Chapter Three: Dragon's Scent

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events, and for a moment, the room was silent as death.

Ling’er gave a cold snort and flung the man in her grasp aside; the other one, in the end, hadn't dared to make a move at all.

Jiang Xiaotian noticed the man’s neck was flushed red, as if scalded.

Chen Kai felt a mix of shock and suspicion. He hadn’t expected such a beautiful girl to be so capable. In contrast, the men he’d brought were nothing but useless trash.

But who was Chen Kai? He was the young master of Beihai. He’d seen plenty of tough characters before; this wasn’t anything new to him.

Clapping his hands with a laugh, he gazed at Ling’er with growing appreciation. “Miss, which gang do you run with? Perhaps we’re acquainted. Let me give you a word of advice: it’s best not to hang around with this loser. He’s the kind who wouldn’t even dare speak up when someone steals his girlfriend. Hahaha.”

Jiang Xiaotian’s face was livid, but in the end, he said nothing; the gap in their status was simply too vast.

Ling’er, however, remained expressionless and jerked her chin toward the door. “Out.”

Chen Kai’s expression froze instantly. No one had ever dared say that word to him in his entire life.

If it weren’t for Ling’er’s beauty, he would have had her mouth sewn shut right then and there.

He took a deep breath and forced a smile. “We’ll meet again, miss. I won’t disturb you today. Please forgive any offense.”

With that, he turned and left.

Though he appeared refined and composed, Ling’er remained unmoved.

The two lackeys, as if granted amnesty, fled at once.

But once outside, Chen Kai stopped in his tracks.

“Boss Kai, that woman really—”

Smack! Chen Kai slapped him without warning.

His face was dark and menacing. He’d come here to humiliate Jiang Xiaotian, but instead, he’d been humiliated himself.

This grudge could not be left unsettled.

The thug who’d been struck didn’t dare utter a word, let alone retaliate, and just hung his head in terror.

Chen Kai’s influence in Beihai was not something they could ever afford to provoke.

“Get lost. Don’t ever let me see you again,” Chen Kai waved them off.

“Yes, yes! Thank you for your forgiveness, Boss Kai!” The two thanked him profusely and scurried away.

Lighting a cigarette, Chen Kai dialed a number. “Brother Feng, I need you to look into someone for me, and find a few tough guys while you’re at it…”

Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaotian was still reeling from shock.

Ling’er was truly formidable.

Moreover, when she’d gotten angry just now, Jiang Xiaotian distinctly felt the temperature in the room rise.

It was autumn, yet even in short sleeves, he’d felt hot.

“Are you really a dragon?” Jiang Xiaotian asked tentatively.

Ling’er, hearing this, reached for her skirt again. “I’ll show you my tail.”

Jiang Xiaotian smacked his lips. “No, I believe you! Thank you for helping me just now!”

What was with this woman?

“I just don’t like people touching me. But you’re really timid,” Ling’er remarked, though not with scorn—she was simply curious.

In fact, she was rather surprised that such an unremarkable fellow had actually tried to protect her.

Jiang Xiaotian didn’t explain. In the world of the poor, there was only a choice between dignity and survival.

“By the way, you’re injured. Was it all right for you to fight like that…?” He was still worried about Ling’er’s injuries.

She paused, then shook her head. “If I’d really fought, they’d have been dead already.”

That made sense. Now that Jiang Xiaotian believed she was a dragon, it was obvious—what chance would they have if a dragon wanted their lives?

But… now he felt miserable. He’d thoroughly offended Chen Kai, and how could he possibly withstand his wrath?

Seeing him fall silent, Ling’er seemed to understand and poked her head out. “Once I’m healed, I’ll leave. I won’t cause you any trouble.”

No! That wouldn’t do! If before, Jiang Xiaotian had feared Ling’er might bring him trouble, now he absolutely couldn’t let her go!

This was a dragon—a living totem, a walking talisman!

He couldn’t let her slip away!

Jiang Xiaotian suddenly put on a cheerful face. “No, Ling’er, you’re not a bother at all. You’re injured and being hunted—my place is the safest for you! Besides, there are plenty of bad people like Chen Kai out there. What if someone tricks you?”

“If someone tries, I’ll kill them. Ling’er hates liars most of all.” Her eyes turned cold.

Jiang Xiaotian shivered involuntarily. He was about to say more when Ling’er’s tone softened. “But yes, your place is safest for now. Still, you don’t seem like someone who likes trouble. Why are you suddenly willing to take me in?”

She seemed so naïve, so easy to fool!

Jiang Xiaotian’s eyes darted. “I’m always bullied. I have no money, no skills. Since you’re so powerful, why don’t you teach me martial arts?”

It sounded reasonable enough. Besides, Jiang Xiaotian knew that such a noble being as a dragon would never take him seriously, so she’d surely refuse. Even if she did agree, he could always feign disinterest later—he just needed to get through Chen Kai’s trouble for now!

To his surprise, Ling’er agreed without hesitation.

“All right, I can teach you. But your talent is poor—you’ll have to start with the basics. From now on, run every morning and build up your body first.”

Jiang Xiaotian was dumbfounded, then forced a laugh. “Ah? My talent’s really that bad? Well, maybe we should forget it…”

“Actually, I can see you’re a kind and diligent young man. That’s enough to make up for any lack of talent. I’ll teach you earnestly—after all, you saved my life.”

Ling’er spoke so sincerely that Jiang Xiaotian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry—he’d really dug a pit and fallen right in.

This wasn’t something to be rushed, and Ling’er’s priority was to recover. She didn’t seem willing to let Jiang Xiaotian see her injuries, so she closed the door to her room.

Jiang Xiaotian, meanwhile, brought out a quilt. He wasn’t afraid of the cold, but that didn’t mean the girl wasn’t. Winter was nearly here, and Ling’er was injured. The quilt was freshly washed and clean—she shouldn’t mind.

He opened the door out of habit, only to realize he’d made a mistake.

Ling’er was sitting on the bed, her jacket off, exposing half her shoulder, the wounds on her skin shockingly vivid.

What stunned Jiang Xiaotian even more was that Ling’er was gently licking her own wounds.

“Have you seen enough?” Ling’er paused, glancing up, and once again the temperature in the room began to rise.

She really did have an incredible figure…

Jiang Xiaotian coughed awkwardly, turning away as he held up the quilt. “I was afraid you’d be cold. Your forehead felt hot earlier—are you running a fever? Be careful not to catch a chill tonight…”

At his words, Ling’er’s expression softened. She put her clothes back on and refused his kindness. “Dragons aren’t afraid of the cold. According to you humans, our body temperature is over a thousand degrees. You don’t need to worry.”

If someone else had said that, Jiang Xiaotian would have thought they were insane. But coming from Ling’er, he had no reason to doubt.

Dragons were incredible. If only he could be one in his next life.

He nodded, then pulled a bottle of medicated oil from his pocket. “My grandma always said saliva can disinfect wounds, but maybe you should use this instead?”

Ling’er, usually so aloof, suddenly giggled. “I told you, I’m a dragon. Dragon’s saliva can heal any illness.”

It sounded plausible enough, but Ling’er was so beautiful that just imagining the scene made Jiang Xiaotian blush.

He didn’t know what possessed him, but he swallowed nervously and said, “Actually, I’m injured too…”

Ling’er’s smile faded, the familiar wave of heat rushing in again until the bedroom felt like a sauna.

“Where are you hurt? Let me see.”

“No, I’m fine! I was joking! I won’t bother you anymore!” Jiang Xiaotian didn’t dare push his luck and hurriedly closed the door behind him.

He couldn’t tell if his luck was good or bad, but with such a beauty in his home, just looking at her each day was enough to lift his spirits.

Determined not to treat Ling’er poorly, Jiang Xiaotian headed out to buy groceries—he’d have to make something delicious tonight.

Since Ling’er was a dragon, she must love meat, so he went straight to the butcher’s stall.

Meanwhile, a vendor selling sweet-and-sour ribs was at his wit’s end. “Little miss, are you going to buy or not? You’ve been standing there for over an hour…”

In front of him was a girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen, who’d appeared out of nowhere. Ever since his ribs had come out of the pot, she hadn’t moved, just stood there, not even saying if she’d buy some.

It was her first time in such a crowded place, and the first time she’d seen food so tempting.

Suddenly, her nose twitched, and she frowned. Strange—why was there a familiar and unpleasant scent in the air?