Chapter 398: Add Me Too

"Xiao Xi, let's go!" Ji Dengtu's displeased voice came from afar; he clearly didn't want to see his daughter talking to him any longer.

Ji Xiao Xi stuck out her tongue, gave Zu'an an apologetic smile, and then skipped off to catch up.

Zu'an glanced at Ji Dengtu sullenly. "Hmph, from now on, I'll show you cuckold stories every day and leave you with a lifetime of trauma."

Ah, speaking of Xiao Xi, she's quite cute. I wonder if she grew up eating "Cute-Os." How could such a lecherous and annoying person like Ji Dengtu have such a cute daughter? Her mother's genes must be incredibly strong.

Zu'an yawned. He had been rushing around for the past two or three days, barely getting any sleep, so he collapsed onto his bed as soon as he returned to his courtyard.

The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, at breakfast, Qin Wanru looked at Zu'an and gently said, "A'Zu, you should still go to the academy and thank Principal Jiang. When you were captured before, she went out of her way to help look for you."

Beside them, Chu Hanzhao asked, puzzled, "Mom, why did your voice suddenly become so gentle?"

"What do you mean 'suddenly' gentle? I've always been very gentle, you know!" Qin Wanru's eyebrows shot up.

Chu Hanzhao looked as if she'd seen a ghost. "Mom, why is your face red?"

Qin Wanru was startled and quickly touched her cheek; it was indeed warm. She became both embarrassed and annoyed. "You brat, are you itching for a beating today?"

As she moved to pinch her, Chu Hanzhao, frightened, quickly ran behind Zu'an to hide. "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, save me!"

Qin Wanru chased after her, but upon seeing Zu'an smiling, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stepped back. "You two eat slowly, I'm going back to rest." With a slightly guilty conscience, she hurried away.

Chu Hanzhao emerged from behind Zu'an and couldn't help but blink. "Brother-in-law, don't you think Mom is a bit strange?"

"Not really," Zu'an chuckled awkwardly.

"No, something's off. You two are really strange," Chu Hanzhao scrutinized Zu'an.

Zu'an was startled. Just as he was about to explain, Chu Hanzhao suddenly said, "Brother-in-law, do you think some bad guy might have impersonated Mom?" So much had happened in the Chu family recently that she was becoming overly suspicious.

Zu'an was speechless. "What are you thinking? Can't you even recognize your own mother?"

"That's true," Chu Hanzhao smiled sheepishly. "It must be Mom; her chest is still so big..."

Zu'an's face darkened. "That's how you judge?"

Suddenly, a figure quickly approached. Zu'an was startled and was about to prepare himself when he saw the person kneel halfway to the ground and bow.

"Commander Yue, what are you doing? Please get up quickly!" Zu'an recognized the person as Yue Shan, the Chu family's guard commander.

Yue Shan shook his head. "Due to my carelessness, I was lured away. If it weren't for you these past few days, the Chu family would have been usurped by villains. So, you must accept my bow." With that, he respectfully bowed to Zu'an.

Zu'an noticed his travel-worn appearance and deep dark circles, indicating he had been traveling day and night without rest. He couldn't help but feel admiration. "Commander Yue, you've had a difficult journey. Please get up quickly."

Yue Shan sighed. "My journey is nothing. How can it compare to you here, risking your life and single-handedly quelling the rebellions of Chu Tiesheng and Hong Zhong?" He was filled with admiration. Initially, when Zu'an first came to the Chu family, he had been somewhat displeased, wondering how someone as angelic as Miss Chu could marry such a hooligan. But over time, Zu'an had gradually revealed his extraordinary abilities, and this time, he had turned the tide. Miss Chu was indeed worthy of her title; her judgment was truly unmatched.

Zu'an chuckled. "Commander Yue, you flatter me. I was just lucky."

Yue Shan said earnestly, "You achieved great merit yet remain humble, a truly noble character worthy of our emulation..."

Hearing his string of compliments, Zu'an actually blushed a little. This honest man's flattery was surprisingly potent, especially since he was so serious and seemingly sincere.

Chu Hanzhao, standing nearby, scoffed, "I told you all along that my brother-in-law was amazing, but you all treated me like an idiot. Now do you believe me?"

Yue Shan gave a wry smile. "Second Miss, your foresight is truly sharp; I am thoroughly convinced!"

Seeing the usually upright and steady Yue Shan express admiration for her, Chu Hanzhao instantly beamed.

Seeing her look as if her tail would wag to the sky, Zu'an lightly coughed and quickly interjected, "The Chu family is still in a period of turmoil. We will need to rely heavily on Commander Yue for many things going forward."

Yue Shan cupped his hands. "It's my duty. I will first pay my respects to the Madam and ask for her instructions on the next steps."

Zu'an smiled slightly. "Commander Yue, please go. But after you've seen the Madam, you can rest a bit. You look quite exhausted from your journey."

Yue Shan's heart warmed. "Thank you, young master."

On the way to the academy, Chu Hanzhao chattered incessantly: "Brother-in-law, I'm benefiting from your prestige today. That Yue Shan usually doesn't pay much attention to anyone except Dad and Sister; he's as arrogant as can be."

"I really didn't expect that thick-browed, big-eyed Yue Shan to be such a flatterer."

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, tell me the details of your great battle with old man Mi."

"Brother-in-law, are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

Upon arriving at the academy, Chu Hanzhao went to her classroom, while Zu'an headed towards the principal's office.

As he reached the principal's office door, he happened to see Shang Liuyu emerge. Her long hair flowed and her skirt swirled; she was as graceful and refined as ever. Every time he saw her, he was stunned. No wonder she had always been regarded as a goddess by countless teachers and students in the academy.

But he had seen her with Jiang Luofu several times now. Could they be lesbians? Zu'an couldn't help but wonder. *No, don't tell me. Wouldn't that be a terrible waste?* If that were true, he wondered how many men would be heartbroken.

Seeing him, a hint of surprise appeared in Shang Liuyu's eyes. "I heard you were captured by a Grandmaster?"

"Yep, ran back again," Zu'an chuckled.

"How exactly did you manage that?" Even the usually composed Shang Liuyu grew curious, her eyes like a deep, clear autumn pool.

"I was about to be killed by the enemy, but at the last moment, I remembered that a beautiful Teacher Shang was waiting for me at the academy. How could I bear to die? So, my 'small cosmos' exploded, and I counter-killed the Grandmaster." Zu'an spoke without hesitation.

"You're incorrigible," Shang Liuyu scoffed, her face slightly flushed as she hurried away. Her nature was always calm, and she generally didn't pay much attention to many things. Since the other party had returned safely, that was good; she wasn't particularly concerned about how he came back.

Watching Shang Liuyu's retreating back, Zu'an couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Even her annoyed expression was beautiful; no wonder so many men were obsessed with her. "Huh, why no Rage points? What a loss!"

Just then, Jiang Luofu's voice came from inside the office. "Had enough staring? Come in if you have."

Zu'an was startled. *Does this woman have x-ray vision?*

He pushed the door open and his eyes immediately widened. Jiang Luofu was sitting rather ungracefully on the sofa, her beautiful, stocking-clad legs casually propped on the desk. Zu'an felt a little annoyed. He had never seen her act like this in front of others; why was she doing it specifically in front of him? What did this mean? Was she treating him like he wasn't a man?

Jiang Luofu twirled the pencil in her hand, her fingers long, slender, and fair, making one want to look a few more times. "You little rascal, were you just flirting with my little Yu?"

"Little Yu?" It took Zu'an a moment to realize she was referring to Shang Liuyu. He couldn't help but say, feeling a bit down, "Since when did Teacher Shang become 'yours'?"

Jiang Luofu snorted. "She's my wife, so of course she's 'mine'."

Zu'an: "???"

"Beautiful Principal, can I join in?"