Ever since clothes like theirs had appeared in Suotuo City, many tailors had started copying the style. The outfits looked good, were made from inexpensive fabric, and were comfortable to wear. Over the past two years, they had become wildly popular throughout the city, and plenty of people wore them along the road.
But no one could perfectly copy the clothes he and his senior brother wore. For convenience in battle, they had specifically asked a tailor to make them with a unique design, even down to the distinctive stitching.
At a glance, Ma Hongjun recognized the white robe before them. Its stitching was exactly the same as the clothes Oscar usually had made to order.
At that thought, Ma Hongjun's expression turned strange. His Adam's apple bobbed as he asked Oscar:
"Senior Brother, that outfit is yours, right?"
"Mm..."
"Senior Brother, what you did wasn't right.
"Your engagement to Sister Yiran may only have been agreed upon verbally, and you don't have an engagement document.
"But Sister Yiran has treated you well these past two years. For you to do this... I'm so disappointed in you!"
Ma Hongjun looked his senior brother up and down, his voice rising several notches.
Over the past two years, he had seen with his own eyes how much Meng Yiran cared for his senior brother. Though he usually teased them in jest, in his heart, he had already come to think of Meng Yiran as his sister-in-law.
Honestly, he wasn't against his senior brother having several wives and concubines. That was actually normal in the Heaven Dou Empire, and he hoped his senior brother would have several disciples for him to dote on one day.
But that didn't mean he wanted to see his senior brother hiding an affair with another woman from his fiancée. That was a matter of morals!
Ever since he was little, his senior brother had taught him how to cultivate and how to conduct himself. In his eyes, his senior brother was no longer just his senior brother, but the sun at his side!
But today, when he looked up, it was as though a dark spot had fallen across that sun. It wasn't obvious, but it was glaring, and he couldn't accept it.
"What are you thinking?!"
Oscar smacked Ma Hongjun on the head and pulled him toward Zhu Zhuqing.
"You're so young, but your mind is full of dirty thoughts. We're friends. We met in the Star Dou Great Forest, but she was injured and her clothes were damaged by a Soul Beast, so she had to wear mine.
"Don't go saying anything stupid when we get over there. Got it?"
As they walked, Oscar kept reminding Ma Hongjun. Before long, the two of them had entered the city. Zhu Zhuqing noticed Oscar and came over to meet him.
"Zhuqing, that expression... Did you see him?"
"Mm..."
Zhu Zhuqing tried to look calm, not wanting to seem too heartbroken in front of this kind man she had only recently met.
But her eyes were still a little red, and her lips were pressed tightly together.
That morning, she had happily gone out for a stroll, still holding beautiful hopes for the future.
But then she saw the familiar signs of the Dai Family and felt that familiar fluctuation of Soul Power. She had watched in disbelief as her fiancé came out of the Rose Hotel with a pair of twins in his arms.
Their conversation had made her feel sick. She wanted to throw up.
The Dai Mubai before her was no longer the boy who had written to her, his every word brimming with pride, confidence, and passion. Instead, he was a sleazy scumbag who toyed with women's feelings and spoke in a flippant tone!
"What's going on?"
Ma Hongjun was completely bewildered, and couldn't help asking. Oscar chopped him on the head with the edge of his hand.
"Don't say anything stupid. If there's nothing for you to do, go watch the shop!"
After speaking to Ma Hongjun, Oscar introduced him to Zhu Zhuqing:
"This is my junior brother, and a student at Shrek Academy. He's eleven years old, a thirty-third-rank Battle Soul Elder, and his Martial Soul is the Fire Phoenix.
"He's not very good with words, but he's a decent guy."
Realizing he'd asked something he shouldn't have, Ma Hongjun nodded like a little quail.
He couldn't help it. In front of certain Evil Soul Masters, he was every bit the other side's daddy, but in front of his senior brother, he would always be an honest, well-behaved junior brother.
People... all had two sides to them...
Ma Hongjun's comical appearance eased some of Zhu Zhuqing's gloom. Seeing how obediently the fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked Ma Hongjun behaved in front of Oscar, she imagined Oscar bullying his junior brother and couldn't help chiding him with a coy smile:
"Enough, stop bullying him. There's nothing wrong with him asking. It was all just wishful thinking on my part."
As she said this, Zhu Zhuqing's spirits sank again.
Although Ma Hongjun had never experienced anything like this, he wasn't stupid. From a few clues in their conversation, he had pieced some things together.
He guessed that this stunning young woman had risked crossing the Star Dou Great Forest to come to Suotuo City for someone, only to find that the other person wasn't the one she had hoped for.
"Hey, big sister, three-legged toads are hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged men. No need to hang yourself from just one tree. Come to Shrek! Everyone here is talented, and they're great conversationalists. You'll feel right at home."
Ma Hongjun tried to cheer her up. His Taiji Technique came from the same school as Oscar's, so he had noticed the young woman's Soul Power Level long ago. Talents of her caliber were rare.
"Enough, you've done your part. Go watch the shop. I'll come find you later."
Oscar patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder, signaling for him to hurry off. The guy had no idea what was going on. Zhu Zhuqing had come here for Dai Mubai of Shrek Academy. Wasn't he just rubbing salt in the wound?
Ma Hongjun scratched his head and glanced from Oscar to Zhu Zhuqing. He didn't know what he'd said wrong, but judging by their expressions, he definitely had. He took the key Oscar handed him and didn't linger, turning to run toward Flender's shop.
"He doesn't know what happened. Don't take it to heart."
Oscar gently comforted her. Zhu Zhuqing waved a hand and said:
"Don't keep blaming him. He seems like a good kid. I'm not that upset, just a little..."
Zhu Zhuqing trailed off, her voice catching.
"Look at you. Come on, let's go eat. I know a decent place. Think of it as a welcome meal."
"N-no, you don't have to."
"Don't be polite. We can talk about what you're planning to do next."
Oscar didn't wait for Zhu Zhuqing to refuse. He pulled her toward a restaurant not far away.
Once they arrived, ordered their food, Oscar asked again:
"I know he must have disappointed you, but I don't recommend passing up the chance to join Shrek.
"My junior brother may have said the wrong thing, but Shrek Academy really is a good place. There are plenty of teachers here, and they're all very capable."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, lowering her head to look at her fingers.
"Disappointed... Yes, I am. I always thought he was working hard just like me, that he would give it his all even when the odds were slim. I thought he was focused on cultivation here... But I never expected..."
"Would you be willing to stay?"
Oscar calmly met Zhu Zhuqing's gaze. Although he hadn't spent much time with her, he could sense a resilience in her. She didn't seem like someone who would give up easily.
"Stay? Where else could I go, anyway?"
"For him?"
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