Taboo Mage - Chapter 135 - Number Tags

I changed the subject and asked Du Jun if he had already visited the hotel Boss. Sure enough, Du Jun pulled several small slips of paper from his wallet, each invariably marked with a number.

Du Jun distributed the numbers to everyone. I glanced at mine, which read 23. Next to me, Jue Chi held a slip with 24, and in Chi Rui’s hand was 25.

It seemed they were all consecutive. I looked across at Du Jun, only to see him sneakily tuck his slip into his wallet.

I couldn’t help but smirk internally. If I wasn’t mistaken, Du Jun’s slip surely bore the number 26. This man was probably thinking of putting us in the front, handling the Master first, and then, being the last one, safely returning to his country.

It has to be said, only someone who has been through the cutthroat entertainment industry could be so cunning and scheming.

“Want to swap with me?” Jue Chi glanced at my slip and immediately furrowed his brow, asking with some concern.

I waved my hand, about to speak, when Chi Rui from the other side quickly snatched the slip from my hand and stuffed his into mine.

“People from the Chi Family should never be placed behind others!”

I knew he was concerned about my modest skills, thus not wanting me to be the first. Grateful, I looked at Chi Rui and pocketed the slip with the number 25.

After dinner, Du Jun suggested we visit a famous entertainment spot in Bangkok.

Though he called it leisure, everyone knew exactly what kind of place it was. I was actually curious to check it out, but I knew Jue Chi would definitely not be up for it.

As I was hesitating, Chi Rui rolled his eyes and said, “What, we aren’t dead yet and you’re already eager for us to have a last bit of fun?”

“No! That’s not what I mean!” Du Jun quickly waved his hands.

I rubbed my temples. “Alright, let’s leave seeking fun for after our main business is done. Going to such places now really isn’t appropriate.”

Du Jun looked embarrassed and drove us back to the hotel.

Returning to the room, I asked Jue Chi if he sensed anything unusual in the hotel.

Jue Chi shook his head and said that not only was there nothing ominous, but the place was remarkably clean and even showed signs of a buddha’s light.

I was taken aback; it seemed this Master was indeed a formidable figure.

Unable to sleep all night, the next morning I was taking the little fox for a walk when the bearded old hotel Boss suddenly stopped me. He gestured with his hands for a long time, and I had no clue what he was doing.

The Boss anxiously babbled in Thai language until he finally had an idea, walked behind the counter, and wrote a number on a piece of paper.

I suddenly realized he was asking for my number. Just as I reached into my pocket to retrieve it, a hand pressed on my shoulder from behind.

“I know you understand Chinese. With so many people in this hotel, why do you have to target him?”

Chi Rui stepped forward, sneering at the Boss in front of him.

The Boss’s face tightened, and then he spoke in broken Mandarin, “I was just asking casually.”

“Then go ask someone else casually.” Chi Rui snorted, pulling me away.

I didn’t get it at first, but when we turned around, I noticed the probing look in the Boss’s eyes and immediately understood.

It seemed that from the day we checked in, that legendary Buddha amulet Master had already figured out who we were and our purpose here. Now they were trying to gather information from us.

Knowing oneself and the enemy leads to a hundred victories; we hadn’t even made a move yet, and they were already ahead of us.

I had to admit, we were too passive. Back in the room, I sat on the bed, annoyed, as Chi Rui recounted what had happened to Jue Chi. Jue Chi merely smiled at me without saying a word.

As I was sulking, there was a sudden knock on the door. I got up to open it, and there stood a young man in a suit and glasses.

“You’re also from China?” he asked with a smile as soon as I opened the door.

I gave him a suspicious once-over and asked, “Who are you?”

“Hello everyone, I’m from Beijing. Just a regular employee at a company. As for why I’m here in Thailand, I might not need to explain,” he said, making himself comfortable as he introduced himself. Turns out, he’s a programmer for a well-known international network company. While it’s a lucrative job, the biggest issue is finding a girlfriend.

He’s sent out countless proposals and met numerous people online, but still hasn’t found the right one. Now, with an elderly family member critically ill and wanting to see him married before passing, he’s come to Bangkok after hearing about a particularly powerful Buddha amulet Master who could help with finding love.

I sighed helplessly; the poor guy seemed quite pitiable.

“Oh, I almost forgot to mention, my name is Liao Qing,” he said, grinning while sitting on the couch.

We chatted for a bit, and just then, Du Jun walked in. As soon as Liao Qing saw Du Jun, he leapt up excitedly, taking out paper and pen to get an autograph.

While Du Jun was busy signing, I asked Liao Qing what number he got.

Liao Qing rummaged around for a bit before pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. I took a glance.

“22? Just ahead of us,” I said, eyes widening in surprise. Such a coincidence seemed unsettling, as if something was off.

Liao Qing, however, seemed delighted, declaring it fate, and was determined to stay in our room.

I didn’t mind, but knowing Jue Chi preferred peace and quiet, I glanced at him. Surprisingly, Jue Chi nodded, allowing Liao Qing to join us.

Liao Qing hurried out to fetch his luggage, and I turned to ask Jue Chi why he agreed to let Liao Qing stay.

Jue Chi simply shook his head and said, “He seems to have a connection.”

Liao Qing was quick; within ten minutes, he returned with his luggage. Chi Rui, who loved a bit of fun, sat on the sofa teasing him. Du Jun, however, didn’t seem fond of Liao Qing and promptly retreated to his room as soon as Liao Qing entered.

With Liao Qing there, the room was lively all night. Even Jue Chi seemed more cheerful than usual. Liao Qing was fascinated by the little fox and wanted to cuddle it to sleep.

Unfortunately for him, the little fox didn’t take a liking to him and scratched his arm before snuggling comfortably back into Jue Chi’s embrace.