"Ow! Honey! That hurts! It hurts! Let go!" The man's voice instantly changed pitch, taking on a pleading note.
"You were looking at that handsome guy just now too! I didn't even get mad!"
"And you dare bring that up?" The woman's voice grew fiercer, though it carried a hint of petulant affection.
"I was appreciating him! What were you doing? Your eyes were practically glued to that girl! Come on, we're going home to make soup!"
As she spoke, a tall woman in a tight-fitting martial outfit could be seen dragging the burly man beside her toward the roadside by his ear.
The burly man grimaced in pain but dared not resist, crying out all the way as she dragged him off, drawing a burst of laughter from the surrounding pedestrians.
Zhu Zhuqing's brow, which had furrowed at that exclamation of admiration, could not help easing slightly when she heard the couple bickering. An exceedingly faint trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.
Su Yu found it amusing too and said quietly, "This fellow is quite interesting."
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing murmured her agreement. Some of her tension dissipated, and her steps grew a little lighter.
The gazes around them remained, but after this little interlude, they held less scrutiny and more of the warmth of everyday life.
The two exchanged a smile and continued toward the Zhu Family.
Before they had gone far, a lavishly decorated restaurant appeared ahead, with upturned eaves and several gaudy red lanterns hanging outside.
Quite a few women stood in front of the restaurant, wearing thin garments with plunging necklines.
Their skirts were outrageously short as well, and they giggled coyly as they waved silk handkerchiefs.
Their faces were so heavily painted that the makeup almost concealed their original features.
Their eyes, however, were