After consecutive defeats, Ye Ming left the swimming pool dejectedly. Watching the triumphant women in the water, he felt immensely stifled.
As the penalty for his defeat, Ye Ming was forced to go downstairs and prepare late-night snacks for Nangong Qianyu and the others.
An hour later.
When Ye Ming returned to the rooftop, the women seemed to have had their fill of playing. They were all sitting by the edge of the swimming pool, their dazzlingly white long legs splashing in the water. The atmosphere was exceptionally warm and sweet.
Seeing the women chatting and laughing, Ye Ming's heart felt contented.
"Late-night snacks are here!"
Ye Ming placed the prepared grilled skewers on the table, along with a few bottles of red wine.
"Ah! So fragrant!"
The first one to arrive was, naturally, our top foodie... Miss Nangong Qianyu.
Upon seeing the golden, glistening skewers sprinkled with red chili powder and cumin, she unconsciously began to swallow.
Under the beautiful moonlight, enjoying barbecue and red wine – this was an ultimate pleasure.
"Eat slowly! I can grill more after you're done!"
Ye Ming smiled as he watched Nangong Qianyu and Yan Yinluo vying for food.
With a wave of his hand, he moved the barbecue grill from the kitchen to where they were.
"Wow! That's great!"
Only then did Nangong Qianyu and the other two stop fighting.
Another hour passed, and it was nearing midnight.
The smoky aroma from the grill slowly dissipated.
At this moment, Nangong Qianyu, hugging an empty wine bottle, giggled foolishly, "Duolisha! You... don't get cocky! I... I can still drink! Let's go again!"
Beside her, Duolisha also felt her head getting heavy, "Hmph! Who's afraid of whom! Let's keep drinking!"
In such an atmosphere, no one naturally used special means to counteract the effects of alcohol.
Yan Yinluo, who had a poor tolerance for alcohol, had long since collapsed onto Ye Ming, fast asleep.
Looking at the person in his arms, who was like a well-behaved little kitten, Ye Ming's lips were filled with a doting smile.
At this moment, his vision was also often blurred, with images overlapping.
Among them, he naturally received the most care.
Led by Nangong Qianyu, nearly half of those bottles of red wine had found their way into his stomach. Thus, he was now lying on the ground.
Perhaps only Duolisha and Fang Junxue, the two women beside Ye Ming, were still somewhat conscious. However, their faces were also flushed. Even they felt their eyelids grow heavy, and waves of sleepiness washed over them.
Ten minutes later, on this vast rooftop, there was no one sober. They had all fallen into a deep slumber.
...
Before the new sun had risen, Ye Ming suddenly felt a suffocating sensation, making it hard to breathe.
His head seemed to be pressed down by something.
Not only that, but his arms were also held tightly.
Without time to think, Ye Ming abruptly opened his eyes. But the first thing he saw made him freeze.
No!
To be precise, he could only see his surroundings with great difficulty through a narrow gap.
Because his head was currently being cradled by Duolisha. He could only vaguely see through the gap between two snowy peaks.
Now! The reason for his suffocation was found.
At this moment, Nangong Qianyu and the other women were lying in disarray, clearly still unconscious.
"Hmm?"
Feeling a movement on her chest, Duolisha murmured. Her eyes slowly opened.
"Young... Young Master!"
Seeing Ye Ming being held tightly by her, she finally sobered up. With that, Ye Ming could breathe fresh air again.
"Cough... cough!"
Ye Ming coughed lightly and said, "Help me carry them all to their rooms. It's still early!"
After all, Nangong Qianyu and the others were wearing minimal clothing, making them prone to feeling a chill. Although it wouldn't cause them to fall ill, returning to their rooms would at least allow them to sleep more comfortably.
"Okay!"
Duolisha said softly, her face flushed.
Three minutes later.
Ye Ming and Duolisha had escorted them back to their respective rooms.
"Young... Young Master! I... I'm going back!"
On the rooftop, Duolisha was still wearing her seductive swimsuit. Bathed in the last rays of moonlight, she exuded an even more enchanting aura.
"Are you really going back?"
Ye Ming gently lifted her delicate chin, a teasing smile on his face.
"I..."
Duolisha's eyes darted around, and she weakly asked, "Here... here?"
Hearing this, Ye Ming's charming smile widened. He lowered his head slightly, their lips mere inches apart, "Don't you think this environment is quite suitable?"
Sensing the warmth radiating from him, Duolisha felt her body melting. She finally placed her hands on his shoulders and whispered, her breath sweet,
"Then... as Young Master wishes!"
As her words faded, another sound began to fill the air.
The sound rose and fell, fluctuating in pitch and rhythm, as if performed by an extraordinary musician creating enchanting melodies that captivated the listener.
Moreover, the source of the sound kept shifting.
First, it was from a beach chair, then into the swimming pool, then to the railing overlooking the distance.
Finally, it settled back into a quiet room.
...
At eight in the morning, after Ye Ming served the hangover-dispelling congee he had prepared, Nangong Qianyu and the other women descended one by one.
Traces of sleepiness still lingered in their expressions.
Among them, Duolisha seemed the most fatigued, for reasons unknown.
Perhaps she hadn't slept well last night!
Or perhaps it was for other reasons!
"Young Master! Do you know what day it is today?"
Amidst their casual chat, Du Yue Mian suddenly asked, as if a thought had occurred to her.
"Hmm?"
Ye Ming looked at her with some confusion.
The other women did the same.
"It seems Young Master has indeed forgotten!"
Du Yue Mian said, "If we calculate the time, today is exactly the day the Bodhi Tree of Enlightenment mentioned in the news is said to appear!"
The Bodhi Tree of Enlightenment!
Upon hearing the name, Ye Ming's eyes narrowed slightly. Information instantly flooded his mind.
He had learned about the emergence of the Bodhi Tree of Enlightenment from Zhong Wuhen about half a month ago.
Due to the numerous events that had transpired, he had almost forgotten about it. "Is it today?"
"Yes! My grandfather specifically reminded me yesterday!" Du Yue Mian asked again, "Young Master! Are you still planning to go?"
She asked this because Ye Ming had been actively searching for news about immortal cultivators.
This was because while Ye Gui Dao was recuperating, he had detected a trace of immortal energy.
However, now that Ye Ming had gained control of the Wu brothers and Elder Ku Mu, he had already obtained some of the information he sought.
Therefore, whether or not he went to the Land of Heavenly Guardians was no longer as important.
"I'm still somewhat interested in the Battle of Heavenly Guardians from back then!" Ye Ming smiled and said, "Furthermore! I'm also quite curious about the mastermind behind the dissemination of this news. I should go and see.
"Perhaps... there will be unexpected gains!"