I WAS PERMITTED

In one of the guest rooms, Ling Li's three guests were engrossed in an animated conversation. Chatty's eyes lit up as he enthusiastically exclaimed, "Did you see those influential figures?"

Fatty leaned forward with curiosity and asked, "Do you think Madam Li is related to Otako, or perhaps even Otako herself?"

Four Eyes interjected flatly, "I don't think she's Otako; Otako speaks Chinese, and she doesn't."

Chatty nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, I heard Otako Sentoki can speak seven languages!"

Fatty's excitement was palpable as he exclaimed, "Still, Madam Li is one hell of a big shot! And she's investing in my company. I'm going to be wealthy!" He grinned at his friends, anticipation shining in his eyes.

Chatty playfully tapped Fatty on the shoulder and exclaimed, "You should give me a commission!"

Fatty raised an eyebrow and asked, "For what?"

Chatty, with a self-satisfied smirk, replied, "If not for my English skills, who would've chatted with Madam Li at the airport? I mean, I'm even tagged as Chatty."

Fatty retorted, "I'm tagged as Fatty, and he is Four Eyes." They both chuckled, but Four Eyes didn't find it amusing at all.

"Don't pay him any attention. He always has a poker face," Fatty said, attempting to diffuse the tension as they continued to laugh.

Turning serious, Chatty asked Four Eyes, "So, if Madam Li gives you a proposal, will you accept it?"

Four Eyes just shrugged in response.

Chatty finished the conversation, and the two departed from his bedroom. The castle stood before them, colossal and imposing. All the guest rooms were situated on the ground floor, with the second floor exclusively reserved for Ling Li and her family. Access to the second floor was strictly prohibited, and only specially chosen housekeepers were allowed to serve there.

During this particular night, the ground floor was bustling with multiple guests. Ling Li, feeling hungry past midnight after being restricted to porridge for dinner, quietly made her way down to the kitchen, "Now is my chance to eat!" Ling Li mumbled.

As Ling Li approached the dimly lit kitchen, a figure caught her eye. There, sitting on a high stool at the kitchen counter, was the shadowy silhouette of a person. Ling Li flicked the light switch and was startled to find Four Eyes holding a glass of water in his hand.

Ling Li asked, "Why are you awake at this late hour?"

Four Eyes remained silent, but he gestured for Ling Li to listen carefully.

"Harder! Harder! Yes! Yes!….

Faster! Yes! I'm coming! Yes!"

When Ling Li heard what was going on, her entire face turned red. Some people are engaging in wild and vulgar sex.

"...."

Ling Li suggested, "Sorry. Why don't you move to the room on the second floor? When you go up, the first door is on your right. That is vacant." She looked away as she muttered, "Go. "

"Why are you here?" Four Eyes inquired.

"I'm quite hungry," responded Ling Li. She walked over to the fridge in search of something to eat. She gathered bread, ham, salami, pepperoni, mayo, chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, and three kinds of cheese, envisioning a huge sandwich.

"No chicken," advised Four Eyes.

Ling Li questioned, "What's the issue?"

"Chicken makes wounds itchy," explained Four Eyes.

Ling Li reluctantly pushed the chicken back, rolling her eyes.

Ling Li politely offered, "Would you like some?" to which Four Eyes simply replied, "OK."

Ling Li then skillfully crafted two huge sandwiches, poured two glasses of milk, and they both ate their meal in silence.

The noise around them was so boisterous and vulgar that they struggled to ignore it despite their efforts. Ling Li would occasionally blush, a sign that Four Eyes couldn't help but notice.

As they finished their food, Ling Li suggested, "Come, let me show you to your room." Four Eyes readily followed her, as he couldn't bear the thought of staying in his room.

Upon reaching the second floor, Ling Li led Four Eyes to his new room, saying, "Here, you can move into this room. I'll have the servants transfer your belongings tomorrow. If you need anything, my quarters are just next door." She gestured towards two imposing doors beside his new bedroom.

"Go ahead and rest. Goodnight," Ling Li said before turning and leaving the room.

When Four Eyes finally entered the room and flipped on the lights, he was struck by the grandeur of the interior. The room was spacious with a distinctly masculine design, exuding an air of sophistication. He couldn't help but notice the adjoining door that led to Ling Li's room, prompting him to wonder about its owner.

As Four Eyes flicked on the light next to his bed and turned off the rest, he marveled at the luxuriousness of the bed. To his surprise, he realized it was a waterbed. "Cool!" Four Eyes exclaimed before drifting off to sleep almost instantly.

Meanwhile, Ling Li lay on her bed, fuming. "It must be El Capitan, El Padre, and the Cuban President," she seethed. "Those three rascals! Shameless!"

Each time the thought of Ling Li's embarrassing encounter with Four Eyes crossed her mind, her face flushed crimson. "Dammit!" she muttered before drifting off to sleep.

The next day, Mushu and Pharsa, who habitually waited at the staircase for Ling Li, were taken aback to see Four Eyes making his way down the stairs.

Pharsa's voice reverberated through the corridor as she sternly questioned, "Why are you coming down from the second floor?"

Four Eyes, with a carefree demeanor, countered, "I was permitted," and continued his descent, unfazed by Pharsa's authority.

Meanwhile, his friends - concerned and curious - approached him, frantically asking, "We've been looking for you. Where have you been?"

With a casual air, Four Eyes replied, "I just woke up."

Perplexed, his friends pressed on, "But you were not in your room."

"I was upstairs. Let me change first," was Four Eyes' curt reply as he walked away, leaving his friends bewildered.

Not far away, Pharsa instructed Mushu to keep an eye on Ling Li while she pursued the gentlemen to the beachfront breakfast table, where Shinsei and his assistant were already seated.

Gesturing enthusiastically, Shinsei beckoned Four Eyes to sit beside him, unaware of the scrutiny he was about to face. As Shinsei examined his hand, he inquired, "Young lad, what is your Chinese zodiac?"

Without hesitation, Four Eyes retorted, "Pig."

Excitedly, Shinsei proclaimed, "I knew it!"