Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 19: Let Go of All Masks (4)

The servant hurried over and gave the two of them a professional smile. "What may I do for the two Young Masters?"

Jing He felt a little unaccustomed to being called like this but he didn't say anything and just defaulted to Qiu Ling to take care of the matter.

Qiu Ling didn't have any inhibitions. "We heard that your storytellers are supposed to be good. Get us a room."

The servant raised his brows and looked from one person to the other, wondering how he had managed to get two lunatics like this. And they even seemed to be dressed decently. He inwardly shook his head but his smile turned a little strained. "What name did you reserve the room under?"

Qiu Ling looked at him, not quite understanding what he was talking about.

Seeing that he didn't get any response, the servant wanted to sigh. He had expected this. Turns out he had been right. It had just been a misunderstanding. "You see, the Jiyi festival is very popular. And as you pointed out just now, our teahouse is one of the places that is the most famous for our storytelling. Naturally, a lot of people will come here to enjoy it. As for the private rooms, they have been reserved since a few months ago already. I'm afraid if you haven't made a reservation, then you won't be able to get a room."

Qiu Ling looked at him in a daze. So this guy actually wanted to tell him that he had taken his beloved here but wouldn't be able to sit in a room with him to enjoy the stories? "How can this be?" This was absolutely impossible! "You actually want to tell me that nobody else will be able to listen to the stories?"

The servant's smile turned even more strained. "Well, there naturally is a public area. If you hurry over now, you might be able to still get a seat. Otherwise, you might be able to stand against the wall if you really want to listen."

Qiu Ling was even further taken aback. This person ... He was actually asking his beloved to sit among the common people or even stand at the back?! How could he do this?!

Thanks to the mask, nobody was able to see how Qiu Ling's expression changed.

Jing He still glanced up at him, lightly tugging at his hand. "Maybe we should leave then?" He also wasn't too keen on sitting among all these people. Even though he was currently wearing a mask, he had always hated it to be in a crowd. To imagine having to squeeze in with so many people, being subjected to their gazes and that maybe for several hours ... He felt faint just imagining that.

Qiu Ling glanced at the person next to him and even though he couldn't see Jing He's face, the way he held himself told him exactly in what kind of mood Jing He was. He furrowed his brows, feeling that he hadn't planned this enough. Maybe if he had come here earlier, he might've still had a chance. Now ...

Qiu Ling pondered for a moment and then turned to Jing He, taking both his hands into his and pulling him closer. "My love, wait here for a moment. I'll be back in just a minute."

Before Jing He could ask what it was that he wanted to do, Qiu Ling had stepped back and then grabbed the servant by the scruff of his neck, walking a few steps away from Jing He. He bent down until he was on eye level with the servant and then lowered his voice. "How much for one of the rooms?"

The servant's brows twitched. "I'm afraid you didn't hear. I said that the rooms had all been reserved. You would have needed to do that several months ago."

Qiu Ling shook his head. "I'm afraid you haven't understood. I'm not discussing whether there is a room available or not. I want to know how much I have to pay to get one of them. I don't care whatever you tell the other person but I need one of those rooms." Anyway, he had never been known in the dragon realm for being reasonable. Why should he behave differently now that he was in the Nine Heavens? Anyway, if he was able to make sure that his beloved had a nice day, it would totally be worth it. And right now, nobody knew who he was.