Chapter 24: Chapter 24 - Roommates
The boy wore a troubled expression while the girl stood firm, eyes locked on him as if pleading—insisting they must have only one room. Just moments ago, she'd looked so wary.
The front desk lady, watching the scene unfold, felt a pang of envy in her heart.
Ah, young love.
Still, she wasn't quite pleased with how dense the boy seemed. Just days ago, a cocky blonde youth had easily sweet-talked a pair of twin girls into believing there was only one room left. This boy, though? He asked for two rooms. Did he not see how cute the girl was?
Hopeless.
Sighing to herself and glancing at the heavy pouch of gold spirit coins, the receptionist made a quick decision: "Let me help this clueless kid out."
She smiled and said with feigned regret, "I'm so sorry... It seems we only have one room left."
The girl's eyes lit up instantly. Lifting her snowy chin with a proud glint, she declared, "Looks like I'll have to suffer a bit tonight! "
The receptionist stifled a laugh. These two might not realize it yet, but something's already blossoming between them. At least the girl seemed aware—though the boy… probably just too proud to admit it.
The boy, Han Feng, rolled his eyes the moment the receptionist spoke. One room? In the largest inn in Soto City's busiest district? As if.
He ignored the bag of coins entirely—having grown up spoiled by Zhang Lingling, Han Feng still had no concept of money in this world.
Still, he didn't call the lie out. It wasn't a big deal either way. And since the pink-haired girl agreed, why make a fuss? Han Feng might be a straight-laced guy, but he wasn't dead inside.
As he took the room key, the girl started lecturing him immediately:
"Just so you know, even if it's one room, don't you dare get any funny ideas! "
Han Feng didn't hold back either. "Front and back haven't filled out, breath still smells like milk—who'd even think about it? "
The girl ignored him, rattling on: "Also, I need absolute silence when I sleep. If you snore or grind your teeth, I'll smother you with a pillow! "
Han Feng replied, "Then if you snore or grind your teeth, do I get to smother you? "
She continued, "The bed is mine. You can sleep on the floor. Out of the kindness of my heart, I'll let you use a pillow."
Han Feng: "To smother me with, right? Why not take the sofa instead? Seems more dignified than the floor."
Girl: "You're not allowed within ten meters of my sleeping zone. If you cross the line, I'll—I'll... Never mind! Just don't get close! "
Han Feng: "…"
Girl: "Oh, and if your feet stink, don't take off your shoes! "
Han Feng, exasperated: "Were you even listening to me? Why not just ask for two rooms from the start? There's only two of us—we can't even play a proper card game! "
Clearly, she wasn't listening. Or maybe she was just filtering him out entirely.
She strode into the room first. Han Feng sighed and followed.
Then, to his dismay, she immediately drew a line down the room floor, dividing it into an 80/20 split—hers being the 80, of course.
Han Feng clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Finally, she turned around and smugly said, "You should be grateful! From now on, you can go around bragging that you once shared a room with Ning Rongrong. I promise it'll make you famous! "
Han Feng fired back instantly, "You think I wanted to share a room with you? Weren't you the one who pressured the receptionist into lying? I should've been sleeping on a big, comfy bed, and now I'm stuck with a sofa! And you want me to feel lucky? Worried it might ruin your marriage prospects later? Because I'm already embarrassed! "
He scoffed. "Even if you're Ning Rongrong—wait. What did you just say your name was!? "
Han Feng froze.
Pink hair. Rank 20+. Girl. Soto City. Noble demeanor…
As he pieced it together, Ning Rongrong simply folded her arms and watched with amusement, her smirk growing deeper as realization dawned on him.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Ning Rongrong. Scared now? "
Seeing his reaction, she smiled sweetly—the signature smile of a mischievous little witch.
Han Feng gulped.
Ning Rongrong… the beloved little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, doted on by two Title Douluos.
She might've run off alone, but Han Feng had no doubt there were at least two Soul Kings secretly tailing her.
He thought about the fact that he'd just threatened her—and made her cry.
If Gu Rong or Chen Xin found out, wouldn't they turn him to dust?
If they learned he even shared a room with her... He'd be lucky if they scattered his ashes into the sea!
"Miss Ning! Goodbye! I'll take my leave! "
Panic-stricken, Han Feng spun on his heel to escape.
"Stop right there! "Ning Rongrong shouted. "If you walk out that door, I'll tell my dad and my two grandpas everything! Both my grandpas are Title Douluos, by the way! "
Han Feng didn't even slow down. Just as he reached for the door, Ning Rongrong lunged and tackled him.
"Why are you running!? It's not like I'll eat you! What, scared of a couple of Title Douluos? "
Han Feng forced a smile more painful than a grimace. "Young miss, you might not say anything—but your guards definitely will! I'll be vaporized before dawn! "
At that, Ning Rongrong's expression shifted. "What guards? I snuck out alone. Nobody knows I'm here."
Han Feng paused and gave her a long, doubtful stare. "Miss... With those basic-level stealth skills of yours, you think you fooled a Title Douluo? "
Just as he said that, her eyes sharpened. "Come out."
No response.
"If you don't show yourselves, I'll tell Grandpa Sword you abandoned your post! "
"Miss!"
Two figures emerged at last.
Ning Rongrong blushed furiously. "Listen up! Not a word about Han Feng to my dad or my grandpas! Or I swear, when I get home, I'll make your lives miserable! "
The two guards exchanged glances and hesitated.
"Did you hear me!? "
"Yes, Miss! "
"Good. You're dismissed! "
As they vanished again, she turned to Han Feng. "There. Satisfied? "
But Han Feng didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked, "Young miss… what exactly do you want from me? "
Ning Rongrong smiled slyly. "Nothing much. Remember what I said before we checked in? Repeat it word-for-word. If you mess up even one syllable, I'll add one more demand. But if you say it perfectly... Let's call it even."
Han Feng: "…"