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Jiang Yunzhou clapped his hands and looked at her with a grin.
He couldn't stand the stares of the passersby anymore and was happy to put her down.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qing's temple throbbed: "I'm not your apprentice, I haven't agreed yet!"
Jiang Yunzhou shrugged indifferently: "Did you forget something? Does your agreement matter? It won't change the established fact..."
He changed the subject, with a hint of smugness that made him seem obnoxious, "Heh, you should be secretly happy to be my apprentice. How many people cry and beg to be my disciple, but I don't even bother taking them in."
Zhu Qing silently rolled her eyes: This man's skin is thicker than a city wall, and he's narcissistic beyond belief!
If he had said he wanted to pursue her, it would have sounded a hundred times more reliable than taking her as an apprentice.
No, why would she even think that?
She took a deep breath and explained again: "I'm here to find someone, and I have many of my own things to do. I can't be your apprentice. I'm truly sorry..."
Jiang Yunzhou chuckled, understanding dawning on him.
Of course, he knew who she was looking for, but it wasn't convenient to point it out directly.
"Oh? Disciple, could it be that you've traveled thousands of miles to find your lover?"
He looked at her mischievously, "I say, at your young age, instead of focusing on how to become stronger with your great talent, you're only thinking about romance?"
Zhu Qing was choked speechless.
Although these words were unpleasant, they seemed to hit a nerve?
No! She was indeed here to find someone, but she was looking for her fiancé, not some lover.
And it was for survival and revenge, not for romance!
"Don't talk nonsense! I didn't!" she retorted, a little exasperated.
Jiang Yunzhou was too lazy to argue with her about these things and waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, alright, no need to explain to me. It's almost dark, and I've been traveling for so long, I'm practically starving."
"Let's quickly find a place to eat and then a place to rest."
He added, "Do you have any money on you? This meal, you're treating."
Zhu Qing was speechless again, feeling like she was punching cotton.
Speaking of treating, she did have some gold coins left, but not many. This person wouldn't eat her into poverty, would he?
She realized that the previously unbearable pain from her wounds was now completely gone.
She subconsciously lowered her head to check her arm; the scars had almost completely disappeared.
Her eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise and gratitude as she looked at Jiang Yunzhou: "That, you helped me heal, didn't you? Thank you..."
"No need to be polite."
Jiang Yunzhou waved his hand, "You're my disciple, it's only natural for me to help you heal."
Zhu Qing opened her mouth but swallowed her retort.
Forget it, arguing with this person was a pure waste of breath; he simply wouldn't listen.
"What do you want to eat? If I'm treating, then I'm treating."
"Whatever, I'm not picky at all."
Jiang Yunzhou immediately interjected, looking very easy to please, "Whatever you treat me to, I'll eat, just make sure I'm full!"
Zhu Qing nodded silently, saying no more.
The two found a restaurant in Suo Tuo City that looked clean and respectable and walked in.
They devoured their meal like a whirlwind, eating their fill.
Zhu Qing watched Jiang Yunzhou eat; he didn't look like a teacher at all.
And he wanted to take her as an apprentice? It seemed a bit unreliable.
According to their previous plan, the two continued to look for a place to stay.
Perhaps there was a guiding hand of fate, for unknowingly, they found themselves at the entrance of the Rose Hotel.
Jiang Yunzhou's eyes lit up. Seeing the name, he made a decision—they would stay here!
He had long been curious about this place.
He had lived in seclusion for years, focusing on cultivation, and this was his first time setting foot in Suo Tuo City.
He enthusiastically pointed at the uniquely decorated hotel: "This place looks pretty good, let's stay here!"
Zhu Qing looked in the direction he was pointing, her steps suddenly faltering, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
She secretly fumed: Was this guy doing it on purpose? Couldn't he tell this was a lovers' hotel?
"No, let's find another one. This place is..." She tried to explain.
"Why change? It's too much trouble, this is it!"
Jiang Yunzhou waved his hand, then seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, and you're still treating..."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qing's cat-like eyes widened instantly. Why was she paying again?
Only she knew that the money she had left was already dwindling. If she kept spending like this, even the academy's registration fee would be at rock bottom.
Jiang Yunzhou walked a few steps forward, then noticed she hadn't followed and turned back to urge her:
"Let's go? What are you staring at? What, are you worried about the gold coins?"
His eyes darted around, and he deliberately sighed: "Alas, never mind then. You go find a hotel to stay in, and as for me... finding a corner by the road to make do for a night isn't impossible."
His tone carried a hint of pitifulness.
This made Zhu Qing's face burn, making her sound like a heartless person.
She bit her lower lip, clutching the deflated money pouch at her waist. This man's words could truly infuriate someone, completely wasting his handsome face.
But in the end, she still reached out and tugged on Jiang Yunzhou's sleeve, pulling him silently towards the hotel entrance.
As soon as they reached the entrance, a striking sign caught their eyes:
"Couples get an 80% discount!"
Jiang Yunzhou saw it and chuckled, leaning closer to Zhu Qing to tease her in a low voice:
"Hey, see that? Couples get an 80% discount! How about we put on a show? Pretend for a bit?"
The words 'No' were almost out of Zhu Qing's mouth, but thinking of the few pitiful gold coins clinking in her money pouch, the refusal rolled on her tongue and was swallowed back down.
She even began to seriously suspect whether this man in front of her had been plotting to take advantage of her from the very beginning.
"Hey!"
Zhu Qing suddenly stopped, a hint of annoyance mixed with shyness, "You, you haven't told me your name yet!"
Jiang Yunzhou was startled, only then realizing it.
Yes, he knew she was Zhu Zhuqing, but she knew nothing about him!
This was purely an oversight caused by his subconscious familiarity.
"Look at my memory!"
He slapped his forehead, "My name is Jiang Yunzhou."
"I, my name is Zhu Zhuqing," she replied softly.
"Oh ~ Alright, disciple, everything's clear now, hurry up and get a room!"
Jiang Yunzhou yawned widely, "I just want to sleep for days now, I'm completely worn out."
This wasn't a lie; he hadn't closed his eyes for several days.
The two went to the front desk to check in, and only then did Zhu Qing belatedly realize a problem.
Pretending to be a couple to get a room might grant a discount, but it only allowed for one room!
Now she was truly in a difficult situation.
She turned her head, staring at Jiang Yunzhou with a pair of cat-like eyes full of resentment.
Should they still get this room?
The front desk lady, with a professional sweet smile, offered an assist: "Are the two distinguished guests looking for accommodation? Couples currently enjoy an 80% discount. May I ask if the two of you are a couple?"