“Not at all. Isn’t Young Master Zhou quite influential in the capital?” Hao Shuai sneered coldly.
“This is a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding!” Zhou Hua’s face was full of flattery as he continued, “They’re friends of Young Master Hao. How could I, Zhou Hua, dare to mess with them?”
“If there’s nothing else, then leave,” Hao Shuai said before sitting down again.
Yet Zhou Hua and his group didn’t move an inch.
I frowned slightly. “Didn’t you understand what Old Third just said?”
Zhou Hua froze momentarily, then quickly forced a smile and said, “Big Brother, we’re not here to cause trouble!” His face turned pitiful as he added, “Big Brother, imagine this: I was just walking downstairs when a bunch of foam suddenly fell from above and hit me on the head. Then someone insulted me on top of that. Wouldn’t you feel angry?”
Hearing Zhou Hua’s words, I finally understood why Lu Sen had been in such a rush earlier. He must have realized Zhou Hua had more people and didn’t want to get beaten up!
We were in the wrong, and I didn’t want to use our connections to intimidate others. We were all freshmen—there was no need to create animosity on the first day. So, I turned to Zhou Hua and said, “I’m the leader of Dorm 213. Since my brother was in the wrong, I’ll make sure you get justice!”
I walked over to Lu Sen’s bed and gave him a slap on the back. “Get up and apologize. Let’s settle this.”
“Boss, it’s not that I don’t want to apologize. I already did, but he started cursing me. I can’t take verbal abuse lying down, so I retorted. Who knew he’d bring a group over to confront me!” Lu Sen looked aggrieved and didn’t seem to be lying.
“Young Master Zhou, is what my brother said true?” I turned back to Zhou Hua.
Zhou Hua hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile that was worse than crying. “It seems to be true…”
“If there’s no issue, then leave,” I said, looking at Zhou Hua.
Zhou Hua looked at Hao Shuai with a pitiful expression. “So… Young Master Hao, shall I take my leave?”
Hao Shuai nodded, and Zhou Hua quickly led his group out of the dorm.
“That scared me to death!” Diao Sinan patted his chest, visibly relieved, but his face soon lit up with excitement. “The outside world is way more thrilling than back home!”
“Old Second, look at the trouble you’ve caused! If it weren’t for Hao Shuai today, we might have ended up in a fight!” I scolded Lu Sen, still annoyed.
Lu Sen replied defensively, “I didn’t do it on purpose! How was I supposed to know he’d actually confront me?”
“Hmph! That guy had numbers on his side. If it were one-on-one, I’d definitely have beaten him to a pulp!” Lu Sen gritted his teeth, looking quite serious.
Ignoring him, I turned to Hao Shuai. “Old Third, Zhou Hua won’t come back to cause trouble for Old Second, right?”
Hao Shuai chuckled. “Even if you gave him a hundred lives, he wouldn’t dare. While his father may have some influence in the capital, it’s nothing in my eyes.”
“Wow, bold words! Acting all impressive in front of me—are you asking for a beating?” I joked with Hao Shuai.
Hao Shuai’s demeanor increasingly matched the description of my protection target. Living in a luxury home in the capital, he came from a wealthy and influential family. Perhaps Hao Shuai was the person Qin Shousheng had tasked me with protecting.
“Boss, I mean it this time. You’re my real boss!” Lu Sen looked at me with admiration. “From how that guy treated Hao Shuai, it’s clear Hao Shuai is a top-tier rich kid. And you, knowing he’s such a big deal, still joked around with him. Two words—legendary boss!”
“Tch! Is Old Third taller than me?” I asked, turning to Lu Sen and Diao Sinan.
The two replied in unison, “He’s not.”
“Is Old Third more handsome than me?” I asked again.
“Tch!” This time, I was met with a chorus of boos, even from Hao Shuai.
After chatting a bit more, we all turned in early since there was military training the next morning. But I found it hard to sleep.
Once I unlocked my Ren and Du meridians, my strength would significantly increase. However, cultivating would then create much more noticeable disturbances. Staying in a university dorm for four years would be impossible. While I hadn’t yet found a way to unlock the Ren and Du meridians, I felt it was only a matter of time.
When that time came, cultivating in the classroom during the day or the dorm at night would be unfeasible. Plus, I wouldn’t be able to let Mei’er take human form. I decided it might be worth renting a small apartment near the university. Though more expensive, it would give me the freedom I needed.
Parting my lips slightly, I began to absorb the spiritual energy in the air and circulate True Qi through the second level of my cultivation method.
After a few cycles, I stopped. I hadn’t seen Mei’er all day and missed her, so I decided to enter her purple realm once more.
With just a thought, I entered Mei’er’s purple palace again.
Normally, with my lower cultivation level, I wouldn’t be able to enter Mei’er’s realm. But for some unknown reason, I could enter and leave freely despite the disparity.
The beautiful scenery was just as I remembered, but I wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it this time. Mei’er was far more captivating than any scenery.
In her fox form, Mei’er was curled up on a jade staircase, fast asleep. Every time I came, she was like this—what a sleepyhead.
“Mei’er, wake up!” I called her, skipping any teasing.
Mei’er drowsily opened her eyes. Seeing me, she transformed into her human form with delight.
“Come on, let your Brother Xia Tian have a bite!” I joked, leaning toward her, but she dodged.
In her purple realm, I couldn’t even take advantage of her a little. Next time, I’d have to think of a way to bring her into my realm. Then, I could do whatever I wanted!
“Xia Tian, you’re always bullying Mei’er!” she pouted, her flushed cheeks making her even more alluring.
I laughed. “How is this bullying? This is me doting on you! I wouldn’t bother with just any girl.”
“You’re so frivolous, even with one foot in the path to immortality!” Mei’er said helplessly.
I paused, then shrugged. “Life is meant to be enjoyed. You don’t want to have regrets when it’s over.”
“That’s true, but cultivation isn’t just about refining Qi—it’s about cultivating your heart as well,” Mei’er patiently explained.
Watching her serious expression, I chuckled. “When did my Mei’er become so preachy, like an old lady?”
“You’re the old lady! Your whole family are old ladies!” Mei’er retorted, her brows furrowing as she launched into a tirade.
“Wait, where did you learn that?” I asked, stunned.
Mei’er blinked, then replied, “Sister Mengxin taught me. Why?”
Good grief. How did this get tied back to Lin Mengxin?
“Whatever Lin teaches you, it’s bad news. Mei’er, you’d better not follow her lead!” I warned, worried she might turn from a sweet and pure girl into a little demon under Lin’s influence.
“But I think Sister Mengxin is really nice,” Mei’er said, puzzled.
Nice my foot!
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