When I Actually Ask, You're Unhappy Again

Gu Yue sat at the table, cradling her fair, snow-white chin in both hands. Her delicate little face was full of displeasure, and her cherry lips pouted slightly as she said coquettishly, "You only asked those two. Why didn't you ask me?"

Her beautiful, captivating eyes stared straight at Gu Chen across from her, as if she wanted to see right through him.

Hearing that, Gu Chen's lips curved into a faint smile as he replied softly, "Didn't you already join the Spirit Pagoda long ago? Did I really need to ask?"

Gu Yue's face instantly darkened. Her lovely eyes widened as she glared fiercely at Gu Chen, planting both hands on her slender waist. She looked exactly like an annoyed little kitten as she huffed, "Oh, so you secretly investigated me!"

Gu Chen froze for a moment, then helplessly clapped his hands, spread his palms, and shook his head with a sigh. "See? It was fine when I didn't ask, but now that I actually asked, you're unhappy again."

Gu Yue gave a light snort, turned away, and ignored him. She even muttered, "Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Just then, a rough voice suddenly rang out from nearby. "Li! Time to pay the protection fee!"

The sudden shout was like a bolt of thunder, making Uncle Li, who had been busy working, shudder.

He quickly put down what he was doing and hurried toward the entrance.

The four of them, who had been sitting together, all turned toward the source of the voice, their hearts filled with curiosity and concern.

Among them, only Gu Chen frowned tightly and sank into thought. Something about this development seems off... Gu Yue was clearly supposed to arrive at Eastsea Academy ahead of time, but this related plot point has somehow been brought forward by a whole month.

Could it be that the story's course has started to drift from its proper track and become increasingly absurd?

With that thought, Gu Chen's mood grew heavier.

This was no good sign. The further the plot strayed from its original course, the more uncertain the future became. The time left for him to grow stronger could not increase—it could only decrease.

Three burly, menacing men stood at the entrance of the shop.

The leader was especially eye-catching. His bald head stood out in the cold winter wind.

What was even more surprising was that despite the freezing weather, his arms were bare. A lifelike dragon tattoo sprawled across his thick, powerful arm, as though it might take flight at any moment and pounce on the crowd with claws bared.

The other two men were just as large and fierce-looking. Their faces were full of flesh, their brows slanted sharply upward, and their eyes were vicious and cold. One glance was enough to tell that none of the three were good people.

The bald man strode up to the shop and shouted threateningly inside, "Li! Let me tell you, a wise man submits to circumstances! No one on this street has ever dared refuse to pay protection money, but you keep stalling day after day. Do you really think I, Guang Long, am some beggar?"

"Do I have to come here personally every day just to collect this little bit of money?"

"Hmph. If it weren't for the fact that your pot-stewed beef is fairly authentic and actually tastes good, I would've smashed this crappy shop of yours long ago! Stop giving me excuses. If you don't hand over the money today, then from now on, don't even think about keeping this place open!"

Guang Long's words boomed like thunder in everyone's hearts. Although quite a few passersby had gathered to watch, not a single person dared make a sound in the face of such a vicious scene.

They could only watch from afar, silently worrying for the shop owner.

Others might have been afraid, but Gu Chen saw through him at a glance.

Guang Long's Soul Power Level was not high. His foundation was unstable, and his Martial Soul was trash as well.

Anyone at the same level could easily crush him, as long as their Martial Soul was not equally terrible.

Uncle Li slowly walked out of the shop, his face pale. His lips trembled as he pleaded, "Brother Guang Long, I swear to heaven, it's not that I don't want to pay you the protection fee!"

"It's just that my wife is seriously ill. These days, I get up before dawn every day to work and don't stop until late at night. The little money I earn has all gone toward her treatment and medicine."

"Please, have mercy and let me off. If you smash my business today, then my wife truly won't have any way to live!"

"When that happens... I won't want to live either..."

Guang Long threw back his head and burst into loud laughter, the sound so deafening that it made people tremble with fear.

After laughing, he glared at Uncle Li viciously and gritted his teeth. "Oh? You dare threaten me with your life?"

"Do you think I'd be afraid of a worthless life like yours? Let me tell you, if this crappy shop of yours is gone, I can just find someone else to open a shop here and still collect protection fees!"

"If you can't pay today, then pack your things and get the hell out! Don't fucking occupy this spot!"

Before his words had even faded, Guang Long suddenly stepped forward and kicked the stove by the entrance.

Bang!

The stove, which had been standing steadily in place, was instantly kicked over. Pots, bowls, and utensils scattered everywhere, while the unburned firewood from the stove flew in all directions.

In an instant, the front of the pot-stewed beef shop became a complete mess.

Seeing this, Uncle Li's eyes widened, his face filled with grief and fury. A desperate roar burst from his throat. "Guang Long, you heartless bastard! I'll fight you!"

With that, he charged at Guang Long without regard for his own safety...

Guang Long gave a savage grin. Just as he raised his leg to kick, he suddenly found someone standing in front of him. Then a sharp pain struck his chest, and his entire body flew backward.

Bang!

Guang Long cried out in pain as he slammed heavily onto the ground.

Gu Chen withdrew his leg and said calmly, "Don't you know wasting food is shameful?"

"Uncle Li, are you okay?" Xie Xie rushed to Uncle Li's side and asked with concern.

"I'm fine. This has nothing to do with you. You should leave," Uncle Li said to the three of them.

"That won't do! Since you treated us to food, we naturally have to step in. Besides, since when does Eastsea City allow people to collect protection money?"

"Ah... I've dragged you into this."

Outside the shop, the two remaining lackeys hurried over to Guang Long's side.

"Brother Long!"

"Get lost!" Guang Long shoved his two underlings away. He stood up and glared angrily at Gu Chen, ready to start cursing, but suddenly froze.

What entered his sight were two purple Thousand-Year Spirit Rings!

His eyes widened as he stared in shock at the boy before him, who was even younger than he was. An indescribable sense of absurdity rose in his heart.

(I originally didn't want to write a scene where they only fought after the entire shop had been overturned. At first, I planned to kill him outright before he even made a move, but I had no choice—someone wanted to see a show of dominance and a face-slapping.)

(As for who that person was, it was my evil friend.)