Chapter Forty-Three: Special Services

"Ah..." Yuan Xiaoying let out a sigh, expressing her regret. "What a pity. If you had saved my life, I would surely have pledged myself to you. But alas, you weren't the one who stayed with me till the end—we walked together only to part ways at the crossroads!"

Liu Jingye broke out in a cold sweat. "Sister, could we just talk instead of singing?"

"No matter what, I still have to thank you." Yuan Xiaoying suddenly grew serious, patting Liu Jingye on the shoulder. "For you to show up at such a difficult moment proves you're a real man."

"Not at all, not at all, there's no need to thank me." Liu Jingye turned to wave his hand modestly, but didn't expect Yuan Xiaoying to be standing so close. As he lifted his hand, he brushed right across her chest.

They both froze. Liu Jingye jerked his hand back at lightning speed, mortified.

Seeing his reaction, Yuan Xiaoying actually burst into laughter. Leaning in, she whispered in his ear, "Well, how did it feel? You pulled your hand back so fast—do you think I'm too small?"

"No, no, that's not it at all..." Liu Jingye shook his head earnestly. "It really wasn't on purpose. Besides, my hands are small; anything in them feels big!"

"Go to hell!" Yuan Xiaoying instantly turned hostile, nearly punching him under the table. Her flat chest was her greatest sore spot, a taboo that mustn't be touched. She'd hoped for a few sweet words, but he chose to joke instead.

Liu Jingye forced a smile. "Actually, small has its advantages, and besides, you're still young, with plenty of potential for development. And I'm sure lots of men would like it. Think about it—why are childhood friends the closest, and why are bonds between childhood sweethearts the deepest?"

Yuan Xiaoying pondered, then replied, "Because they've been together since they were little?"

"Exactly!" Liu Jingye snapped his fingers.

Yuan Xiaoying promptly swung another fist at him. This wretched scoundrel—how dare he suggest playing together 'since childhood'!

She considered arguing further to learn more about him, but just then, a police car roared past on the street outside. Yuan Xiaoying said, "I need to go over and identify the scene. Since you weren't the one who saved me, you don't have to come. Just wait at home for me..."

Dizzy from her angelic one moment and devilish the next, Liu Jingye asked instinctively, "Wait for what?"

Yuan Xiaoying puffed out her chest, and, seeing his dazed look, changed her tone. "Wait for next time I get into trouble—I'll come to you again!"

"This maddening, mercurial woman!" Watching her skipping away, Liu Jingye ground his teeth in frustration.

It was as if she saw right through him. Whenever he tried to play dumb, she’d become a captivating, flirtatious woman, teasing him endlessly; but just as he let his guard down, she’d turn into a greedy, scheming witch.

"Seems like, for better or worse, there’s no escaping her now." Liu Jingye squinted, drained a glass of wine, and mused, "This time, I took out a few more of Huangchao’s assassins. Meanwhile, the power shielding Huangchao, some high-ranking official in the relevant department, seems to be surfacing bit by bit. Only Yuan Xiaoying remains blissfully clueless—perhaps fortune truly favors the foolish."

Liu Jingye ate a simple meal but drank a couple extra bottles of wine. Though the earlier events hadn’t been a life-or-death struggle, he’d felt like a shark scenting blood—his suppressed ferocity churning within, needing alcohol to numb his nerves and relax.

A little tipsy, Liu Jingye returned to the inn. No sooner had he walked in than the house phone rang. He paused. Could it be a customer making a reservation?

He hurried to pick up. Immediately, a child’s babbling prattled through the line, followed by his mother’s voice: “Jingye, what have you been up to? I’ve been calling forever—why are you only picking up now?”

“I was out handing out flyers. Business has been slow lately,” Liu Jingye replied quickly.

“Oh, our inn depends on tourist season for business, so don’t worry too much.” His mother’s tone was full of care. “Here, listen to your little nephew. Baby, say hello to your uncle…”

“Yaya…” The baby chattered away, making Liu Jingye smile wryly. He heard his mother’s delighted voice: “He’s such a good, clever child—fair-skinned, chubby, and so handsome…”

Her every word overflowed with doting affection for the next generation. Realizing something, Liu Jingye was about to speak when his mother continued, “Jingye, you really need to get a move on. With a grandson and a granddaughter, your father and I could finally enjoy the happiness of a full house.”

“Mom, ‘the happiness of a full house’ refers to having both wives in your arms," Liu Jingye corrected her, forcing a smile.

“Cut the nonsense!” came his father’s deep voice from the other end. “I’ve already asked your second aunt to set you up—she says there’s a good match: a decent family, a proper job. She’ll contact you soon for a blind date. You’d better behave yourself, or wait till I come back and straighten you out, you rascal!”

Cold sweat beaded on Liu Jingye’s forehead. Blind dates—at his age?

His father finished with his usual authority, and his mother was about to launch into a sentimental lecture. Liu Jingye’s head throbbed, but just then, the inn’s gate opened outside. He quickly said, “Mom, there’s a guest at the inn. I have to go greet them. You two enjoy your time with the baby!”

He hung up in haste as several people entered—five or six, all familiar faces: Lin Shengnan, the bossy big sister, and her group.

Stone, the burly man who deeply admired Liu Jingye’s knife skills, led the way. “Big Bro, we’re here to support your business!”

“Support my business?” Liu Jingye glanced at their luggage-laden, travel-worn appearance. “Then I’ll have to give you a discount!”

The others looked awkward. ‘Support’ was a stretch—‘seeking refuge’ would be more accurate.

“Brother Liu, sorry to trouble you. We’ve run into some difficulties and would like to stay a few days. If it’s inconvenient, we’ll leave,” Lin Shengnan said, uncharacteristically sheepish. For this streetwise woman to blush was a rarity.

“It’s an inn—I’m open for guests, no trouble at all,” Liu Jingye replied warmly. “Come in, everyone. Do you need any special services?”

“Big Bro, you offer special services here?” the brothers Dan Niu and Er Niu asked, faces full of mischief.

Lin Shengnan shot them a glare and gave Liu Jingye a sidelong glance. He grinned, “Of course I do—one-of-a-kind, in fact.”

He picked up a fairy tale book from the table, a gift from his mother to his nephew. “Many guests suffer from insomnia when they sleep in a new bed. But here at Home Sweet Home, you needn’t worry—I, the proprietor, will personally sit at your bedside and tell you stories to lull you to sleep. Sweet dreams guaranteed…”

The men immediately lost their enthusiasm, lugging their bags inside. Liu Jingye caught a derisive snort from Lin Shengnan, who quickly returned to her usual cold demeanor.

As per regulations, Liu Jingye registered them. They were all from a remote, impoverished northern village—same hometown, similar age, banding together to make something of themselves.

He tossed them a ring of keys. “There aren’t many guests now—pick whichever rooms you want. Singles, doubles, whatever you like. Just no funny business!”

Everyone burst out laughing and went off to choose rooms. Soon after settling in, they all came downstairs. Stone, the most eager, pestered Liu Jingye and produced his butterfly knife. “Big Bro, forget special services—just teach me a couple moves. If I could fight even half as well as you, nobody would dare mess with me again!”

“Do you get beaten up a lot?” Liu Jingye asked, curious.

Stone scratched his head. “I suppose so.”

Liu Jingye could tell—Stone was a straightforward man, the sort who easily got tricked or bullied.

Stone looked embarrassed but hopeful. Just then, Liu Jingye suddenly stood, throwing a punch at lightning speed straight for Stone’s face. Shocked, Stone instinctively ducked, squeezed his eyes shut, and raised his arms to protect his head.

Liu Jingye’s fist stopped just short of Stone’s nose. Smiling, he looked at him; the others had all leapt to their feet in surprise. Stone slowly lowered his arms, puzzlement written all over his face.

“When fighting, the worst thing you can do is close your eyes,” Liu Jingye said. “With your eyes shut, you can't attack, and you can't defend effectively either. And if your first thought is to protect yourself and cover your head, it shows you lack the courage to fight and the confidence to win. Even if I wanted to teach you, it’d be pointless.”

His words left Stone deep in thought, and the others were equally struck. In the world they lived in, strength was necessary for survival. Daring to fight didn’t mean knowing how to fight, and knowing how didn’t guarantee you did it right.

“Now, your turn to attack me,” Liu Jingye beckoned.

Stone blinked, then beamed—Liu Jingye was clearly willing to teach him.

He stood, a little at a loss, but eager.

Liu Jingye liked Stone’s sincerity. He wasn’t looking to hurt others but to defend himself.

“Just attack however you think best,” Liu Jingye encouraged.

Stone took a deep breath, shouted, and kicked at Liu Jingye’s midsection. Liu Jingye dodged easily, and Stone swung a fist at his face—a typical wild brawler’s punch.

Liu Jingye ducked, caught the descending fist, and twisted it gently. Stone winced in pain.

Releasing him, Liu Jingye said, “That sort of fighting is for schoolkids. Most people fixate on the idea that you have to attack the face. Sure, it’s a vital spot, but don’t get hung up on it. The best approach is to strike wherever you can!”

He then demonstrated, circling Stone, targeting the back of the neck, waist, ribs, knees, underarms—each move effective and potentially crippling.

His smooth, efficient motions and practical attacks left everyone awestruck, their respect for him only deepening.