Looking at the worthless rock in front of him, Lu Qian really did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Sure enough, when you played the game, your debts always came due!
A few days ago, he had not only snatched Tang San's hair crystal but also conned Flender. Lu Qian had even been rather pleased with himself.
But never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Flender would fleece him of eighteen hundred Gold Soul Coins today.
Looking at the smile on the old fox's face, Lu Qian suddenly realized something: he must have fallen into Flender's trap right from the start.
First, Lu Qian had felt guilty about having deceived Flender, so he had been the one to suggest paying to make the trouble go away.
Then Flender had opened his lion's maw and demanded a hundred and eight thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Of course, Lu Qian could not possibly give Flender that much, so he was bound to haggle.
The final outcome was perfectly clear. No matter how much Lu Qian offered, the old fox Flender would make a profit without any risk of loss.
After all, it was just a worthless rock. Flender had practically studied it to pieces over the past few days without finding anything fishy. It was merely an ordinary piece of ore.
And the moment Lu Qian named a price, he had already lost!
Looking at Flender's glowing face, Lu Qian said irritably,
"I don't have that much!"
"You can go withdraw it in Suotuo City. I'm in no hurry. Besides, tonight's lesson might have to be postponed for you."
Flender was probably afraid that a long night would bring more dreams and Lu Qian might renege on the debt, so he actually threatened him outright.
Lu Qian took a deep breath and said to Flender,
"You really are ruthless!"
Then he took the worthless rock and left the dean's office.
Although Lu Qian knew Flender was bluffing, he still intended to hurry to Suotuo City, withdraw the Gold Soul Coins, and hand them over.
The reason was simple: he had lost a battle of wits against Flender. Having agreed to gamble, he had to accept defeat.
Besides, Lu Qian felt he could hardly clash with the dean as soon as he entered Shrek Academy. That would be very unfavorable for carrying out his mission of being a sneaky schemer.
When he reached the academy gates, Lu Qian noticed that Oscar had just run past, while Ning Rongrong was still nowhere to be seen.
Lu Qian simply stood there for a while. When Oscar passed him again, he quickly asked,
"Where's Ning Rongrong?"
"Uh, I don't know."
Oscar looked troubled, but he still told a lie for Ning Rongrong.
A moment's thought made it clear to Lu Qian. Ning Rongrong must have gone to Suotuo City, but how many laps had she even run?
"All right, all right. I'm heading to Suotuo City. Want to come?"
"No, I haven't finished my laps yet."
Oscar spoke with a mournful face.
"Then I'll see you later."
With that, Lu Qian began walking toward Suotuo City. Although he did not deliberately try to catch up with Ning Rongrong, they still ran into each other at the city gates.
At the sight of Lu Qian, Ning Rongrong was a little happy at first, but then she asked somewhat guiltily,
"Y-you! Why are you following me?"
Lu Qian smiled and deliberately said,
"Dean Flender sent me."
"Ah! He sent you to keep an eye on me?"
"Keep an eye on you? What for? Oh, you ran all the way to Suotuo City!"
Seeing his reaction, Ning Rongrong felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Clearly, Dean Flender had not sent Lu Qian to watch her.
Patting her slightly rounded little chest, Ning Rongrong grew curious about why Lu Qian had come to Suotuo City.
"Hey! What are you doing in Suotuo City? You didn't come specifically to follow me, did you?"
"Ah, well, that's a long story."
Lu Qian thought, Ning Rongrong, you're the one who delivered yourself to my doorstep this time!
"Dean Flender said that when I fought Teacher Zhao so everyone could get into Shrek Academy, I not only injured Teacher Zhao but also damaged the ground. He wants me to pay two thousand Gold Soul Coins in compensation."
"Otherwise, he'll expel me."
Lu Qian wore a sorrowful expression. All he lacked were a couple of crocodile tears.
But Lu Qian really could not squeeze any out!
"Really?"
Ning Rongrong found his words a little hard to believe. After all, ever since they first met, Lu Qian seemed to have been constantly swindling her out of her pocket money.
"Really! But where am I supposed to get that many Gold Soul Coins?"
Lu Qian continued his performance.
"I see."
Ning Rongrong fell silent. Lu Qian guessed she was calculating whether she would have enough pocket money left.
Since that was the case, Lu Qian prepared to push a little harder.
"I'm so pitiful. I did it for everyone, and... sigh, forget it. I won't say any more. I'm going to take part in underground Soul Master fights. I heard you can win dozens of Gold Soul Coins in a single match, but if you lose, you die."
"Oh, Rongrong, don't worry about me. I'll be fine on my own!"
Lu Qian pretended to wipe away a tear and headed straight into the city.
One, two, three!
"Lu Qian! Wait!"
Sure enough, Ning Rongrong called him back.
"Ah, what is it?"
"Hmph! You're so mean to me, yet I still have to spend my pocket money on you!"
Ning Rongrong muttered.
Even so, she took two large bags of Gold Soul Coins straight out of her Storage Soul Tool and handed them to Lu Qian.
Then she said to him pitifully,
"You're so mean to me, yet you're always spending my pocket money!"
That little expression, that look in her eyes-truly enough to melt anyone's heart with pity!
Lu Qian almost handed the two thousand Gold Soul Coins straight back. Fortunately, he withstood the condemnation of his conscience in the end.
"This... wouldn't be right."
Although that was what Lu Qian said, he still put the two large bags of Gold Soul Coins into his Storage Soul Tool under Ning Rongrong's pitiful gaze.
"Then you have to treat me better from now on."
With that, Ning Rongrong actually turned straight around and headed toward Shrek Academy.
Lu Qian was a little stunned. Hadn't this girl come to get herself a better meal?
"Where are you going?"
"Back to run."
"Then what did you come here for in the first place?"
"I wanted a feast."
"Then have one!"
"I gave you all my money."
The more Ning Rongrong spoke, the more aggrieved she became. By the end, Lu Qian felt that she was already crying.
He truly could not bear it. Lu Qian hurriedly took Ning Rongrong's little hand and said softly,
"Then how about I treat you to a feast?"
"Yes! You're so good to me."
Ning Rongrong wiped away her tears and spoke to Lu Qian with utter innocence.
Lu Qian smiled awkwardly and hurriedly led Ning Rongrong into the city.
He had to admit that Ning Rongrong's behavior today was truly hilarious, but Lu Qian could sense something.
Ning Rongrong really was a very kind little girl at heart. It was just that her young-miss temper was sometimes hard to put up with.
After the feast, Ning Rongrong thanked Lu Qian between burps,
"Thank you. I thought I wouldn't get to have one for a while."
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened again.
"Uh, no need to thank me. Hehe."
Other than laughing awkwardly, Lu Qian had no idea what to say.
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