Dai Mubai's Bet

Zhu Zhuqing crouched down and fished the Little Cat Pendant out of the retrieval slot.

It was the size of a palm, the black velvet slick to the touch, its green eyes flickering under the light.

The moment her fingers brushed against the cat, a telepathic message exploded in her mind.

[Congratulations to player Zhu Zhuqing for obtaining one Little Cat Pendant!]

[Bonus prize: 100% Speed Boost BUFF, valid for 3 days!]

[Upon activation, attack speed and movement speed increase by 200%, lasting for 10 minutes. Valid for 3 days.]

[Information update: Zhu Zhuqing, Level 62 (Speed BUFF reward issued; activate via intent when needed).]

Zhu Zhuqing stood there, motionless.

Attack speed and movement speed increased by two times—two times!

As an agility-type Spirit Master, speed was her core. Her base speed as a Level 62 Spirit Emperor, multiplied by two!

What did this number mean?

It meant her movement speed could rival that of a Level 80 Spirit Douluo.

Zhu Zhuqing gripped the little black cat in her palm and slowly stood up.

Her face remained expressionless, but her palms were sweating.

Zhu Zhuqing did not win on her remaining two attempts.

After finishing the claw machine, the four of them walked out of the shop.

The morning sun slanted down on them, warm and pleasant. The streets were becoming crowded; the blacksmith shop had opened its doors, and the rhythmic clanging of hammers echoed down the alley.

Qin Chuan waved from behind them: "Ladies, take care! You're welcome back anytime!"

"You got it, boss!" The four of them waved back before heading off.

Xiao Wu was the first to speak, hands on her hips, her scorpion braid swinging behind her.

"Even though the three of us didn't win anything today, Zhuqing did! So, Zhuqing, what did you get?"

Zhu Zhuqing glanced left and right, confirming there were no boys she knew nearby, and lowered her voice.

"100% Speed Boost BUFF, valid for 3 days."

Xiao Wu's mouth rounded into an 'O', Ning Rongrong gasped, and Bai Chenxiang's twin low ponytails bobbed as she leaned in half a step.

"100%? Doesn't that mean..."

"Speed multiplied by two," Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "I calculated it. My base speed as a Level 62 agility-type, multiplied by two, should be roughly at the level of a Level 80 Spirit Douluo."

The four of them stood at the mouth of the alley, silent for two seconds.

Then, Xiao Wu laughed.

She laughed with such delight that her rabbit-ear hair accessory wobbled along with her.

"Zhuqing, go take Dai Mubai down."

The corners of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth twitched.

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

Ning Rongrong chimed in from the side: "Don't be impulsive; think about how to fight him first. Dai Mubai is Level 68, White Tiger Martial Soul, power-type. Even if your speed is doubled, his defense is formidable. Going head-to-head isn't worth it."

"I won't go head-to-head," Zhu Zhuqing said. "My Nether Spirit Cat relies on agility. As long as I'm fast enough, he won't be able to touch me. I don't need to knock him out with one punch; I just need to make him concede."

"So, wear him down," Xiao Wu clapped her hands. "With your movement and attack speed doubled, he won't even be able to catch your shadow. If you scratch him enough times, he'll have to give in."

"But we need a pretext," Ning Rongrong noted. "You can't just run up and beat him; you have to make him agree to the fight himself."

"Hmph, if I want to fight, I'll fight. Why would I need a reason?"

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes: "No, no, Zhuqing, that's no fun. How about you make a bet with Dai Mubai?"

"What kind of bet?"

"If you lose, you agree to be his girlfriend."

Zhu Zhuqing's brows furrowed instantly.

"Don't be so quick to judge," Xiao Wu waved her hand. "Think about it—with your speed doubled, it's impossible for you to lose. But the stakes will be enough to goad him; he'll definitely agree. And when you win, he has to call us 'Grandma' in public. Plus, he has to take a detour whenever he sees us from now on, or he calls us 'Grandma' again."

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Ning Rongrong laughed.

Xiao Wu: "Dai Mubai is the leader of the F4. If he starts avoiding us, the other three won't have the nerve to mess with us either."

Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a few seconds: "Fine."

Just one word, crisp and decisive.

The four of them divided the tasks. Xiao Wu and Bai Chenxiang returned to the academy to issue the challenge to Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong went to notify the surrounding students to come and watch as witnesses, and Zhu Zhuqing headed to the practice field to warm up.

An hour later, at the academy sports field.

News traveled fast. The word that Zhu Zhuqing was challenging Dai Mubai had spread throughout the entire grade in less than half an hour.

The sports field was packed with people; several rows were seated on the stone steps, and others stood at high vantage points, peering down.

Dai Mubai arrived five minutes ahead of the agreed time.

His short golden hair shone blindingly under the sun. The collar of his academy uniform was left open, and the royal emblem on his belt glinted in the light. Standing at one meter ninety-five in the center of the sports field, he made the surrounding students look like mere chicks.

Ma Hongjun followed beside him, hands tucked into his pockets with an expression of someone ready to watch a spectacle.

Tang San and Oscar had not come. The wound on Tang San's waist had not yet fully healed, and Oscar had just lost a front tooth; they both needed some time to settle their nerves.

"Brother Mubai, what kind of medicine did Zhu Zhuqing take? Why would she suddenly challenge you to a fight?" Ma Hongjun asked.

A smile played on the corners of Dai Mubai's mouth, his expression one of absolute confidence.

"Who cares what she took? A level 62 agility-attack type fighting me, a level 68 power-attack type? She's just delivering herself to my doorstep."

"That's true. Her wager is to become your girlfriend, after all."

Dai Mubai's smile deepened. "I've been chasing her for so long, and she's always dodged my advances. Since she's come to me of her own accord today, whatever the reason, I'll accept."

"And what about your wager?"

Dai Mubai waved his hand dismissively. "How could I possibly lose to someone six levels below me?"

Ma Hongjun shrugged and retreated to the sidelines.

At the other end of the sports field, Zhu Zhuqing walked over.

Her black leather outfit shimmered with a subtle luster under the sun, hugging her upper body tightly. The tapered cut at the waist made her slender figure even more prominent, while the leather pants wrapped around her straight, long legs, each step exuding a sharp, decisive energy.

Her black boots clicked against the stone floor—the sound was soft, but the rhythm was steady.

The spectating students automatically cleared a path.

Zhu Zhuqing walked to the center of the sports field and stood face-to-face with Dai Mubai, twenty meters apart.

Xiao Wu stood in the first row on the sidelines, her scorpion braid draped over her chest. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her face was flushed with excitement.

Ning Rongrong stood beside her, still clutching her notebook, though she had no intention of looking at it.

Bai Chenxiang hid behind the two of them, poking half her head out, her palms sweating with nervousness.

"Everyone present is a witness to the terms of this wager," Xiao Wu's voice carried far across the field. "If Zhu Zhuqing loses, she becomes Dai Mubai's girlfriend. If Dai Mubai loses, he must call the four of us 'Grand-Aunt' every time he sees us from now on. Both sides confirm!"

"I confirm." Dai Mubai crossed his arms, his posture relaxed.

"Confirmed." Zhu Zhuqing did not waste a single extra word.

Ma Hongjun walked from the sidelines to the center to act as the referee. "Are both sides ready?"

Dai Mubai stretched his neck, his joints popping with a crisp sound.

Zhu Zhuqing leaned forward slightly, lowering her center of gravity as she stepped her right foot back half a pace.

"Begin!"