Chapter 216: The Bad-Tempered Sister
Sang Zhe really didn’t see this coming.
The so-called legendary figure that Bai Ming mentioned was actually Gu Yingmian.
It wasn’t until he saw those familiar petals and caught that familiar scent that he realized something was off.
And by the time he came to his senses, it was already too late.
Gu Yingmian had already entered and spotted him.
Not only her, but even the long-unseen Chun Lan and Qiu Ju sisters were now looking at him with sparkling eyes, sneaking glances his way.
What… should he do?
This kind of occasion didn’t seem suitable for old chit-chat.
Faced with this inexplicably awkward scene, Sang Zhe found himself at a loss.
But, after all, it was her stage.
It wouldn’t be appropriate for him to take over and embarrass the host.
To avoid an awkward silence, Sang Zhe could only muster the courage to stand up, pretending not to know her, and respectfully said, “Junior pays respects to Gu… Gu Jianxian…”
Gu Yingmian merely gave him a deep look.
The teasing glint in her eyes made Sang Zhe break out in a cold sweat.
Once they understood each other, she casually hummed, and took her seat at the primary position, invited by Bai Ming.
Chun Lan and Qiu Ju stood beside Gu Yingmian, holding swords, their little eyes occasionally darting mischievously toward Sang Zhe.
“Come, let’s toast to Gu Jianxian for gracing our humble abode with her presence. I shall drink first!”
To lighten the mood, Bai Ming cheerfully started pouring drinks.
But after she finished, Gu Yingmian casually replied, “Thank you, President Bai, for the cordiality. However, this palace can’t handle strong drinks, so I’ll settle for tea instead.”
Bai Ming didn’t mind and was just about to smile and say, “No problem! I didn’t think of that, so let’s get Gu Jianxian some fine tea—”
“And if President Bai believes substituting tea for wine is too dull,”
Who could have thought that the next second Gu Yingmian would suddenly shift her gaze to the awkwardly munching Sang Zhe.
“Let him drink on my behalf, that’s fine too.”
Bai Ming’s heart sank at that statement like a lead balloon.
…This is bad.
The thing she worried about has come true.
Gu Jianxian was actually humiliating Sang Zhe in front of everyone.
Was there bad blood between them?
This was definitely trouble. Cold sweat poured down Bai Ming’s back.
The Demon Cultivators and Sword Flower Palace both had powerful experts backing them.
Although Sang Zhe himself was just at the Foundation Establishment level, he nevertheless represented the face of the Demon Cult.
If he didn’t back down, this banquet might boil over into an open conflict between the Demon Cult and the Sword Flower Palace.
If that happened, the one who would suffer the most would definitely be her—the host of this banquet.
As she racked her brain trying to figure out how to handle the situation, Sang Zhe stood up with a smile.
“Since Gu Jianxian has named me, I shall shamelessly drink on her behalf and toast with Brother Bai.”
Sang Zhe’s line of thought was rather simple.
Gu Yingmian was known for her mischievous nature after all.
Even though she often treated him like a playful big sister, the last time he saw her she forced him onto the stage to spar without using any sword techniques just for fun.
He could see from the slightly cunning look in her eyes that she was cooking up some trouble for him again.
Well, he had no choice.
If his wife wanted to play, could he not entertain her?
It was clear that she didn’t want to drink, so as her husband, he should take the brunt of it.
And so, Sang Zhe could only helplessly rise and say, “I’ll just shamelessly stand in for Gu Jianxian then.”
He could almost hear the sounds of Chun Lan and Qiu Ju giggling behind their hands.
At the same time, Bai Ming was nearly moved to tears.
She took Sang Zhe’s act as a sign of loyalty, giving up on sect prejudices, and lowering her head in submission.
Didn’t expect Sang Zhe to be such a righteous person!
“Alright! Brother Sang, you’re so generous!”
After they shared a drink, Bai Ming finally managed to steer the banquet back on course.
After several rounds of drinks, Bai Ming cautiously began hinting at wanting to collaborate with the Sword Flower Palace.
But sure enough, as suspected, the Sword Flower Palace was a place that shunned worldly affairs.
If not for Sang Zhe, they would have had little to no interaction with the outside world for many years.
So regarding Bai Ming’s attempts, Gu Yingmian politely refused.
Bai Ming had anticipated this and didn’t feel disappointed. She only hoped the banquet could go on smoothly until the end.
The look Gu Yingmian shot Sang Zhe was clearly not right.
There had to be some past grievance between the Demon Cult and the Sword Flower Palace.
She mustn’t offend both sides.
So towards the end, most of Bai Ming’s casual chatter intentionally avoided sect-related topics, trying to steer clear of letting Gu Yingmian and Sang Zhe interact.
Gu Yingmian, hearing the latter parts of the conversation, seemed to lose interest, stealing glances at Sang Zhe.
Sang Zhe could only awkwardly return her smile.
At the table, everyone laughed and drank, toasting and bantering.
Underneath, a pair of delicate feet were playfully brushing against Sang Zhe’s ankle, as if trying to tease him.
…
Finally, after a torturous wait, the banquet came to an end.
Not just for Bai Ming, but for Sang Zhe as well.
Gu Yingmian’s foot had been teasing him under the table the whole night, as if she wanted to see him turn beet red.
Sang Zhe dared not speak, only enduring the awkwardness.
As the banquet concluded, Bai Ming symbolically invited Gu Yingmian to stay for a few more days.
Of course, what she really wanted was for them to leave quickly—she couldn’t handle them fighting in her place.
But then, her heart stopped when she heard Gu Yingmian lightly say:
“Sure.”
“Since President Bai is so hospitable, I hardly ever come down from the palace. I’ll stay a few more days.”
With her face stiffening, Bai Ming smiled wide, “That’s wonderful! I’ll arrange a room for Gu Jianxian right away—”
“Which room does he stay in?”
Gu Yingmian suddenly pointed at Sang Zhe, “I want to stay in the same room as him.”
In an instant, the atmosphere froze again.
When Sang Zhe heard this, it sounded like: I want to share a room with him.
When Bai Ming heard this, it sounded like: I want to stay in his room, kick him out.
This…
This was basically public humiliation at this point!
Even Bai Ming was at a total loss about how to diffuse the situation.
Desperately, she had to look at Sang Zhe with pleading eyes.
Sang Zhe, after a moment of silence, sighed:
“Perfect, I was just about to take my leave today, so Gu Jianxian can take the room I stay in. It’s quite spacious.”
In that moment, Bai Ming felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Sang Zhe, like a river that never ceased to flow.
She almost regarded him as her own living parents.
To her surprise, upon hearing this, Gu Yingmian suddenly changed her mind.
“Never mind.”
“I just remembered there’s something back at the palace, so I won’t impose any longer.”
“I’ll come back to visit President Bai another day.”
After some polite exchange, Bai Ming personally escorted Sang Zhe and Gu Yingmian out of the loft.
Before leaving, she discreetly pulled Sang Zhe aside, choking on her words.
“Good brother… I won’t forget your great favor today.”
“From now on, you are my brotherly friend! Anyone who bullies you, I’ll make them pay in blood!”
“Our Floating Splendor Commerce will always be your solid support!”
She was so moved she kept patting Sang Zhe’s shoulder, leaving him utterly confused.
“… Huh?”
(End of chapter five, waking up still at chapter five)
(This is the first time this month I’m shamelessly asking for tickets… Sorry, I definitely won’t do it again next month, sob sob sob.)
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