Chapter 82: The Meaning of the Bridal Chamber

The barrel of Liu Jingye’s gun was still hot, and the blood on the ground had yet to dry. The bosses, without hesitation, signed the documents—complete with seals and fingerprints—the contract now officially in effect.

Daniu and the others trembled with excitement, and even Shi Tou managed a smile, though it looked more like he was crying.

Soon after, several of the bosses enthusiastically invited Liu Jingye and his group to tour the premises, share a meal, sing a few songs, and get to know each other better.

Liu Jingye originally intended to decline, but it was clear that he was the guest of honor. Resigned, he went along. At the banquet, the bosses plied him with drink, their enthusiasm infectious, and Liu Jingye quickly blended into their ranks.

After several rounds, the group had become drinking companions, speaking freely, calling each other brothers. One of the bosses, now unreserved, asked, “Brother Liu, I’ve got to ask—how did you know that short fellow was a Japanese spy?”

Liu Jingye smiled slightly. “I realized it during our fight. I’ve encountered people using similar techniques before.”

“Was he really a ninja?” another boss pressed, the rest listening with keen interest. “Aren’t ninjas supposed to walk on air, disappear at will, kill without a trace?”

“If they were truly so capable, would they still be holed up on a resource-poor island?” Liu Jingye scoffed. “You should stop watching so many Japanese cartoons. That’s cultural propaganda, wildly exaggerated. Their so-called supernatural skills are just basic light-foot techniques. Even their best practitioners would be considered novices within our own nation’s profound martial arts.”

“That short guy you saw was one of their experts. Their stature is naturally small, they strictly control their weight, and they have the innate conditions for practicing stealthy movement. As for invisibility? It’s nothing but sleight of hand, not worth mentioning.”

With his words, everyone suddenly understood—clearly, they’d watched too many animated shows. When it came to real martial arts, as the saying goes: All martial arts originate from our land—who could rival us?

At that moment, another boss asked, “Mr. Liu, I heard you mention earlier that the previous leader of the Huangchao gang is coming back to reclaim power. We’ve always worked with them. If they return to make trouble, will we be in any danger?”

These bosses were shrewd men—ultimately, it was always about their own interests, and they hardly wanted trouble.

“Don’t worry,” Liu Jingye replied. “Recently, Huangchao’s been implicated in drug and arms cases. Their boss, Huang Xing, even hijacked a school bus—unspeakable crimes. They’ve already been classified as a violent criminal syndicate and are on the verge of being wiped out. If anyone claiming to be from Huangchao comes to cause trouble, just call the police—the officers will handle it for you.”

The bosses were finally reassured. With no further questions, they drank freely, wishing for happy cooperation and shared prosperity.

Afterward, the group and the bosses became fast friends, especially the two who owned bathhouses. They promptly dragged everyone off to “relax,” insisting they meet the girls who worked there—apparently, these young women were often harassed by local thugs and needed protection the most.

Daniu and Erniu, the lecherous brothers, eagerly complied. Hu Ming, the quiet one, followed without a word, and even Shi Tou, who hadn't tended his wounds, decided to join in the fun.

Liu Jingye, initially tempted by the invitation, was abruptly pulled back by Lin Shengnan.

Seeing Liu Jingye wasn’t keeping up, Erniu called out, “Boss, hurry up!”

“Hurry where?” Lin Shengnan retorted impatiently. “You lot get going. I have matters to discuss with him.”

Faced with her stern look, Erniu fell silent, and Hu Ming quickly ushered them away.

Liu Jingye muttered in frustration, “A rare chance for a free bath, and you’re holding me back?”

“You don’t need to go there,” Lin Shengnan said, narrowing her eyes. “I can offer you a free fist massage myself—each blow guaranteed to land, so you can truly experience the power of my touch.”

“No thanks.” Liu Jingye waved his hands, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Lin Shengnan wasn’t just formidable—her fists were no joke.

Seeing him settle down, Lin Shengnan exhaled deeply, collecting her thoughts. Her expression grew serious—there were questions she had to ask.

“Who are you, really? Why are you helping us so much?” She poured him another drink before speaking, not wanting to seem too abrupt.

Liu Jingye had expected this. He really didn’t want to explain—his past was military classified, and even Yuan Xiaoying only knew the gist, never the details.

Revealing his true identity would do no good, and might even bring unforeseen trouble.

Lin Shengnan, stubborn as she was, wouldn’t let the matter drop easily. And once a woman’s curiosity was piqued, she wouldn’t rest until she’d dug deep enough.

Taking a sip of wine, Liu Jingye began to bluff. “You should be able to tell I’m a man. As for why I’m helping you—it’s because you’re a woman. It’s as simple as that.”

Lin Shengnan was taken aback, as if she’d realized something, but still played dumb. “What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it clear enough?” Liu Jingye suddenly leaned close, their faces almost touching. His breath, thick with alcohol, made Lin Shengnan wrinkle her nose. He said, “From the moment I first saw you, I fell for you—deeply. I don’t know if you believe in love at first sight, but I do, absolutely.”

“Since then, I’ve thought of you day and night; you appear in every dream. I imagine your beautiful face, the way your lips curve in pride, the intelligence shining in your eyes, and your—”

“That’s enough!” Lin Shengnan’s face was aflame. From his descriptions, it was clear where he was heading next, and she was too flustered to bear it. Her heart pounded. She hadn’t expected such a sudden confession. “Are you serious?”

“Every word is from the heart. If there’s a single lie, I swear—” Liu Jingye paused, seeing her wide, expectant eyes. A large bead of sweat slid down his brow. He asked meekly, “Why didn’t you cover my mouth?”

Lin Shengnan laughed. “Why would I? I like hearing you swear oaths—that’s the most touching part of a confession.”

“You don’t play by the rules,” Liu Jingye said with a wry smile. Gritting his teeth, he declared, “Fine—if there’s a single falsehood in what I said, may I never have a woman in this lifetime!”

Lin Shengnan fixed him with a searching look. He seemed sincere enough, though the oath sounded a bit odd. Still, it counted as a curse.

Meanwhile, Liu Jingye thought to himself, “Never have a woman in this lifetime—well, maybe two, three, or seven or eight…”

“You… do you really like me?” Lin Shengnan asked softly. Back in school, boys had written her love letters and confessed at the school gate, but she’d always dismissed it as childish nonsense. After entering the real world, burdened by family responsibilities, she saw herself as one of the men, fighting for her place. She’d almost forgotten about romance.

Hardly anyone had ever treated her as a woman—until Liu Jingye appeared. In the pouring rain, he shielded her, cared for her as a woman should be cared for, and today, he’d teased her mercilessly and taken liberties without restraint. Originally, she’d expected to fight for territory herself, a bloody battle with little hope of victory. Instead, he stepped forward, overwhelming all opposition with his invincible presence.

Her femininity, long dormant, had been awakened by Liu Jingye. She found herself craving his protection and, even as he teased her, secretly delighted.

Seeing her shy demeanor, Liu Jingye straightened, replying solemnly, “Yes, I truly like you.”

“I have elderly parents back home, three older brothers still unmarried, two younger brothers and a sister still in school. We have no land, no property, no business—everyone relies on me for support. Can you still like me?”

Liu Jingye broke out in a cold sweat. He’d only been trying to dodge her questions about his identity, not expecting her to take things so seriously.

He gritted his teeth. “If I like you, I accept everything that comes with you. None of that matters.”

“They all want to come and depend on me, now that they know I’m doing well. Are you really prepared for that?” Lin Shengnan asked, dead serious.

“Of course! Let them all come. We run an inn—no matter how many, we’ll take them in.” Liu Jingye patted his chest.

“They’re very traditional. If they find out about us, the first thing they’ll demand is that you buy a house—not the inn, but a separate home. Are you willing?”

“That’s a reasonable expectation. If you marry a wife, you should buy a house. After all, as the saying goes, the bridal chamber—she brings the bride, he provides the house!” Liu Jingye replied.

Lin Shengnan spat at him in exasperation.

Wiping his face, Liu Jingye quipped, “For better skin, nothing beats TaTai Oral Liquid.”

“Ugh, you’re shameless…” Lin Shengnan, both embarrassed and annoyed, spat twice more.

Liu Jingye grinned. “Still the same old recipe, still that familiar taste.”

“Ugh, ugh, ugh…” Lin Shengnan only grew more indignant.

“You don’t produce water—you’re just a transporter of oral secretions!” Liu Jingye teased.

“I’ll kill you!” Lin Shengnan pounced, covering his mouth tightly, as if determined to smother him.

After a playful scuffle, both were left breathless—Lin Shengnan’s face flushed, while Liu Jingye was glowing with delight. For him, this close-quarters tussle was even better than a massage.

“I don’t care if what you said is true or not—I can’t accept it,” Lin Shengnan suddenly declared. “We barely know each other, and I don’t want to depend on a man. Now that I’ve secured my own territory and have a stable income, I want to focus on my career.”

She had her own principles and pride. Though she enjoyed being cared for, relishing that sense of security, she understood that a woman must have her own pursuits and independence. She would never be just an accessory to a man. Otherwise, if the man abandoned or betrayed her, she’d have nothing left but tears.

With a determined look, she said, “If you really like me, then buy a villa by the sea, save up a million for the betrothal gifts—do all that first, then we’ll talk!”

………………

Special thanks to my good friend “Wind and Velocity” for the strong support, and to brother “Love and War” for the enthusiastic encouragement. If you like this book, brothers, please show your support.