Ma Hongjun Who Cannot Speak

Ever since this style of clothing appeared in Soto City, many tailors began imitating these sets, which were stylish, made of inexpensive material, and comfortable to wear. Over the last two years, they had become completely popular in Soto City, and there were quite a few people wearing them along the road.

However, the clothes he and his senior brother wore could never be fully replicated. After all, for the sake of combat convenience, they had specifically asked a tailor for a unique design, and even the stitching was extremely distinct.

Seeing the white robe before him, with stitching identical to what Oscar usually had custom-made, Ma Hongjun recognized it at a glance.

Thinking of this, Ma Hongjun's expression instantly turned strange. His Adam's apple bobbed as he asked Oscar:

"Senior brother, that garment is yours, right?"

"Hmm..."

"Senior brother, what you're doing isn't right. Even though your engagement with sister Meng Yiran is only verbal and there's no formal marriage contract yet, she has treated you well over these past two years. Doing this... it really disappoints your junior brother!"

Ma Hongjun looked his senior brother up and down, his voice rising a few notches.

Over these two years, he had witnessed with his own eyes how much Meng Yiran cared for his senior brother. Although he usually teased the two of them in jest, deep down, he had already accepted Meng Yiran as his sister-in-law.

To be honest, he wasn't against his senior brother having multiple wives and concubines; having them was actually considered normal in the Heaven Dou Empire, and he even hoped his senior brother would produce a few more nephews and nieces in the future.

But that didn't mean he was willing to see his senior brother cheating on his fiancée with another woman behind her back. This was a matter of morality!

From childhood, it had always been his senior brother teaching him how to cultivate and how to conduct himself in the world, step by step. In his eyes, his senior brother was more than just a senior; he was the sun by his side!

But today, that sun seemed to be covered by a dark spot. Although it wasn't obvious, it was glaring, and for a moment, he couldn't accept it.

"Where is your mind wandering?!"

Oscar slapped Ma Hongjun on the head and pulled him toward Zhu Zhuqing.

"You're young, yet your head is full of unhealthy things. She and I are just friends. We met in the Star Dou Great Forest earlier, but she got injured and her clothes were ruined by a soul beast, so she had to wear mine. Don't go saying anything reckless later, understand?"

As they walked, Oscar kept instructing Ma Hongjun. Before long, the two entered the city, and Zhu Zhuqing noticed Oscar and walked over to meet them.

"Zhuqing, that expression on your face... have you seen him?"

"Hmm..."

Zhu Zhuqing tried her best to look calm, not wanting to appear too heartbroken in front of this kind person she had only recently met.

But her eye sockets were still a bit red, and her lips were pressed tightly together.

She had gone out for a stroll happily this morning, still holding beautiful expectations for the future.

But upon seeing those familiar traits of the Dai family and sensing the familiar soul power fluctuations, she watched in disbelief as her fiancé walked out of the Rose Hotel with a pair of twins in his arms.

The three of them chatting made her feel nauseous, wanting to retch.

The Dai Mubai before her was no longer the boy who wrote her letters filled with pride, confidence, and passion. He was just a greasy, scummy man who toyed with women's feelings and spoke with a frivolous tone!

"What's going on?"

Ma Hongjun was completely confused and couldn't help but ask, only to be met with a hand-chop to the head from Oscar.

"Don't talk nonsense. If there's nothing else, go look after the shop!"

After Oscar finished speaking to Ma Hongjun, he introduced him to Zhu Zhuqing:

"This is my junior brother, also a Shrek student. He's eleven years old, a level 33 battle soul grandmaster, and his martial soul is the Fire Phoenix. Although he isn't very good with words, he's a decent person."

Realizing he had asked something he shouldn't have, Ma Hongjun nodded like a little quail.

There was no helping it; although he was the absolute bane of existence to some Evil Soul Masters, he would always be a well-behaved junior brother in front of his senior.

People... all have two faces, after all...

Zhu Zhuqing's melancholy was also slightly eased by Ma Hongjun's somewhat comical appearance. Seeing the fair and tender Ma Hongjun acting so obediently in front of Oscar, she couldn't help but imagine Oscar bullying his junior brother and couldn't help but chide softly:

"Alright, don't bully him. It's no big deal that he asked; everything was just my own wishful thinking."

Speaking of this, Zhu Zhuqing's mood dipped a little lower.

Although Ma Hongjun hadn't experienced these things, he wasn't stupid. From the bits of information in their words, he analyzed a few things.

He guessed that this stunningly beautiful young girl had braved the dangers of crossing the Star Dou Great Forest to come to Soto City for someone, but unfortunately, that person wasn't the answer the girl was looking for.

"Hey, sister, three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged people are everywhere. There's no need to hang yourself on one tree. Come to Shrek; everyone there is a talent, and they speak so nicely. Being there feels just like coming home."

Ma Hongjun offered his advice. His Taiji Technique came from the same source as Oscar's, and he had long since noticed the girl's soul power level. A genius of this caliber was not a common sight.

"Alright, this doesn't concern you. Go look after the shop first; I'll come find you later."

Oscar patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder, signaling him to leave quickly. This guy didn't know the full story—Zhu Zhuqing had come here specifically for Shrek's Dai Mubai. Wasn't this just rubbing salt into the wound?

Ma Hongjun scratched his head, looking at Oscar and then at Zhu Zhuqing. Although he didn't know what he had said wrong, judging by their expressions, he must have messed up. He took the keys Oscar handed him without lingering, turned around, and ran toward Flender's shop.

"He didn't know, please don't mind him."

Oscar comforted her softly, and Zhu Zhuqing waved her hand, saying:

"Don't always blame him, he seems quite well-behaved. I'm not that sad, just a little..."

Zhu Zhuqing stopped there, her voice choking up slightly.

"Look at you, come on, I'll take you to eat. I know a decent place, consider it a welcome meal for your arrival."

"No... there's no need for that."

"Why be so polite? It's a good chance to talk about your plans for the future."

Oscar didn't wait for Zhu Zhuqing to refuse, pulling her toward a restaurant not far away.

Once they arrived and ordered their food, Oscar spoke up again to ask:

"I know he must have disappointed you, but I don't suggest you miss out on Shrek.

Even though our junior brother said the wrong thing, Shrek Academy is truly a good place. There are many teachers here, and they are all very capable."

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, looking down at her fingers.

"Disappointed... indeed. I always thought he was working as hard as I was, that even if the chances were slim, he would still give it his all. I thought he was just focused on cultivation here... but I didn't expect..."

"Then are you willing to stay?"

Oscar watched Zhu Zhuqing calmly. Although he hadn't spent much time with her, he could sense a resilience in her; she didn't seem like the type to give up easily.

"Stay, huh? I don't really have anywhere else to go, do I?"

"For his sake?"