Chapter 978: Stealing the Spotlight (Part 1)

Everyone followed the direction Hu Xiaotian pointed and looked; what he pointed to was precisely that fat girl who had just appeared. Huo Ge gasped, opening his mouth wide; Hong Yingtai also widened his eyes; Wan Yan Tian Yue's face was full of confusion, wondering whether he had misseen or this guy had pointed wrong.

Only Xue Shengjing burst out laughing: "Brother, have you made your choice?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Chosen, beauty, come over!"

Hearing him call her for the second time, the fat girl snapped out of a dream, stretched out her chubby finger to point at her own nose: "Are you talking to me?" Her voice was also rough and gruff, somewhat like Xiang Qin but not quite.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "If not you, then who? There doesn't seem to be anyone else here more feminine than you."

The fat girl was both startled and delighted, her arms stiffened like a bird about to take flight; she strode out of the crowd, took two steps, then realized something and switched to tiny steps to reach Hu Xiaotian's side, pinching her voice to say: "This humble lady pays her respects!" While speaking, she didn't forget to throw flirtatious glances at Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian himself was fine, but the few people around him couldn't sit still. "Damn," this kid's taste is too heavy; the fat girl's affected coyness really makes one want to vomit. Although they didn't pick her, and she's not accompanying them, after all they're seated with Hu Xiaotian, and suddenly a heavyweight figure appears, which really kills the mood.

Xue Shengjing had also chosen one; originally he had deliberately arranged this little drama, and in the end everyone let the beauties beside them lift their face veils, which carried a certain gambling nature and was full of mystery and anticipation. No one expected Hu Xiaotian to choose that fat girl; the fat girl was indeed meant to liven up the atmosphere, its purpose merely to draw a laugh from everyone. Yet Hu Xiaotian didn't take the usual path, choosing the fat girl, which deflated all the anticipation. Xue Shengjing couldn't help but admire Hu Xiaotian's wit; he had effortlessly drawn everyone's attention onto himself—this kid is indeed talent, putting on an act? No wonder his precious daughter looks upon him favorably.

Huo Ge laughed: "It's time to reveal the answer! Ladies, it's time to show your true faces."

Xue Shengjing nodded, and the four beauties simultaneously removed their veils, just as Xue Shengjing had said—these ladies were all stunning, each with her own charm, as the saying goes, "spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums each excel in their own place." They should have radiated beauty, drawing all guests' attention to themselves. Yet now everyone's focus was on that fat girl, who remained veiled, feigning mystery, sitting beside Hu Xiaotian, posing and affecting coyness.

Huo Ge and the others frowned at the sight, but since it was Hu Xiaotian's own choice, they couldn't say much. Each forced back laughter, feeling they had encountered the most ridiculous thing under heaven.

Xue Shengjing laughed: "Miss, why won't you lift your veil and let us see your true face?"

The fat girl pinched her voice: "I'm shy!" She then threw a flirtatious glance at Xue Shengjing as well, nearly making him spit out a mouthful of old blood.

Hu Xiaotian, however, wore an air of self-satisfaction. He reached out and patted the fat girl's shoulder, which was even more stout than his own; the flesh felt real. As he moved, it quivered, suggesting it wasn't a disguise. Given his prior experience with Xi Yan helping him disguise as a big fat man, Hu Xiaotian's first thought was whether this fat girl was faking it.

The fat girl coyly said: "How annoying. With so many people, you're already getting handsy."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It's all your fault—your figure is simply too tempting."

Pfft! Hong Yingtai beside him finally couldn't hold back and spat out the mouthful of wine he had just drunk; fortunately he turned away in time, avoiding public embarrassment.

The fat girl giggled: "My lord, you really know how to speak." She then slowly lifted her veil; Hu Xiaotian, looking up close, saw clearly that it was none other than Xiang Qin. Recalling his past experiences, he could already tell that Zhong Xiang Lou and Huan Cai Ge were almost certainly connected; this Xiang Qin was no ordinary figure—she had once followed Xi Yan's side and was likely a core member of the Wuxian Sect. Perhaps Zhong Xiang Lou is also an asset of the Wuxian Sect; maybe Xi Yan is nearby.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, eyes narrowed, gazing at Xiang Qin: "This young lady is truly charming and alluring, with endless charm; she looks somewhat familiar."

Xiang Qin laughed: "I think you look somewhat familiar too; perhaps you were once a patron of mine."

It's not only beauties who can steal the spotlight; Xiang Qin's sudden appearance has already snatched away all the beauties' limelight, and moreover, it has helped boost Hu Xiaotian's attention as well, leaving everyone else feeling insignificant.

Wan Yan Tian Yue didn't even bother with the beauties beside him, staring at Hu Xiaotian in bewilderment. This was his first time coming to the Central Plains; he had heard that people there once considered plumpness beautiful, but this one is excessively fat—he really can't see any beauty in her.

Xue Shengjing saw the scene was truly bizarre, feeling both amused and exasperated: "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you're just messing with me." He raised his wine cup and said: "With beauties beside us, flowers before the moon, such a fine moment, such a lovely scene—we, new and old friends alike, are gathered together; come, come, let's all down three cups."

Everyone responded in unison, together downing three cups in a row; the beauties respectively refilled their drinks.

Xue Shengjing said: "I have a proposal—how about we play a drinking game while we drink?"

Before anyone could respond, Xiang Qin clapped her hands eagerly: "Great, great! This I'm best at—fist guessing and drinking!"

Xue Shengjing had originally wanted to discuss refined matters, but was interrupted by this fat girl, leaving him somewhat displeased.

Hu Xiaotian chimed in: "Miss, you're surprisingly talented—do you know how to play fist guessing?"

Xiang Qin bashfully replied: "I've known how since I was three!"

"Then that's practically a genius!"

"Just a little bit!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "As for fist guessing, I may not be a genius, but I'm also quite an expert in this field; how about we have a match right here, letting everyone bear witness?"

Xiang Qin said: "I couldn't bear to defeat you, sir."

"Hahaha, we'll know who wins or loses only after we compare."

"Let's see whether it's a mule or a horse by taking it out for a walk!"

"Please!" Hu Xiaotian bowed with clasped hands toward Xiang Qin, assuming the posture of a master about to duel.

Xiang Qin returned the salute; the two locked eyes, their gazes both exuding a chilling killing intent.

Xue Shengjing secretly sighed: These two aren't here to drink; they're clearly stirring up trouble. Their presence is too strong, leaving no chance for others to interject—including himself, the Prince Yan of Da Yong.

The showdown was imminent; they moved slightly closer, then simultaneously leaned back, shouting at the same time: "Brothers, how are you? Eight horses! Six-six smooth! Three stars shining!"

Their voices weren't low, and as the fist-guessing progressed, their pitch rose higher and higher; the musician nearby was so startled he stopped playing, and all turned their gaze to the astonishing battle in the pavilion.

After more than ten rounds, Hu Xiaotian finally won the first bout with "six-six smooth," laughing loudly: "Six-six smooth, six-six smooth! Beauty, you lost!"

Xiang Qin's eyes widened: "Six-six smooth, drag your head!" She lifted her wine cup and drained it in one gulp, her gaze fixed on Hu Xiaotian, treating everyone else as air: "Sir, I didn't expect your fist technique to be so formidable."

Hu Xiaotian gloated: "Thanks, thanks—I actually didn't go all out."

Xiang Qin said: "Hah! I was afraid you'd lose face in front of everyone, so I didn't exert even a bit of strength."

"Then let's go again!"

"Bring it on—I'm not afraid of you!" Xiang Qin slowly rolled up her sleeves, revealing a pair of plump, white arms.

Huo Ge stared dumbfounded, even neglecting the beauties beside him; the others were the same—only to blame Hu Xiaotian and Xiang Qin for being utterly mischievous.

Like a duel of two supreme masters, though no fists or feet had flown yet, their eyes had clashed back and forth repeatedly; Xiang Qin suddenly roared: "Take this blow! Sisters, how are you? Five champions!"

They clashed again; this bout was even fiercer than before, with over twenty exchanges still undecided. Xiang Qin, excited, rose to her feet, lifting a plump leg to rest on the stool; Hu Xiaotian not to be outdone also placed a foot on the stool. Their voices rose steadily, and their bodies rose as well.

Xue Shengjing's expression was a mix of laughter and tears: "Drinking and fist-guessing causing such a commotion? Now probably the whole Zhong Xiang Lou knows we're playing fist-guessing and drinking here."

Upon the twenty-third guess, Xiang Qin narrowly won a round with "four joys wealth."

Hu Xiaotian also cheerfully conceded, lifting his wine cup and drinking.

Although fist-guessing still needed a winner, they began the deciding match; Xiang Qin pointed to the wine jar on the ground and said: "Whoever loses drinks a whole jar!"

"All right!" Hu Xiaotian showed no weakness, eagerly accepting the challenge.

Xue Shengjing turned and saw the other beauties staring blankly at Hu Xiaotian and Xiang Qin, feeling like they, too, had become mere human props; he felt both amused and exasperated: "Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, what act are you putting on today?"

Hu Xiaotian and Xiang Qin were deep in their fist-guessing match, barely stopping short of climbing onto the table to continue.

Just as the contest heated up, an impatient voice rang out from afar: "Damn! What the hell are you howling about? You've ruined my perfectly good mood!" A burly, finely dressed man approached with four attendants, clearly drawn over by the noise of our fist-guessing to scold and vent his anger.

Hu Xiaotian and Xiang Qin both stopped; Xiang Qin glared at the man: "You blind fool, can't you see I'm playing fist-guessing here?"

There are only eight hours left; if you still have monthly tickets, please vote for the Medical Union. We haven't asked for votes lately because this month's updates have been few; at month's end we'll still shamelessly cry out, and there will be another update tonight, which will be later—no more talk. Next month we'll officially enter explosive growth status! (To be continued~^~)