The first day in Darkness Port, Tang Ling thought he would not be able to sleep. Being stuck in a strange situation and laden with the pressure of finding Zero as soon as possible, he thought of the grudge and enemies that awaited him, plus the veiled future that he could not see through.
He had to think and plan. He had to find a proper way around all this mess, but to his surprise, sleep claimed him easily. He was surrounded by the faint fragrance from the roof made of leaves while the pleasant chime from the shells at the door serenaded him to sleep.
Tang Ling fell asleep without noticing and the next thing he knew, the sun was rising from the east. The sky was slowly brightening. The sea breeze was comfortable and together with the faint sound of the waves, the morning was beautiful and soothing to wake up to.
However, the little peace in Tang Ling’s room was shattered by an unhappy toddler’s voice. “Are you a pig? Why are you still in bed? Do you need me, a lady, to feed you breakfast in bed?” The voice heavily emphasized the word ‘lady’.
Tang Ling woke up abruptly with a sweat-drenched back. Instinctively, he reached out to the dagger that he kept under his pillow. However, before he could do anything, his head throbbed with a clunk.
Ding Ling smacked him with the spatula, her plump body nimbly jumping up to the bed. Mercilessly, she stepped on Tang Ling’s stomach. The sudden pressure on his stomach almost made him throw up.
“Are you trying to kill me, a lady?!”
Tang Ling finally reacted to the situation. He let go of the dagger and widened his sleepy eyes to see an angry, plump girl with puffy cheeks and a spatula in hand glaring at him.
“Hurry up and get up! If you aren’t out in 10 minutes, I, a lady, will feed your breakfast to Monty!” Ding Ling’s fleshy fingers pointed at Tang Ling’s face and again, she emphasized the word ‘lady’. She stomped on his stomach before leaping away.
Tang Ling grunted in silence and the stomps on his stomach made him want to pee. Without further ado, he bolted up from the bed and dashed into the toilet. As he peed, the word ‘lady’ was ringing in his head ceaselessly.
“She holds a grudge, eh?” A smirk appeared on his face.
Ding Ling and Ding Dong looked exactly like each other, but Tang Ling knew it was Ding Ling who had stepped on him. According to Boss Huang, the one with the cooking utensils was Ding Ling whereas the one with the cleaning tools was Ding Dong. If neither of them was holding any tools or utensils, Tang Ling would have to guess blindly.
After he cleaned up, he exercised for a bit to prep himself because he decided to challenge Boss Huang in a battle of wits and strength, so he ought to be in his best form.
As a matter of fact, Tang Ling had been suspecting that Boss Huang had done something to him. He was wondering what caused him to sleep so soundly yesterday night. One thing worth noting was that ever since he had been on the run, he had always slept in tension. The slightest commotion would wake him up, yet Ding Ling was able to stand beside him that morning and he did not even notice her presence.
Of course, the full rest awarded him with great condition, both physically and mentally, and if he could get something to eat, he would feel even better. Speaking of something to eat, he thought of breakfast. He felt a little baffled by what Ding Ling said earlier.
What’s Monty? Why would Monty eat my breakfast?
There were a total of five levels in Dvesha Moha’s building.
The first level was divided into two parts. The front was a storefront for sales and other purposes while the rear was the smithing room. Tang Ling had never visited the back. It was Ding Ling who had mentioned it yesterday when she brought him to his room.
As for the second level, it was Boss Huang’s living room and dining area, plus two storerooms. One of the storerooms was remodeled into a servant’s room where Tang Ling slept yesterday.
He was fine sleeping in the servant room since it was free. As long as it remained free, he would not mind if he was called a Harsheen boar by the boss! As a matter of fact, that was one of the reasons why Tang Ling happily followed Boss Huang to this establishment. Since the living cost in Darkness Port was high and he was a huge spender, plus Boss Huang insisted on making him a servant, Tang Ling ought to make the best out of the situation. He planned to become a freeloader in Boss Huang’s place!
He had never thought of rewards or whatsoever. Getting free meals and lodging was already amazing since to him, basic necessities already cost a huge sum of money.
If the boss did not want to provide him with food? That would also be fine, but he would be weak and unable to work, so he would starve and probably die. Boss Huang would never beat him to death, would he? As a matter of fact, Tang Ling had never sensed hostility from the boss ever since they met, not even once. Besides, if the boss really killed him or he starved to death, no one would pay the boss back his money.
That was the reason why Tang Ling did not save anything for himself when he told Ro Xin to sell all the vicious beast meat off.
After all, he would never settle with a loss! If Boss Huang would not take him anymore, would he not be free then?
No matter how he calculated, he could gain a little something in this deal and had nothing to lose! The only thing that worried him was freedom, but that was not a major problem either. If he could have two hours of free time every day, he could simply go out and ask around, search for Zero, and regroup with Ro Xin and Ro Li.
What if Boss Huang denied his two hours of free time? Tang Ling the rascal was never scared of anyone! He could simply fake a headache, stomachache or even claim that his hair hurt. Given his rascal personality, he would be good at faking it.
I’m broke and shameless. Tang Ling decided to live by that motto as long as he remained as Boss Huang’s servant.
The battle of wits and strength would start from breakfast and it would mark the start of his plan.
After passing through the refined living room, which was a wooden space decorated with many aquatic products that shared the same wild yet delicate architectural style as the alley, Tang Ling found himself in the dining area facing a giant coral table.
Maybe because of the change in the era, red coral was no longer a precious breed, hence the entire table was a huge piece of blazing red coral. Around the dining table were several big open seashells that contained soft seaweed cushions which would stir one’s desire to sit on it.
Boss Huang’s hair was messy as though he did not have enough sleep. He was half-sprawled on the coral table while sitting on the largest shell chair, and there was a smoking pipe hanging from his mouth. His head would nod from time to time and cock up all of a sudden as his eyes opened for a second before he continued dozing off.
“The lady commands you to sit there.” This time, Ding Dong stood up with her round belly and ordered Tang Ling with an upset tone. She also emphasized the word ‘lady’.
Tang Ling knew it was Ding Dong because beside her was a broom.
Without saying anything but a soft cough to announce his presence, he sat down. He glanced at the food on the table. The dishes were simple: a basket of black mantou and a big pot of green liquid.
Everyone had taken their places with a piece of fish in front of them as well as an omelet the size of a face and some side dishes with dressing.
“Hmph.” Tang Ling chuckled softly. All the food present on the table was not even enough to feed him alone and he might not even be half full after breakfast. It was time for him to negotiate with Boss Huang. He was waiting for a chance to show off his eating skills to frighten the older man.
Dong!
Ding Dong knocked Boss Huang’s head with the broom. The boss immediately woke up from his nap and the pipe fell from his mouth with a long thread of saliva hanging at the end. It was a foul scene to look at.
Boss Huang did not even care. He picked up his pipe and hung it at his mouth before he cleared his throat to say seriously, “Tang Ling, since you are new, you must know the first rule here in Dvesha Moha, which is not to waste food. Everyone can have two ray-inked mantous in the basket, a cup of Green Rojin seaweed juice and the thing on the plate…Uh, you must finish everything, get it?”
Tang Ling responded sincerely, “I’ll follow whatever you tell me, Boss. I won’t waste food. Besides, I’m very uncomfortable owing you money. I’m filled with power right now and I want to jump into smithing right away and work hard to pay off the debt. It’s just that…” Tang Ling bashfully lowered his head, scratching his head honestly.
“Hhmm?” Boss Huang received two mantous from Ding Ling and put them on his plate. He then took a cup of the seaweed juice, which was repulsive at first glance, while he waited for Tang Ling to continue.
“It’s just that I’m a big glutton! It’s a condition that I have had since I was young. It can’t be helped.” Tang Ling’s gaze was overflowing with sincerity.
“So?” Boss Huang tore a small piece of the mantou and tossed it into his mouth without being overly concerned.
It was then that Ding Ling passed Tang Ling two mantous and a cup of seaweed juice. Tang Ling accepted them with passion and said, “Erm, if I don’t have a full stomach, I can’t work, so I guess I should inform you first.”
“Hmm, that’s good manners. You can go ahead and eat these first. If they’re not enough, all the mantous in the basket are yours. You can even finish the seaweed juice if you want.” Boss Huang was just as forthright with his offer.
“What if it’s still not enough?” Tang Ling’s eyes were burning with greed.
Ding Ling and Ding Dong looked at him with a strange gaze.
Tang Ling was a little delighted. Surprised? If you know how much I can eat, will my Harsheen boar’s appetite scare you all to death?
“Not enough?” Boss Huang responded with a profound expression. He took a sip of juice and showed a wry smile.
Is he that easily frightened? Tang Ling raised a brow. Stingy much? I’m just asking for a little more to eat. Does he need to cover his tears with a depressed smile?
Boss Huang no longer responded. He cleared his throat and said, “Well then, let’s eat. Remember not to waste food. Wasting is a heavy crime.”
“Let’s eat!”
Ding Dong and Ding Ling obediently sat on their seashell chairs and started eating.
As for Tang Ling, he knew it was time for him to perform. He must surprise everyone with his first move. He grabbed a black mantou and stuffed it into his mouth before he raised the cup of disgusting-looking juice and drained half a glass.
It’s showtime for the Harsheen boar! Without realizing it, he had somehow started to crown himself as one.
