Chapter 335

If Zuan saw him, he would immediately recognize him as the mysterious master he had met yesterday at the Wei family’s residence.

The elder had heard from Wei Dabao yesterday that Zuan had learned quite a lot at Brightmoon Academy, so he came to investigate.

Naturally, Lu De was the first one to suffer. However, after half a day of testing, the elder found that Lu De's knowledge had no connection whatsoever with the person he was looking for.

So he began searching for his next target.

Soon, the effeminate Bai Susu caught his eye. For some reason, he had always loathed effeminate individuals the most.

So he quietly made his way towards Bai Susu's dormitory. Although there were many visible and hidden sentries in the academy, they were as good as invisible to him.

Unaware that he was being targeted, Zuan was playing a breath-holding game with Zheng Dan, seeing who could hold their breath longer.

A moment later, Zuan seemed unsatisfied. He held her thighs, lifting her entirely and pressing her tightly against the wall.

Zheng Dan's face flushed crimson. She quickly exclaimed, "Someone will come by!"

Although this spot was secluded, it was still within the school grounds, and there was always a chance that students might pass by.

"We could make a bet," Zuan whispered in her ear.

Zheng Dan's heart fluttered. Biting her lip, she murmured with a hint of longing, "Then hurry..."

When Zheng Dan returned to the classroom, Xie Daoyun looked at her curiously. "Why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"

Zheng Dan shook her head. "It's nothing."

Far from feeling unwell, the truth was quite the opposite.

Beneath her demure exterior lay a bold and adventurous heart, but what had just happened was truly too risky.

Throughout the entire experience, her heart pounded in her throat, fearing that a classmate might come by and see them, which would completely ruin her reputation.

Yet, the more intense the thrill, the more stimulated she felt, and her body became far more sensitive than usual.

She could no longer maintain her usual dignified, upright posture. Instead, she lay languidly on her desk, feeling too lazy to move a single finger.

Many male students also noticed that she was more captivating than usual at that moment, secretly glancing at her and swallowing hard.

But that was all they could do. Everyone knew her fiancé was the general of the River Defense Camp and also the Prefect's son. No one dared to be disrespectful, fearing to offend the Sang family.

When school ended that evening, Zheng Dan encountered Zuan again at the school gate. However, she merely offered a slight smile and a subtle nod of acknowledgment.

To outsiders, they seemed to be mere acquaintances, as Zheng Dan was always so gentle and polite to everyone.

Zuan had to admit that women were truly natural actresses, capable of perfectly mastering such a contrast between their public and private selves.

"Brother-in-law, what are you thinking about, looking so sly?" Chu Huanzhao ran out excitedly. Seeing him waiting for her, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

"Was I smiling?" Zuan touched his cheek, wondering if he had gotten too carried away.

"Hmph, you looked like... something." Chu Huanzhao suddenly let out a small "Oh?" "Why did you change your clothes?"

"Oh, I accidentally got them dirty just now, so I went to the dorm to change," Zuan replied.

What a joke. Chu Chuyan had already smelled another woman's perfume on him once before. How could he make the same mistake twice?

"Oh," Chu Huanzhao didn't seem to suspect anything.

Just then, Zuan noticed Ji Xiaoxi not far away. She was truly so well-behaved that it stirred a protective instinct in him. No wonder that fellow Ji Dengtu had become such a doting father.

If I had such a lovely daughter, I'd probably become just like him too.

"Hi, Xiaoxi," Zuan waved at her, wondering if he could buy some healing elixirs from her.

Pei Mianman's injury last night reminded him that he couldn't always rely on instant recovery potions from his system; he needed to have other healing medicines prepared.

In all of Brightmoon City, whose wound medicine could compare to the Ji family's?

To his surprise, upon hearing his voice, Ji Xiaoxi darted away like a startled rabbit, hurrying off without even looking back.

Zuan: "..."

"Huanzhao, do I look like a bad guy?" he asked, a little annoyed.

Chu Huanzhao looked him up and down, then nodded emphatically. "Yes, and a particularly bad kind!"

Zuan: "..."

Chu Huanzhao snorted. "Who told you to see her completely undressed? Of course she'd avoid you."

After his previous earnest explanations, combined with Ji Xiaoxi's usual reputation, she finally believed that the last incident was just a coincidence.

However, the thought of her brother-in-law embracing a naked Ji Xiaoxi still irked her. It felt as if someone else had plucked the vegetables she had painstakingly grown in her own garden.

Zuan said awkwardly, "Quiet, quiet!"

Then he turned around and glared fiercely at his attendants. "What did you just hear?"

Feng Dani and the others were already shocked that their young master had seen Ji Xiaoxi completely undressed. Now, seeing his threatening gaze, they immediately shook their heads. "Didn't hear anything, didn't hear anything."

Meanwhile, Cheng Shoubing, who was beside them, foolishly tried to flatter him, "Young Master, you're truly amazing, you even..."

He was cut off before he could finish, as Jiao Shanhe and others quickly covered his mouth. "This fellow misheard, he misheard."

Having spent so much time together, they had developed a strong bond, and they couldn't bear to see him act foolishly.

"Hmph!" Chu Huanzhao finally retracted her nearly murderous glare and pulled Zuan along.

Upon returning to the entrance of the Chu manor, Zuan was surprised to see a familiar carriage in the distance.

Soon, a maid ran over. "Young Master Zuan, my lady requests your presence."

"Who is your lady?" Chu Huanzhao, standing beside them, vigilantly blocked Zuan. She didn't know how it happened, but more and more women seemed to be lingering around her brother-in-law lately.

The maid smiled sweetly. "Young Master Zuan will know once he gets there."

As if sensing Chu Huanzhao's displeasure, she added, "It's just over there, it won't take long."

Zuan patted Chu Huanzhao's head. "Huanzhao, don't worry, I'll go see."

Chu Huanzhao huffed begrudgingly. She wanted to follow and see, but the maid was clearly there to specifically invite Zuan alone, and she didn't have the nerve to tag along.

"I'm not waiting for you!" Chu Huanzhao called out defiantly, then walked towards the house. However, upon reaching the main gate, she couldn't help but stop, hiding in the shadows to secretly watch.

As Zuan approached the carriage, a pair of delicate hands opened the door. "A'Zu, please come in."

Zuan smiled slightly. After stepping into the carriage, he looked at the incomparably enchanting woman before him. "Honglei, why didn't you wait inside?"

Qiu Honglei pursed her lips and smiled. "The people inside probably wouldn't welcome me much, so I decided not to impose."

Zuan gave an awkward laugh. The chaotic scene from her last visit to the Chu manor was still vivid in his mind. "By the way, did you come to see me about something today?"

"Can't I come to see you unless there's something specific?" A hint of resentment flashed in Qiu Honglei's eyes.

Zuan couldn't help but sigh; sometimes he couldn't tell if her feelings were genuine or feigned.

Qiu Honglei handed him a neatly folded set of clothes. "Thank you for the clothes last time. I hadn't had a chance to return them."

"Honglei, you're too kind. It's just a piece of clothing; there was no need for you to make a special trip." While Zuan said this aloud, he was secretly wondering if he should lend her another book.

Isn't that how relationships work, a constant back-and-forth of giving and receiving, warming up feelings?

"Oh, and there was this seashell in the clothes last time," Qiu Honglei said, taking out an exquisite seashell from beside her. "This seems very interesting. Could you give it to me?"

Zuan looked awkward. "This..."

If it were anything else, he would have given it to her without hesitation. But this was something Shang Liuyu had lent him, and he hadn't had a chance to return it yet. How could he possibly give it away?

Qiu Honglei tucked the seashell into his arms and smiled with pursed lips. "Another girl gave it to you, didn't she? Don't worry, I was just teasing you."

Zuan awkwardly retrieved the seashell. "I'll get you another musical instrument another time, when I have a chance."

"I'll hold you to that," Qiu Honglei smiled, then suddenly said with a serious expression, "There's also something important I came to tell you this time."