Actually, on the way to the room, Su Baiyi had been tossing and turning in his mind for a long time. In the novels and stories he had read, when there was only one room left in the inn, and a man and a woman who were only ordinary acquaintances had to stay in it, the plot would be more or less the same. Usually, the man would naturally give the bed to the woman, who would lie down with a bit of apology and shyness. Then they would turn off the light, and the man would sleep on the floor or on a long chair.
Then, whether he slept on the floor or on the long chair, he would find it too hard and uncomfortable. The man would toss and turn, either on purpose or unconsciously, to show his discomfort. Then the woman would usually ask: Is it too hard and uncomfortable to sleep on the floor? The man would reply: It’s fine, you go ahead and sleep. The woman would then say with a bit of apology and shyness: Come up and sleep together, we have two quilts anyway. Then the man would reluctantly hug his quilt and go up, and innocently ask: Do you want to put a bowl of water in the middle? The woman would cover her mouth and smile: No need, I trust you.
After that, the water in the middle would naturally be gone. The two quilts would also become one… And the story that was supposed to happen would inevitably happen.
The more Su Baiyi thought about it, the faster his heart beat. Of course, although his senior sister was beautiful, with long legs, a slender waist and a large chest, Su Baiyi could swear to heaven that he had no improper thoughts about her. He just read too many books, so he couldn’t help but associate. He shook his head vigorously, throwing away those thoughts in his mind. Then he put his senior sister on the bed, spread out the quilt and covered her with it.
Senior sister breathed evenly, her chest rising and falling.
But Su Baiyi could swear to heaven that he had no improper thoughts about his senior sister.
He immediately turned his head and looked carefully at this luxurious room. He realized that his thoughts just now were a bit ridiculous. The whole room was carpeted with thick carpets. There were two long chairs in the middle, covered with white tiger skins. Su Baiyi walked over and sat down, rubbing the thick fur. It was softer than his bed at home. If he really followed the plot of the novels and stories just now, it would probably be like this:
Senior sister: Is it uncomfortable to sleep on the long chair?
Su Baiyi remained silent, because he had fallen asleep long ago due to being too comfortable.
“I can even picture it.” Su Baiyi said softly with a smile. “But I’m a person who can’t sleep…” He got up from the long chair, blew gently at the candle in the room, then walked to the door and pushed it open. The door of Spring Snow Room was already closed tightly. He didn’t know if there was anyone inside. The door of Flying Cloud Room was opened again. The old man with white hair and beard was still playing with the small knife in his hand. This time he was not trimming his nails, but using that small knife to snatch away the candle flame in an instant, then flicking it back to the candle with a sudden swing. He repeated this over and over again without ever making a mistake.
“Boy, do you like what you see?” The old man suddenly asked.
Su Baiyi quickly smiled apologetically, “Senior, you have a good skill.”
“You try it too.” The old man turned his hand, holding the tip of the knife, and waved at Su Baiyi.
“No need.” Su Baiyi hurriedly shook his head and continued to walk outside. He went down one floor and arrived at the earthly floor, where there were also rooms all around. Although there were people coming and going, it was quiet. But when he went down another floor, it was a completely different scene.
There were noisy voices everywhere, drunk people staggering around, shops selling food, jewelry, medicinal materials, and even a place where a group of people were fighting shrimps. Su Baiyi watched with interest, but regretfully touched his pocket. He only had some copper coins. But he remembered what the manager had said before, that food and drink were free after checking in. So he plucked up his courage and grabbed a meat bun.
The guy who sold the meat buns looked at him, and he looked at the guy.
They were both very confused.
So Su Baiyi bit into it hard. The guy finally reacted and stretched out a hand, “Pay up.”
“Isn’t it free?” Su Baiyi swallowed a mouthful of bun.
“Only Heaven Floor guests are exempt. Pay up, five copper coins.” The guy frowned.
“Is this it?” Su Baiyi took out the key to the room.
The guy’s face changed, but his tone was still doubtful, “So, people on the Heaven Floor eat meat buns too…”
“Then what should they eat?” Su Baiyi asked back.
“There are imperial pastries from Glass House ahead, and crispy roast chicken from Eight Dou Pavilion…” The guy didn’t get to finish his sentence, as Su Baiyi gulped down the bun in two or three bites, and hurriedly walked forward. But before he reached Glass House and Eight Dou Pavilion, he was drawn by another voice.
“Buy and go! Buy and go! Bet big today and win big, bet small and make a sure profit, if you have the guts of a bear and a leopard, you can go home with gold and silver!”
Su Baiyi turned his head abruptly, his eyes shining. “Casino!”
He had been itching for a while, because he had heard the word “casino” several times. But considering his scanty funds, he didn’t bother to look for it. But now he just happened to pass by.
It was fate, it must be fate.
Su Baiyi didn’t care about the imperial pastries or the crispy roast chicken anymore. He turned his head and walked in. In the casino, one could often see all kinds of human nature. As soon as Su Baiyi entered, he saw some people wailing and crying, some laughing heartily, some with cold faces and silent, some with red faces and trembling hands and feet.
“Young master?” He heard a familiar voice. Su Baiyi turned his head and saw the girl named Nailuo.
“Nailuo, what a coincidence.” Su Baiyi blushed a little.
“This is the most lively place on the whole ship. When the guests don’t need me to serve them, I help out here. But since the young master is here, let Nailuo accompany you.” Nailuo bowed slightly and said, “What do you want to play? Pai Gow? Liubo? Madiao? Leaf play.”
“I don’t know any of these.” Su Baiyi shook his head.
“Then what do you want to play?” Nailuo asked.
“Bet on big or small!” Su Baiyi said solemnly.
“Please follow Nailuo.” Nailuo covered her mouth and smiled. She led Su Baiyi to a table on the left that was surrounded by people. Then she cleared her throat.
Everyone turned their heads. They seemed to recognize Nailuo and knew that she brought a distinguished guest from the heavenly floor. So they naturally made way for him. Su Baiyi walked up under everyone’s gaze.
The dealer who shook the dice was a beautiful woman with a curvy figure. She smiled slightly at Su Baiyi, “Young master, you are just in time. We are about to stop betting. Do you want to place a bet on this round?”
“I bet on big.” Su Baiyi said solemnly.
“How much silver?” The dealer asked again.
Su Baiyi very solemnly took out his money pouch from his pocket, carefully poured out three coins, counted them carefully and put them on the table. “Three copper coins.”
Thanks.