"Du Zhou, did you hear? The Association held a contract beast grooming exhibition a couple of days ago."
On Bright Avenue, one of two men walking side by side nudged the other with his shoulder and asked with a smile.
"What? Something that good happened, and you didn't tell me?" Du Zhou drew a deep breath, his expression instantly turning anguished. "The contract beast grooming exhibition only lasts two days. It's already over, isn't it?"
"I'm telling you now, aren't I?" The man who had asked chuckled and patted Du Zhou's shoulder.
"How very timely of you." Du Zhou snorted and shook off his hand. "Say no more, Zhang Peng. Our friendship is over for the day!"
"Fine, then. In that case, I won't tell you the big news from last night's contract beast grooming exhibition." Zhang Peng shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned.
Du Zhou took the bait immediately. His ears pricked up, and he grabbed Zhang Peng. "Come on, what big news?"
"Hehe." Zhang Peng chuckled. "You'll never guess who won the title of Grooming Master at this Grooming Exhibition."
"Was it Du Qi'an from the Hundred Flowers Boarding Shop? Chu Ranran from the Red Snow Boarding Shop? Or Duan Yunchu from the Thousand Sails Boarding Shop?"
Du Zhou rattled off several groomers well known in Minghui City, then paused. "I think Du Qi'an was the most likely. Got to support someone with my surname."
After speaking, he glanced at Zhang Peng's expression and couldn't help frowning. "Don't tell me it wasn't any of them?"
"That's right. The one who won the title of Grooming Master was a groomer named Xu Ran!" Zhang Peng bobbed his head as he spoke, a trace of smugness in his eyes, as though he had been there himself.
"Xu Ran? Never heard of him."