Tang San bent down to let Xiao Wu climb onto his back. The moment he straightened, he felt as if a thousand-pound weight had landed on him. His legs buckled, and his vision went black.
"Thud!"
He fell flat on his face, and Xiao Wu was flung off to the side.
"Third Brother!" Xiao Wu cried out, but she didn't seem very worried. Instead, she looked on with a hint of amusement.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes filled with disdain.
Ning Rongrong covered her mouth to hide a giggle, then whispered to Zhu Zhuqing, "Look at him. He wants to carry someone? He's way out of his league."
Zhu Zhuqing snorted without a word, but the contempt in her eyes said it all.
Tang San saw stars. He'd split the corner of his mouth, and he struggled to get up, only to find his whole body weak and limp. He didn't even have the strength to lift a hand, so he could only lie there in a sorry heap, filled with regret.
If only he hadn't foolishly gone to the brothel last night. Now he'd not only embarrassed himself in front of Xiao Wu, but he didn't even have the strength to carry her.
Xiao Wu sighed in feigned resignation, then turned to Fu Qin. A glint of mischief flashed in her eyes as she gave him a playful wink. The meaning couldn't have been clearer: Come carry me.
Fu Qin understood at once and hurried over to help Xiao Wu up, casually brushing the dust from her skirt.
"Sister Xiao Wu, are you all right?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with affection.
"I'm fine. My legs are just a little weak." Xiao Wu leaned against him, wrapped both arms around his neck, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Fu Qin, you carry me instead. Your Third Brother... doesn't seem up to it."
Fu Qin bent down, letting Xiao Wu drape herself across his back, then placed his hands beneath her thighs.
A warm touch seeped through their clothes, stirring his heart.
Xiao Wu's arms were around his neck, and her cheek rested beside his ear. Her warm breath tickled his earlobe, carrying a sweet fragrance.
"Fu Qin, you're so strong."
"Of course. How else could I take care of you?" Fu Qin lowered his head and murmured in her ear, his voice husky with a hint of flirtation.
Xiao Wu's cheeks turned bright red. She pinched him coyly, but couldn't help pressing herself closer, a happy smile tugging at her lips.
She knew Fu Qin truly cared for her. Unlike Tang San, he didn't just say sweet things and then let her down.
Reborn into this life, she would never foolishly orbit Tang San again. She would hold tight to the happiness right before her, grow stronger with Fu Qin, and walk with him to the very end.
Following behind them, Ning Rongrong watched Fu Qin carrying Xiao Wu, her eyes full of envy.
She wanted Fu Qin to carry her so tenderly, too, to feel his broad shoulders and strong arms. But Xiao Wu had beaten her to it. All she could do was stamp her foot in secret and wonder when she might get Fu Qin to treat her the same way.
Zhu Zhuqing walked at the rear. She watched the affectionate pair ahead without the slightest change in expression, only quickening her pace.
To her, becoming stronger was what mattered most. Romance and such had never been on her mind.
Watching the scene, Tang San felt utterly aggrieved.
Fu Qin noticed the unwillingness in Tang San's eyes, but said nothing as he carried Xiao Wu over to him.
"Third Brother, control-type Soul Masters may not need great physiques, but you should still work on your fitness."
Hearing the concern in Fu Qin's words only made Tang San's heart ache with bitterness.
"I..."
But before Tang San could say anything, Fu Qin lifted his eyes toward the road ahead.
"Third Brother, we should hurry. We can't fall behind."
With that,
he carried Xiao Wu and hurried after the others. Flender was already running ahead, and if they delayed any longer, he and Xiao Wu wouldn't be able to keep up.
Seeing this, Tang San quickly scrambled to his feet.
Watching Fu Qin carry Xiao Wu, he felt no resentment toward him. Instead, he found himself admiring him a little.
As Fu Qin ran, Xiao Wu nestled her cheek against one side of his face, her little tongue occasionally brushing his earlobe.
Seeing this, Fu Qin sighed inwardly.
Women were like wine: the more you savored them, the richer they tasted. Even when you already had them, you still couldn't get enough.
Evening.
A waystation on the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.
Stir-fried seasonal vegetables and soy-braised beef steamed on the table, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.
Fu Qin sat by the window, holding a freshly peeled shrimp between his fingers and offering it to Xiao Wu. "Take your time, Sister Xiao Wu. No one's going to steal it."
Xiao Wu opened her mouth and took the shrimp, her cheeks puffed out. Yet warmth filled her eyes.
She wore a pale pink dress, and under the lamplight her skin shone like white jade. Her long lashes fluttered gently. Reborn into this life, she had shed the naivety of her past and gained a touch more maturity and allure.
When she looked at Fu Qin, her clear, almond-shaped eyes were bright and dewy. "Fu Qin, this braised beef is delicious. You should try some, too."
She picked up a generous piece of beef with her chopsticks and carefully brought it to Fu Qin's lips, the gesture intimate and natural.
Fu Qin opened his mouth and took a bite. The beef's rich flavor spread across his tongue, warming his heart even more.
Beside them, Ning Rongrong watched with envy. Pouting, she deliberately held a pastry up to Fu Qin and said in a coquettish voice, "Fu Qin gege~~, this osmanthus cake is delicious, too. Want to try mine?"
Ning Rongrong blinked her bright, limpid eyes, her expression playfully pleading. The soft curves of her chest swayed slightly with the motion, drawing the eye.
Fu Qin gave an amused, helpless laugh and took a small bite of the pastry. The sweet but not cloying fragrance of osmanthus spread through his mouth. "It's good."
After praising it, he casually picked up some greens for Ning Rongrong. "Too many sweets aren't good for you. Eat some vegetables."
Ning Rongrong blushed, obediently ate them, and smiled sweetly.
Across the table, Zhu Zhuqing still wore purple. The lamplight made her coolly beautiful features look even more refined. She cut the steak on her plate, focused entirely on her food, as if nothing around her had anything to do with her.
Only the occasional glance she cast toward Fu Qin and the others hinted at a trace of curiosity.
At the other end of the waystation, the air had already grown tense.
Ma Hongjun stared at the female students from Blue Sunshine Academy, his eyes leering as filthy remarks poured from his mouth in a nonstop stream. "Tsk, tsk, those figures are even hotter than the girls at the brothel."
Oscar chimed in beside him, toying with a Sausage and grinning like a scoundrel. "Little Ao's Enchanted Sausage. Want to try it? I guarantee you won't be able to get enough."
Dai Mubai said nothing, but greed showed in his Evil Eye. He was clearly condoning their behavior.
The female students from Blue Sunshine Academy flushed with anger. They gritted their teeth, but held back for the moment since the offenders were students of Shrek Academy.
"Watch your mouth!" A middle-aged man in a blue-green robe stood up. He was Ye Zhiqiu, the teacher leading Blue Sunshine Academy's group.
His Soul King-level Soul Power was on full display.
"Is this how Shrek Academy teaches its students?"
Ma Hongjun stuck out his chest, brazen and defiant. "So what? We're just telling the truth! Only a coward avoids trouble. Go on, try doing something to us!"