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Zhongli, Paimon, and Zhu Zhuqing made their way toward the Seven Treasures Hotel.
Not far away, two figures lurked—one gripping the other tightly.
"Big Brother Dai, calm down!"
"You need to stay calm!!"
"They might really just be... having a meal together?"
These words only made Dai Mubai's face turn green with rage.
With Zhu Zhuqing's looks, what man wouldn't be tempted?!
And they were just having a meal?
Bullshit!
"Fatty, don't worry. I'm terrifyingly calm right now."
Dai Mubai wasn't stupid. He knew Zhongli was a Title Douluo—charging in would be suicide.
He had seen everything—how Zhu Zhuqing had voluntarily approached Zhongli!
Damn her!
She acted cold and aloof around him, yet the moment she saw Zhongli, her gaze turned meltier than butter—like she wanted to throw herself into his arms!
And those glances she kept stealing at Zhongli while Paimon was talking to her? Absolutely shameless!
"Staying calm is good, staying calm is good..."
"Big Brother Dai, don't blame Lord Zhongli. It's your Zhu Zhuqing who..."
Ma Hongjun trailed off as Dai Mubai shot him a murderous glare.
"If you can't speak properly, sew your mouth shut!"
After snapping at Fatty, Dai Mubai growled, "That damn Zhu Zhuqing. Fine!"
"Just fine!"
He was so angry he almost laughed.
He had just left Tang San, found Ma Hongjun, and planned to drown his sorrows in alcohol.
As for going out to "have fun"? That had just been empty bluster.
"Fatty, let's go—chicken feast!"
"???"
Ma Hongjun blinked in confusion.
Hadn't this blondie refused earlier?
Was he really this rattled?
"Sure, whatever. No one likes me anyway—no one's gonna care what I do."
"You think anyone dares control this young master?!"
"I'll take on ten at once!"
"You sure you can handle that?"
Ma Hongjun wasn't underestimating him—after all, he knew Dai Mubai's post-"adventures" condition all too well.
Back in Suotuo City, they'd been roommates—there were no secrets between them.
Dai Mubai: "..."
"Zhu Zhuqing, you want to play games? This young master plays better!"
With a cold snort, Dai Mubai ordered Ma Hongjun to lead the way to the red-light district.
Thanks to his martial soul's... unique needs, Fatty had scouted such places the moment they arrived in Heaven Dou City.
Arm in arm, the two turned and left.
Hidden in the shadows, Flender shook his head and sighed.
"What a mess. Your circle is too messy."
"Xiao Bai, Zhu Zhuqing... tsk."
"As dean, I can't even scold them."
"Though I have to admit—Zhu Zhuqing's taste is impeccable. Hahaha..."
"Ah, forget it. This is beyond a mere Soul Sage like me. Better pretend I saw nothing."
Knowing his students were troublemakers, Flender had secretly followed when they left the academy together.
Yet he never expected to witness such a bizarre scene.
If only they could be as devoted as him...
Oddly enough, despite their flaws, he and the other elders weren't the promiscuous type—at most, they taught their students how to pick fights and gamble.
But these kids? They'd surpassed their teachers!
Not only could they stir up trouble, but they'd also mastered "expenditure management"—something even the elders struggled with!
After lingering for a moment, Flender turned away. He wasn't worried about Zhu Zhuqing's safety.
With that man around, she was safer than anywhere else.
As for Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun? As long as they paid, there'd be no issues.
"Time to focus on cultivation—break through to Level 80 soon."
Flender's talent wasn't low, but his progress had been stunted by the whole Liu Erlong-Yu Xiaogang mess.
In the original timeline, he'd reached Level 93 through sheer effort—without any special advantages.
That alone spoke volumes about his potential.
Now that Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang had reconciled, his heart was finally at ease.
Few in the entire Douluo Continent—no, the entire world—could match Flender's level of devotion.
As long as his goddess was happy, he was content.
What a man...
Seven Treasures Hotel - Private Room
The moment the trio entered, the hotel owner paused briefly in surprise.
But he quickly regained his composure, acting as usual.
As a Soul Sage and a core member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, reading the room was second nature to him.
Once seated, Zhu Zhuqing—whose modesty couldn't hide her curves—kept stealing glances at Zhongli.
"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, your gaze suggests you've known me for a long time. May I ask why?"
"Of course, if it's too personal, you needn't answer."
Zhongli set down his teacup, his tone calm yet probing.
This was just too strange.
"Is it... that obvious?"
Zhu Zhuqing stiffened, her thoughts racing.
Should she tell him she'd seen him in her dreams?
That they'd been close friends in those visions?
Even she found it hard to believe—let alone Zhongli.
Dreams were just dreams. Sooner or later, she'd wake up.
She couldn't treat them as reality.
"I..."
Words failed her.
"This is only our second meeting."
"But..."
Before she could continue, Paimon fluttered over.
"Zhongli, Miss Zhu Zhuqing clearly has something on her mind! Stop pressuring her!"
"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, you can tell Paimon anything! Paimon won't spread your secrets!"
Zhu Zhuqing: "..."
The courage she'd mustered...
Shattered by this tiny creature.
"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, there's no need to share if you're uncomfortable. I'm not one to pry."
"Ugh, Zhongli!"
"I was this close to learning Miss Zhu Zhuqing's secret! Don't interrupt!"
Zhongli and Zhu Zhuqing twitched simultaneously.
If not for Paimon's interference, Zhu Zhuqing might have already confessed!
Now that the moment was ruined, rekindling that courage was nearly impossible.
But Zhongli didn't press further—it wasn't that important anyway.
A short while later...
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.