“This one priced at 2,800 is an electric bicycle. The new regulations set the speed limit at 25 miles per hour, and you can’t install a basket or carry someone on the rear seat.”
“No carrying passengers? Pass on that then.” Chu Ge pointed to the one that looked like a motorcycle. “What about this one?”
“This is an electric lightweight motorcycle. You need a driver’s license, wear a helmet, and register it as a motorcycle.”
“I do have a motorcycle license, but aren’t motorcycles banned in Nanjiang now?”
“Some areas in the city prohibit motorcycles, but for electric lightweight motorcycles, most areas are fine. The ones that can go over 100 miles per hour are not allowed.”
“Electric motorcycles can go over 100 miles per hour?” Chu Ge felt a deep sense of knowledge gap. “How much does it cost?”
“It’s not expensive, a little over 10,000.”
“… What about this one?”
“This one is 5,800. However, it uses a lead-acid battery, so it’s not as good as the lithium battery version, which costs a few hundred more, 6,300… Since you’re considering this model, why not go for the one with better battery life and smart sensor lock, which is 6,800…”
With a budget of 5,000, Chu Ge unknowingly ended up spending 6,800. His heart was bleeding. The new batch of subscription fee was quite substantial, but unfortunately, it hadn’t arrived yet, so he would have to tighten his belt again these days.
It could only be said that dating really required money…
During the half-year of living with Zhang Qiren, he probably didn’t spend as much as he did in these one or two months.
Despite the financial strain, as Chu Ge leisurely rode the electric bike along the riverside, feeling the gentle evening breeze and enjoying the fragrance of Qiu Wuji sitting behind him, his mood became really good. It felt like the 6800 yuan was worth it. Zhang Qiren? Who’s that? I don’t know.
The only regret was that Qiu Wuji was too strong. She didn’t need to cling to his waist like other girls. She sat on the seat with perfect poise and balance, better than anyone else.
Should I find a way to trick her a bit and not let her get too arrogant? Safety first… Hmm…
Qiu Wuji was currently studying the two masks that Chu Ge had casually bought from a roadside stall. She found them cute but wished they were one male and one female. “This chubby doll is quite adorable. Does it have a name?”
Chu Ge said solemnly, “In fact, I thought about you recognizing them.”
Qiu Wuji was puzzled, “Why would I recognize them?”
“When those idiots in the group sent you those things before, I imagined that you had downloaded an hour-long episode of ‘Calabash Brothers’ and after watching it, you would seriously criticize me, saying that as an adult, I shouldn’t watch such childish things… I would accept the criticism with both surprise and joy.”
(TL: Calabash Brothers or Hulu Brothers is a Chinese animation TV series )
Qiu Wuji remained silent.
“The fact is, they were too honest. They actually sent you hardcore stuff. Can you tell me which one?”
Qiu Wuji gritted her teeth, “Chu Ge, are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Chu Ge quickly changed the subject, “So, this one is the Calabash Brothers. The one with the yellow gourd on the head is the Third Brother, I’ll wear this one. The one with the blue gourd is the Sixth Brother, you can wear it later.”
Qiu Wuji asked, “So, what’s the purpose of these masks?”
“The Third Brother is invulnerable, so I’ll just say that I have that ability. The Sixth Brother is the invisibility ability, which represents your power. It’s just making up stories. Isn’t that what we writers are good at?”
“Is there a Head-Banging Brother? Invisibility can only watch, it’s boring.”
“If it’s not necessary, you should refrain from using your powers…”
“Oh.”
In reality, neither of them knew why she had to refrain from using her powers, but both of them instinctively thought so. Perhaps deep down, they still felt a bit insecure. After all, she was not from this world, and being too eye-catching was never a good thing.
Qiu Wuji hesitated and asked, “Should I really go with you?”
“Lin Wuyang already knows that there’s a woman by my side, and Zhong Yi is even arranging your identity. Keeping it a secret doesn’t make much sense. It’s better to openly admit that you’re an ability user, which will reduce suspicion.”
“The hearts of writers are twisted.”
“Hey, the tyrannical female sect leader said that to me? Don’t blame me for writing that. You also thought about it yourself at the time.”
“Hmph. I just think you’re not completely foolish.” Qiu Wuji lowered her head and gently stroked the two masks with her palm.
The masks emitted a soft glow, which soon dissipated.
Chu Ge seemed to sense something, “You cast a spell again. It won’t shorten the duration you can stay, will it?”
Qiu Wuji replied irritably, “Is this little spell such a big deal?”
“What spell did you use this time?”
“I made it so they can’t see through the masks… What if someone has X-ray vision?”
“In that case, I think the first place you should cast the spell is on our clothes.”
“Ride your bike!” Qiu Wuji snapped, “My spell can even change our voice, making it impossible for people to recognize your original voice. Have you, you idiot, thought about the owner of the restaurant recognizing our voices?”
Chu Ge grumbled, “Are they cultivating immortality or something? Do you think the busy people at the restaurant will remember your voice?”
At 8:30 in the evening, the small restaurant, which already only had few customers, was even more deserted. The owner couple was bored, playing on their phones behind the counter when they saw someone enter.
Looking up, they saw a pair of Calabash Brothers.
“Zhong Li introduced me here,” one of the Calabash Brothers said.
The scene remained silent for three full seconds, and the owner had no expression on his face. “Zhong Li said everyone should vote for letting you in the group. I’ll state my position in advance and agree.”
The owner’s wife added, “Only a bunch of clowns would wear these masks. It’s like they were made for this group.”
Chu Ge asked curiously, “You didn’t even ask for my name.”
“What name do you need?” the owner’s wife replied. “Shouldn’t you be called Third Brother?”
Chu Ge: “…”
Damn, that actually makes sense.
He solemnly patted Qiu Wuji’s shoulder. “Let’s go inside, Sixth Brother.”
Qiu Wuji really wanted to say that it wasn’t intentional for her to be speechless. If she continued to interact with them, she would have to carefully think about how she should speak before uttering a word…
After exchanging a few words, the owner finished his game and decided to guide them himself. “I’ll take you inside.”
He pushed open the back door and entered a small courtyard where the ingredients were prepared. Leading Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji out of the backyard, they arrived at another rundown two-story building.
“We all pooled our money to buy this building. We’ve earned a bit from a few jobs over the years, and most of it ended up here,” the owner said. “My surname is Jin, but people rarely use names here. They call me ‘Chef,’ even though my cooking is average.”
“Ahem,” Chu Ge said. “It’s actually pretty good.”
“This place is where everyone usually gathers if they have something to discuss. If ‘Black Room’ is a location, then this small building can be considered the Black Room,” Chef Jin said as he opened the door to the rundown building. Inside, it was brightly lit, not dark at all.
Unlike the residential living room that Chu Ge had imagined, this place didn’t resemble one. As soon as they entered, they could feel the atmosphere of a gym. There were various pieces of equipment similar to gym machines everywhere, and there were computers in the corners. Chu Ge immediately noticed a chubby guy playing games in front of a computer.
The young man with words written on his face was practicing how to write on his own face in front of a mirror. Meanwhile, Zhong Yi was playing chess with a masked person.
The gym-like equipment was empty, without a single person.
“So, this is your practice?” Qiu Wuji asked.
Seeing Chef Jin leading Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji inside, Zhong Yi wasn’t surprised. Chu Ge had messaged him beforehand, and he had told Chu Ge to talk directly to the owner. Without lifting his head, he continued playing chess and smiled, “Bringing them in, does that mean that you agree?”
Chef Jin replied, “Well, as long as you vouch for them, any issues can be directed to you.”
The masked person playing chess added, “I’m also a masked person, so of course, I also agree.”
Zhong Yi called out, “Zijun, what do you say?”
The young man writing on his face turned and shouted, “What do you think, Panda?”
The fatty replied, “Ask him if he reads novels. If he’s a brute, I’ll beat him up.”
Chu Ge sincerely said, “I’m a loyal reader of ‘Chu Tian Wuji,’ and I love Qiu Wuji. Qiu Wuji is my wife. Sigh…”
Qiu Wuji pinched his waist, clockwise and then counterclockwise. Her face under the mask was extremely annoyed.
The young man and fatty on the other side, however, were overjoyed. In unison, they said, “We approve.”
Zhong Yi said to the masked person, “Don’t you find these people strange? When others try to steal their wives, they fight to the death. But as soon as they hear someone is trying to steal their wives, they act like they’ve found a kindred spirit.”
