Chapter 7: If There Isn't Much Water, I Don't Want It

“What does freeloading mean?” The young girl, inexperienced and naïve, had no idea what such a professional term implied.

Luo Xingchen explained, “Freeloading means eating for free.”

“For free?” Tie Pipi shuddered.

“Honored master, you’re not foolish at all, nor am I. Though, as for Little Meow, that’s debatable.”

Little Meow: “???”

But Tie Pipi wasn’t about to let the matter drop.

“If you don’t believe me, let me prove it.” She held up a finger and quizzed Little Meow. “How many fingers am I holding up? See? You can’t answer!”

Little Meow: “???”

She added another finger. “Now how many? Still can’t answer, can you!” Tie Pipi looked extremely pleased, as if she’d accomplished something remarkable.

Luo Xingchen remarked, “Little Meow isn’t human, but you’re a real dog.”

Tie Pipi hastened to protest, “I’m not a dog! Dogs can’t give up eating filth, but I’ve never touched the stuff!”

“Yes, I can see that. And by ‘freeloading,’ I meant eating watermelon for free, not being foolish.”

Luo Xingchen threw in the explanation, lest the girl’s imagination run wild and she start asking more questions.

“There are actually things you can eat for free in this world?” Tie Pipi was baffled. How could such good fortune exist?

Luo Xingchen walked on, answering, “Not for everyone, but I can.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the watermelon stall.

A married couple ran the stall. The lady, though past her youth, was voluptuous and wore a bright red dress. Her low-cut bodice revealed a dizzying cleavage that seemed to draw men in; traces of her youthful beauty lingered on her face.

Her husband, on the other hand, was rather shabby—a hunchbacked man with a pockmarked, wrinkled face. Not ugly, exactly, just not pleasant to look at.

All the customers here were men. Even those who weren’t thirsty would find their mouths dry after passing by and glimpsing the stall owner’s attire, compelled to sit down and eat a slice or two.

The husband sat by the cart, sorting watermelons, while the wife bustled about, welcoming guests.

When she saw the handsome, dashing Luo Xingchen, she hurried over.

“Would you like some watermelon, sir? Please, have a seat.”

Luo Xingchen picked an empty table, pulled out a stool, and said, “Bring me two big, white—no, two big, sweet, and juicy ones! If they’re not juicy, I don’t want them!”

The lady assured him, “Don’t worry, sir. Our melons are all big, sweet, and juicy. If they’re not, you don’t have to pay!”

Tie Pipi hurried to add, “Then, could you find us two that aren’t sweet or juicy, please?”

The lady was taken aback.

Tie Pipi whispered, “We don’t have any money.”

The stall owner laughed behind her hand. “What a funny little girl.”

Luo Xingchen said, “Don’t listen to her. Just bring us two big, sweet, and juicy ones. But, to be honest, we don’t have any money. Perhaps I could pay with this handsome face of mine—what do you think?”

At these words, the stall owner gazed at Luo Xingchen for a long moment, then licked her lips and replied with a flirtatious smile, “If it were anyone else, I’d refuse. But for you, young man, that’s perfectly fine!”

She burst into peals of laughter—her body shaking, her bosom heaving—shooting Luo Xingchen a coquettish glance.

Her behavior was nothing short of lascivious.

The men eating and drinking nearby cast Luo Xingchen looks filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

The hunchbacked husband glanced over but said nothing.

Tie Pipi stared in disbelief. “There really are things you can eat for free in this world? Honored master, how did you manage it?”

Luo Xingchen pointed to his own strikingly handsome face. “Am I good-looking?”

Tie Pipi nodded earnestly.

“That’s why,” Luo Xingchen said.

Tie Pipi was about to ask more when the stall owner approached, carrying two large watermelons.

“Such a handsome young man—anyone would like you! Not only can you eat two melons for free, but if you’d like, come to my house and eat as many as you want!”

She bent over as she spoke, slicing the watermelon—with her chest exposed even further, her eyes locked seductively on Luo Xingchen, as if she wished she could devour him.

Tie Pipi said gratefully, “You’re such a generous lady, with your own private airfield! You’re so good to us!”

“What?” The stall owner paused, confused.

She understood the latter part, but the first?

“I’m complimenting you,” Tie Pipi explained. “That’s what the honored master taught me.”

“No, no, that’s not how you use it,” Luo Xingchen said, glancing at the stall owner’s ample figure and then at Tie Pipi’s rather ordinary one, correcting her sternly. “It may be a compliment, but you can’t use it for this lady.”

Tie Pipi asked curiously, “Then who else can it be used for, besides me?”

Luo Xingchen looked around and finally fixed his gaze on a young woman approaching: long hair tied back, a sword at her waist, and a heroic air about her.

“Her. Someone like her.”

The young woman seemed to sense it and frowned slightly as she approached.

“Are you talking about me?” she asked as she drew near.

Tie Pipi rushed to answer, “Sister, the honored master says you’re a rich lady with your own private airfield!”

“Complimenting me? I don’t feel complimented,” Wang Zhengyu said, still frowning. “And why the sudden compliment, anyway?”

“Because you’re a beautiful young lady!” Tie Pipi replied without hesitation.

At this, Wang Zhengyu’s frown relaxed.

“Would you like to sit down and eat watermelon with us?” Tie Pipi invited.

Before Wang Zhengyu could answer, Luo Xingchen said, “Sit and eat with us. Don’t rush to refuse—it’s all free, after all. Like they say, only a fool turns down a freebie.”

Wang Zhengyu arched a brow. “You’re not paying for your food? That’s outrageous!”

The stall owner stepped in, “Don’t be upset, girl. I agreed to it.”

“That’s right,” Tie Pipi said. “The stall owner agreed. And if it comes to it, I’ll work off our debt with my body! I’m super tough—can make the lady scream, I swear!”

Luo Xingchen made no effort to hide his lewd intent, even winking at the stall owner.

She blushed and smiled shyly.

“That won’t do!” Wang Zhengyu interjected righteously. “As cultivators, how can we take advantage of ordinary folk?”

The stall owner’s smile froze, her irritation rising. Where did this brat come from, meddling in my business?

She sneered, “Well, well, so you’re a cultivator?”

“That’s right!” Wang Zhengyu nodded proudly. “In fact, I’m from the Supreme Qi-Attracting Sect…”

Supreme Qi-Attracting Sect!

At those words, everyone’s expression changed in an instant.