Chapter 19: A Chaotic Night

Jiang Niannian suggested, “It’s getting late. Let’s find an inn nearby to rest. We can discuss things tomorrow.”

Yin Buqi nodded, holding Jiang Niannian’s neck.

Zhao Anming chimed in, “Let’s do what the fairy says.”

The three went to the inn and booked two rooms, then found a late-night snack stall with colorful decorations.

“Fairy, why aren’t we eating at a restaurant? I have money,” Zhao Anming said, looking at the slightly faded blue and white porcelain bowls and chopsticks and the waiter who was scrubbing pots and preparing food.

His critical gaze fell on the shabby wooden bench and the greasy, cramped dining table.

The stall was very ordinary, but Zhao Anming looked at it as if it were a pile of dung.

Jiang Niannian explained, “…This is Huaijiang City, which is quite remote. There aren’t many restaurants. The nearest one is in the west of the city, and since it’s late, you’ll have to make do.”

Reluctantly, Zhao Anming sat down, looking displeased.

Since the fairy said so, he didn’t want to be difficult, not wanting to seem petty.

After ordering food, Zhao Anming complained, “My home is in Buzhou City, where it’s thriving with many big restaurants. If fairy marries me, I’ll take fairy to eat there every day.”

“Bang!” Yin Li slammed his chopsticks on the table, glaring dangerously at Zhao Anming.

In the next moment, a black shadow shot out quickly.

Coal Ball tensed up, eyes narrowing with a fierce glare, and bit Zhao Anming’s leg.

The latter jumped up in pain, tears streaming down his face, “Ow, ow, ow! It hurts! Let go, let go! Fairy, help me!”

“Fairy, save me! I’ll give you everything, both my person and my wealth!”

Jiang Niannian: … I suddenly don’t feel like saving him.

Seeing Jiang Niannian’s calm expression, Zhao Anming continued to wail, “Fairy! I’m in pain!”

Jiang Niannian sighed, took a sip of tea, and said, “Coal Ball, let go.”

Coal Ball released its bite with a haughty demeanor and jumped off him, leaving a little aromatic beast fart as it departed.

Soon, the food arrived: a plate of sauced pork bones, a dish of stir-fried cabbage, a whole chicken, and a plate of peanuts.

There was also a jar of “Nu’er Hong” wine that Zhao Anming ordered to liven things up.

The wine was strong and potent.

After trying a few bites of the food, Zhao Anming set down his chopsticks.

Jiang Niannian was serving food to her cub while Yin Buqi ate quietly.

Zhao Anming called out in dissatisfaction, “Waiter, come here!”

The young waiter approached eagerly, “Coming! What can I do for you, sir?”

Zhao Anming pointed at the table and complained, “The sauce is too strong, the meat is undercooked, there’s too much dried tangerine peel, and the plates are too large and not refined enough… Do you have crystal hams or jade bean cakes?”

The waiter looked embarrassed and smiled apologetically, “Sir… How could a small stall like ours have those…”

Zhao Anming spat out, “What a shabby restaurant, not even basic food. It’s almost inedible. I’m not eating anymore.”

The waiter’s expression darkened, and he said bluntly, “Who’s the lunatic in the middle of the night? Are you here to cause trouble? If you don’t want to eat, then don’t!”

As tensions rose, Jiang Niannian quickly intervened, “Don’t be angry with him.”

Yin Buqi added fuel to the fire, “He must have been kicked in the head by a donkey when he was young; his mind isn’t right.”

The waiter nodded sympathetically at Zhao Anming, sighed, and left.

“You’re the one who’s mentally unstable! I…” Zhao Anming was about to continue when he caught sight of Jiang Niannian looking at him with a friendly smile.

He picked up a piece of cabbage and said, “Kid, eat more so you can grow as tall as me. You’re so skinny.”

Yin Li, with a cold expression, silently moved his bowl aside, “I don’t want it.”

“Tsk, do you think there’s poison on my chopsticks?”

“It’s saliva.”

Zhao Anming: ….

During the meal, Jiang Niannian left briefly to settle the bill.

When she returned, she saw a large and small figure standing on their stools, faces red as they shouted at each other.

Zhao Anming was waving his arms, “I want to marry the fairy. I want to marry the fairy!”

Yin Buqi, with a grim face, declared, “Don’t even think about it. Niannian is mine!”

Zhao Anming shouted back, “Your little mouth is just as annoying as my family’s duck!”

Yin Buqi retorted, “Look at you, a short guy who can do nothing except have some filthy money. Are you worthy of her?!”

“You’re talking nonsense! I’m not short! My father said a man should grow until he’s over twenty! I’m only eighteen and still have time to grow. But you’re just a little radish head.”

“If I were eighteen, I’d be much taller than you!”

Jiang Niannian noticed her usually fair-skinned cub was flushed red and had a bad premonition, “Buqi, what’s wrong?”

“Niannian! You’re back! I’m fine, I’m fine!!!”

The smell of strong liquor wafted over, and Jiang Niannian’s anger flared.

She picked up her cub from the stool and held him in her arms, “Zhao Anming, he’s only eight years old! How could you let him drink alcohol?!”

Zhao Anming, also drunk, complained for the umpteenth time, “Wow! Fairy, you’re so mean to me!”

Jiang Niannian scolded angrily as she dragged the drunken Zhao Anming and the tipsy cub back to the inn.

While no one was paying attention, Coal Ball quietly picked up the small jar of wine from the ground. It shook it a little, finding there was still some left.

Curious, it licked the wine with its little tongue.

So spicy! This water bites! Can’t drink it!

Its little face scrunched up, and it threw the jar far away before running off to catch up with Jiang Niannian.

Jiang Niannian first settled her cub in bed, then dragged Zhao Anming to another room.

After a chilly breeze, Zhao Anming was mostly sober.

He grabbed Jiang Niannian’s sleeve, “Fairy…”

“Rest early. I’ll take you back tomorrow.”

“Fairy, stay in Buzhou City for a while before you leave. You’re my Savior. I’ll have my father treat you well.”

Jiang Niannian shook her head, “No need. I have other important matters to attend to and need to leave as soon as possible.”

“Fairy, I…”

Zhao Anming wanted to say more but was interrupted by Jiang Niannian, “Sleep now. I’m next door. If anything happens at night, call me.”

“… Okay.”

Just as Jiang Niannian was about to leave, Zhao Anming, looking touched, said, “Fairy, you’re so kind to me.”

Jiang Niannian: … Really? What weird fantasies is this guy imagining now???

That night, Jiang Niannian was sleeping soundly with Yin Buqi in her arms when a loud scream came from next door.

Jiang Niannian’s eyes snapped open.

She quickly put on her coat, grabbed her sword, and ran to the next room.