Chapter 33: A Loud and Clear Shout

Qian Cheng stammered and stuttered, he struggled to string his words together.

“Say it!” Gu Qingyu commanded in a stern voice. All of a sudden, she felt like a mother scolding her disobedient child.

“Okay…” Qian Cheng seemed desperate. “Actually I had long felt that green-robed man was coming!” He was referring to Qi Wan.

Long felt?

Gu Qingyu glared towards Qi Wan. “What does he mean by ‘long felt’?”

Qi Wan wiped the sweat off his brow and looked at the sky. “Um, Boss, the weather is really nice today!”

As he said that, a few streaks of lightning flashed in the sky, followed by rumbles of thunder.

“Yes, indeed, the weather is so good today.” Gu Qingyu was not laughing.

“Um...That…” Qi Wan’s eyes darted left and right. “Ah! My head! Why do I feel so dizzy?!”

Gu Qingyu walked over and stretched out her hand, “Come, let me rub it for you, sweetie.”

“Naaah!’ Qi Wan’s body shook. “Boss, the moment you stretched out your hand, my waist stopped feeling sore, my legs feel fine and my head doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Gu Qingyu raised her eyebrows and rubbed in between her brows. “Do I need to help you with stopping your heart as well?”

“Nonononono…” Qi Wan looked like sobbing, the devilishly handsome face was eager to placate her. “Boss, please! Spare me!”

Now, the roles had swapped between Qian Cheng and Qi Wan.

“It’s going to rain, Zhu Fan.” Qian Cheng walked over and tugged on Gu Qingyu’s sleeve. “You have a cold. Let’s all go in, the wind is strong outside.”

“Strong winds?” Gu Qingyu asked in mock surprise, “You knew about the strong winds?”

“I…” Qian Cheng felt that no amount of explanation would save him.

“You’re denying it?” Gu Qingyu glared. “I’m adding that to your list of crimes!” Denial? Alright, he will shut up. Qian Cheng stopped talking from then on.

“Hmm?” Gu Qingyu spoke again, “Nothing to say? You’re not explaining?! Silence means admittance, you know?!”

Qian Cheng’s mouth was agape.What should he say? Anything he said was considered as denial, but keeping his mouth shut meant confession?! Qian Cheng could cry.

“Pff.” Qi Wan could not hold in his giggles.

“Oh, my dear little Qi Wan…” Gu Qingyu’s voice was soft and smooth.“What are you laughing about?”

“Boss…” If Qi Wan heard correctly, his own voice was shaking. “I didn’t say anything! I didn’t laugh either!”

“Oh, then there’s something wrong with my hearing?” Gu Qingyu’s voice became even smoother.

Qi Wan nodded furiously, then desperately shook his head. “Nonono, I laughed!”

“Oh? You admit it?” Gu QIngyu smiled at the sad Qi Wan. “My boy, you look so cute!”

“Ah, haha, is that so, Boss?” Qi Wan then realized what he just said and his body shook, “Nonono, I’m not as cute as you though, Boss!”

“Oh?” Gu Qingyu raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly pleased with what he said, “Hahaha! That’s right!”

“Yes, yes!” Qi Wan nodded immediately. “Ah! My lovely, kind, beautiful, generous, handsome, bright and stunning Boss! Oh! Your beautiful face truly touches my heart!”

“Yes.” Gu Qingyu nodded, enjoying all this. She did not have any punishment in mind for Qi Wan anyway, thus she decided to let him off.

“Cough!” Qian Cheng did a few fake coughs. “Ah...The...The beautiful and lovely…”

“You shut up.” Gu Qingyu gave him a cold glare.

Qian Cheng blinked, confused. He started the sentence like Qi Wan, why did she cut him off?

Gu Qingyu critiqued with an expressionless face, “Your words are not descriptive enough and the emotions behind your exclamation must be stronger! Again!”

“Ah! My beautiful and lovely...Um, kind and generous…”

“Stop!” Gu Qingyu waved again. “Again!”

“Ah! My beautiful…”

“Again!”

“Ah! My…”

“Again!”

“Ah!”

Qi Wan almost fell over with laughter as he watched this. He still preferred the modern sense of humour. Gu Qingyu laughed as well, but it was a malicious laugh that grew from teasing others.

“Ok, ok!” Gu Qingyu did a big clap. “That will do!”

“Ah? Really?” Qian Cheng almost could not believe it, he was so happy that he could do a jig.

“No, it isn’t.” Gu Qingyu caved and decided to stop teasing Qian Cheng. “But since you’re having such a tough time, we will do this later!”

“Ah!” Qian Cheng’s screams echoed throughout the streets.

“Boss, it’s really going to pour soon…” Qi Wan looked up at the sky, then he glanced at Qian Cheng who was still screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Actually, today is the Lantern Festival right?” Gu Qingyu sniffed, then obediently went towards her room. Qian Cheng remained at his spot, unsure if he should move.

“Yes, Boss.” Qi Wan shot Gu Qingyu with a beaming smile. “Whatever you want, I’ll buy it, Boss!”

“There’s no need, let everyone rest here for another day. I want to enjoy this for a bit more!” Gu Qingyu grinned at Qi Wan.

Qi Wan stood at attention and saluted. “Yes, Sir!”

Gu Qingyu smiled, pleased. “Yep, I’ll rest for a bit in my room, call me at night!”

“Em...Boss, you sleep a lot!” Qi Wan touched his forehead.

“Ah? What did you say? Say it again?” Gu Qingyu’s eyebrows jumped.

“Ah! I’m wrong, Boss!” Qi Wan immediately did a standard 90º bow. “Boss, you’re kind, beautiful, generous, generous and lovely! You must sleep well and maintain your beauty!”

Gu Qingyu nodded in agreement. “Yes, you’re right, my subject!”

Qi Wan opened Gu Qingyu’s door for her. “Please, Boss!”

Gu Qingyu then walked in with the flair of a noble lady. The door was then closed gently by Qi Wan.

Gu Qingyu rubbed her temples. She laid on her bed, pulled the blanket over her eyes and entered the spirit world.

Things looked different from before, Yan Zun did not lie in his usual fiery red lounge but was enjoying himself in a big hot spring, resting with his eyes closed.

Gu Qingyu, at a loss for words, watched him. “Master!”

“Yes, my disciple.” For some reason, Yan Zun seemed to be in an exceptional mood today. He smiled with an incredibly devious smile. “Today is the Lantern Festival, right? You can go out and have fun first, then come back to me after that.”

“What? More things to do? What do you want this time?” Gu Qingyu was disappointed.

This piece of rock! He only rewards me when he has favours to ask!

“Oh, just go for a walk.” Yan Zun stood up from the hot spring. His flaming red robes clung onto his skin, accentuated the muscles on his arms, his legs, his torso. His silky hair trickled down, his narrowed eyes were truly like the devil.

Yan Zun looked at Gu Qingyu in disgust. “Nosebleed.”

“Ah?” Gu Qingyu covered her nose in a hurry.This piece of rock!

When she opened her eyes again, it was nightfall. Gu Qingyu rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up. She climbed out of bed and opened the window. Indeed, there was a small drizzle. But warm bright lights scattered in the streets, their yellow and orange glow chased away the chill. The rain did not dampen the joyful energy of the festivities. Gu Qingyu yawned as she opened the door, and saw Qi Yichen whose hand hung awkwardly in the air.

“Oh, you’re awake?” Qi Yichen gave a dashing smile. But his next line irritated Gu Qingyu. “I thought you were buried in your blankets and would not wake up ever again!”

“Hahahaha.” Gu Qingyu gritted her teeth, “Don’t worry, I would make sure you don’t wake again before I do!”

“So fierce…” Baby Qi was annoyed. “Brother Zhu, you scared me!”

“Are you ready? Let’s go.” Murong Zuoyu stepped out of his room.

“Yeah,” Gu Qingyu saw Mo Bai and Xiao Qi walked towards them. “Then again, where’s Jia Qizhe and Qi Wan?”

“Jia Qizhe said he was not feeling well, so he’s resting in his room.” Mo Bai took over the conversation. His tone was gentle and he gave a reassuring smile. “I took a look, he’ll be fine.”

“Ok…” Gu Qingyu nodded as if she were in thought.

“Qi Wan has already left, we don’t know where he went though.” Xiao Qi licked her lips out of nervous habit as she walked next to Gu Qingyu.

“Then, let’s go.” Gu Qingyu took a look at Jia Qizhe’s closed door before they left the tavern.

Outside the tavern, it was even busier than usual. Stalls had set up tents to avoid the rain, people filled the streets. Suddenly the crowd quieted down, they all made way and opened a path. Then, over a hundred ladies dressed in bright red walked as a parade. They raised the baton-like object in their hands towards the sky. Fireworks bloomed in the rainy sky.

‘Boss, Happy Lantern Festival!’

Gu Qingyu laughed and smiled in surprise.

Qi Wan walked out from the parade of ladies. “How’s that? Are you very pleased with that?”

Gu Qingyu nodded in a daze. Qi Wan smiled even wider. “Are you excited?”

Gu Qingyu continued to nod. Qi Wan laughed out loud. “Do you want to marry me?”

“...Get lost!” Gu Qingyu caught herself in time. “You damn playboy!”

Mo Bai narrowed his eyes with great displeasure, as he shot daggers at Qi Wan with his eyes. His expression was very intimidating.

Gu Qingyu did not see Mo Bai’s expression but Murong Zuoyu did. He lowered his eyes to the ground as if sinking into his thoughts.

“Huh?” Qi Yichen blinked.

Gu Qingyu smiled. “You see. Playboy literally means that you are superb at games... and a man among men!”

“Huh, how could I accept such praise from Brother Zhu?” Qi Yichen covered his face in feigned embarrassment. “But, Brother Zhu, why have I never heard of that before?”

"It’s a saying from my hometown!” Gu Qingyu nodded, pleased.