Chapter 12: The Male Lead and the Female Supporting Character Arrive

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Not long after the two big-bellied men entered their rooms, they came back out.

Since they hadn’t brought much with them when coming to Jianglin Hotel, they now regretted leaving behind supplies at home. They planned to go back and fetch everything they hadn’t brought.

Chu Jiangyue advised them to wait until the sun went down, but they refused. If they went later, someone else might grab the supplies from their villa.

Although Chu Jiangyue thought it wasn’t worth the risk for just a few supplies, she was only the boss. She could guide her guests, but she couldn’t control their decisions.

Since they insisted, all she could do was wish them a safe trip.

「Host, I’ve detected that the male lead and the female supporting character are approaching the hotel.」

Little Fox suddenly spoke, and upon hearing it was the male lead and female supporting character, Chu Jiangyue immediately lost interest.

An oily man and a pretentious woman—if she were the heroine, she would have wished them locked out without hesitation.

Whoever was unlucky enough to get stuck with this pair had my sympathy.

「Host, they seem to be heading toward the hotel.」

Little Fox had no good feelings toward the male lead, Zheng Wen’an, and just wanted to find the heroine quickly.

Chu Jiangyue was a little surprised. She had kicked Liu Yiyi several times that day; Liu Yiyi should have hated her. So why would she still come to the hotel? This seemed like asking for trouble.

“Brother Wen’an, it’s here!”

Before they even reached the hotel entrance, Chu Jiangyue heard Liu Yiyi’s voice.

Sure enough, when the voice faded, Zheng Wen’an and Liu Yiyi walked in.

Chu Jiangyue stayed seated behind the counter, with no intention of standing to greet them.

She judged people individually; for those she didn’t like, she wasn’t going to give insincere top-quality service.

“Hey! Didn’t you see us come in? Since you opened a hotel, why is your service attitude so bad?”

Liu Yiyi had disliked Chu Jiangyue from the very first meeting because she hated someone prettier than herself.

“Near Shengshi Huadu, only my hotel is unaffected by the heatwave. If you think my attitude is bad, you’re free not to come.”

She hadn’t forgotten that the first time they met, Liu Yiyi had tried to push her out of the hotel.

If Little Fox hadn’t made her stay, Liu Yiyi might not have survived that day.

“Miss Jiangyue…”

“Call me Boss Chu!”

Hearing her name on Zheng Wen’an’s lips gave Chu Jiangyue goosebumps and a visceral discomfort.

Zheng Wen’an didn’t expect his usual smooth approach to be interrupted mid-action by Chu Jiangyue.

But he was patient and quickly adjusted his mindset.

“I heard there are unoccupied rooms available. Could you give us two?”

Hearing this, Chu Jiangyue raised an eyebrow. The male lead was staying too? Would this affect the story’s development?

She pondered this and asked Little Fox in her mind.

「It should… not affect it, right? The male lead is still in Shengshi Huadu with Liu Yiyi at this point. According to the story, they’ll leave with the rescue team half a month later.」

Since they were both still in Shengshi Huadu, it shouldn’t matter.

Regardless, they were here now, so Chu Jiangyue had no reason to turn them away.

“There are rooms, but single rooms are gone. Only double rooms and triple rooms remain. Would you like a double room?”

Chu Jiangyue smiled and looked at them with a teasing expression.

As expected, when they heard only double or triple rooms were available, their reactions differed.

“Two double rooms, then. It’s not appropriate for a single man and woman.”

Zheng Wen’an’s destined partner was the female lead, and he valued his own reputation.

He spoke before Liu Yiyi could, fearing that if he waited too long, she’d suggest sharing a room, which would be disastrous for him.

“Brother Wen’an, don’t leave me! I’d be scared staying alone!”

Liu Yiyi hadn’t expected Zheng Wen’an to rather pay extra than share a room with her.

“Yiyi, you’ve grown up. It’s not appropriate. You must consider your reputation.”

Zheng Wen’an lectured patiently.

Liu Yiyi didn’t want to be separated, but Zheng Wen’an insisted. She had no choice and reluctantly consented, removing her gold and jade bracelets and agreeing to exchange them without caring about the machine’s display.

“I’ve exchanged mine. Open the room for five days!”

After Liu Yiyi, Zheng Wen’an quickly exchanged his prepared jade Guanyin pendant and a silver brooch for copper coins.

“Boss Chu, I’ve exchanged mine too! Please open another room for me,”

He didn’t want Chu Jiangyue to let them share a double room.

However, given their families’ close ties, if it weren’t for the apocalypse, they would likely end up married.

The “relatives marrying relatives” tradition in Hua Country ran deep.

So even if they shared a room, no one would question it.

“Just swipe your cards here.”

Chu Jiangyue pointed at the machine in front of her, indicating they could swipe separately.

【Respected Ms. Liu Yiyi, welcome to Jianglin Hotel. Duration of stay: 5 days. Cost: 1,000 copper coins, paid. Wishing you a pleasant stay!】

“Congratulations.”

Chu Jiangyue said it aloud but was secretly curious about the drama unfolding.

Liu Yiyi successfully swiped her card, followed by Zheng Wen’an, completing their check-in.

“Brother Wen’an…”

Liu Yiyi looked at Zheng Wen’an, still hoping to share a room so she could “make her move.”

Their parents had gone on a business trip together, and before leaving, they had instructed the two teens to watch out for each other—a subtle attempt at matchmaking.

“Brother Wen’an, why won’t you stay with me?”

Liu Yiyi’s tone was pitiful, her eyes red.

Chu Jiangyue rolled her eyes internally—too much acting.

“Yiyi, a girl’s reputation is the most important.”

Even though he didn’t want to, he phrased it so grandly.

「Host, this male lead is so fake! How was he even chosen as the male lead?!!!」

Seeing Zheng Wen’an again and confirming his role as the male lead, Little Fox still couldn’t handle it.

Who picks these things? Don’t they check?

Little Fox’s complaint nearly made Chu Jiangyue burst out laughing, but she covered her mouth before anyone noticed.