Chapter Seventy-Four: Rivalry in Love

“Bastards! Useless fools!”

In the city of Wu, within an inconspicuous abandoned factory, the man in the black robe was so furious he kicked over the table stacked with boxed meals in front of him.

Not only had he sent Nangong Xiaoe to assassinate Qin Tian, but afterwards, he had widely circulated a bounty: whoever could kill Qin Tian would receive a reward of twenty million!

Yet, even so, four groups had gone, one after another, and every single one of them had failed!

The man in the black robe began to wonder if this so-called assassin ranking was just a children’s game—so many killers, not a single successful one!

“Is it really necessary for me to take action personally? But I don’t want to reveal myself yet!”

He slumped into his chair, hands gripping the armrests so tightly he left handprints in the solid iron.

“Enough! I’ll go myself this time. That old man, it seems, won’t be coming out after all!”

“In that case, I’ll just have to capture your disciple and study him thoroughly!”

For the first time, the man in black removed his robe, revealing a completely ordinary middle-aged face.

Half an hour later.

An old man in patched clothes, hair disheveled, back hunched, and holding a bamboo stick, emerged from the abandoned factory. He carried a large bundle on his back, leaving no doubt he was a scavenger.

“The weather’s nice—good for killing,” the scavenger remarked, glancing up at the sun with a satisfied nod.

That afternoon, after a quick wash, Qin Tian prepared for the banquet. After being hunted all night and falling into the river, he still carried an unpleasant odor.

Nangong Xiaoe washed up as well, though reluctantly, and then put on a set of Jiang Yingying’s clothes. Their figures were similar enough that the clothes fit perfectly.

With preparations complete, the group readied themselves for the banquet.

Jiang Tianxiang was also invited, but because of his legs, he had Jiang Yingying go in his stead.

What surprised everyone was that Shen Xiaoqing had also received an invitation. As for why, Qin Tian had no idea, but his curiosity about her identity deepened.

When Jiang Yingying descended the stairs in her evening gown, Qin Tian's eyes lit up. Her long hair, usually loose, was now swept up, exposing her smooth back and, beneath her delicate shoulders, arms as fair as lotus roots.

The only flaw, perhaps, was her choice of flat-heeled shoes. Jiang Yingying disliked stilettos, so she had chosen these instead.

Still, they didn’t look particularly out of place.

Then came Shen Xiaoqing. Though she too wore an evening dress, for some reason, it just didn’t quite suit her. It wasn’t that she looked unattractive—just that she seemed out of place in formal wear.

“Qin Tian, what’s with that look? You stare at Yingying like a drooling pig, but when you look at me, your eyes go all weird,” Shen Xiaoqing pouted in protest.

“No, you look great. I was just dazzled by your beauty,” Qin Tian lied smoothly.

“Hmph!” Shen Xiaoqing snorted.

“You stay here and look after Uncle Jiang,” Qin Tian said to Nangong Xiaoe.

“No way! I’m coming too!” Nangong Xiaoe refused without hesitation.

What a joke—she’d stayed for Qin Tian, after all! Being a bodyguard for the Jiangs was one thing, since Qin Tian lived at their house, but if everyone else was going out, how could she be left behind?

“Let her come along, Xiaotian. I’ll be fine here alone, especially with so many bodyguards outside. If anything happens, I can always call them in,” Jiang Tianxiang said.

“Thank you, Uncle Jiang!” Nangong Xiaoe responded, beaming.

“Since when do you get to call him Uncle Jiang?” Jiang Yingying grumbled.

“Yingying, don’t be rude,” Jiang Tianxiang reprimanded her.

“Hmph!” Jiang Yingying huffed, glaring at Nangong Xiaoe, who made a face in return, nearly sending Yingying into a fit.

Qin Tian shook his head and pulled Nangong Xiaoe behind him, stopping her from causing more mischief—if not, the two women would soon be at each other’s throats again!

“Let’s go,” he said to Jiang Yingying and Shen Xiaoqing.

The four of them left the house. Qin Tian went to fetch the car, taking up the role of driver as usual.

But just then, Jiang Yingying and Nangong Xiaoe exchanged a look. As soon as the car pulled up at the door, the two dashed for the front passenger seat, neither willing to give way!

Bang!

Qin Tian heard a loud thud, then saw a face, contorted by the impact, pressed against the passenger-side window.

Startled, he thought he’d seen a ghost, but on closer inspection, realized it was Nangong Xiaoe.

She peeled her face off the window—it was literally “peeled” off—with a crisp pop, the sound reminiscent of a plunger unclogging a toilet.

Nangong Xiaoe opened the car door and immediately claimed the front passenger seat, turning to smile triumphantly at Jiang Yingying outside.

Jiang Yingying clenched her fists, her eyes almost spitting fire, but she still opened the back door and got in.

Qin Tian could only force a bitter smile. What were these two up to?

“Xiaoqing, get in,” he called to the still-dazed Shen Xiaoqing.

“Oh, right!” Shen Xiaoqing shook herself, hurried over, and climbed into the back seat.

Now, Qin Tian found himself rather liking Shen Xiaoqing’s silly, innocent demeanor—at least she didn’t cause trouble.

All the way there, the atmosphere in the car was awkwardly silent. Qin Tian wanted to say something several times but, seeing Jiang Yingying’s cold expression in the rearview mirror, changed his mind each time.

“They’re jealous, you know,” Shen Xiaoqing whispered in his ear as they neared their destination.

Jealous? Over him?

Qin Tian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Could his charm really be that great?

The banquet wasn’t being held at the Imperial Hotel this time, but at the equally famous Red Heaven Hotel, co-owned by Tang Yiliu, Deng Jiachen, Huang Qinhu, and Jiang Zhengye.

Built more recently than the Imperial, it boasted far superior materials—advancements in construction had brought in many high-end options.

“If I’d known, I would’ve tried to get this hotel,” Qin Tian thought, gazing at the imposing building of Red Heaven, a tinge of regret in his heart.

He pulled up in front of the hotel, and as soon as the car stopped, Jiang Yingying and Nangong Xiaoe bolted out at the same instant.

Then, to Qin Tian’s astonishment, Jiang Yingying reached the driver’s door first, opened it for him, unfastened his seatbelt, and dragged him out.

She finished it all off with a flick of her hair and a triumphant hum, glaring at Nangong Xiaoe.

Nangong Xiaoe huffed, her face full of irritation.

As for Qin Tian, the bewildered “victim,” he was nearly at his wits’ end—just what were these two after?