Zhou Zishu casually fixed his torn sleeves. “If you can look like her, I’m willing to strip off everything so you can touch however much you like.”

Gu Xiang once thought Zhou Zishu was a poor beggar who was too unfortunate to have run into her Master and even sympathized with him; but after that reply she realized they were just birds of a same damn feather, no wonder they flocked together.

She could only hope now that they had each other to mess around and fight their energy away with, they would cause less disaster for the world.

Wen Kexing turned to judge Gu Xiang with an unreadable face. Then his voice dropped, “Ah-Xiang, you can get lost now.”

There was a “Huh?” from Gu Xiang as she blinked innocently. “You want me to be off to where?”

Wen Kexing crossed his arms, really wishing to see her no more. “This world is endless; except for Dong Ting, you can scram to wherever.”

Gu Xiang, after a good while of standing there foolishly, blurted out, “Are you jealous with me, Master?”

Wen Kexing glanced at her. Gu Xiang immediately understood and slapped herself, “Damn you, you stupid mouth, you stupid running mouth, how about…”

“Ah-Xiang.”

Gu Xiang walked away immediately with an “Aish”, continuing to ramble along the way. “Alright, alright, I’ll scram. Don’t worry Master, I’ll leave to the farthest place I can; a three-legged frog1 may be hard to find but not a two-legged man! Never in my life would I dare to steal your men, Master, please, you two just be my guest, carry on with what you’re doing…”

She quickly disappeared from view, still prattling on.

Zhou Zishu watched this squabble between master and maid with interest, thinking back to the “except for Dong Ting” part, which seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Once Gu Xiang left, Wen Kexing’s entire demeanor changed. He coughed pretentiously, extending his hand. “Can this one have the honor of having a meal with you, Brother Zhou?”

Even if I refuse, this person will tail me around anyway, Zhou Zishu thought, and if I agree he will pay for my food. He accepted the request quite cheerfully.

Wen Kexing led the way with the brightest face. Zhou Zishu did an internal introspection; back when he was a half-ghost flitting about the palace, wearing robes and doing murderous business in a mysterious place full of apricot blossoms, he might be brutal, but at least there was a grace to him as a cover.

Since when had he become unabashedly shameless?

He looked at Wen Kexing’s back and thought, a man is known by the company he keeps indeed.

They were starving when they reached the tavern, so all the dishes were consumed with silent efficiency; as if they were afraid they would miss a bite. Their chopsticks bumped occasionally and small fights ensued over chicken and pork.