You're Just Too Bored

Compared to the Three-Part Fragrance Pavilions that made their name in great nations and famous cities, the branch in Maple Forest City was probably unremarkable. But anyone who had seen Miao Yu would never say that.

Fang Zehou, one of the current heads of the Fang Family—father of Fang Heling and uncle of Fang Pengju—had traveled far and wide, seen much of the world, and even independently opened the Cloud Kingdom trade route. A man of both ability and reputation, he was quietly the next family head in line. A figure like that was utterly infatuated with Miss Miao Yu. Every time he returned from a business trip, the first thing he did was come to the Three-Part Fragrance Pavilion to unwind.

Such stories were too many to list. Fang Zehou was neither the first nor the last great man to fall at Miao Yu's feet.

And Zhao Rucheng, that lover of flowers and grass, was also among them. Ever since he heard of Miao Yu's famed beauty, he had thrown money around like water, practically living in the Three-Part Fragrance Pavilion, with the air of a man who would not rest until he had his prize.

"That's impossible," Zhao Rucheng said very calmly. "The woman who can resist meeting me hasn't been born yet."

He added in his thoughts: Jiang An'an certainly didn't count as a woman—she was still just a little brat.

Miao Yu gave a slight nod, as if in agreement. "Indeed, Young Master Zhao is exceptionally handsome in appearance, and exceptionally generous in spending. Your strength is not ordinary, your family background is excellent, your future is bright, your heart is exquisitely clever, and your tongue drips with honey. What woman could resist you?"

"But," she said, and as she said 'but,' a trace of sorrow suddenly appeared between her brows, making one desperately want to smooth it away. "But you don't like me enough..."

As though Zhao Rucheng's lack of genuine affection made her grieve.

"Hehehe..."

A very lecherous, very abrupt laugh shattered the atmosphere.

It was Huang Azhan, who had woken up at some unknown time, but the drunkenness hadn't fully faded. At this moment, he was propping up his chin, staring at Miss Miao Yu with a foolish grin. "Hehehe..."

No need to guess what he was thinking.

Jiang Wang covered his face and said nothing. He had recognized that Miao Yu was the Red-Robed Woman he'd bumped into earlier, but in this setting, he had no right to speak.

Du Yehu casually considered dragging Huang Azhan out and killing him, to stop them from embarrassing themselves together. He was weighing whether it was worth taking on a murder charge before joining the army.

"How is that not liking you enough?" Only Zhao Rucheng kept his composure even in disgrace, his face perfectly calm, as if he didn't know Huang Azhan at all, displaying the skill of a veteran in the flower gardens. "I've never chased a woman for so long. Since I met Miss Miao Yu, I've spent more time at the Three-Part Fragrance Pavilion than at the City Daoist Academy. My liking is about to overflow, almost drowning this place."

He rose from his seat and gracefully walked toward Miao Yu.

"Here," he said, pressing his heart.

One had to admit, with the scene and such a handsome man, even the old madam, who had weathered countless storms in her life, felt her eyes glaze over and her heart stir uncontrollably.

But Miao Yu stopped him with just one sentence—

"You don't really like me. You're just too bored."

The charming smile on Zhao Rucheng's face faded. He stopped in his tracks and didn't move forward.

"I don't like you anymore now," he said. "I hate women who are too clever."

Jiang Wang had always known that Zhao Rucheng was someone who hated trouble and didn't care much about anything. It seemed there was nothing he truly valued; 'getting by' was his life motto.

He threw money around like dirt and wasted his time. He squandered his talent the same way he squandered money. But that was his own business, and no one had the right to interfere.

So Jiang Wang could understand the too-flippant likes and dislikes that came out of Zhao Rucheng's mouth.

But then again, talking about liking and disliking in a brothel was itself a humorous affair.

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

"Third Brother," Zhao Rucheng said, looking at him with a sincere face. "Can we pack some dishes to take back? Don't cook yourself."

Over there, Du Yehu nodded solemnly, his face still full of lingering fear. "An'an is still a child."

"..." Jiang Wang's expression turned sour. "Are we going or not?"

"Going, going."

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

Miao Yu just watched them leave with a smile, saying nothing.

But her fingers twisted lightly, and without anyone's knowledge, a small white pellet that had been prepared for some time quietly landed on Jiang Wang's back.

And seeped inside.

Du Yehu went off to deliver his dead-drunk drinking buddy home. Young Master Zhao naturally returned to his residence to rest. Jiang Wang went alone to the academy dormitory to pick up An'an.

When he picked up Jiang An'an, her mood was clearly not high. Her little mouth was puffed out, and she seemed to be stewing over some silent anger.

"What's wrong, my little An'an?" Jiang Wang asked with a grin, looking very kind and amiable.

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

"Good then." Jiang Wang waved his hand. "Let's go home."

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

Over there, Ling He didn't try to keep them, just waved. "Goodbye, An'an."

Jiang Wang understood that this big brother was probably already itching to cultivate, only held back by having to look after Jiang An'an. His talent wasn't the best, but his diligence was second to none.

"Goodbye, Brother Ling He," Jiang An'an said. Though she wasn't very happy, she still had basic manners.

"Oh, right." Before leaving, Jiang Wang said casually, "The rest of us transferred all our Dao Merit to you. If you pool it together, you should be close to a Vein-Opening Pill. Work hard and go exchange for it soon."

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

"He's not interested," Jiang Wang explained all at once. "And Brother Hu plans to join the Jiujiang Black Armor, taking the ancient military path of Qi-Blood Pulse-Opening."

Ling He didn't refuse again. He just said, "Alright."

He knew that Zhao Rucheng's lack of interest was genuine disinterest, and Du Yehu's decision was truly something no one could reverse. There wasn't much he could do. For now, what he wanted most was to avoid wasting these Dao Merits, these bonds of friendship.

"Time to go home." Jiang Wang lifted Jiang An'an in one smooth motion, settling her on his right shoulder, and walked steadily toward home.

Jiang An'an suddenly cheered up, letting out a "giddyap" as her little legs dangled and kicked in front of Jiang Wang.

All the way out of the Dao Academy, she enthusiastically spoke on Jiang Wang's behalf. Whenever someone greeted them with "Hello, Senior Brother Jiang," she would chirp back, "Hello to you too!"

Jiang Wang just went along with it, only nodding in acknowledgment.

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

"He was waiting at the gate before school even let out. Other people had things to do after class, but he wouldn't let them go—he just kept following me." Jiang An'an bit her finger as she spoke.

Ling He was a steady and reliable sort. Having him look after Jiang An'an was the safest choice. Sticking by her side every step of the way was just the bare minimum.

"What could you possibly have to do?" Jiang Wang said, pulling her finger down. "Don't bite your nails."

"Hmph!" Jiang An'an was so angry she nearly jumped down right there, but after thinking about how far they still had to go home, she let it go. "I'm super busy, I can't be bothered to tell you."

Jiang Wang didn't take it too seriously, chatting idly. "Brother Ling He is a really good person, An'an. You should be polite to him."

"Don't make faces at him."

"Don't bite your nails."

Their voices gradually faded into the distance.

—"I! Knooow!"