Ch. 21Bullying Ma Hongjun Together, and Young Bibi Dong Gets Jealous
Key plot points and events
- Qian Daoliu catches his son, Pope Qian Xunji, reading romance instead of setting a good example for his hardworking daughter, Qian Xue’er. He beats him with a ruler and leaves Qian Xunji confused and disgruntled.
- The next morning, Li Qiu and several classmates spot Ma Hongjun tugging at Cuihua. Ning Rongrong, angered by his earlier leering at the girls, offers Li Qiu support and uses her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to boost his strength and speed.
- Li Qiu attacks Ma Hongjun, then overwhelms him with a much stronger version of Ma’s own Phoenix Fire Line, copied as Li Qiu’s Second Soul Skill. Ma Hongjun retreats from the fight, eats a Recovery Sausage, apologizes, and gives Li Qiu his last two Gold Soul Coins.
- Li Qiu shares photos of the group online, including Ma Hongjun’s scorched appearance. Young Bibi Dong reacts with disgust toward Ma Hongjun—and jealousy toward the girls surrounding Li Qiu.
Character developments and interactions
- Qian Xunji remains bewildered by his father’s harsh discipline and sees himself as having little control over his life.
- Qian Daoliu is frustrated by his son’s lack of ambition and contrasts him with Qian Xue’er’s diligence.
- Li Qiu enjoys turning the tables on Ma Hongjun, but stops short of killing him. His banter with the others is teasing and deliberately provocative.
- Ma Hongjun shifts quickly from aggression to submission once he realizes Li Qiu is stronger, and pays him off to avoid further trouble. Cuihua worries about him and questions Li Qiu’s attack.
- Ning Rongrong openly dislikes Ma Hongjun’s behavior and actively helps Li Qiu by boosting him. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu join in praising or discussing his abilities; Xiao Wu suggests a future spar.
- Tang San takes offense at Li Qiu’s remark implying he is ugly, though Li Qiu leaves the insult ambiguous.
- Bibi Dong is unsettled by her jealousy of the girls’ closeness to Li Qiu, despite judging Ma Hongjun harshly.
Significant themes
- Power and status: At Shrek, strength and talent shape how others are treated; Ma Hongjun’s attitude changes once Li Qiu proves superior.
- Reversal and humiliation: Li Qiu uses Ma Hongjun’s own Soul Skill against him, turning past bullying into a public defeat.
- Jealousy and attraction: Bibi Dong’s reaction reveals possessiveness and insecurity about Li Qiu’s attention, while the group’s playful teasing highlights growing familiarity.