562. Selling Himself to Pay Off Debt

Heaven Dou City, Heaven Treasure Restaurant, Ground Floor

Dugu Yan linked arms with Ye Lingling, a look of realization flashing across her face.

"So His Highness the Holy Son is targeting that guy?"

"Yeah," Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly.

"I just don’t understand why His Highness doesn’t just kill him outright."

"Jue must have his reasons." Ye Lingling said calmly.

"There must be something we don’t know."

Ning Rongrong pouted.

If someone claimed that Qian Renjue was afraid of the Haotian Sect, she wouldn't believe it for a second.

She still vividly remembered those seven old men who once came flying in to propose marriage.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly—she did know a few strange things about this matter.

That Tang San was definitely suspicious.

"If that’s the case, should I go notify my grandfather to handle them?"

Dugu Yan looked to the other girls for their opinions.

"Yanyan, don’t act recklessly."

Ye Lingling cautioned—she didn’t want to mess things up with good intentions.

Dugu Yan explained, "I just want Grandpa to kick Tang Xiaosan and the others out of Royal Academy. That’s not reckless, right?"

"Oh? That actually sounds like a good idea. Letting them stay at Royal Academy is too much of a privilege."

Ning Rongrong tapped her chin, visibly intrigued.

Ye Lingling hesitated, "But what if Jue wants them to stay at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?"

"I can ask my teacher first," Zhu Zhuqing suggested, still uncertain.

Only Xiao Wu, tugging at her rabbit ears, furrowed her brows before suddenly releasing Ning Rongrong and dashing away.

"No way! Absolutely not!"

"Why?"

The girls looked at Xiao Wu in confusion.

"Because that damn snake has already exposed his connection to us!"

Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips, looking smug.

Hmph!

Who dared to call her a dumb rabbit now?

Even Lingling and the others hadn’t considered this, but she, Xiao Wu, figured it out!

"That… actually makes sense."

Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement.

Dugu Yan had a good relationship with Xiao Wu, so not helping Shrek was one thing, but outright sabotaging them? That seemed unnecessary.

"Then let’s just forget it."

Dugu Yan sighed, ignoring Xiao Wu’s triumphant expression.

Just then, a gentle voice called out to them.

"Sister Yan! Sister Lingling!"

They turned to see Yu Feng standing at the restaurant entrance, waving.

He quickly ran over.

"Sister Yan, you’re finally here! I’m starving!"

"Pfft—yeah, I can tell. You’re walking so sluggishly," Dugu Yan teased.

With a stranger present, Ning Rongrong and the others remained silent.

"It’s not that bad."

Yu Feng rolled his eyes at Dugu Yan—he was just refraining from using his spirit power.

Dugu Yan chuckled.

"Alright, let’s head up. By the way, Yu Feng, did you order the food yet?"

"Nope." Yu Feng shook his head.

"Huh? But with your speed, you should’ve gotten here ages ago!"

Dugu Yan frowned, puzzled.

"At least you booked a private room, right?"

"Also no."

Yu Feng's face flushed slightly, making the girls stare at him in surprise.

Why did this guy suddenly look so… timid and shy?

"Then where have you been all this time?"

Even Ye Lingling couldn’t help but ask.

"Lingling… I-I was just standing at the door, waiting for you guys," Yu Feng stammered, scratching his head awkwardly.

He looked a bit embarrassed.

"I was afraid that if I ordered the food and you guys didn’t show up… I’d have to sell myself to pay off the debt!"

"Pfft—hahaha!"

Dugu Yan burst into laughter, and even Xiao Wu couldn't hold back.

She grabbed Ning Rongrong’s shoulder, pointing at Yu Feng.

"Haha, Rongrong, look at him! He’s even girlier than Oscar—who knows, maybe some guy would actually buy him!"


"Of course."

Ning Rongrong smiled.

"Y-you’re all talking nonsense! I’m not girly!"

Yu Feng clenched his fists and stretched his neck, his face flushed red as he protested.

Zhu Zhuqing’s lips curled slightly, her expression amused.

"You look even girlier now."

"You—!"

Yu Feng gritted his teeth, pointing at Zhu Zhuqing, but was too flustered to say anything.

"Ahem."

Dugu Yan coughed twice to suppress her laughter.

"Alright, Yu Feng, calm down. They don’t mean any harm. Let’s just go upstairs."

"If you’re hungry, eat as much as you want."

"After all, this grand lady here is footing the bill, and she’s got plenty of money to spare."

She gestured toward Ning Rongrong, her pink-haired friend.

"Hmph! That’s right, eat all you want! You can even pack some for later."

Ning Rongrong lifted her chin proudly.

Her family was one of the shareholders of this restaurant—she could eat as much as she liked.

"Then I won’t hold back!"

Yu Feng gritted his teeth, still holding in his frustration.

"Enough! If you have the energy to argue, save it for the dining table."

Dugu Yan knocked him on the head.

"Ouch!"

Yu Feng clutched his head in pain, his face twisted in discomfort.

"Sister Yan, can’t you be a little gentler?"

"By the way, doesn’t it feel weird for you to be the only guy hanging around us?"

Dugu Yan asked, hoping to get rid of him.

Yu Feng blinked in confusion and shook his head.

"Not really. Why would it be weird?"

Compared to dealing with Oslo and the others, he much preferred hanging out with Dugu Yan’s group.

"Fine."

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes and decided not to argue anymore—after all, they had already invited him.


---

While they were having their meal, in Spirit City, Pope Bibi Dong had returned home for her midday rest.

After receiving affectionate kisses on both cheeks from her children, she happily approved their trip to Heaven Dou City.

After lunch…

Outside Heaven Dou City, a pitch-black vortex slowly expanded.

Qian Renjue stepped out from within it, flanked by two stunning figures—one clad in gold, the other in pristine white.

At Snow Empress' request, Qian Renjue had brought her along as well.

He glanced up at the sky.

"Sister, do you think Xue Beng is at the mansion right now?"

"It doesn’t matter. I’ll just have Xue Qinghe look into it."

Qian Renxue replied indifferently, then raised an eyebrow at him.

"More importantly, now that you’re here, I bet you’re planning to visit those women again, aren’t you?"

"I already promised Zhuqing and the others."

Qian Renjue nodded, attempting to retract his tail—but it got stuck for a moment.

"Hmph!"

Qian Renxue snorted coldly, too busy to argue.

"Fine, then we’ll split up. You go visit your women, and I’ll head to the Crown Prince’s residence!"

Just as she finished speaking, she added:

"You have half an hour. Whether you’re just meeting them or rolling around in bed, that should be enough, right?"

"Meeting them, sure… Rolling around in bed? That’d be cutting it close."

Qian Renjue casually replied while prying Snow Empress delicate fingers off his Evil God Hook.

"Jue, you—!"

Qian Renxue glared at him, quickly pulling her hand away, her face turning red in frustration.

"Shameless! I’m telling Mom when we get back!"

"Huh? What did I do…?"

Qian Renjue had just managed to retract his tail when he looked up, completely confused.

All he saw was Qian Renxue spreading her wings and flying off in a huff.

From afar, her voice echoed back to him:

"You have one hour! If you’re late, you’re dead!"

"And make sure to take care of your health! Hmph!"

Qian Renxue muttered to herself, her face still cold, but she didn’t feel the least bit childish about tattling to their mother.