Back home, it was already night.
He instructed Uncle Li to arrange a side room in the annexe for Yue Honghai, then sent him away to cultivate on his own.
Then, Lu Zheng stood in the courtyard, somewhat lost in thought.
To be honest, Lu Zheng had taken Yue Honghai in on a whim, after seeing He Dingshan decide to follow Zhu Yushan.
After all, if Zhu Yushan had an expert as his attendant, how could he not have one? It just so happened that he did not know what to do with Yue Honghai, so he placed the restriction and took him in for now.
Though he might not need him in ordinary times, in real combat, Yue Honghai would be high-end fighting strength. Moreover, when facing ordinary weak opponents, Lu Zheng would not need to take action personally.
As for placing the restriction on Yue Honghai, whether it might cause resentment, Lu Zheng did not mind.
It was equivalent to a certificate of surrender, the foundation of mutual trust. Combined with the later cultivation method, wine, food, and his own attitude, Yue Honghai had already accepted it.
So, in future, as long as Yue Honghai did not betray him, the restriction would be more symbolic than practical.
More importantly, situations like theirs were not uncommon in the world. Otherwise, what did people think all those endless soul restrictions in various sects and schools were for?
While Lu Zheng was lost in thought, a white figure flashed over the rear courtyard wall.
“Lu Lang?”
Liu Qingyan flew over and landed lightly beside Lu Zheng.
“You are back from Jizhou?”
She did not yet know that Lu Zheng had gone straight to Yizhou Prefecture after returning, and thought he had just come back from Baiyun Temple in Jizhou.
Lu Zheng pulled Liu Qingyan into his arms, lowered his head to smell the fragrance in her hair, then scooped her up by the waist and carried her into the room.
Liu Qingyan let out a surprised cry, then buried her head in his chest.
“Lu Lang~~~”
…
Liu Qingyan nestled in Lu Zheng’s arms, her chest heaving, covered in fragrant sweat.
“So, you took in a highly cultivated crocodile demon as a household guard?”
Only after hearing Lu Zheng’s account did Liu Qingyan realise that a great expert had appeared in the annexe.
Before bringing Yue Honghai back to Tonglin County, Lu Zheng had roughly told him about the situation on his side. Otherwise, with Yue Honghai’s cultivation, he would not have failed to notice Liu Qingyan flying into Lu Zheng’s courtyard from next door.
“Lu Lang, you are amazing!” Liu Qingyan lifted her head slightly, gazing at Lu Zheng with adoration and love in her eyes.
She bit her lower lip lightly, her heart stirred with emotion, eyes misty. A fluffy tail gently brushed against Lu Zheng’s abdomen, teasing a certain spot up and down.
Lu Zheng took a deep breath and flipped over, pressing down again.
…
Early the next morning, Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian came to Lu Zheng’s house for breakfast.
Though Madam Liu had also prepared food, a change of taste was nice too.
Knowing Yue Honghai had a big appetite, Aunt Liu had prepared plenty for breakfast. It was Yue Honghai’s first time eating so many varieties of morning food, and he was greatly impressed.
On the other side, Liu Qingyan, Du Yueyao, Liu Qingquan, and Ao Qian, after greeting Yue Honghai and exchanging introductions, gathered around Lu Zheng, listening to him talk about how Zhu Yushan had missed the exam again.
It had to be said that although Zhu Yushan’s matter had not spread outside, it was already well known in their small circle.
Liu Qingquan said it was perfectly normal and shared with Ao Qian various stories of Zhu Yushan missing exams when he was still an ordinary person.
Ao Qian listened in astonishment. “He is so cursed with bad luck, yet Sister Li is still willing to marry him?”
Liu Qingquan was not entirely clear on the details. “I heard that several times he missed exams because of things involving Sister Li.”
On Lu Zheng’s left, Du Yueyao said incredulously, “Young Master Zhu has over a hundred years of cultivation, yet he still missed the provincial exam?”
Liu Qingyan was helpless too. “If he had done as before, honestly gone to the ferry and taken the official road to Yizhou, perhaps he would have…”
Lu Zheng continued, “Perhaps he would have encountered something else.”
The women, “…”
After breakfast, Lu Zheng took Yue Honghai to Taohua Ping to familiarise himself with the place, then sent him home on his own.
Lu Zheng naturally stayed at Taohua Ping, accompanying Shen Ying on a spring outing in the woods. He spent the night there again, savouring the clear, sweet peach blossom wine.
…
Time quickly came to late July.
In the modern world, Friday evening.
A strong night wind blew outside. News reports said a typhoon was forming and affecting the coast.
Lu Zheng made two bowls of sour and spicy noodle soup, which suited Lin Wan’s taste.
“Only one left.” Lin Wan said while eating.
“So soon?” Lu Zheng said in surprise.
They were talking about the overseas Japanese school matter. Ever since being targeted and deciding on retaliation, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan would occasionally slip abroad when they had time.
Then, those paedophiles with criminal records, operating in secret, either died in accidents on the spot or suffered ongoing torment, worse than death, with little time left.
After so long, only one person remained on the blacklist.
Lin Wan smiled. “That overseas Japanese school only had so many involved. For follow-ups, connections were all that mattered. There was no need for too many people, or it would be like proclaiming innocence while hiding silver. The Matsui Consortium last time was already one of the big shots.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “In that case, let’s finish eating and go take care of it. We can come back early and perhaps have a late-night snack.”
Lin Wan rolled her eyes at Lu Zheng, but her chopsticks moved faster. While eating, she added, “The typhoon is coming soon. Let’s hurry on the way so we do not run right into it.”
After eating, they washed the dishes. Lu Zheng turned off the air conditioning, opened the windows, then pulled Lin Wan and suddenly vanished from the room.
…
Half past eleven, on the bank of the inner river in Haicheng.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan walked hand in hand through the crowd, enjoying the night breeze from the southeast while admiring the neon lights between tall buildings and street traffic.
“It is so late, nearly midnight. Why are there still so many people? Do they really have nothing better to do?” Lu Zheng complained.
A young couple holding hands passed by and glanced back at Lu Zheng with strange expressions.
Lin Wan could not help laughing. “So you are saying you have nothing better to do?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Yes, with billions lying in the bank account, I just eat, drink, and play all day. Indeed, I have nothing better to do!”
The couple who had just passed quickened their pace and left.
Lin Wan laughed uncontrollably and did not want to stroll anymore. She simply pulled Lu Zheng home, undressing as they went together into the luxurious large bathroom equipped with a double bathtub…
