Chapter 139
Chapter 139
The sudden voice behind Cheng Miao startled her, making her hand tremble. Fortunately, the red panda was exceptionally well behaved and remained perfectly still, raising its head to let her pet it.
Cheng Miao picked up the red panda, privately discovering that its fur was rather coarse, then turned around.
A beautiful black cat sat between her three speechless teammates. His ice-blue eyes regarded Cheng Miao coldly. The scornful sound just now had come from him.
Cheng Miao froze. “… Hi, Qiudong. Long time no see.”
Qiudong looked at her without expression. Even his tail had stopped swaying.
Feeling inexplicably guilty, Cheng Miao stepped forward to placate him. “I missed you so much. Sure enough, I have no energy for anything when I’m away from a cat.”
Qiudong glanced at Cheng Miao, then turned and walked toward the receptionist’s desk. He ignored the blatant lie she had told with her eyes wide open.
“Sister Miaomiao, you could at least put down the red panda before saying that. You’re petting it so happily that your words aren’t convincing at all.” Lin Zhu covered his forehead, unable to keep watching.
Oh. She had forgotten about that.
Cheng Miao hurriedly put the red panda on the floor and followed closely in Qiudong’s footsteps, turning her head from side to side to admire the Grand Hotel’s interior.
Peacock Grand Hotel’s decor blended the rainforest style of the southeastern region with exquisite splendor.
A crystal-clear chandelier hung in the lobby. Artistic incense burners on either side released the scent of sandalwood, while a choir of bluebirds sang in bright, clear voices.
Looks Are Justice Team broadened their horizons. So this was the happiness of the rich?!
Qiudong seemed very familiar with Peacock Grand Hotel. He jumped onto the receptionist’s desk and impatiently tapped a small brass bell with his paw pad.
Before long, a dazzling peacock flew in through the openwork ceiling.
She was an extraordinarily beautiful peacock. Specks of silvery starlight shimmered across her blue-green feathers. When she spoke, her female voice was warm yet slightly distant.
“Qiudong? What brings you here?”
Qiudong swished his tail, his voice cool and clear. “I’m staying here.”
Then he gestured for Cheng Miao to come look at the room types. “This is Huayu.”
He really did know her!
Cheng Miao happily greeted Huayu. The four then gathered around the room chart and began an intense discussion.
Qiudong didn’t join them. He quietly studied the four listless people, a trace of irritation flashing through his eyes.
Sure enough, that instance from Penguin Hotel had serious problems.
“You actually formed a team with players?” Huayu seemed very familiar with Qiudong. She leaned against the desk, her beautiful feathers spreading across the floor in a scene of birdsong and fragrant flowers.
“Mm. I was bored after being idle for so long.”
Huayu laughed softly. “If you’d chosen a high-tier inn back then, you wouldn’t have so much free time. But that’s your fault for having such an eccentric personality.”
As she spoke, her bright eyes swept over the four people in discussion and settled on Cheng Miao. “What an unusual young woman, don’t you think?”
Qiudong’s tail began swaying faster, but his expression remained utterly composed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“My, my.” Huayu yawned lazily and lowered her head to preen her feathers. “You don’t have much money left, do you? If you’re going to enter the Game with them, have you decided what you’ll do afterward?”
Qiudong gave Huayu a cold look, then closed his eyes to rest. “You talk too much.”
Huayu laughed softly and stopped bothering him. She strolled over with graceful steps. “Well, honored guests? Have you made your choice?”
Cheng Miao’s tired eyes still shone. “This one. The Supreme Deluxe Villa.”
Huayu looked surprised. It was rare to see guests so willing to spend money.
Huayu’s surprise vanished in a flash, replaced by a gracious smile. “This villa costs eight thousand a night, with a discount for consecutive stays. All spending in Niaoniao Town is also included when you book this room type.”
Money-loving Cheng Miao and team accountant Lin Zhu shared the same thought: Ahhh, let’s do it!
As usual, Qin Musong went to pay by card. Cheng Miao craned her neck and began bargaining. “Miss Huayu, we’re staying for eight days. What discount can you give us?”
Even Huayu, a receptionist at a high-tier inn who had seen her share of elite players, was shocked by Cheng Miao’s lavish spending.
Most players who stopped progressing chose to settle at a Hotel. Hotels offered the best value for money, allowing them to enjoy the finest living conditions for the lowest room fee.
Players who reached a Grand Hotel or higher generally intended to clear the Game and return to the human world. As a receptionist, Huayu had seen plenty of that kind.
Most cared about nothing except clearing instances. They refused to spend money on enjoyment and sometimes didn’t even leave their rooms.
It was lonely at the top. Perhaps the truly happy players were the ones who stayed at Hotels.
Huayu multitasked, propping up her small head with a magnificent wing. “I can give you fifteen percent off.”
Cheng Miao scooped up Qiudong. Before he could react, she held the cat in front of Huayu. “You’re close with Qiudong, aren’t you? Give us a little more off for his sake.”
Huayu fell silent. So this was the approachable side of Qiudong.
Qiudong fell silent as well. Very good. Cheng Miao was doing very well indeed.
After years as a cat owner, Cheng Miao had mastered every warning sign that appeared before a cat lost its temper.
Just before Qiudong became angry, she returned him to the receptionist’s desk at the speed of light, took a catnip lollipop from her ring, and stuffed it into his mouth.
The entire sequence was seamless and fluid, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
Qiudong’s surging anger was diverted by the catnip. He happily licked the lollipop from Cheng Miao’s hand.
Back when no one dared touch him, he hadn’t noticed, but spending too long as a cat really did leave him with some bad habits.
Huayu recovered from her shock, a trace of amusement flashing through her eyes. She turned toward Cheng Miao, who was watching her eagerly. “For Qiudong’s sake, I’ll give you twenty percent off. Let’s see… Just pay an even fifty thousand.”
The discount saved them a considerable amount. Cheng Miao stopped bargaining and had Qin Musong make the payment.
Huayu had just given them four room cards when Lin Zhu raised his hand. “Sister Peacock, may I ask where your counseling room is?”
Cheng Miao patted Lin Zhu’s shoulder. The young man had grown. He no longer hid his discomfort out of embarrassment.
It seemed he truly had suffered a great deal inside this instance.
Huayu glanced over the four players’ information. They had just emerged from that unbalanced instance at Penguin Hotel, yet every member had survived. This was truly a team that couldn’t be underestimated.
Huayu spread one wing. A small wooden cart pulled by four fox kits arrived from the side. Vines and flowers covered the cart, and the foxes swished their fluffy tails, inviting Lin Zhu to climb aboard.
“Mr. Owl’s office is beside a mountain stream. They’ll take you there,” Huayu said gently. Cheng Miao thought that if Huayu had a human form, she would surely be an elegant beauty from antiquity.
Lin Zhu cautiously climbed into the cart. Only after confirming his weight wasn’t a burden to the foxes did he sit down. He waved at Cheng Miao. “Sister Miaomiao, the foxes’ tails feel amazing. Want to pet them?”
Cheng Miao appeared calm and indifferent, but inside, she wept bitterly. “No, thank you. Now that Qiudong is here, I don’t need to pet other animals.”
Qiudong opened one eye and looked at the hypocritical woman. His tail flicked. “Don’t do it again.”