Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Chasing Love
The Shrek group rushed back to the hotel in a flurry. Only after setting down Zhao Wuji did Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun take off running, distancing themselves a full hundred meters away and hiding behind a pillar.
They were terrified that Zhao Wuji would take out his anger on them.
Zhao Wuji staggered slightly, nearly stumbling.
He pounded his knees, suppressing the inexplicable fear that had just overwhelmed him.
It was absolutely terrifying. If given another chance, there was no way he would ever step foot in that seemingly ordinary courtyard again.
Coming back from there, he felt as if he had narrowly escaped death.
"Teacher Zhao, what's wrong?" Tang San asked in confusion.
Zhao Wuji let out a cold snort, glaring at Xiao Wu, who stood beside Tang San.
It was all because of that little rabbit! She had nearly made him offend yet another Title Douluo.
"Get back here! I'm not in the mood to mess around with you all!" Zhao Wuji waved his hand impatiently.
Seeing that he wasn't joking, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun chuckled awkwardly before returning.
"Teacher Zhao, that guy obviously looked like a good person. There's no way he would bully Ning Rongrong!"
"Yeah, there must be some kind of misunderstanding. Teacher Zhao, don't make things difficult for him."
Both of them smiled sheepishly, harboring their own thoughts.
Zhao Wuji let out another cold snort. Did they really think this was about whether or not he wanted to pursue the matter?
It all depended on whether that mighty figure wanted to punish him!
However, since the powerhouse hadn't revealed his identity and had only targeted him personally, it was likely just a warning.
As long as he didn't act foolishly and go stirring up trouble again, he should be fine.
"I originally went there to reason with him! Since there's no problem, then just drop it. And you all—don't bother them again! If I find out that you did, I'll break your legs!"
After issuing his warning, Zhao Wuji clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.
Tang San watched his retreating figure with a look of doubt. He couldn't shake the feeling that Zhao Wuji was hiding something.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, let out sighs of relief.
Ma Hongjun suddenly wrapped an arm around Dai Mubai's shoulders and said, "Boss Dai, the lady called Ziji is yours. But that little sister—shouldn't you share her with your brother?"
Thinking of Zhu Zhuqing's fiery figure, Ma Hongjun practically started drooling.
He had never seen such a stunningly curvy girl before!
Just thinking about her now made his mouth go dry.
Dai Mubai frowned as he glanced at Ma Hongjun. "Ziji is mine, yes. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to let you have such a beautiful girl. Fatty, a wild boar like you shouldn't even dream about eating fine grain. Stop fooling around."
"???" Ma Hongjun was instantly displeased upon hearing that. Sure, he was ugly and shameless, but his confidence was unmatched!
"Come on, Boss Dai, you can't do this…"
Ma Hongjun was getting anxious. He had already thought about how he was going to win Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
If Dai Mubai decided to compete with him, then he had no chance at all!
Dai Mubai sneered and stopped responding.
He was already prepared—tomorrow, he would pay her a visit, and with his looks and charm, he would start by winning over her family. He was sure that Ziji would completely fall for him!
Watching Dai Mubai walk away, Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth.
"If you refuse to be merciful, Boss Dai, then don't blame me for using some underhanded tactics! All for the sake of love!"
In Dan Heng's courtyard.
Smoke billowed from the kitchen chimney for quite some time, taking twice as long as usual.
That was because Ziji had bought a large amount of meat, insisting that Dan Heng cook all of it. She even commented, "Those so-called hotels can't compare to… Brother-in-law, your cooking!"
Ziji had a very picky palate. After getting used to Dan Heng's cooking, she found anything slightly inferior to be unappetizing.
She had only bought the meats she liked, completely ignoring any vegetables.
Every time Dan Heng prepared two plates of food, she would sneakily eat one before it even reached the table.
In the end, Gu Yuena caught her red-handed, grabbed her by the ear, and finally put an end to it. Only then were the four of them able to eat their meal.
As punishment, Ziji was forced to eat standing up.
This did not affect her eating speed in the slightest. This time, she had learned her lesson—she made sure to always stay just a little behind Gu Yuena.
The table was filled with meat dishes, with only two plates of vegetables.
Dan Heng remained silent, quietly eating his food.
Gu Yuena glanced at Ziji and softly asked, "Ziji, what's going on between you and that Dai Mubai?"
Ziji blinked, wanting to say, Isn't this something you arranged, Master?
But when she saw the threatening look in Gu Yuena's eyes, she immediately clammed up, pouting as she replied, "Him? Just an annoying pest. He keeps bothering me, and I bet he'll come again tomorrow. Maybe he'll even pester you too."
Ziji used her chopsticks to poke Zhu Zhuqing. Zhu Zhuqing's face turned red, and she glared at Ziji.
She was currently thinking about Dai Mubai, her supposed fiancé.
Now that she had met him, all she felt was disappointment.
If she hadn't encountered her teacher, cooperating with Dai Mubai would have surely led to failure!
"Husband, Zhuqing is indeed in some danger," Gu Yuena reminded him.
Dan Heng gave a soft acknowledgment. Although he didn't think Dai Mubai was some depraved fiend, since his wife and sister-in-law both had concerns, he decided to take precautions.
He handed Zhu Zhuqing a booklet filled with footwork techniques he had modified.
The original text was written by a Grand Soul Master who, despite lacking speed, had profound insights into movement techniques.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Zhu Zhuqing immediately accepted it with both hands, her eyes practically glued to the pages.
As Dan Heng handed over the book, Ziji suddenly snatched half a steamed bun from his bowl and took a big bite. "Hehe, this is mine now!"
Late at night.
While Dan Heng and Zhu Zhuqing were already asleep, Ziji had been summoned to the kitchen by Gu Yuena.
Without giving her any explanation, Gu Yuena struck Ziji's right hand.
Her delicate hand instantly swelled red. Not only that, but Gu Yuena forbade her from using soul power to heal, leaving her no choice but to blow on it gently, her eyes welling up with tears from the pain. She looked at Gu Yuena pitifully.
But deep inside, she blamed Dan Heng. It was all his fault for eating so slowly—otherwise, she wouldn't have been tempted to snatch food!
Gu Yuena let out a cold snort. "Stop making that face…"
After saying that, she fell into silence. She was currently struggling with a dilemma—should she push things forward and deliberately create a conflict between Dai Mubai and Dan Heng to force Dan Heng to change?
She had even planned for this scenario before. After all, there was a natural source of conflict in Zhu Zhuqing's engagement.
But now, Gu Yuena hesitated. Would doing this make her husband despise her?
With his intelligence, he would surely figure it out in the future.
"Moreover… I don't even know how my husband truly feels about me. Do I hold any place in his heart?" Gu Yuena furrowed her brows slightly, feeling uneasy.
Seeing her expression, Ziji quickly said, "Master, we don't need to interfere. That pervert Dai Mubai is definitely going to clash with Dan Heng. We just have to watch! I know him too well—he's fought plenty of battles for me!"
Ziji grinned smugly, as if she had everything under control.
"Is that so?" Gu Yuena wasn't entirely convinced.
But if that really was the case, it would undoubtedly be the best outcome!
(End of Chapter)