Master of Dog Training, Xiao Wu

Xiao Wu turned to look at Lin Chen, her expression one of utter speechlessness.

"No, seriously, can't you change your lines for once?"

[Disaster Curse on Xiao Wu successful, obtained sixty-eight Gold Soul Coins.]

Lin Chen rolled his eyes at her and got straight to the point.

"Your lapdog invited me to the back mountain for a fight, claiming that if I don't show up, he won't pay me back. You caused this mess, so you go fix it."

"What? How could he be so shameless?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu was deeply shocked; she truly hadn't expected Tang San to have such a side to him.

Lin Chen said, "Whether he thinks I'm afraid or whatever else, it doesn't matter. Just tell him to stop bothering me; I don't have the energy to deal with him."

Xiao Wu nodded.

"Fine."

"Don't worry, I guarantee he won't come to bother you again."

"Otherwise, I'll teach him a lesson myself."

Xiao Wu felt that Lin Chen was finally willing to take the initiative to ask for her help.

This was a good start.

If they had more interactions like this, their relationship would naturally grow closer.

"Alright, I'm heading off."

Lin Chen was in a rush to eat, so he had no intention of chatting for long.

"Okay."

Xiao Wu didn't say much else; some things couldn't be rushed.

Back mountain.

Tang San stood quietly in the center of the clearing, gazing toward the direction of the mountain base.

He mimicked Yu Xiaogang by clasping his hands behind his back.

He deliberately kept his face taut, putting on an austere and unsmiling appearance.

This was his perception of how an expert should carry himself.

At the same time, he pondered in his heart.

Should he just beat him up directly, or should he issue a warning before striking?

"Hm?"

Just as Tang San was deep in thought, he suddenly saw Xiao Wu storming up the mountain.

"Wait... why is Xiao Wu here?"

The moment he saw Xiao Wu, Tang San's heart skipped a beat.

"Don't tell me that dog Lin Chen went and complained to Xiao Wu?"

He could no longer bother with his pose and hurried forward to meet her.

"Xiao Wu, why are you here?"

Tang San's expression was somewhat unnatural, the word 'guilty' written clearly across his face.

Xiao Wu said coldly, "You think you're pretty tough, huh?"

Tang San understood immediately; that dog Lin Chen must have gone to Xiao Wu.

He just couldn't fathom it.

Both of them possessed innate full soul power, so why was that dog such a coward?

It was a disgrace to his manhood.

"Xiao Wu, I..."

Tang San wanted to explain, but the words died on his lips, not knowing where to begin.

"You what?"

"He's your fellow townsman, and he didn't hesitate to help when you were short on cash. If you weren't going to be grateful, that's one thing, but to actually try and cause trouble for him?"

"Do you have no bottom line as a person?"

"And that bit about not paying him back if he didn't show up—how could you even say that with a straight face?"

"I truly never expected you to be such an ungrateful, shameless villain."

Xiao Wu went straight for the throat, showing no mercy.

Tang San's pupils dilated involuntarily, and he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

"What kind of person you are actually has nothing to do with me."

"I have no right to judge you or control you."

"Whether you want to beat him or kill him, that's up to you."

"But listen to me carefully."

"I, Xiao Wu, will absolutely never be friends with such a despicable person."

Xiao Wu used a retreat to advance, showing no intention of forcing or ordering him.

Hearing that Xiao Wu intended to cut ties with him, Tang San panicked instantly.

"Don't... Xiao Wu, I was wrong."

"I'll go apologize to him right now, and I'll pay him back immediately."

"Please, don't ignore me, okay?"

In his desperation, Tang San instinctively stepped forward, reaching out to grab Xiao Wu's hand.

Xiao Wu took a step back to dodge him.

"Don't touch me, I find it disgusting."

"BOOM!"

Xiao Wu's words struck Tang San's mind like a bolt of lightning.

He stood there, completely frozen.

In this moment, he was truly afraid; he was terrified of losing Xiao Wu.

He was terrified that Xiao Wu would never speak to him again.

"Xi... Xiao Wu..."

Tang San's voice choked, and his eye sockets turned slightly red.

Xiao Wu's tone softened.

"Tang San, you can't live like this. Who would dare be friends with someone ungrateful?"

"You're still young; there's still time to change."

Hearing this, a glimmer of light finally returned to Tang San's eyes, and he blurted out.

"I'll change, I'll change right now."

"I'll go apologize to him this instant, and I'll pay him back immediately."

"I guarantee I'll earn his forgiveness."

Hearing this, a look of relief finally appeared on Xiao Wu's face.

That smile left Tang San completely dazed.

"Hehe..."

He couldn't help but let out a foolish, lovesick laugh.

Xiao Wu felt speechless, even disgusted, but she didn't show it.

"Go on then. I hope you're not just paying lip service."

"Otherwise..."

At this point, Xiao Wu's expression suddenly turned serious again.

"Otherwise, I will never speak to you again."

Tang San's expression also turned serious instantly, a hint of determination appearing between his brows.

"Xiao Wu, don't worry, I will absolutely not let you down."

Xiao Wu shook her head.

"It's not about letting me down, it's about not letting yourself down."

"Character is the foundation of your standing."

"Someone without character will never be accepted by others, no matter how strong their power is."

Tang San felt that Xiao Wu's words were fine, though he didn't personally believe there was anything wrong with his own character.

Lin Chen had brought this upon himself; he had no one to blame but himself.

Of course, Tang San didn't dare to argue, so he could only nod heavily.

"I understand."

Seeing that he seemed to truly understand, Xiao Wu didn't dwell on the topic any further.

"An apology requires sincerity, so there's no rush. Let's go eat first."

"Okay!"

Tang San gave a sweet smile and followed Xiao Wu down the mountain, practically skipping behind her.

In the afternoon.

After finishing his chores, Tang San bought a gift for Lin Chen as Xiao Wu had instructed, then brought one thousand Gold Soul Coins to the outside of his dormitory.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

Lin Chen heard the knocking and rose to open the dormitory door.

Seeing Tang San, Lin Chen immediately felt a wave of bad luck.

What on earth is Xiao Wu doing? Can she not even handle a single simp?

Tang San held out both hands, a money pouch in one and a gift in the other.

"Lin Chen, I've come to apologize."

"We are from the same hometown, and you helped me when I was in need."

"I shouldn't have been ungrateful and caused you trouble."

"Here is the one thousand Gold Soul Coins I borrowed, along with a gift I bought."

"I'm sorry!"

With that, Tang San held up the pouch and the gift, bowing deeply.

He didn't feel he had done anything wrong, nor did he want to apologize to Lin Chen so humbly.

He only did it to keep Xiao Wu from getting angry and to ensure she wouldn't ignore him.

He had to suppress his inner resentment and lower his posture to apologize to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen was left stunned.

Good grief.

A verbal apology would have been enough, but he actually went for a ninety-degree bow.

Is this really Tang San?

Who would have thought, Xiao Wu is actually a master at training dogs.

Lin Chen truly hadn't seen that coming.

"Keep the gift; there was never any real grudge between us anyway."

Lin Chen didn't put on airs, taking the money pouch before speaking.

"Fine, I'm leaving then."

Tang San turned and walked away; even a fool could see how sincere he really was.

"Tang San, please stay!"