023 Take Me to a Hotel
The nights on Tianxian Road were a kaleidoscope of neon lights and festivities.
Qin Ren arrived at one of the establishments. It was lively inside. The antique-style plaque read: Jianghu Tavern.
…
The bars in Rongcheng were famous, both the seedy and the clean ones.
If you liked the seedy kind, you could go to Bayan Bridge.
If you liked the clean kind, you could consider Tianxian Road.
But what caught Qin Ren off guard was that with the current economic downturn, business was tough in every industry. Some of the “specialty expansion services” that originally belonged to the high-energy clubs near Bayan Bridge had actually come to Tianxian Road to develop.
“Handsome?”
“…”
The area around the entrance of Jianghu Tavern was bustling with people. Among them were several furtive-looking middle-aged women milling about. One of them set her sights on the honest-looking Qin Ren.
Based on the gossip he had heard at the company, Qin Ren already knew what she did. He tried to avoid her, but this stout auntie forcefully blocked his path. After a shifty glance around, she asked mysteriously.
“Handsome, wanna flash?”
“No.”
“Come on, 50 yuan a pop.”
“No!”
Qin Ren was resolute, refusing the so-called “flash” service the auntie was offering.
But the auntie was a tough one. Adhering to the professional spirit of “get you on the bus first, then force you to pay the fare,” she directly lifted her clothes, brazenly displaying two flour sacks in front of Qin Ren.
Before Qin Ren could frown and close his eyes, the auntie put her clothes back down, straightened her face, and held out her hand.
“50.”
“…”
That’s right, this was “flashing.”
One look, 50 yuan.
There were many similar independent operators near Bayan Bridge, mostly middle-aged women. They looked respectable in their dress, but they were impossible to guard against when they were trying to scam you, often targeting younger, naive-looking guys.
But Qin Ren was no naive guy. He was a retired exorcist. Having seen so many demons and monsters, how could he be intimidated by this old hag?
So Qin Ren took out his phone, opened WeChat, and pretended to pay. While the old hag was also getting her phone out and her accomplices had let their guard down, he made a dash and flew into Jianghu Tavern.
“?”
The auntie was dumbfounded, not expecting Qin Ren to get a freebie off a fifty-year-old comrade like her.
Her accomplices were also dumbfounded. Before they could surround him, he had vanished. They could only resentfully wait for the next target.
————————
“Qin Ren! Over here!”
“Brother Ren!”
As soon as he entered, he saw someone waving not far away. Qin Ren walked straight over.
Under the soft, scattered lights, a singer was strumming a guitar and singing a folk song. Besides the light aroma of alcohol, there were no unpleasant smells in the bar. The waiters and waitresses were all young men and women in traditional costumes. It was a bar that couldn’t be any cleaner.
“Brother Ren is late. Penalty of three bowls.”
“I suggest five bowls. The alcohol content here is too low.”
Indeed, the several basic types of alcohol here were quite low in proof.
You could tell from the names: Mount Qingcheng Sect, Granny Meng, Bodhi, Sinking Fish and Falling Geese…
They were all flavored wines suitable for getting slightly tipsy. However, the various drinking vessels were designed in a beautiful, antique style, and the appetizers were also delicious.
“Forget the penalty. Drinking too much will bloat my stomach. Alcohol should be drunk slowly.”
Qin Ren sat down, casually drank a bowl of the emerald-green “Sinking Fish and Falling Geese” to quench his thirst. After a few sentences, the group started talking about the reason for their gathering: Li Wei’s resignation and career change.
“Old Li, what were you thinking? You’ve got guts.”
“Did your family’s house get demolished?”
The tavern lights were intoxicating, but the more Li Wei drank, the clearer his head became. He let out a soft sigh.
“I couldn’t take it anymore. Last week’s company physical showed I have moderate fatty liver and frozen shoulder.”
“For real?” Zhang Fei was surprised. “Old Li is only 24 this year, right?”
“For real.”
It was Zhou Chi who answered, speaking from personal experience.
“I also have some liver and kidney problems.”
Among the group, only Zhang Fei, who was holed up in a small company, and Qin Ren, who was in good physical condition, had no health issues at the moment. But Zhou Chi estimated that it was only temporary for them.
“Sigh… is this what it means to be a wage earner?”
Zhou Chi ordered a few more rounds of “Pass Out at the Door” and “Daughter’s Red,” which were the high-proof alcohols in the tavern.
“Anyway, I’ve seen the light. Who am I working my ass off for? If this goes on, what’s the point of having the money to earn but not the life to spend it?”
Li Wei raised his small bowl and drained it in one gulp.
“You guys know my personality. I might as well quit and take a gamble. Life and death are up to fate, wealth and honor are up to heaven. If I starve to death, so be it!”
The group toasted. At first, they were chatting seriously, but after an hour, they gradually started to boast and shoot the breeze, with no topic off-limits.
…
“I’m definitely not having a son in the future. If I have a child, it’ll be a daughter!”
“Damn it, are you going to have one with the air right now? It’s too late! School is the best place to fall in love!”
“Yeah, I remember back in my freshman year, I was eighteen, she was eighteen…”
“Hold up, let me tell you guys something magical. You know about exorcists…”
…
Qin Ren and the three of them drank and chatted. The more they chatted about everything under the sun, the more they drank, unable to stop. From college memoirs to work adventures to future plans, they didn’t talk much about serious business. It was mostly complaining and venting.
And as it happened, this was the kind of venting they needed.
On this night, these few guys, who had been beaten down by the winds and sands of society, rediscovered the youth and passion that should have belonged to them.
Life, dreams, love…
These things, which they had forgotten or abandoned at some point, were unrestrainedly poured down their burning throats at 8:10 on this summer night.
“Blech—!!”
And were then thrown back up at 1:30 in the morning.
“Old… Old Li… are you okay?”
“Brother Ren, I’m… blech—!”
…
Qin Ren was one of the better ones. Old Li was a lightweight and was puking like a Blastoise.
The only one who was relatively sober was Zhang Fei. He supported Qin on his left, held Chi on his right, and had a waiter help with Old Li, dragging the three of them out of the tavern.
Looking at his buddies on the ground—some puking, some crying, some laughing—Zhang Fei could only shake his head and sigh.
He remembered that before they entered the workforce, they were the ones who looked down on those uncles who drowned their sorrows in alcohol…
“Old Li, Brother Chi, you guys rest for a bit. I’ll send you back.”
Zhang Fei only knew where Zhou Chi and Old Li lived. As for Qin Ren, Zhang Fei didn’t know his address, but he knew he had an older sister, Gu Qing.
So, Zhang Fei helped up Qin Ren, the only one who was still clean, and sat him down under a plane tree outside the bar. Then he took out his phone.
“Damn, Brother Ren, how’d your screen get cracked?”
“Bullshit…”
“It’s true. It’s not serious, but it’s pretty obvious.”
“Crack… cracked my ass… someone just stepped on it…”
Qin Ren was dazed, his words slurred, but his memory was still clear.
“I checked it right then, it wasn’t cracked… how could it be cracked now… did that person’s foot have internal energy? …Seven Injuries Fist?”
Seeing that he was also talking nonsense, Zhang Fei ignored him and scrolled through his contacts.
“Which one is your sister’s number?”
“What for…”
“Don’t ask, just tell me.”
“Her… hic… Her Majesty, the Queen…”
Alright, these two siblings are quite something.
Zhang Fei complained inwardly, found [Her Majesty, the Queen], and made the call.
“Hello? Is this Sister Gu? It’s Zhang Fei… no, it has nothing to do with Guan Yu. I’m Qin Ren’s roommate. We’ve met before, don’t you remember me?…”
Gu Qing didn’t have much of an impression of Zhang Fei, but she had gone to the same university as Qin Ren before she started grad school. A few times when the siblings were eating in the cafeteria, Zhang Fei had happened to run into them. He still had a vivid memory of Gu Qing’s cold and arrogant gaze, so much so that he couldn’t help but use honorifics when calling her.
Zhang Fei described the general situation. Half an hour later, a Didi arrived, and a petite girl got out of the car. She frowned, her willow-like brows furrowed, and she bit her lower lip. The moment she saw Qin Ren, her watery, bright eyes filled with deep worry and urgency.
“Qin Ren, Qin Ren…”
Half an hour had passed. When Gu Qing shook Qin Ren’s body, he had already fallen asleep.
“Um… Sister Gu?”
Zhang Fei, who had been completely ignored, raised his hand and gave an awkward laugh. Gu Qing’s face instantly changed like a Sichuan opera mask. Her cold gaze made Zhang Fei get goosebumps even in the middle of summer.
“How did he get this drunk?”
“No, no, he’s mostly just asleep. He’s actually fine, he didn’t even puke much. Look at the two lying over there, that’s what you call drunk.”
Zhang Fei pointed at the sprawled-out Zhou Chi and Li Wei. Gu Qing glanced at them and said nothing more. She slung Qin Ren’s arm over her own thin shoulder and helped him towards the car.
Seeing such a petite girl supporting the tall and large Qin Ren, Zhang Fei actually wanted to help. But upon closer inspection, Gu Qing was holding Qin Ren’s wrist with one hand and had her other arm wrapped tightly around his waist. Her slender arm held the big man so tightly, as if she were afraid someone would snatch her little brother away.
So naturally, Zhang Fei didn’t want to be a busybody. After watching them get into the car, he went to deal with the other two buddies himself.
————————
“Driver, Longhu Residential Community.”
“Jian’gong Road?”
“Yes.”
In the back seat of the car, the limp Qin Ren woke up, but his eyes were still closed. He let out a series of mumbled “mm-ah” sounds.
“Sis…”
Gu Qing ignored him and used a wet wipe to clean his face.
“Qing’er…”
“…”
Gu Qing’s movements paused. Her lips trembled twice, and then she decided to continue ignoring him.
Serves you right for drinking, serves you right for getting drunk… hmph!
Qin Ren vaguely knew Gu Qing was beside him, but he couldn’t hear her reply. Under the influence of the alcohol, he became a little unhappy and subconsciously moved closer to the familiar scent of gardenias.
“Hey, you! …Qin Ren, what are you doing… Aiya~…”
Qin Ren wasn’t doing anything. He just missed his sister. His strong arm wrapped around her delicate shoulders and back. The unique softness of a girl’s body was held tightly in his embrace. Wisps of warm fragrance drilled into his nostrils, making his drunkenness clear up a little.
“Qing’er… Sis…”
“Qin Ren, you… you get up first…”
Gu Qing couldn’t remember how long it had been since he had hugged her. Her whole body was enveloped in her little brother’s scent. Her mind was in a daze, her face was burning hot, her ears were burning hot, and finally, her chest started to pound, as if a small drum were beating inside.
“You… you’re throwing a drunken fit with your sister, aren’t you!”
Gu Qing slapped Qin Ren’s back in annoyance. But the muscles on his back were very firm. After a few slaps, her little hand started to hurt. So she had no choice but to give up, out of breath, and let him hold her like this.
“Sis…”
Qin Ren’s words were laced with the smell of alcohol, but they were also full of heat, blowing ticklishly by her ear, making Gu Qing feel flustered. She glanced sideways and found that his eyes were still closed.
She looked again. His right arm had already slowly slipped from her shoulder and was hanging limply on the car seat.
“…”
Gu Qing stared for a while, then quietly raised her own slender white hand, spread her fingers, and reached for his limp, large hand…
“Sis!”
“!”
Qin Ren’s body suddenly trembled, and his voice rose, startling Gu Qing.
“We’re… we’re not going home tonight…”
“Nonsense. If we’re not going home, where are we going?”
Qin Ren didn’t want to go home because he vaguely remembered that there was something at home that shouldn’t be seen.
At least, not for now. Or rather, in his current state, it wasn’t convenient for his sister to see it.
So he was very insistent on not going home. In his daze, his lips pressed against Gu Qing’s soft ear and nuzzled it.
“Sis… take me to a hotel…”
Translator’s Notes
-
-
Granny Meng (孟婆): In Chinese mythology, she is the deity who serves a special soup on the Bridge of Helplessness to souls about to be reincarnated, causing them to forget their past lives.
-
Sinking Fish and Falling Geese (沉鱼落雁): A Chinese idiom used to describe a woman of devastating beauty, so beautiful that fish would sink and geese would fall from the sky upon seeing her.
-
Daughter’s Red (女儿红): A type of Chinese yellow wine, traditionally buried underground when a daughter is born and dug up for her wedding banquet.
-
Blastoise (水箭龟): A Pokémon known for the powerful water cannons on its back.
-
Seven Injuries Fist (七伤拳): A powerful but self-destructive martial arts technique from Jin Yong’s wuxia novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. It harms the user’s internal organs before harming the enemy.
-
Guan Yu (关羽): A famous general from the Three Kingdoms period. Zhang Fei is making a joke because his name (张菲, Zhāng Fēi) is a homophone for the historical figure Zhang Fei (张飞), who was Guan Yu’s sworn brother. He’s clarifying he’s not that Zhang Fei.
-
