Han Feng wore a face full of frustration, while the girl in front of him stared back with unwavering determination—as if silently demanding they share a single room. This, despite how cautious and defensive she had been just moments ago.
The young lady at the front desk watched the interaction between the teenage boy and girl, a hint of envy in her eyes.
Ah... this must be what youth feels like.
Still, she couldn't help but be a bit annoyed. This boy is way too dense.
Just a few days earlier, a cocky blond youth had swaggered in with twin girls at his side. With just a few sweet words, he had the sisters believing the entire inn had only one room available.
But this guy? He was practically begging for two rooms! Was the girl beside him not attractive enough?
What an idiot.
With a quiet sigh and a glance at the pouch full of gold soul coins on the counter, the receptionist made up her mind: Let big sis help this clueless boy out a bit.
"I'm really sorry," she said with a smile, "but it turns out we only have one room left..."
The girl's eyes immediately lit up, her expression triumphantly proud as she raised her chin and said, "Looks like I'll have to graciously suffer through this tonight!"
The receptionist chuckled inwardly. These two might not realize it yet, but there's definitely something blooming between them. At least the girl's feelings are obvious. As for the boy...
With a beauty like that beside him, how could he not feel anything? He must be too proud—or just too stubborn to show it.
A knowing smile tugged at her lips.
Meanwhile, Han Feng rolled his eyes hard enough to see his own soul. Only one room left? In the biggest inn, in the busiest part of Soto City?
As for the bag of coins? Han Feng ignored it completely. Spoiled by Zhang Lingling all his life, he still had no clear concept of money in the Douluo world...
Still, even though he saw through the lie, he didn't bother to call it out. After all, it didn't hurt him any. And since the pink-haired girl agreed so quickly, why should he act reserved?
Han Feng was straightforward—he liked girls, not saints.
Taking the room key, the girl started chattering non-stop as they walked.
"I'm warning you, even if it's one room, don't even think about trying anything!"
Han Feng didn't hold back, retorting flatly, "Who'd want to, anyway? Flat in the front, still wet behind the ears—what could possibly tempt me?"
She ignored the jab completely. "Also, I can't stand any noise when I sleep. If you snore or grind your teeth, I'll smother you with a pillow!"
Han Feng replied, "And if you snore or grind your teeth, can I smother you too?"
"The bed's mine, by the way. You sleep on the floor. I'll be generous and lend you a pillow."
"...To smother me with, right? And why the floor? Isn't the couch more comfortable?"
"My sleeping area extends ten meters in all directions. If you even think about crossing the line, I'll... I'll... Never mind! Just don't!"
"…"
"Oh, and if your feet stink, you're not allowed to take off your shoes!"
Han Feng sighed, "Are you even listening to me? If you're going to be this picky, why didn't you insist on two rooms from the start? With just the two of us, we can't even play cards, you know?"
Clearly, the girl hadn't been listening—or maybe she had some magical ability to filter out anything inconvenient.
She opened the door and walked straight in. Han Feng, helpless, followed behind.
To his dismay, the moment she entered, she pulled out a chalk and drew a line on the floor, dividing the room—80% for her, 20% for him.
Han Feng clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Strangely enough, all the ranting he did earlier had gone completely ignored, but that one sound? She heard it loud and clear.
"You don't have to look so annoyed," she said proudly. "In the future, you can go around telling people you once shared a room with Ning Rongrong. That alone should make you famous!"
Han Feng didn't even blink before firing back with sarcasm: "Oh please. You think I wanted to share a room with you? Wasn't it you who forced the front desk lady into giving us just one room? I could be sleeping on a plush bed right now—but no, I get the couch. And now you expect me to brag about this to people? Girl, your confidence is something else. Aren't you worried no one will want to marry you in the future? Even I'm blushing just thinking about it!"
"And even if you are Ning Rongrong, so what? It's not like you're—wait... what did you just say your name was!?"
Suddenly, something clicked in Han Feng's mind: pink hair, Soul Master, noble aura, Soto City... a spoiled young lady!
Ning Rongrong didn't react to his earlier barrage of sarcasm. Instead, she crossed her arms and looked at him smugly. When his expression changed dramatically, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes—just as she had planned.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Ning Rongrong. Scared now?"
From Han Feng's expression, it was clear he knew exactly who she was. She flashed a dazzling, little-devil smile.
Han Feng gulped hard.
This was Ning Rongrong... the heiress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—backed by two doting Titled Douluos!
She may look alone, but Han Feng was sure at least two Soul Kings were hiding nearby to protect her.
And he'd threatened her... and made her cry!?
If Gu Rong and Chen Xin ever found out, they'd skin him alive!
And if they discovered he'd shared a room with her?
They'd scatter his ashes to the wind.
"Miss Ning! Hello! Miss Ning, goodbye! I'll take my leave now!"
In that instant, Han Feng made his decision: run for his life. He'd rather sleep on the streets than be turned into fertilizer.
"Stop right there!" she shouted. "If you walk out that door, I'll tell my dad and both of my grandpas everything! Oh, did I mention? Both of them are Titled Douluos!"
Han Feng didn't dare stop. As he reached for the door—
She lunged forward, tackling him to the floor. "Why are you running?! I'm not going to eat you! What, you that afraid of my grandpas? I haven't even told them anything yet!"
Han Feng gave her a pained expression, worse than crying. "Young Miss, you might not say anything—but your secret guards definitely will! If I stay here one more night, I'm sure my ashes will be scattered across the sea!"
Ning Rongrong blinked. "What secret guards? I snuck out alone. No one knows I'm here."
Han Feng stared at her for a long moment. Then rolled his eyes so hard it could cause a storm. "Young Miss, be honest with yourself—do you really think that third-rate martial skill of yours is enough to fool a Titled Douluo?"
Her expression stiffened. She furrowed her brows, hesitated, and then snapped, "Come out!"
No response.
"If you don't show yourselves, I'll tell Grandpa Sword you were slacking on your duties!"
"Miss!"
Two figures immediately emerged from the shadows.
Seeing them, Ning Rongrong's face flushed with embarrassment and anger. She glared and growled, "Not. A. Word. About. Today. Got it? If you tell my dad or grandpas anything about Han Feng, I'll make you wish you were never born!"
The two guards exchanged glances, visibly uncomfortable.
"Did you hear me!?" she barked.
"Yes, Miss!"
"Good. Now scram!"
In the blink of an eye, the two guards disappeared again.
Ning Rongrong turned to Han Feng. "Satisfied?"
Han Feng didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Miss Ning... What exactly do you want from me?"
She gave a sweet, mysterious smile, sidestepping the question. "So, does this mean you owe me a favor?"
Han Feng hesitated. He didn't want to admit it, but he nodded. "Fine. I guess I do. What do you want me to do?"
Her grin widened like a cat catching a mouse. "Nothing much. Remember what I said before we entered the inn? Repeat it word for word. Miss a single syllable... and I'll add one new request for each mistake. But! If you get it all right... the debt is cleared!"
Han Feng: "…"