The elegant and exclusive atmosphere on the second floor was even more refined than the first, though it lacked the variety of snacks. Several low tables were set up, already laden with abundant and exquisite dishes. The two martial brothers following upstairs glanced at the seating arrangement and found there were only nine tables, each with just one chair.
The guests and host present, including the hostess, numbered exactly nine. The half-demon swinging a tiger tail was obviously an attendant and could not sit as an equal to the masters. The number of guests for this dinner had been reached, with no one else to come.
The two martial brothers exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat puzzled. They had already learned from the waiter that the young master Liang was a distinguished guest invited by the proprietress, Lian Yu. Could it be that the others who drew the lots happened to be gang leaders or the like?
Or was it their own ignorance, and were there simply many gang leaders staying here? As the host, Lian Yu, who was turning to invite the guests to their seats, noticed the confusion of the two martial brothers and asked, “Is it just us here?”
Hearing this, Liang Ban waved his folding fan and teased, “Lian Yu, you are hosting a dinner, yet you do not even know how many guests are attending?”
Hu Niu quickly cooperated and gestured to the two martial brothers, explaining, “Very few people drew the lots this time. After the drawing, only the two of them were successful.”
The two martial brothers exchanged another glance, both surprised. So only the two of them had drawn the lots, meaning the others were guests originally invited by the proprietress, and only they were unexpected additions.
Speaking of this unexpected addition, the two martial brothers knew in their hearts it was not entirely accidental. If they had not cheated, there would probably have been only one person who drew the lot.
At this moment, Mu Aotie felt even more superfluous, though he showed no abnormality on the surface, maintaining his cold demeanour.
The gang leaders who were regulars in Tianji Mountain did not mind, as they knew the proprietress of Shixin Residence frequently organised such lottery banquets.
Lian Yu made an “oh” sound, raised both hands, and invited, “All who come are guests, regardless of status or wealth. Please, sit wherever you like.”
Although she said sit wherever they liked, she herself gracefully walked to the seat of honour and sat down. No one would be so tactless as to rush and take the host’s seat.
The nine seats were arranged closely together, forming a square with one side missing. Three were placed side by side on the north, west, and south, leaving a gap on the east, perfectly allowing the host and guests to look out and enjoy the night view.
At this time, the night sky in the east was gradually revealing a brilliant galaxy, with occasional streaks of light flickering in the shadowy Tianji Mountain. Thus, the west became the direction of the seat of honour, and it was only natural for Lian Yu to sit at the table in the very centre. Liang Ban, fanning himself with his folding fan, was not polite at all. He moved close to Lian Yu and sat on her left.
The others did not have his confidence and took their seats in the rows to the north and south. Yu Qing naturally did the same.
After most of the group had sat down, they suddenly noticed that the seat to the right of Lian Yu was empty. Were there not exactly nine seats for nine people? How could there be an empty seat?
Some people raised their heads and swept their gaze towards Yu Qing’s side. The people sitting on Yu Qing’s side, including Yu Qing himself, all looked back. They saw Mu Aotie standing expressionlessly behind Yu Qing. Before anyone had noticed him, a trace of imperceptible embarrassment had flashed across Mu Aotie’s face. By the time people noticed him, that trace of embarrassment had been covered by his cold expression.
Everyone else was a gang leader or similar, while he was nothing. Therefore, he had not squeezed to the front to sit, remaining at the very back of the crowd. He wanted to follow Yu Qing to sit as usual, but being a step slow led to being steps slow. Someone had already plonked down next to Yu Qing. When he tried to move to another seat, he found everyone else was also taking their seats at a leisurely pace. This instantly left him stranded, making it difficult for him to move his feet. There was indeed another seat available, right next to Lian Yu, but what kind of seat was that? He did not believe he was qualified to go and sit there. Thus, the current scene appeared.
Coincidentally, Yu Qing had not yet realised what was happening and blurted out, “Why are you standing behind me? Go sit down.”
After saying this, he felt that this guy, Old Nine, was being a bit baffling. After going through some things, he had gradually started to change. Before coming, they had agreed on everything. How could he suddenly revert to his earlier unpleasant demeanour?
Fortunately, the host issued an invitation in time. Lian Yu gestured with her right hand towards the seat beside her and invited with a smile, “If you do not mind, please sit here.” Mu Aotie did not let anyone see his embarrassment. He stepped forward briskly, accepted the invitation, and went directly around to sit on the right of Lian Yu.
Although he had found a seat, he could still see that his presence here was out of place. The hostess in the seat of honour, Lian Yu, was dressed in pale green, full of charm and captivating beauty. The noble young master on her left was dressed in snow-white, a handsome and elegant gentleman.
And what about him? Leaving aside his appearance, he not only lacked status, but his clothes were also of ordinary material, inferior to those of the others. Well, he could not say they were worse than everyone’s. He looked at Yu Qing. The clothes Yu Qing wore were bought together with his.
The clothes here were simply too expensive, ridiculously so. The two of them could not bear to spend that unjust money, so they bought the cheapest kind. The material and workmanship were naturally very, very ordinary. In other words, the clothes he and Yu Qing wore were equally cheap. Yet, looking at Old Fifteen’s behaviour, he was curiously examining the novel wine and dishes before him, seemingly completely unaware that he did not match the standard of the people here.
This unworldly appearance of Old Fifteen made him feel that bringing him out was somewhat embarrassing. He was afraid that he himself would be looked down upon by association. With this kind of behaviour, how could he have the nerve to come here to execute a honey trap? Was he here to make a fool of himself?
Because he noticed that Lian Yu seemed to be observing Old Fifteen’s reactions.
After briefly observing Yu Qing, Lian Yu turned her gaze to Mu Aotie beside her and asked with a smile, “May I ask the honoured names of you two?”
She naturally knew the names the two martial brothers used in the Tianji Mountain area. This was purely asking what she already knew.
Hearing this, Yu Qing raised his eyes, about to answer. Who would have expected Mu Aotie, with a cold face and looking straight ahead, to blurt out, “Insignificant people, not worth mentioning!”
What? Yu Qing was almost shocked out of his wits by these words. He really wanted to ask him, Brother, what are you doing? You will not even tell them your name, and you act like you want nothing to do with strangers. What happened to the honey trap you were supposed to execute?
The whole room was also stunned. On the proprietress’s own territory, to be so disrespectful. What kind of background did this person have? Lian Yu was indeed taken aback by these words and was very surprised.
Hu Niu quickly stepped forward, leaned over beside Lian Yu, and smoothed things over. “This one is named Zhang Sui, and that one is named Zhu Qing.”
She was referring to the names the two had registered under at the inn.
The other onlookers thought for a moment and seemed to have never heard of these two figures.
Lian Yu made an “oh” sound, her face full of smiles again. “So it is Brother Zhang and Brother Zhu. My apologies, my apologies.”
Perhaps she was treating them with hospitality based on the attitude that all who come are guests and could tolerate it. Who would have known that Liang Ban, fanning himself nearby, seemed unable to stand it. He gave a cold, insincere snort and said sarcastically, “Since you know you are not worth mentioning and are unwilling to show respect, why come to this banquet at all? Who are you pulling this long face for, acting so baffling?”
Hearing these words, Mu Aotie stood up abruptly without hesitation. Yu Qing was greatly alarmed, afraid he would lose his temper.
Who would have known that Mu Aotie did not say a single word. He was just that cold. He directly moved away from his seat and strode away under the gaze of everyone.
What did this mean? The stunned crowd quickly reacted. Was he leaving directly? What was going on? Had they misunderstood something? Everyone looked at each other. Lian Yu’s delicate mouth was slightly open. The charming expression on her face was gone, replaced by a look of bewilderment. Was he not supposed to be deliberately trying to get close to her?
Liang Ban was also a bit confused. He ran off without a word. Had his own voice just chased away the host’s guest?
Yu Qing was also dumbfounded, not knowing what kind of fit this guy, Old Nine, was throwing again. They had agreed on everything. Regardless of whether it would succeed or not, it had not even started yet. He had not even tasted the delicious food on the table, and he had already ruined the scene himself. What kind of nonsense was this?
Since he had come with an ulterior motive, he quickly stood up and tried to salvage the situation, saying, “I will go see what he is doing. You all start without me.” Bowing repeatedly to apologise, he turned and hurriedly trotted away.
Lian Yu could not figure out what was going on. Her gaze also fell on Liang Ban, and she sighed. “Young Master Liang, I am hosting a dinner. What does it mean that you chased my guest away? Chasing a guest away right at the start of the banquet…”
Liang Ban was somewhat embarrassed but remained disdainful. “He did not give you face, so why did you invite him? Let him go. If he has any objections, let him come to me. I will also see which reckless fool has so much personality.”
“Sigh.” Lian Yu sighed melancholically. She could not say much more about this person. She turned her head and gestured to Hu Niu.
Hu Niu immediately went quickly.
Lian Yu then said to everyone, “Everyone, I am truly sorry. How about we wait a little longer?” This was the first time in her life she had encountered such a bizarre situation.
The crowd exchanged glances, wondering if he would even come back. However, they all nodded and agreed, indicating they were willing to wait a little longer. Only Liang Ban, who remained silent, continued to wave his folding fan, still looking disdainful.
Yu Qing finally caught up with Mu Aotie and grabbed his arm. Mu Aotie, however, shook off his arm and refused, insisting on leaving.
Yu Qing glared at him and looked left and right. Seeing an inn waiter nearby, it was not convenient to speak. So, he directly asked the waiter for a private place and forcibly dragged Mu Aotie into a small stone room to talk.
Hu Niu soon arrived here as well. Finding no one, she asked a nearby waiter, “Which way did the two people who just came out go?” The waiter quickly pointed and answered, “They asked for the small parlour over there. It seems they have private matters to discuss.”
Hu Niu immediately walked towards that small parlour. However, she had not taken a few steps when she suddenly paused. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she abruptly turned around, quickly slipping away to another place.
The small parlour, carved out of a single piece of stone, contained a long table with the Four Treasures of the Study ready for use at any time, resembling a desk. There were also a few chairs and tea tables around, along with some elegant furnishings.
In a place where everything could be seen at a glance, there was nothing complex. Yu Qing quickly and hurriedly checked the room. After confirming no one was hiding, he pulled the silent Mu Aotie and asked in a low voice, “What are you doing?”
Mu Aotie said indifferently, “I am not doing anything. Since they are not welcome, why stay?”