressive, impressive, you're the most impressive."
I replied perfunctorily with some dissatisfaction.
Although it felt a bit inexplicable,
we still followed the man, hoping to meet Zhang Tianshi.
The man led us to a dock.
In front of the dock was a vast, boundless ocean.
He took out a bell from his怀 and shook it towards the river,
making a "ding ding ding" sound.
Just as I was wondering what this was for,
suddenly, a brightly lit, magnificent passenger ship sailed over from the water.
Several people stood at the bow, chatting and laughing. It was Jin Yulan accompanied by several guests.
The ship docked, and the gangway was lowered for us to board.
Upon boarding, the ship's attendant collected the invitations and then led us into the ship.
Inside the ship was much larger than we had imagined.
It was like a large hall for banquets, with round tables of the same size.
Each round table had eight chairs, and each chair was already occupied by guests.
It was the same people from before, from "Thousand Year Dance," whom Jin Yulan had accompanied.
Xiao Si led us to the last table, near the stern of the ship, to be seated.
At this moment, the man spoke respectfully to A Da,
"Young Master Zhang, you are a VIP. Please follow me this way."
A Da looked at Liu Shinian, somewhat at a loss.
Liu Shinian saw his reluctance, patted his shoulder, and comforted him,
"It's alright, go ahead."
He nodded relaxedly and followed the man.
At this time, Jin Yulan arrived late.
He entered from the front door, followed by Zhang Tianshi and a few others.
Jin Yulan invited them to sit at the main table.
He stood up and faced everyone, saying calmly,
"All you righteous individuals are heroes from all corners of the land.
This time, the city lords have gathered to discuss important matters, and I, Jin Yulan, am honored to host you."
He paused, then changed the subject and continued,
"I believe you all have some idea of the reason.
Yes, it is about the matter of the Ten Thousand Ghost King a thousand years ago.
According to reports from scouts, recently there has been ghostly energy moving near Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain.
The former subordinates of the Ten Thousand Ghost King have also shown some activity.
Scouts have investigated several times, but without success.
It can be confirmed that
this disturbance is related to Ten Thousand Ghost Mountain, so you righteous individuals have been summoned to investigate.
I have prepared a humble banquet as a farewell feast.
Please do not be reserved and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
With that, he sat down, and the banquet officially began.
As the banquet commenced, rows of maids with light footsteps served plates of delicious and exquisite dishes.
Zhang Tianshi whispered something into Jin Yulan's ear.
Jin Yulan nodded in agreement, and he stood up and walked towards us.
Upon reaching us, he smiled and said,
"You've arrived."
"Tianshi."
A Li and I said in unison.
Zhang Tianshi patted the person next to me, who immediately understood and got up to go to another table.
He sat down and said to me,
"I can't help you for now. It will probably take a while longer."
He took out a bottle of red powder from his怀 and handed it to me, saying,
"If you need to contact me, write your letter, fold it into a paper crane, and sprinkle it with the red powder.
Just tell it to find Zhang Tianshi, and it will automatically come to me."
"Thank you, Tianshi."
I carefully accepted it.
Suddenly, a cold hand lifted my chin and turned it to the side.
I met a handsome and cold, beautiful face.
The person was Jin Yulan. He smiled slightly, like ice and snow peach blossoms.
He opened his mouth and said,
"A good-looking beauty."
Slightly startled, I moved away from his hand.
He held a wine cup in one hand and a fan in the other, smiling slightly.
"You are Liu Muye?"
I was a little surprised that he recognized me. I nodded and replied,
"Yes."
He glanced to the side, his gaze meeting Liu Shinian's, and asked jokingly,
"Isn't this Liu Shinian? Why is he still here?"
Liu Shinian didn't stand on ceremony with him and said directly,
"I want to be."
"Ah, you are indeed a persistent ghost."
"Likewise."
They started bickering as soon as they met, and outsiders couldn't easily intervene.
He raised his hand, and immediately someone brought a chair and placed it next to me.