Beneath the gates of Heaven Dou City, the Shrek group standing before the noticeboard was in full view. Lin Chen swept a dispassionate glance over them, his heart unruffled.
Seeing his teammates still chatting and teasing one another, reliving their wins and losses in the wager, Lin Chen spoke at just the right moment to interrupt their banter, his tone casual and easy:
"All right, stop sticking your noses into other people's business. It has nothing to do with us. We agreed to head into the city for a meal, so let's get going. If we dawdle any longer, Tie Zhan might turn around and deny everything to wriggle out of paying."
At those words, everyone's eyes swung toward Tie Zhan in unison, sizing him up with teasing smiles.
Tie Zhan had lost the wager outright and willingly agreed to treat everyone. Now that Lin Chen was teasing him in front of them all, he found himself losing face. He immediately stiffened his neck and retorted, looking both forthright and earnest.
"I, Tie Zhan, keep my word! Every word I spit out is a nail driven home! How could I go back on it? A loss is a loss. I'm definitely paying for this meal, so don't any of you accuse me of trying to wriggle out of it!" Tie Zhan puffed out his chest and raised his chin, brimming with confidence, looking as though he would never break a promise.
Beside him, Li Jiaojiao's eyes darted as a mischievous idea struck her. She deliberately pretended to consider the matter seriously, drawing out her words in a show of solemnity:
"Hmm... that may be true, but people change. Personally, I think there's still a pretty good chance you'll go back on your word."
As soon as she finished, she could