When Qin Siyang returned to the guesthouse, Yu Ziying had already woken up.
The two of them had restored their original appearances and changed into Qin Siyang's clothes.
This was also the first time Qin Siyang had ever seen Yu Ziying in person.
He had originally thought that this Black Robed Protector would be about the same age as Director Chen, but to his surprise, Yu Ziying looked only twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
Then he thought again. Since the apocalypse began, Yu Ziying had been doing charity work under her father's protection, and it had only been about ten years since then.
So being twenty-seven or twenty-eight was perfectly reasonable.
But according to what Zhao Longfei said, Yu Ziying's father had been killed five years ago, she had killed the Black Robed Protector of the Zephyr Church and taken power four years ago, and then "died" two years ago.
That made Qin Siyang suddenly feel a strange sense of unreality, 'So many ups and downs in just three years.'
But then again, after his own transmigration, he had gone through no fewer twists and turns himself in only half a year.
In a time when the old order had fallen and a new one was rising, perhaps things really did change day by day.
He quietly glanced at Yu Ziying again.
Her features were calm and gentle, and within that calmness was a faint air of nobility. She couldn't be called a stunning beauty, but she certainly deserved the title of a "graceful beauty."
Only, her face carried a kind of sickly pallor.
Recalling what had happened earlier, Qin Siyang realized that this sickly whiteness likely spread throughout her whole body.
It seemed her illness was not mild.
From the moment Qin Siyang entered, Yu Ziying had kept a gentle smile on her face, and in her eyes there was a faint hint of gratitude.
But Qin Siyang had no intention of engaging her in too much conversation.
Even Zhao Longfei, that living Buddha himself, did not want to get entangled in karma and cause and effect, how could Qin Siyang, a mere little novice monk, dare to get involved?
At this moment, Hu Chan was watching Qin Siyang.
Although Hu Chan's gaze was steady, his slightly pale lips betrayed the tension within.
"Good news," Qin Siyang said, "Principal Zhao has agreed to let you two stay."
"Thank you."
"It's not over yet. Although Principal Zhao agreed, outwardly he'll only announce that he's taking in you, the student from South Glory University. As for the other person, he doesn't care who it is, but it definitely can't be the already-dead Yu Ziying."
Qin Siyang repeated Zhao Longfei's distancing words exactly as they were, putting the ugly truth up front so that if Yu Ziying was ever discovered or caused trouble, South Glory wouldn't get dragged into it.
Hu Chan fell silent at this, and Yu Ziying, her voice weak, said, "For Principal Zhao to shelter me at all, I'm already very grateful. He's right, Yu Ziying is dead. I won't bring trouble to South Glory University."
Qin Siyang nodded, "Thank you for understanding. As for where you'll live, if you don't want to leave South Glory, you can rent rooms here at the guesthouse. But according to what Principal Zhao said before, I can only guarantee that this floor, which was temporarily given to me for use, isn't under surveillance."
Yu Ziying said softly, "Then can we rent rooms on this floor? I'll pay rent."
"If you want to rent on this floor, same as everyone else, three silver coins per day. Just happens someone moved out today, so there's an empty room for you."
Hu Chan immediately protested, "Boss Qin, we're a man and a woman, living together in one room? That's not proper!"
"When you asked me to save you, did you tell me you were a man and a woman and I'd have to arrange housing too?"
Under another's roof, Hu Chan lowered his head again, "The situation was urgent; I didn't have time to say. Sorry."
Qin Siyang glanced at the sickly Yu Ziying and scratched his hair helplessly.
"Forget it. Let Yu Ziying stay in that room for tonight. You sleep with me. When another room opens up in a couple of days, you can move out. But since you're staying with me, you'll pay half the rent."
"Alright!", Hu Chan immediately agreed, "Thank you, Boss Qin!"
Yu Ziying gave Hu Chan a glance and smiled slightly. She said "thank you" softly, then lowered her head, lost in thought.
"Alright, you two get settled. I have something else to take care of."
Hu Chan kept calling after him, "Thanks, Boss Qin! Really, thank you."
———
After leaving the room, Qin Siyang sent a message to Wen Shu.
[You there?]
A few seconds later, his phone vibrated.
[I'm here. You handled it?]
[More or less.]
[Where are you? Can we talk?]
[I'm at the guesthouse. We can talk in the lobby downstairs.]
[Okay, wait for me.]
———
Qin Siyang sat on the lobby sofa for about five minutes before Wen Shu arrived.
She had already changed into the pajamas from her wardrobe, and her hair was still a little damp, as if she'd just washed up.
Qin Siyang said, "Sorry to bother you so late."
Wen Shu smiled and shook her head, "No, it's fine. I was waiting for your message anyway."
Then she seemed to realize she'd said too much and averted her eyes.
Qin Siyang's heart skipped a few beats faster.
"Uh, things were a bit troublesome today, so I only just finished. Sorry about that."
"It's fine. I heard the hallway was noisy this afternoon, was that the person who called you?"
"Yeah. Thanks to your warning, I realized he was in danger and managed to rescue him and his friend. But tonight, the two of us have to share a room."
"As long as you saved them, that's what matters. Qin Siyang, you've had a tiring day. You should rest early."
"Today wasn't too bad, just a few trips in and out of the campus. But I'll rest soon. You and Grandma Xu should rest early too."
"Grandma's already asleep. I'll head back and rest too."
"Alright, then we'll—"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Just as they were speaking, someone knocked on the lobby door.
Qin Siyang frowned, "Who is it?"
"Hello, is Miss Wen Shu here? She ordered vegetable and egg drop porridge from the kitchen to be delivered to the tenth-floor lobby. I'm here to deliver it."
"Room service?"
Qin Siyang's brow furrowed tighter, something felt off.
He slipped his hand into his pocket, ready to take out a candy.
But sitting opposite him, Wen Shu stood up and opened the door, taking the tray from the waiter's hands, "I ordered it. Thank you."
"Enjoy your meal."
Qin Siyang asked, "You didn't eat dinner?"
Wen Shu shook her head and set the tray on the table in front of him, "I figured you probably hadn't eaten, so I ordered it for you."
"For me?"
"Mhm! It's late, and you'll be sleeping soon. Eating too much isn't good, but not eating at all is worse. So I ordered a bowl of hot porridge that's easy to digest."
Qin Siyang paused for a moment, loosened the candy in his pocket, and nodded, "Thanks."
"No need to thank me. Meals here are free anyway, just like the school cafeteria."
"Mm!"
Qin Siyang picked up the bowl and began eating spoonful by spoonful.
Wen Shu rested her chin on her hand and quietly watched him.
Then she asked softly, "It's just porridge, what are you smiling about?"
"It tastes good."
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