As they walked away, laughing and chatting, to buy the materials I needed, I shook my head and gave a wry smile. I wasn't sure if what I was doing was right. Huang San wasn't my spirit pet or a family immortal. Now, using such deceptive tactics to help him chase his wife, I wondered if my karma would increase after death.
Shaking off the chaotic thoughts in my mind, I went up to the third floor, intending to ask Chen Yun where I would be sleeping tonight. The first floor, with its ear-piercing music, would surely drive me mad. The second floor, while slightly better than the first, was still limited.
Especially in the latter half of the night, the second floor was frequented by "bosses" of status, accompanied by their entourages. They'd swagger in, their voices already booming before they even arrived, as if advertising their wealth.
As soon as I reached the third-floor stairs, before even entering the room, I was stopped by the same waitress I'd met earlier. With a respectful expression, she said, "Our manager said that if you wish to rest, you can go to the second floor. The third floor is not permitted."
I frowned, looking at her in confusion and asking, "Why?" I knew the third floor was quiet, making it the best choice for a good rest. Unless I wasn't staying here today, but I had promised Chen Yun that I would protect her. If I wasn't here, how could I protect her in case of any sudden situation? Wouldn't that be like slapping myself in the face?
"I don't know, but that's what the manager instructed. Perhaps it's a matter of gender distinction?" The waitress winked at me, speaking thoughtfully, her expression laced with a hint of confusion and bewilderment. She couldn't understand why so many people pursued her manager – bosses, white-collar workers, even those who had studied abroad… but she wasn't interested in any of them. How could she have taken a liking to a mere boy of eighteen or nineteen, who looked not only poor but also lacked taste?
I felt a bit unnerved by the waitress's gaze. It wasn't easy for an eighteen-year-old young man to be stared at so intently by a beautiful woman in her early twenties. I doubted anyone could remain unfazed.
Finally, I relented under the waitress's gaze and said with a cold expression, "Then where will I be resting tonight?"
"Our manager has already made arrangements. You are to go to the easternmost corner of the second floor. There are special guest rooms there. Rest assured, it's very quiet, with no noise. You're guaranteed a good night's sleep."
I had no objections to this. Where I slept didn't matter, as long as it was quiet. It was only for one day anyway. After tomorrow, even if they begged me on their knees, I wouldn't stay.
The guest room was quiet. I could still hear some noise, but it was much better than the first floor. Based on my earlier reconnaissance, this seemed to be the bar's warehouse.
Seeing the waitress about to leave, I quickly called her back and instructed her, "When Xiao Yun and the others return, tell them to come find me directly."
The waitress nodded, acknowledging my request. She promised to have Xiao Yun come find me immediately upon her return, then turned and left with a cheerful sway of her hips.
Lying on the bed, my mind wandered through various thoughts. At one moment, I considered where else I could find money to quickly gather the funds my master needed. At another, I worried about my father, hoping he was well. As I thought, I drifted into a confused sleep.
*Bang, bang—*
I was jolted awake by a series of urgent knocks. Dragging my slippers, I grudgingly went to open the door. Anyone would be displeased if their dream date with a beautiful woman was interrupted.
As soon as the door opened, before I could even yell, the person knocking spoke first, their words rapid and hurried. If it were someone older, they might not have understood a word.
"Young Master Song, save me! I beg you, hurry and save Xiao Yun!" Huang San cried out in anguish, then dropped to his knees with a thud.
Huang San was covered in filth, his clothes stained with black and red patches, some areas showing scratch marks. His left arm was slung around his neck with a strip of tattered cloth. Sudan Fiction Network.
Seeing Huang San's disheveled state startled me. He had left in good condition, and in such a short time, he had returned in such a sorry state. Judging by the signs on his body, it seemed he had been in a fierce battle.
I helped the kneeling Huang San up and poured him a glass of water, urging him to calm down and speak slowly. If it was Xiao Yun's destiny to face this tribulation, then there was nothing that could be done. Even if I flew there on a rocket now, what was meant to happen would have already happened, and what wasn't meant to happen wouldn't change with worry. The most important thing now was for me to know what had happened to Huang San and the others at the ghost market.
After drinking the water, Huang San's tense expression eased slightly, but he still appeared anxious. I knew he was worried. Since they had let him return, it meant they wouldn't trouble Xiao Yun, and perhaps there was still a chance for a turnaround.
"After we finished buying things at the ghost market, we were robbed by the Hu family. They also captured Xiao Yun and threatened that you must come to rescue her personally. If you don't arrive before dawn, you'll face the consequences…"
After listening to Huang San's account, I frowned deeply. How could the Hu family be so well-informed? I had just agreed to be Chen Yun's bodyguard for a day, and shortly after, the Hu family had already set their sights on Huang San. Their speed was too astonishing!
"Did the Hu family say anything else besides telling me to come rescue them? For example, did they demand anything from Chen Yun?"
Huang San shook his head and said, "They didn't say anything else, just that you must come in person to retrieve her, or they would turn Xiao Yun back into her original form. Young Master Song, you will go save Xiao Yun, right?"
Looking at Huang San's hopeful expression, I was momentarily unsure how to answer. Saving Xiao Yun was not a problem, but what about Chen Yun? If the Hu family came during the day, Chen Yun would surely be unable to handle them.
But if I didn't save Xiao Yun, Huang San's love would be lost. Given his personality after transforming into human form, wouldn't he impulsively try to rescue her himself? If he also got into trouble, it would be a loss.
After a moment of hesitation, I said to Huang San, "We'll go save Xiao Yun first. Don't tell Chen Yun about this. Let's make it quick."
Huang San's face lit up with joy. He thanked me profusely, even promising to let me be the godfather of their future children. The thought of being a godfather to a weasel made me feel dizzy. Wasn't that like an old man hanging himself, thinking his life was too long? However, I could understand his feelings, so I didn't say anything more.
When we reached the first floor, most of the lively dancers had already left. The remaining few were mostly drunk, lying on chairs or slumped over the bar, fast asleep. Seven or eight waiters were cleaning up.
Just as we were about to leave, someone called out "Wait a moment" from behind us. Turning around, I saw it was Chen Yun, holding a small bag, hurrying down the stairs.
"Why aren't you resting upstairs? We're hungry and planning to go out for a late-night snack." The moment Huang San saw Chen Yun, he hid behind me, afraid she would see his disheveled state and question Xiao Yun's whereabouts.
"There's no need to hide it from me. Their phone call has already reached me. They want me to bring the documents and go with you to exchange for Xiao Yun."