Chen Zhihao had just wanted to ask if they had come to the wrong place when he heard Jiang Tang exclaim in surprise, "My god! Ning Chen, are you part pig? How can you eat so much?"
Xu Shuyan also widened her beautiful eyes. In the short time they had been gone, more than half of the thirty-some dishes on the table had vanished. Had he eaten it all, or just dumped it?
Ning Chen stopped eating. "Didn't you guys leave? Why are you back?"
Xu Shuyan crossed her arms. "Hmph, I paid the bill, so what’s wrong with me coming back to eat? Mind your own business!"
"Wait a second!"
At this point, Chen Zhihao pointed at Ning Chen, looking completely dumbfounded. "Shuyan, who is this kid?"
"Oh, his name is Ning Chen. He’s the son of my mother’s close friend. He just arrived in Qingzhou from Dongyang today, and my mom asked me to host him," Xu Shuyan replied truthfully.
Just as Jiang Tang had expected, Chen Zhihao’s expression darkened instantly. He had finally managed to snag a date with his goddess, so what was this bumpkin doing here, eating and drinking away?
"Buddy, I think you’ve had enough." Chen Zhihao stepped forward and patted Ning Chen on the shoulder. "Now that you're full, it’s time for you to go. Shuyan and I have serious things to discuss."
Ning Chen was intently focused on a plate of stir-fried beef kidneys.
"Hey, buddy?"
Ning Chen grabbed a lemon chicken and tore off a leg.
"Buddy, how about this? I’ll give you two thousand yuan; go eat somewhere else."
Ning Chen took a sip of the lotus soup. "Not enough salt."
Chen Zhihao: "..."
"I’m telling you to stop eating, damn it!"
Chen Zhihao swiped the half-eaten lemon chicken out of Ning Chen’s hand, sending it flying. His temper was flaring. He was talking to him—was the guy deaf? Did he really have to force him to lose his temper?
"Hee hee, Shuyan, the show is starting," Jiang Tang whispered with a mischievous grin, pulling Xu Shuyan back.
Then, Xu Shuyan watched as Ning Chen stood up, grabbed Chen Zhihao by the hair, and slammed his face directly into a basin of crucian carp soup.
"Glug, glug, glug..."
There was a lot of soup in that basin; Chen Zhihao almost drowned.
"You dog, I’m going to kill you, glug, glug..."
"Let, let go! Glug, glug..."
"I... glug, glug..."
"Help... help me! Help... glug, glug..."
No matter how he struggled, Ning Chen’s hand was as firm as an iron vise, pinning him into the soup, unable to move. Chen Zhihao’s voice grew weaker and weaker.
"My god, this guy is so strong!" Jiang Tang’s mouth hung open.
"Stop it, Xiaotang, hurry and save him!" Seeing things take a turn for the worse, Xu Shuyan rushed over to pull Ning Chen away. She didn't want a murder to happen over a meal!
Xu Shuyan was thin and delicate; there was no way she could pull Ning Chen away. Besides, Ning Chen didn't intend to kill him; he just wanted to teach this fop a lesson. He was a great cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage; even if he were severely wounded, could he really be bullied by some worldly brat?
"Remember this: don't disturb me when I'm eating."
Ning Chen shoved Chen Zhihao’s head back into the soup one last time, sat back down, and continued to enjoy his meal. He didn't want to have to eat like this every day. By eating a large amount at once and compressing the energy with his True Qi, he could sustain himself for days. Even though the spiritual content of this worldly food was pitifully low, it still provided a bit of replenishment.
"Thump!"
Chen Zhihao collapsed to the floor, soup gushing from his mouth and one nostril. Why only one nostril? Because the other was plugged with a large fish eye. Several fish bones were stuck in his face, causing him to howl in pain.
"Surname Ning, just you wait! If you've got guts, don't you leave!!!"
Chen Zhihao crawled up from the floor, his head covered in white fish meat, his eyes filled with hatred. He hadn't lost face like this in front of a girl in years! And in front of his goddess, no less! You dog, I will kill you today!
"Fine, go call your people," Ning Chen said nonchalantly, slurping up some snails.
"Just you wait!!!" Chen Zhihao slammed the door and left.
The moment he was gone, Ning Chen called the waiter over to pack up the leftovers. By the time Chen Zhihao changed his clothes and returned with his men, the three of them were long gone.
"Zhihao, where are they?" a young delinquent with a cigarette hanging from his mouth asked, staring blankly. Behind him were four or five lackeys.
"Damn it, I've been played!" Chen Zhihao kicked the door and roared, "Ning Chen, you coward! This isn't over! I won't let you get away with this! I’m going to make sure you can't survive in Qingzhou!"
...
Ning Chen didn't give Chen Zhihao a second thought. Leaving the mall, he got into Xu Shuyan’s car and arrived at the Green City Rose Garden. This was a famous upscale neighborhood in Qingzhou—quiet, comfortable, and filled with the scent of flowers. Ning Chen even felt that the Spiritual Qi here was a hair denser than in the busy city center.
"I really don't know why Mommy had to bring this violent maniac home!" Xu Shuyan glanced at Ning Chen through the rearview mirror. Chen Zhihao had only swiped away his chicken, and he had nearly drowned him in soup; it was terrifying! If someone like this got married, he would definitely be an abuser! But, her mother had called and insisted she bring him back.
Jiang Tang, meanwhile, seemed quite interested in Ning Chen, asking him many questions along the way, most of which Ning Chen brushed off with perfunctory answers.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a detached villa. A graceful woman in her forties was already waiting, accompanied by an old butler in a tailored suit.
"Mommy~" Xu Shuyan got out of the car and trotted over, her pretty face full of indignation. "Don't ever ask me to do this again next time. You have no idea—this Ning Chen is a total maniac!"
The graceful woman shook her head. "What nonsense are you saying? Xiaochen is an honest and well-behaved boy—he loves sports and is very sunny."
Xu Shuyan stomped her foot. "Hmph, he’s only honest on the surface."
At that moment, Ning Chen walked over, carrying a massive bag. "Aunt Qiao? It’s been so many years; you look more beautiful than ever."
Aunt Qiao smiled upon hearing this. "My, how did Xiaochen become so sweet-talked? Oh, you didn't have to bring anything! Old Fan, come help him."
"Yes, Madam." The old butler stepped forward, causing Jiang Tang, who was standing by Ning Chen, to giggle.
"Aunt Qiao, Uncle Fan, this isn't a gift; it’s food Ning Chen packed from the restaurant."
"Oh? Packed food?" Aunt Qiao was stunned for a moment, then beamed. "Good, good! Saving food is a good trait. Xiaochen, from now on, you'll be living here. You and Shuyan need to get along; just treat her like your own younger sister."
"He’s not good! He’s a super violent maniac..." Xu Shuyan was halfway through her complaint when she suddenly shrieked. "Mommy, what did you just say!!?"
***
**Chapter 4: Heilong**
Seeing the large piles of luggage in the living room, Xu Shuyan completely broke down. "Mommy, you... you can't be serious, right? If I have to live with this violent maniac, how will I ever sleep at night?"
Xu Shuyan sat on the sofa, crying, her porcelain-white legs kicking against the floor. "Waaah, I don't want to, I don't want to..."
"Xiaotang, hurry and talk Mommy out of this, otherwise we’re both going to be in danger!"
The Jiang and Xu families were old friends. Jiang Tang had lived with Xu Shuyan since middle school; they were closer than sisters. Jiang Tang said, "Aunt Qiao, Shuyan and I are girls. It wouldn't be very convenient for a boy to suddenly move in, would it?"
Aunt Qiao smiled slightly. "I trust Xiaochen’s character."
Jiang Tang: "This..."
At this moment, Ning Chen was looking at the scenery in the courtyard, his eyes scanning around as if looking for something, completely uninterested in their conversation.
"Hey, say something, don't just stand there like a mute!" Xu Shuyan grew angry at his detached expression. "I don't want you living here!"
"My name isn't 'Hey,' it's Ning Chen," Ning Chen said, glancing at her sideways. "This place is fine; I intend to stay."
Xu Shuyan: "..."
Jiang Tang: "..."
Aunt Qiao smiled. "This child is just straightforward; he says exactly what's on his mind." She looked at the elderly man in the suit beside her. "Old Fan, what do you think?"
The man, Fan Yi, was the Xu family’s butler and the bodyguard for Xu Shuyan's father. He had been observing Ning Chen for a long time and nodded slightly at Aunt Qiao. "Madam, as you said, the boy is indeed good—mature and steady."
"Uncle Fan, how can you speak for this violent maniac too!" Xu Shuyan hugged a throw pillow and wept.
Aunt Qiao called Ning Chen out to the courtyard. "Xiaochen, Shuyan has been spoiled by me since she was little. You’re the older brother; give her some leeway. The girl isn't bad by nature; you’ll see after spending more time together."
"Yes, okay." Ning Chen reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope he had just taken from his suitcase. It was thick with cash.
Aunt Qiao was puzzled. "Xiaochen, what are you doing?"
Ning Chen said solemnly, "This is the rent. I don't know if it's enough; please count it, Aunt Qiao."
Aunt Qiao immediately looked displeased. "What kind of joke is that? You’re staying at your Aunt Qiao’s house, and you’re offering money? If people heard that, they’d think your mother and I had a falling out! Take it back, or Aunt Qiao will be upset!"
"Oh." Ning Chen stuffed it back; he had only been trying to be polite, anyway.
"That's better." Aunt Qiao smiled again. "Xiaochen, if you really want to be helpful, just look out for Shuyan a bit at school. You know how pretty she is and how she attracts boys. Your mother mentioned you’re always out mountain climbing and rock climbing; your build is certainly sturdy..."
Ning Chen was filled with question marks. Was Xu Shuyan pretty? He couldn't really tell. She seemed just slightly better-looking than the average person; there was no comparison to the pure goddesses and enchanting sirens of the Little Southern Heaven Realm. As a monster who had lived for two thousand years, his human emotions had faded significantly. However, he vaguely remembered that when his father’s business failed and they were destitute, it was Aunt Qiao who sent money again and again to help them pull through.
More importantly, the location of this villa sat atop a Spiritual Eye!
*So thin is the Spiritual Qi here; this eye must have dried up long ago, though a few traces of the spirit vein remain.*
*Forget it, I’ll stay for a while.*
After Aunt Qiao left, Ning Chen began to stroll around the yard. The detached villa covered over four hundred square meters, and with a five-hundred-square-meter yard, it was likely worth over a hundred million. The Xu family’s wealth was indeed astonishing.
"Woof! Woof, woof, woof!"
Suddenly, the sound of barking rang out. Ning Chen followed the sound. Xu Shuyan was walking toward him, holding a German Shepherd by a leash, looking aggressive. The dog was missing an ear, stood tall, and looked quite majestic—enough to scare off anyone cowardly.
"Ning Chen, I don't care how you bamboozled my Mommy, but you cannot stay here!" Xu Shuyan was wearing rabbit-themed loungewear, holding the leash in one hand and her hand on her hip with the other. "Are you leaving or not? If you don't, I’ll set Heilong on you!"
The German Shepherd, named Heilong, bared its teeth at Ning Chen.
"Which room is mine?" Ning Chen answered the question with his own. "If no one’s assigned me one, I'll pick it myself."
"You... who do you think you are? Do you really think this is your home?" Xu Shuyan, unable to contain her anger, released the leash and pointed at Ning Chen. "Heilong, chase him out!"
Heilong barked fiercely and lunged at Ning Chen.
"Shuyan!" Jiang Tang gasped from near the back door.
In the next second, Ning Chen simply glared at Heilong. The dog braked sharply, turned around in terror, and scrambled back, darting into its kennel. From inside the kennel, a series of whines echoed, as if it had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Jiang Tang: "..."
Xu Shuyan pointed at Ning Chen, her face pale. "You... you you..."
Ning Chen crossed his arms behind his head. "What about me?"
Xu Shuyan took a wild guess. "You... have you killed people? Otherwise, why would Heilong be scared of you? Heilong was trained with army dogs..."
The corner of Ning Chen’s mouth curled into a sunny arc. "Well, you're finally a little smarter."
"Ah!!!" Xu Shuyan threw the leash down and shrieked as she ran back to the second floor.
Ning Chen whistled as he returned to the living room. In the end, Jiang Tang arranged a room for him under the stairs on the first floor. Ning Chen didn't mind; he moved right in. He lay on the bed, feeling bored, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
*Sigh, what am I to do now? My Niwan Palace is shattered, my Dantian is broken, and both my soul and physical body are severely wounded. A wound like this is hard to fix even in the Little Southern Heaven Realm.*
*Fortunately, I still have eight thousand years of lifespan; I can find a way slowly.*
After thinking for a long time, he felt he had only two paths: either find immortal medicine on Earth to repair his Niwan Palace, or find a way to return to the Little Southern Heaven Realm. As he pondered, a wave of sleepiness washed over him. With his soul wounded, his energy was far less than before.
He slept until nine in the evening. The nanny had come by, but Xu Shuyan had deliberately stopped her from waking Ning Chen for dinner, and even ordered the nanny to throw away the food he had packed. She wanted to provoke his violent side. As long as he dared to make a move or curse, she would have enough leverage to drive him out!
"Shuyan, he’s gone out," Jiang Tang said from the second-floor balcony, watching Ning Chen’s retreating figure.
"He can actually endure that?" Xu Shuyan’s cheeks puffed out in anger. "Then we’ll lock the doors tonight and make him sleep on the street!"
***
**Chapter 5: Su Wanwan**
Ning Chen strolled over toward the university town area. There were many food streets here. He picked a "Li Mei Barbecue Shop" and walked in. He ordered a few things and began to eat while reading a web novel on his phone.
*So boring. I can't cultivate.* As a great cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage, he had suddenly become idle, so he had to pick up his high school hobby: reading web novels.
"Wanwan, look. This kid looks thin and tall, about your age. Who would have thought he could eat so much? He ordered over six hundred yuan worth of food in one go." The owner of the barbecue shop, a woman in her forties, smiled at her daughter while picking leeks. Though they were the same age, she didn't compare to Aunt Qiao at all; she looked twenty years older. Such was the power of maintenance.
Her daughter, who was helping pick the vegetables, was bright-eyed and beautiful, with rosy lips, a small nose, and an old high school uniform that added a touch of innocence.
"Mom, aren't you afraid he’s just another asshole looking to dine and dash?" the student asked.
"There are only a few of those a month; most customers pay honestly," the owner said with a bitter smile.
"A few a month? We’ve wasted days of work," Su Wanwan complained.
"Forget it, Wanwan. There’s nothing we can do. We can't afford to provoke Brother Xiao and his group of local thugs," the owner sighed, shaking her head. "That’s why Mom is working so hard to get you through school, so you can enter the upper class and stay far away from these bottom-feeders."
"I know, Mom..."
Ning Chen listened to their conversation, his face expressionless, and continued reading his novel.
Before long, a group of people with dyed, multi-colored hair arrived at the barbecue shop. The store suddenly became noisy. Seeing this group, Su Wanwan’s expression changed; she fearfully tugged at her mother’s apron. "Mom! They... they’re here!"
"Quick, hide in the kitchen!" The owner immediately told her daughter to get away.
"Hey, owner! Why aren't you serving us? Are you stalling?" A thug wearing a skull-patterned bandana, acting like a hoodlum, walked past Ning Chen and kicked over a few chairs, the scraping noise echoing through the shop.
Ning Chen frowned. He simply used his True Qi to seal his hearing and continued reading his novel. It was getting to the exciting part.
"Right, right, Brother Kun." The owner smiled brightly and handed over the menu. "Big brothers, take a look and see what you’d like to eat."
"The usual!" The thug named Brother Kun waved a hand and patted the owner on the shoulder. "Sister Mei, you’re still quite charming. What’s the point of staying with that coward Su Haichao? You’d be better off with me, Ma Kun! At least on this Shuiyue Street, no one would dare bully you. Right, brothers?"
The five thugs at the table burst into rowdy laughter.
"Brother Kun, what kind of joke is that? I’m old and withered; how could I catch your eye?" Li Mei, the owner, said, acting subserviently. "You wait, I’ll head to the kitchen right away, and I’ll throw in a grilled fish for you brothers today."
"Good, get to it!" Ma Kun waved her away, propped his feet up on the table, and chatted with his brothers while drinking. The content of their conversation was filthy—either discussing which nightclub girl was attractive or bragging about fights with other gangs, their voices loud and grating. The other customers in the shop were scared off.
Seeing that the customers who left hadn't paid, Su Wanwan, who was hiding behind the register, couldn't take it anymore. She covered her face with her uniform sleeve and ran out.
"Eh? What the hell? Look, Brother Kun, where did such a cute student girl come from?" A small guy with yellow hair pointed at Su Wanwan.
Ma Kun turned to look, and his eyes lit up!
Another lackey said, "I think I’ve seen her before. That’s Li Mei’s daughter. She usually goes to high school in the South City and only comes back every few months."
"That woman, hiding such a pretty daughter and sending her off to the South City to study, guarding her like we’re thieves. Watch how I handle her in a bit."
"Gulp, gulp, gulp..." Ma Kun drank his beer, watching Su Wanwan’s innocent figure with an evil grin.
"Whew, finally got some back," Su Wanwan muttered, walking back with a few hundred-yuan bills, only to have them snatched away by a hand.
"What are you doing? That’s my money! Give it back!"