Chapter 81: You Really Are the Boss

"Enough!" Qin Tian shouted, his patience finally snapping. He truly couldn't understand these two women—arguing day after day without end, and for what purpose, he had no idea.

Nan Gong Xiao'e shot a glare at Jiang Yingying before retreating behind Qin Tian. Jiang Yingying, not one to back down, returned the glare just as fiercely.

Shaking his head, Qin Tian turned and walked away. After a moment's hesitation, Nan Gong Xiao'e followed him.

"Like a tail, always trailing after," Jiang Yingying said disdainfully.

"Well, better to keep things in the family," Shen Xiaoqing chimed in with a knowing wink.

Jiang Yingying glared at Shen Xiaoqing, who stuck out her tongue and immediately quieted down.

"Qin Tian, let me propose a toast to you." At the banquet, Huang Qinhu approached with a hearty laugh, intending to toast Qin Tian.

Qin Tian was a bit surprised, having no idea what Huang Qinhu was up to. Still, he wasn't about to reject a friendly gesture, so he took a glass of wine from a passing server’s tray and clinked it with Huang Qinhu’s.

Qin Tian had no great fondness for alcohol, but neither did he avoid it. Though young, he understood how deep the culture of toasting ran in China—sometimes, a drink was simply unavoidable.

"My subordinate and you had a misunderstanding before," Huang Qinhu said, "but you taught him his lesson. Let’s call it even and never mention it again—how about that?"

"You mean Brother Snake?" Qin Tian frowned.

"Yes, he's a bit hot-headed," Huang Qinhu replied with a chuckle and a nod.

"I have no intention of holding a grudge. As long as he keeps out of my way, there won’t be any trouble," Qin Tian replied coolly.

He couldn't figure out why Huang Qinhu was going out of his way to be cordial, but he guessed it had something to do with the strength he’d displayed. Still, with the Chiming Society destroyed by the Bodhi Society, both Huang Qinhu and the opportunistic Bodhi Society left a bad taste in Qin Tian’s mouth.

"Of course, of course," Huang Qinhu nodded repeatedly.

The banquet welcoming Qiu Yindang continued until ten o'clock, when the guests finally began to drift away—some tipsy, others in small groups, chatting about where to go and have fun next.

Because he’d been drinking, Qin Tian couldn’t drive, so he handed the keys to Jiang Yingying.

Unfortunately, as they were getting into the car, another argument broke out between Nan Gong Xiao'e and Jiang Yingying. Nan Gong Xiao'e refused to go to Jiang Yingying’s house, and Jiang Yingying made it clear she didn’t want Nan Gong Xiao'e there anyway.

Qin Tian felt his head would split in two, and in the end, he and Shen Xiaoqing had to each take one girl and separate them.

Finally, Jiang Yingying and Shen Xiaoqing went home together, leaving Qin Tian and Nan Gong Xiao'e behind.

"Brother Qin Lei is still the best—he stays with me," Nan Gong Xiao'e grinned, baring her teeth.

"Honestly, why do you always have to pick fights with Yingying?" Qin Tian shook his head helplessly.

"Because you’re mine. I don’t want other women getting close to you," Nan Gong Xiao'e replied.

Qin Tian only smiled, thinking she was joking—after all, he’d always seen her as a little sister.

He attributed the friction between Nan Gong Xiao'e and Jiang Yingying to that night when Nan Gong Xiao'e had tried—and failed—to assassinate him, only to be caught by Jiang Yingying. To Jiang Yingying, having a stranger break into her house was undoubtedly unpleasant.

"Come on, let’s find somewhere to rest," Qin Tian said.

"Book a room? That’s exciting!" Nan Gong Xiao'e exclaimed, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Qin Tian almost choked on his own breath—this girl had really grown up; she could say anything now, no matter how shocking.

"If you keep talking nonsense like this, you’ll never get married!" he scolded, tapping her on the head.

"If nobody wants me, you’ll just have to take me in," Nan Gong Xiao'e replied, winking at him.

Qin Tian was speechless. He hailed a taxi, planning to go to the Grand Imperial Hotel. Now that the hotel belonged to him, he thought, why not make use of it?

"Are there any presidential suites available?" Qin Tian asked as soon as they arrived at the hotel.

"I’m sorry, sir. The presidential suite has already been booked," the receptionist replied apologetically.

"Then give me a deluxe room," Qin Tian said.

"Certainly. May I have your ID, please?" the receptionist asked with a polite smile.

"Here you go," Qin Tian handed over his ID.

"That will be seven hundred eighty-eight yuan, sir," she continued, still smiling.

"Uh, I’m Qin Tian," he said, scratching his head.

He’d never actually visited the hotel since taking over, so it was only natural that the staff didn’t recognize him.

"I’m sorry, sir, the total is seven hundred eighty-eight," she repeated, still smiling, though inwardly she was scoffing at him.

"I’m your boss, do I still need to pay?" Qin Tian asked.

"Sir, if you continue like this, I’ll have to call security," the receptionist’s expression turned cold.

"I’m really your boss..." Qin Tian muttered, exasperated.

"Security, there’s a disturbance at the front desk," the receptionist said sharply, her patience exhausted. She looked at Qin Tian with utter contempt. Bringing such a pretty girl to book a room and then pretending to be the boss? Ridiculous.

Yet, she vaguely recalled the hotel had indeed changed hands recently. Still, it couldn’t possibly be this young man—he looked about eighteen or nineteen at most, dressed in ordinary clothes. She’d noticed on the security cameras that he and the girl had arrived by taxi. How could someone like that afford to buy the hotel?

Qin Tian frowned, thinking this was all his own fault; he should have shown his face sooner.

A group of security guards charged out of the office, quickly surrounding Qin Tian and Nan Gong Xiao'e.

"Causing trouble here, kid? Feeling bold? Do you even know whose turf this is?" the security captain, Lu Xiangqian, barked, eyes wide.

Qin Tian felt helpless—did he really need to ask? This was his own territory!

"Hold on, let me make a call," Qin Tian said, pulling out his phone to call Jiang Zhengye and ask him to clarify his identity.

"Calling for backup?" Lu Xiangqian lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone from his hand.

Qin Tian ducked, dodging the grab, but Lu Xiangqian’s hand twisted, still reaching for the phone. Qin Tian had to tilt his head aside to avoid the grasp. Lu Xiangqian’s hand turned into a fist, whistling past Qin Tian’s ear.

Just then, the call connected.

"Jiang Zhengye, explain this to them!" Qin Tian demanded.

"Explain what?" came Jiang Zhengye’s bewildered voice on the other end—wondering what trouble he’d gotten into now.

"The hotel situation. Tell them I’m really the new owner," Qin Tian said.

"Oh, that," Jiang Zhengye replied, understanding at last. "No problem."

Qin Tian put the phone to Lu Xiangqian’s ear, who listened carefully, nodding repeatedly.

"Would you like to listen as well?" Qin Tian turned to the receptionist.

"So you really are the boss..." she murmured, finally realizing the truth. This unimpressive-looking young man was actually the hotel’s new owner.