Chapter 35: You Are Just Too Bored

Compared to those famous Sanfen Fragrance Pavilions located in great nations and major cities, this branch in Maple Forest City was arguably insignificant. However, anyone who had seen Miaoyu would not say so.

Fang Zehou, one of the current leaders of the Fang family, was the biological father of Fang Heling and the uncle of Fang Pengju. A man of vast experience who had traveled far and wide, he had independently established trade routes in the State of Yun. Possessing both capability and prestige, he was the implicit successor to the Fang family patriarchate. Such a figure was utterly infatuated with Miss Miaoyu. Every time he returned from a business trip, his first priority was to seek diversion at the Sanfen Fragrance Pavilion.

Such instances were too numerous to count. Fang Zehou was neither the first great figure to fall at Miaoyu's feet, nor the last.

And the philanderer Zhao Rucheng was among them. Ever since he heard of Miaoyu's reputation, he had been squandering fortunes, treating the Sanfen Fragrance Pavilion almost as his own home, displaying an attitude of refusing to rest until he had succeeded.

"That won't be possible," Zhao Rucheng said very calmly. "A woman who resists meeting me has yet to be born."

He added to himself mentally that Jiang An'an certainly didn't count as a woman; she was still just a little kid.

Miaoyu nodded slightly, as if in agreement. "Indeed, Young Master Zhao is exceptionally handsome, and your generosity is second to none. You possess remarkable strength, a prestigious family background, and a bright future. With a heart as clear as crystal and a tongue dripping with honey, what woman could possibly resist you?"

"But," she said, a sudden trace of melancholy appearing between her brows, making one desperately want to wipe it away, "but you don't love me enough..."

It seemed as though Zhao Rucheng's love was not sincere enough to satisfy her, causing her sorrow.

"Hehehe..."

A very lewd and abrupt burst of laughter broke the atmosphere.

It was Huang Azhan, who had woken up at some unknown point, though his intoxication had not yet fully dissipated. He was currently resting his chin on his hand, looking at Miss Miaoyu with a foolish grin. "Hehehe..."

One didn't need to be told to know what he was thinking.

Jiang Wang covered his face in silence. He had recognized that Miaoyu was the woman in red he had bumped into earlier, but in this environment, he had little right to speak.

Du Yehu wanted to drag Huang Azhan out and kill him right then and there to avoid further shared embarrassment. He was currently debating whether it was worth committing a murder before joining the army.

"How can you say I don't love you enough?" Only Zhao Rucheng remained unashamed. He maintained a composed expression, acting as if he didn't know Huang Azhan at all, displaying the poise of a seasoned playboy. "I have never pursued a woman for this long. Since meeting Miss Miaoyu, I have spent more time in the Sanfen Fragrance Pavilion than in the City Dao Academy. My love is overflowing; it's almost enough to drown this place."

He rose from his seat and walked gracefully toward Miaoyu.

"Here." He pressed his hand against his heart.

It had to be said that given the scene and such a handsome man, even a madam who had weathered countless storms felt her heart flutter and struggled to suppress her own excitement.

But Miaoyu stopped him with a single sentence—

"You don't truly love me; you are just too bored."

The charming smile vanished from Zhao Rucheng's face. He halted his steps and did not move forward.

"I indeed do not love you now," he said. "I hate women who are too smart."

Jiang Wang had always known that Zhao Rucheng was a man who feared trouble and was largely indifferent to everything. He seemed to have nothing he truly cared about; "getting by" was his life's motto.

He squandered money and wasted time. Like his wealth, he wasted his talent. But these were his own affairs, and no one had the right to interfere.

Thus, he could understand the flippant "love" and "dislike" coming from Zhao Rucheng's mouth.

However, then again, discussing love and dislike in a brothel was inherently a humorous matter.

"Let's go, let's go home. I still have to cook for An'an," Jiang Wang said, standing up.

"Third Brother," Zhao Rucheng looked at him earnestly, "can we pack some food to take back? Don't cook it yourself."

On the other side, Du Yehu also nodded solemnly, looking somewhat shaken. "An'an is still a child."

"..." Jiang Wang's expression soured. "Are we leaving or not?"

"Leaving, leaving, leaving."

Du Yehu hoisted Huang Azhan up, ignoring his struggling and foolish laughter, and the group dispersed in a flurry.

Miaoyu simply watched them leave with a smiling face, saying nothing.

But as her fingers twirled slightly, without anyone knowing, a white granular substance she had prepared long ago quietly fell onto Jiang Wang's back.

And it permeated through.

...

After Du Yehu saw his drunken friend home, the young master Zhao naturally returned to his manor to rest, while Jiang Wang went alone to the Dao Academy dormitory to pick up An'an.

When he picked up Jiang An'an, her mood was clearly low; her little mouth was puffed out, and it was unclear what she was sulking about.

"What's wrong, my little An'an?" Jiang Wang asked with a kind, amiable smile.

"Nothing," Jiang An'an said, pouting.

"That's good then." Jiang Wang beckoned her. "Let's go home."

"..." Jiang An'an was stunned. Was he really not going to ask more or show a bit more concern?

Ling He did not try to stop them either, merely waving his hand. "Goodbye, An'an."

Jiang Wang understood that this elder brother was likely eager to focus on cultivation but was unable to fully commit because he had to look after Jiang An'an. His talent wasn't the absolute best, but his diligence was top-tier.

"Goodbye, Brother Ling He." Although Jiang An'an wasn't very happy, she maintained basic politeness.

"By the way," Jiang Wang said casually before leaving, "the rest of us have transferred our Dao Merits to you. If you pool them together, you should be close to obtaining a Pulse-Opening Pill. Work hard and go exchange them soon."

Ling He was silent for a moment before saying, "They should have gone to Rucheng first. He is the youngest and has the best talent; it shouldn't be wasted."

"He has no interest," Jiang Wang explained simply. "And Brother Hu plans to go to Jiujiang Xuanjia to follow the ancient path of the martialist, focusing on blood and qi."

Ling He did not push back further, merely saying, "Alright."

He knew that Zhao Rucheng's lack of interest was genuine, and Du Yehu's decision was final. There wasn't much he could do; at this stage, all he wanted was to ensure these Dao Merits and these friendships were not wasted.

"Time to go home." Jiang Wang lifted Jiang An'an up, letting her sit on his right shoulder, and walked steadily toward home.

Jiang An'an suddenly became happy again, letting out a "Giddy-up!" as her little legs kicked playfully in front of Jiang Wang.

On the way out of the academy, she continued to speak enthusiastically on Jiang Wang's behalf. Whenever someone greeted them with "Hello, Senior Brother Jiang," she would respond brightly, "Hello to you too!"

Following her lead, Jiang Wang merely nodded in acknowledgment.

"Is Brother Ling He very boring?" Jiang Wang asked casually on the way home.

"He's already waiting at the gate before classes even end. I still have things to do after school, but he won't let me, he just follows me everywhere," Jiang An'an said, biting her finger.

Ling He had a steady and reliable personality, making him the most trustworthy person to help look after Jiang An'an. Being inseparable was merely the baseline.

"What kind of 'things' could you possibly be busy with?" As he spoke, Jiang Wang pulled her finger away from her mouth. "Don't bite your nails."

"Hmph!" Jiang An'an was so angry she almost jumped down, but remembering they were still a distance from home, she relented. "I am very busy, I just don't feel like telling you."

Jiang Wang didn't mind much, chatting aimlessly. "Brother Ling He is a very good person. An'an should be polite to him."

"Don't give him a cold shoulder."

"Stop biting your nails."

His voice gradually drifted into the distance.

—"I! KNOW! THAT!"

(End of Chapter)