The Clown Hua Zi (Seeking Follow-ups, The Book is Dying)

However, those who noticed them taking the Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang, away were few and far between.

Under the influence of the "low-IQ aura," even if people sensed something was amiss, they would quickly push the thought to the back of their minds.

"Clear out, clear out. Rest assured and wait for the Grandmaster to recover," Bibi Dong's subordinates used the Grandmaster's name directly to disperse the crowd.

"Let's go, let's go."

In a short while, the people piled up in front of the bookstore slowly dissipated.

Seeing this scene, Bibi Dong felt a lingering fear regarding the special ability Yu Xiaogang possessed.

If she hadn't heard the inner monologues of that fellow Lu Mingchuan and that scumbag Yu Xiaogang, she feared she might have fallen into the same trap.

Look at those common spirit masters and civilians who had only stayed for an hour or two; they were already utterly infatuated with everything Yu Xiaogang said.

Up in the teahouse.

"What's wrong? Can't take your eyes off the Saintess?"

Tang Yuehua teased as she sat beside Lu Mingchuan, though her injured ankle made her frown from time to time.

Hearing her mockery, Lu Mingchuan froze for a second before his inner actor took over.

He looked up at the azure sky, sighed, and used the wooden railing to pull himself up.

He walked toward the table behind him with a dashing air, picked up a teacup, and swirled it between his fingertips: "How could that be? The Saintess is like the bright moon; am I, someone with the faint glow of a firefly, even worthy?"

That sorrowful expression was truly a sight to behold.

"Oh? But I heard the Saintess gave that fellow down there a beating today. Perhaps she really has accepted you?"

The reason Tang Yuehua pointed out that the person below was Bibi Dong was mainly to confirm her position in his heart.

As for how she knew what had just happened, Tang Yuehua would only say that one shouldn't ask about a woman's intelligence network.

Not a chance, sister. You're the one who usually tells me not to be so sweet to Bibi Dong, and now you're the one wanting to watch me perform a lovesick playboy routine? Are you treating me like a monkey?

Anyway, I don't care if she beats Yu Xiaogang or not; I'm just going to cover my eyes and keep acting.

As long as I'm sad enough, a bottomless person like me won't have to deal with any more "simp" plotlines.

Why must a playboy villain be a devoted simp? I refuse to accept it.

Bibi Dong, having left the bookstore, paused in her tracks.

"Lady Saintess, what is it?" The people from Spirit Hall behind her looked at her as she stopped.

Bibi Dong waved her hand: "You all go back first. I want to have a cup of tea to calm my mood; I'll leave in a while."

That little good-for-nothing Tang Yuehua was definitely gossiping about her with Lu Mingchuan; how could she not care?

She had always thought Lu Mingchuan was incredibly annoying, yet it turned out his devotion to her was all an act.

Once the Spirit Hall members had left, she headed toward the teahouse.

Bibi Dong did not go upstairs; instead, she found an inconspicuous corner on the ground floor, changed into a different robe, and sipped her tea, her gaze fixed on the floorboards above.

"Accepted? So what? You've never been in love; you don't understand this feeling of a heart being sliced by a knife." Lu Mingchuan drained his tea in one gulp.

You old spinster, you probably haven't even touched another man's hand, yet you're here talking to me about romance.

The flames of war had reached her, leaving Tang Yuehua looking somewhat stunned.

Also, who was an old spinster?

She just looked more mature than the average person; where was she old?

"Mingchuan, Teacher is sorry for you."

Fine, let's act. Teacher is even better at acting than you.

Lu Mingchuan stopped his movements, watching as Tang Yuehua suddenly buried her face in her arms and wept at the table opposite him.

Could it be that something he said had struck a nerve?

That shouldn't be; having been a "good-for-nothing" for so long, her mental fortitude should at least be on par with his.

He set down his teacup and walked over to Tang Yuehua's side.

Although he really wanted to look under the table to see if she was crying for real or just faking it, he was afraid that what he'd find wouldn't be tears, but snot.

Standing there felt wrong, and he had no idea how to offer comfort.

Tang Yuehua's muffled voice suddenly sounded from within her arms: "It is Teacher's fault that you..."

She still felt a bit guilty in her heart.

She had taken money to cultivate Lu Mingchuan's etiquette and guide his behavior, yet it had little impact on his conduct; this was her dereliction of duty.

Lu Mingchuan felt a headache coming on.

"Old... you."

The words "old hag" almost slipped out.

How could he not understand? Tang Yuehua had suddenly developed a conscience and wanted to extend his lessons.

[Folks, Hua-zi is living well, she's gone straight to collecting the ten-billion subsidy from Spirit Hall.]

[I know you have a conscience, and a big one at that, but why do you have to be so conscientious at a time like this?]

[According to the normal progression, I should be your last student in Spirit Hall; once you finish teaching me, you should be heading back to the Clear Sky Sect.]

Tang Yuehua's acting expression suddenly froze.

How did this little man know what she had been planning before she made up her mind?

She had never intended to keep taking money to teach him; she simply wanted to educate Lu Mingchuan properly.

In her view, the boy Mingchuan wasn't bad; his personality was just a bit strange.

The notoriety he had spread throughout Spirit City in the past was all a result of his pursuit of Bibi Dong, but now that he had transformed into a cold and aloof heartthrob, she was certain that if she taught him well, she could reverse his reputation in Spirit City.

Tang Yuehua secretly rubbed her eye sockets with her palm, and only when she felt it was enough did she look up at Lu Mingchuan.

"You are the last student of Yue Pavilion, and whenever I think about how I haven't taught you properly, I feel I am unworthy of being a teacher."

On her fair face, her reddened eyes were particularly striking.

"She's actually crying?"

Lu Mingchuan muttered to himself, feeling immense admiration for such a sentimental person as Hua-zi.

She spent so much effort every day teaching those things; if she had chosen a different path, she might have become an intellectual renowned throughout the spirit master world.

It was just a pity that he had no interest in listening.

[Hua-zi, don't cry. You will open Yue Pavilion again in the future, and you might even become a woman of great influence and power.]

[Who in the world doesn't know Tian Dou Hua?]

Hearing Lu Mingchuan's thoughts trail off halfway, Tang Yuehua felt an itch of impatience in her heart.

Fortunately, he didn't pause for long.

[It's just a pity that while the idea is good, the actual utility isn't very high.]

[Socializing with the nobles of Heaven Dou City to expand one's connections.]

[Yue Pavilion? It would be better to start the Yuehua Chamber of Commerce; at least by collecting treasures, you could gain the ability to evolve.]

[But she probably doesn't know that spirits can evolve.]

Spirit evolution?

Bibi Dong and Tang Yuehua were both inwardly shocked upon hearing this.

They had only ever heard of spirit mutation; they had never heard of such a thing as evolution.

[It's just a pity that your dear big brother doesn't keep you, his younger sister, in his heart. Otherwise, if Tang San knew of your reputation as a waste, he might have left you some scraps of spirit evolution.]

[Hua-zi even has thoughts of incestuous desires; in the face of reality, you, Tang Xiao, and Flender are all people who share common topics.]

Tang Yuehua didn't know what Flender and her big brother had in common, but based on her understanding of Lu Mingchuan, this certainly wasn't a compliment.