Avalon, though called a business hotel, did offer so-called "couple's suites," but the cost was probably equivalent to Ren Yuanhao's half-month salary.
The server, without a word, ushered the two into a couple's suite and first served them some fruit. After ordering some Western dishes, they settled down.
"The name of this hotel is quite interesting. Avalon is said to be the holy land of the Celts, the place of Druidic worship, known as the Island of the Dead."
Ren Yuanhao spoke with a touch of emotion. During high school and college, he had a particular fondness for reading Celtic and Irish mythology, and he found himself speaking more than usual.
"Are you really the Ren Yuanhao I know?"
Seeing Shen Lan Ni gaze at him with a peculiar look, he felt a bit embarrassed.
"The boss is devoted to Taekwondo, and the accounting matters are generally handled by the secretary, so she doesn't have a deep impression of me."
"Is that so? So you invited me here tonight because you want to complain about the hardships of working all these years?"
Ren Yuanhao waved his hand, a little awkwardly, "No, no, I have something I'd like to ask your advice on."
"Mmm, it's not often someone treats me to a big meal, so I'm in a good mood. Go ahead and speak," Shen Lan Ni's features were sharp and heroic. She usually wore her hair in a high ponytail, with fiery red tips that naturally gave her an air of dominance.
However, today was different. Ren Yuanhao noticed she wore subtle earrings and her hair was not tied up in a ponytail but instead draped smoothly over her shoulders. The entire person was like a glass of red fruit wine, intoxicatingly beautiful.
In this appearance, Shen Lan Ni had lost some of her sharp heroic quality and gained a touch of maturity. Ren Yuanhao stared, mesmerized, and for a moment forgot the reason for his visit.
"What, do I look that good?"
Ren Yuanhao, jolted by her question, instantly came to his senses. His face flushed slightly, and he said with a hint of awkwardness, "Beautiful, of course, you're beautiful. Miss Shen is a young prodigy, outstanding in every way. It's also the first time I've seen Miss Shen present herself like this, so I lost my composure, forgive me."
"Stop using those flowery words with me. Tell me, what exactly did you want to see me for?"
"Actually, I wanted Miss Shen to teach me some Taekwondo moves, or perhaps other martial arts. Aside from my brute strength, I'm pretty much clueless about everything else."
"It's my fault too. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have..."
Shen Lan Ni had been quite self-reproachful about this matter these past few days, which was why she had people monitoring Jiang Cheng's movements.
"It's nothing. As a man, if I can't stand in front of a woman, I'd be too cowardly."
"But, did you see the person I mentioned in my text message?"
Ren Yuanhao nodded, "I did. You said she's your master?"
"Yes, my master is not only a martial arts expert skilled in various schools and styles but also a Taoist who understands self-cultivation. He lives in seclusion in the mountains, spending his days with mountain winds and bamboo forests. However, this time, I don't know what methods Jiang Cheng used to actually coax him out."
When Shen Lan Ni mentioned her master, she became somewhat nervous, her hands unconsciously clenching, trembling slightly.
Ren Yuanhao instantly realized the seriousness of the situation, knowing that there weren't many people in this world who could make Shen Lan Ni so apprehensive.
"Your master coming out of seclusion must have his reasons. I believe that with your guidance, I won't necessarily be at a disadvantage."
"It's too late. Never mind, let's eat quickly. If we can squeeze out a little time, that's all that matters."
Shen Lan Ni's urgency, in a way, matched her personality. However, she herself might not have fully understood that, subconsciously, her actions were not for her own reputation but for Ren Yuanhao.
The two quickly finished their late-night snack, which could have further developed their relationship, and swiftly returned to the Lan Ni Taekwondo Hall.
= That night, the two practiced until very late, and Ren Yuanhao, nearly exhausted, returned to his lodging at precisely 3:18 AM.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw that Zhang Ying Fang had not yet slept but was sitting by the windowsill, looking at the moon.
"Sister Zhang, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Zhang Ying Fang didn't speak immediately. She directly used her finger to write on the frost-covered windowpane.
"Sister Zhang?"
Ren Yuanhao called out again. Zhang Ying Fang seemed to come back to her senses and asked weakly, "Yuanhao, it's so stuffy in this room. I want to go home. Oh, right, have you eaten? There are no cooking facilities here, so I ordered takeout. Do you want some?"
"I've eaten, Sister Zhang. Were there any suspicious people today?"
"No. I think this matter should be over. You must be very tired. I'll go for you~"
Ren Yuanhao grabbed Zhang Ying Fang's hand and said softly, "Sister Zhang, you don't have to do so much for me. I saved you and protected you purely out of instinct. I~"
"It is precisely because of this instinct that I feel you are worth entrusting my life to!"