Sing This Perfect Song Properly

　　"Affair, my foot!"

　　My eyes couldn't stand it anymore. I quickly approached Third Brother from behind and smacked him on the back of his head. Meanwhile, Tang Ye watched me approach him and smack him with his eyes wide.

　　"Big Brother, you…"

　　The case of the attack on the Emperor exhausted me all night. I've finally found the time to come back. My Junior Brothers didn't have a penny on them. They didn't even have enough for a meal after selling Lord San Shen paintings in Bright Lane. As a consequence, my only option was to bring them back for a meal. Else, if Second Brother was to continue leading, the three of them would go off and beg for food…

　　I explained everything to Tang Ye and company.

　　"These are my three junior martial brothers. They recently pa.s.sed by the capital for business. Boss took a number of men with her when she left, didn't she? We have a good number of spare rooms. After contemplating it, I thought it was better to bring them back than let the inns rip them off. They'll be in charge of miscellaneous jobs around Liu Shan Men, so if somebody has anything that needs doing, order them around as you need."

　　All of a sudden, Tang Ye said, "So they were your junior brothers, Big Brother. No wonder why they were so skilled."

　　"They have just arrived today. Keep an eye on them."

　　"Big Brother's concerns are my concerns. I shall do my best."

　　As soon as Tang Ye finished, Situo and Tie Hanyi scanned me in a bewildered manner.

　　'Hmm? What's the matter?'

　　Tang Ye and I looked at them feeling stupefied, ourselves.

　　Situo frowned, then pursed her lips and asked, "Brother… Brother Ming, you are of Ding Rank, correct? How come Tang Ye…"

　　I finally understood the reason for their bafflement.

　　Tang Ye has recently been promoted into the ranks of the Seventeen Hidden Dragons and ranked above a Jia Rank warrior, thereby enjoying many special privileges in the Imperial Court. His ranking is no lower than Third Rank military officials. The Seventeen Hidden Dragons are also a one-and-only existence, with only the seventeen of them. For someone in the Ding Rank such as myself to be able to speak to him is amazing in itself. However, I just ordered him as if he was my underling.

　　Tang Ye also grasped the situation, but maintained his cool demeanour, "He is our team captain, and thereby rightfully my big brother. There's nothing strange about that."

　　'Hey! Bada.s.s Tang, you sounded bada.s.s saying that, yes! But! Doesn't that mean I'm leveraging your popularity to boost my standing?! Hey! Situo and Tie Hanyi, what are you two laughing at me to scorn me for?! Liu Shan's Plague has been just as popular recently! Be careful, or I'll jinx you to death!'

　　"In any case, my junior brothers will be staying here for some time. They came straight to Nanjing after leaving Mount Daluo. Kids in the mountains don't know how to behave…"

　　Fourth Brother wasn't pleased with what he heard, "Senior Brother, what do you mean I came straight to Nanjing? I still haven't worked at lots of brothels in Beiping."

　　Tang Ye and Situo, who just got frightened by Fourth Brother before, were even more scared now, so they took a step back. Their greatly astonished expressions remarked, "How did this man turn gay at such a young age?'

　　I, too, was furious, "Don't spout nonsense!"

　　"What do you mean 'spout nonsense'?" Fourth even proudly gave a thumbs up and added, "I'm famous in Beiping. They call me The Small Iron Gate Man."

　　'f.u.c.k me, cut out the bulls.h.i.+t, okay?! Your alias is worse than your d.a.m.n job! The person who gave you the alias definitely hates you to the core!'

　　I couldn't stop Fourth Brother from running his mouth full of s.h.i.+t. Third Brother then pushed his gla.s.ses. He looked at Situo and Tang Ye with interest, "You two have not yet answered me. You two are having an affair, correct?"

　　Tang Ye remained indifferent. Situo, however, snickered. Astonished, she asked, "You are an interesting fellow. You and I have only met for the first time, and yet you are asking me this sort of question?"

　　"I guess it makes sense." Third Brother stroked his chin, "He doesn't look as though he cares about you. So, I guess that means that it's one-sided love for you."

　　I smacked Third Brother over his head and fumed, "Stop asking! Can't you see she's gone from shy to angry (Why would I be shy…?)! When it comes to this sort of stuff, women want to maintain their dignity; how could you blurt it out (Why would I care about my dignity over this? I just can't stand Tang Ye's conceited mannerisms)?! Even the blind can tell what's going on. What would she be sparring with Tang Ye daily for if she didn't like him (Who said I like him?!)? Of course she'll deny it if you ask her that way! Who would reply to such a question (I…)?! Aren't you putting the maiden in a tough spot by exposing her feelings?!"

　　'Huh? What did I just say?'

　　While I was lecturing Third Brother, Situo's pretty, white face with a calm expression turned redder and redder and it eventually looked as though smoke was coming from her head that she lowered. In the end, she stomped her foot and exclaimed, "You watch out!"

　　She then turned around and stormed off.

　　Third Brother and I were stunned silent for a moment, but then we gave speechless Tang Ye a few pats on the shoulders, "Brother, be careful. She told you to be watch out."