Jiang Lan's mouth was pulled into an oval as he mumbled, "Was I wrong... Snakes are bigger than foxes..."
"Shut up."
"You were the one who told me to say it..."
"I told you to shut up."
Ye Lingling stood to the side, watching the big and small pair bicker, and shook her head helplessly.
Jiang Lan broke free from Dugu Yan's grasp, covered his pinched-red cheek, and looked at Ye Lingling with a wronged expression.
Meeting his pitiful gaze, Ye Lingling fell silent for a moment. "I think Jiang Lan has a point. Snakes are indeed bigger than foxes."
Dugu Yan abruptly turned to Ye Lingling. "Lingling, whose side are you on?"
"I'm on the side of reason," Ye Lingling replied calmly.
Seeing someone back him up, Jiang Lan immediately stood a little taller. He made a face at Dugu Yan, then quickly hid behind Ye Lingling, only half his head peeking out.
Dugu Yan looked at the two of them, took a deep breath, swallowed her anger, and folded her arms. She delivered Jiang Lan an ultimatum. "Fine, we'll do as you say. When you fight Hu Liena tomorrow, I want to hear three punches. Not one less. Otherwise, when you get back, I'll show you what a snake spirit is."
"Three punches it is." Jiang Lan leaned halfway out from behind Ye Lingling and bargained with a serious expression. "But not the face. She did buy me roasted flatbread, after all. It'd be awkward to meet again if I hit her in the face."
"You've really thought this through," Dugu Yan sneered.
"Of course. I still want to mooch more roasted flatbread off her later."
Dugu Yan's eyes narrowed again.
"Fine, not the face." Dugu Yan squeezed the words through clenched teeth. "Hit her stomach."
"Deal." Jiang