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"Listening to your words is like... listening to your words."
When it came to Dai Mubai's romantic troubles, Tang San could only shrug helplessly, signaling that he was out of his depth and suggesting Dai Mubai seek advice elsewhere.
Frankly, Tang San had only just figured out his own feelings—how could he possibly understand Dai Mubai's situation?
Everyone knew Dai Mubai was a playboy, yet none of the male Shrek members seemed to care—especially not Tang San.
"Sigh..."
Dai Mubai exhaled heavily before suddenly slamming his palm onto the table.
BANG!
The already-fragile table lost another HP, cracking under the force.
Tang San's eye twitched.
That was his table!
But seeing Dai Mubai's furious expression, he swallowed his complaints.
"If Zhu Zhuqing refuses to appreciate me, then I'll act like she's not my fiancée!"
"Hmph! There are plenty of women in this world who'd scream my name!"
"A real man never lacks for wives!"
After declaring this loudly, Dai Mubai felt refreshed, as though a weight had lifted.
Zhu Zhuqing's coldness had cut deep, fueling his outburst.
"Little San, if the dean asks where I went, tell him—right in front of Zhu Zhuqing—that I'm out partying with Fatty!"
"Isn't that... inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it?!"
"I'm off!"
With that, Dai Mubai leaped out the window and vanished.
Tang San watched his retreating figure and muttered,
"At least Xiao Wu isn't like Zhu Zhuqing..."
Heaven Dou City Gates
Two figures—one tall, one small—appeared at the city entrance, startling the guards.
"Finally, Zhongli! We're back!"
Paimon spread her arms as if to hug the entire city, her excitement overflowing after their long journey.
"I wonder if Xue—no, Qinghe—missed us!"
"And the owner of the Seven Treasures Hotel!"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Patriarch Ning!"
"Auntie Wang, the bun seller..."
Zhongli crossed his arms, glancing sideways at Paimon's endless rambling.
Did her memory exist solely to catalog people and food?
She forgot most things quickly—except those she'd met and the dishes she loved.
"Zhongli, since we're finally back, let's feast at the Seven Treasures Hotel first!"
Paimon clasped her hands, her star-filled eyes pleading shamelessly.
"If it pleases you, then let us go."
"YES! Let's go, let's go—Seven Treasures Hotel!"
The moment Zhongli agreed, Paimon zoomed off like an overexcited child.
Zhongli shook his head and followed at his usual leisurely pace.
The poor thing hadn't eaten well during their travels—she deserved this.
"Zhongli, hurry up! Don't walk like an 80-year-old grandpa—"
Paimon froze mid-sentence, realizing her blunder.
80-year-old grandpa?
Was that supposed to make Zhongli feel young?
The man was at least 6,000 years old!
As for his true age—only he knew.
After all, he might have witnessed the war between the First and Second Thrones...
"Ahem... Zhongli, Paimon, hello."
A cool, quiet voice interrupted Paimon's thoughts.
She turned to see a girl with long, straight black hair and a figure that defied her youthful face.
"Eh? Aren't you... uh..."
"Zhu Zhuqing, right?"
"Yes! Zhu Zhuqing! Paimon never forgets a name!"
Paimon struck a proud pose, hands on hips.
"Yes, I'm Zhu Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded at Paimon before shifting her gaze to Zhongli.
"Last time, you were the only one who stood up for me and Zhongli. You're a good person!"
Zhu Zhuqing had barely looked away when Paimon's praise made her snap her attention back.
"What they did was wrong. If only I were stronger..."
"I'd have taught them a lesson!"
After saying this, Zhu Zhuqing returned her focus to Zhongli.
"Oh! Zhu Zhuqing, Zhongli and I were just heading to the Seven Treasures Hotel for a meal. Did you need something?"
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent, shooting Paimon an almost resentful glance.
Why was this little creature so nosy?
"N-No, it's nothing."
"If you're free, would you like to join us?"
Paimon's invitation was purely polite—just like when she'd asked Qian Renxue to dine.
Of course, if Zhu Zhuqing accepted, Paimon wouldn't mind. More company meant more fun—
And it wasn't like she and Zhongli were paying!
Zhu Zhuqing's gloomy aura vanished instantly.
Since when was Paimon this adorable?
"I'd love to, if I wouldn't be intruding..."
"Not at all! Right, Zhongli?"
With Divine Mouth's work done, the spotlight shifted to Zhongli.
"If the lady has time and doesn't mind, you're welcome to join us."
"Why would I mind...?"
"I have plenty of time!"
Paimon: "???"
For some reason, Paimon sensed something fishy.
The way Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhongli—was her gaze practically melting?!
Zhu Zhuqing had left Blue Tyrant Academy to clear her mind.
That environment didn't suit her—too much pretense and falseness.
Strangely, after meeting Zhongli, the haunting dreams that had troubled her vanished without a trace.
She wanted to see him again—partly to check if the dreams would return, and partly to befriend him, just like in her visions.
Yes, purely friendship. Nothing more.
In her dreams, Zhongli had treated her with simple, platonic warmth.
"How odd. Qian Renxue was like this, and now Zhu Zhuqing too. What's the reason?"
With Zhongli's perception, he'd noticed the anomaly in both Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing.
Especially during their first encounters.
This was only his second meeting with Zhu Zhuqing, yet her eyes held the familiarity of an old friend.
How could this not puzzle him?
Still, Zhongli kept his questions to himself.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 80 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.