Night.
The sign for the Star Soul Guidance Shop gleamed coldly beneath the backlighting.
Chu Men opened the shop door and took a deep breath of the fresh air after the rain.
Then he stretched mightily, his spine crackling like firecrackers.
Xiao Wu bounced out after him and obediently closed the shop door behind them.
She was the very picture of an eager, well-behaved student!
Chu Men raised a hand and deftly "caught" the strands of carrot Xiao Wu was about to put in her mouth, then shoved them into his own without a shred of ceremony.
Afterward, he smacked his lips. "Not bad!"
Xiao Wu had just changed into a pink princess dress. She looked delicate and adorable, and had been in an excellent mood.
Now she planted her hands on her hips, puffed out her cheeks, and complained:
"Uncle Creepy! You're picking on me again!"
Chu Men didn't mind in the slightest.
That tiny little gesture set the livestream ablaze.
[The sun's out, the rain's stopped, and the streamer thinks he's back in action!]
[I thought we wouldn't get to see the night market today. Didn't expect the heavens to be so accommodating.]
[Snatching snacks from a kid? Shame on you!]
Xiaoyu's Xiaoxiang Pavilion was livestreaming, with The Truman Show—which ran around the clock—as its unmistakable backdrop.
She wasn't the only one. Countless streamers in the real world, and even variety shows, used The Truman Show as their background.
Douluo was, after all, a real world.
It could be boring at times, but it never left people wanting for something to look forward to.
Most viewers weren't interested in Chu Men's technical discussions or work scenes that afternoon.
But as soon as someone mentioned "shopping" and "beauties," the number of viewers online immediately multiplied several times over!
At that moment, Lin Xiaoyu was chatting with her audience. She promptly changed the subject and requested a voice call:
"We've finally been waiting for this. I thought you were going to stand us up today."
The comments in Chu Men's livestream were increasing too:
[Look at the streamer, standing tall and striding like a dragon and tiger. You can tell he just got paid!]
[No kidding. A whole box of Gold Soul Coins this afternoon. If I'd gotten that, I'd be over the moon!]
[Heaven Dou City is pretty lively during the day. Wonder what the night market will be like! Can't wait!]
Chu Men looked Xiao Wu up and down in her new outfit, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Looks like these clothes really suit you."
Xiao Wu took out the Pocket Soul Power Stun Gun Chu Men had just given her, aimed it at him as if she knew what she was doing, and demanded in her sweet, milky voice:
"How did you get my clothes?"
Her beautiful, wide eyes especially made her look at Chu Men as if he were a pervert.
"Hey, that stun gun's for self-defense. Don't point it around..."
Chu Men hurriedly raised a hand and pretended to fend off a few shots as he explained,
"I bought you those clothes out of kindness. How can you repay me with ingratitude, you little brat? All right, you're my guest, so I prepared them in advance."
Chu Men spread his hands.
This "kidnapper" wasn't professional where it counted, but he was pretty professional where he shouldn't be!
Xiao Wu put the gun away, still half unconvinced. She fell a few steps behind, putting some distance between herself and Chu Men.
Chu Men straightened his freshly changed clothes, then used a handkerchief to dry his damp hair. The clean scent of body wash clung to him.
"I almost forgot to tell you. The Dugu Yan we ran into at noon—that purple-haired young lady. Her grandfather's Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, so don't go wandering off."
He said it casually, as if reminding her to look both ways before crossing the street.
The hand Xiao Wu had been using to check the sash at her waist stopped abruptly. Her rabbit ears shot straight up.
She immediately pressed close to Chu Men, terror filling her big eyes as both hands clutched the hem of his clothes.
"A Titled Douluo? Th-then can we skip the night market? I can just stay at home."
Her voice trembled.
A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that hadn't yet reached maturity felt an instinctive fear of Titled Douluos.
The more Xiao Wu thought about it, the more frightened she became. She clung to Chu Men's arm and looked ready to drag him back into the shop.
She looked like she wouldn't set foot outside even if someone beat her to death!
[Haha, Sister Xiao Wu's ears are standing straight up!]
[Hurry up and comfort her, streamer! Look what you've done to our Sister Xiao Wu!]
[Dead before the expedition even starts. That's it for tonight's night-market segment, everyone. Bye!]
Chu Men was torn between laughter and tears. He reached out with his free left hand and rubbed her silky-smooth hair.
It was still a little damp, and her scorpion braid had come loose in places.
Looks like Chu Men still had some work to do on his braiding skills.
"What are you afraid of?"
Chu Men thumped his chest, brimming with youthful confidence.
"With your Uncle Creepy here, what Titled Douluo would dare come after us? I'll take him down!
"Besides, this pink necklace I gave you can completely hide your Soul Beast aura. Even if Bibi Dong showed up, she wouldn't be able to smell that you're a little rabbit. Don't worry!"
After finishing, Chu Men gave her shoulder a firm pat and strode into the dark alley ahead of her.
Xiao Wu had just let go of his clothes. She stood there for only a few seconds before hurrying after him.
The comments were in an uproar, and the comment section was filling up one floor after another.
[Sister Xiao Wu looks so timid and adorable! Shy little bunny.jpg]
[My Chu Men is invincible under heaven!.jpg]
[It's just a little Titled Douluo. I'll take him down!.jpg]
In just two days, all kinds of memes featuring Chu Men and Xiao Wu had sprung up across the internet like mushrooms after rain.
All along the way, Teacher Chu kept trying to build up Xiao Wu's courage.
He was trying to pry the little girl—who was about to evolve into a human pendant—off himself.
"...You can't just stay home your whole life because there's a Titled Douluo around, can you? Xiao Wu, don't let the cure be worse than the disease!"
When Xiao Wu finally lowered her legs from around his waist, Chu Men pinched her cheek.
The two of them walked along the rain-soaked bluestone path toward the main road.
An occasional night breeze sent droplets tumbling from the leaves to smack against the ground.
They walked quickly and soon reached an intersection.
An old farmer was squatting by the roadside, with a bamboo basket full of fresh lotus pods in front of him.
"This is the night market. Mostly ordinary folk around here, and Soul Masters rarely come. It's perfectly safe!"
As he reassured Xiao Wu, Chu Men looked the old farmer over.
His coarse cloth jacket was covered in patches and had been washed until it was faded white. In the light from nearby, the old man's drenched shoulders and back were clearly visible.
Water dripped from the brim of his battered straw hat. His trouser legs were rolled up to his knees, and his calves were speckled with mud.
Chu Men squatted down casually, picked out a green lotus pod from the basket, and raised it to his nose with an appreciative look.
"Old timer, how much for these lotus pods?"
"Three Copper Soul Coins each, or ten Copper Soul Coins for three!"
The old farmer looked up, revealing a pair of cloudy eyes. His voice was a little hoarse, but strong.
Chu Men smiled and took out a Silver Soul Coin, then handed it over.
The old farmer hurriedly accepted it. He examined it carefully in the faint light, then cautiously tucked it into his inner pocket.
Quickly, he picked three of the finest lotus pods from the basket, tied them with a piece of straw rope, and handed them to Chu Men.
"Uncle Creepy, one Silver Soul Coin is ten Copper Soul Coins. You paid too much!" Xiao Wu reminded him quietly.
Chu Men took out the largest lotus pod. Its plump seeds looked ready to burst through their skins.
Crack!
He broke open the shell. Inside, the lotus seeds were tender white, each covered in a thin membrane.
A fragrant scent wafted up.
Chu Men peeled a seed and popped it into his mouth.
Sweet juice burst across his tongue, with a hint of bitterness and a lingering sweetness.
He raised an eyebrow at Xiao Wu and used Sound Transmission:
"We're here to stroll around. Why quibble over every little thing?"
Then he popped another seed into his mouth, looking utterly delighted. Xiao Wu swallowed hard.
"Mmph!"
Xiao Wu could only stand there, puffing with indignation. With the old farmer watching, she didn't feel right about snatching any from him.
Before you continue