"Sorry, junior brother, I couldn't help you this time."
In a secluded courtyard within the Huo Mansion, Zhang Mingyu is drinking wine and chatting with Wen Zehao.
Wen Zehao quickly responds, "What are you saying? I'm already grateful that senior brother wants to help. I just didn't expect that guy to have some skills."
"After all, he's been practicing for many years." Zhang Mingyu raises a cup to him and says, "I'm afraid I can't help with this matter. You know, I already offended the little junior sister once last time, and she didn't speak to me for half a year. I dare not offend her again."
Wen Zehao's smile becomes somewhat stiff, and he can only offer a forced smile, "I've troubled senior brother, and I'm really sorry."
After a few more drinks, Wen Zehao found an excuse to leave.
Leaving the courtyard, his face darkened. He originally thought it was a minor issue, something he could settle effortlessly. But unexpectedly...
Not only was the person not driven away, but a favor was wasted.
"Hmph, let's see how long you can bounce around."
Wen Zehao clenched his fist.
The next day, an important shipment is due at home, one that cannot afford any mishaps, and he must personally escort it. Early in the morning, he must leave Qingfeng City.
Before leaving, he plans to see the little junior sister.
But he's instead met with a closed door.
Wen Zehao feels bewildered, as they had clearly reconciled in the morning, even held hands. What's with this mood now?
On second thought, perhaps she's just shy.
So, he writes a letter and asks a maid to deliver it to the little junior sister, and then leaves the Huo Mansion.
This trip will take a month, perfect timing to catch her sixteenth birthday.
By then, talks of their marriage can begin.
Wen Zehao leaves with fervor in his heart.
...
"He left?"
In the courtyard, Huo Qianqian sits on the swing, her feet dangling in the air, swaying without even looking at the letter the maid handed over.
"Master Qi said it will be a month before he returns, and he'll be back before the young lady's birthday."
"Whether he comes back or not, what does it matter to me?"
Huo Qianqian is a bit annoyed.
The maid hesitantly says, "Didn't the master say, once the young lady comes of age, he will arrange for the marriage?"
Huo Qianqian angrily replies, "If someone wants to marry, let him marry himself, I certainly won't."
"What?"
The maid doesn't understand why she suddenly got so upset.
Huo Qianqian herself doesn't know why she's feeling this way. She knows Wen Zehao wants to marry her, and her grandfather approves of the match.
Speaking of Wen Zehao, he's quite handsome, comes from a good family, and has extraordinary talent, being quite notable among the younger generation in Qingfeng City.
She doesn't feel particularly pleased or displeased with the prospect.
After all, women must marry eventually.
But recently, Wen Zehao's behavior has been disappointing.
He has shown signs of being narrow-minded.
Even before marriage, just because she pleaded with her grandfather for an unrelated man, he came over aggressively to question her.
If this is how it is before marriage, what will happen afterward?
Over the past half month, he's been behaving meekly, seeking her forgiveness.
Yet no sooner had she forgiven him in the morning than he went looking for trouble with Chen Ming.
Upon hearing this news, Huo Qianqian felt chilled. Is this really the man she's about to marry?
Once married, will she not be allowed to speak a word to other men?
The more she thinks about it, the more irritable she becomes, suddenly surging with a nameless fury: it's all that Chen Ming's fault!
If it weren't for him, all these troubles wouldn't exist!
...
......
The next morning, nine o'clock.
Chen Ming arrives punctually at the Huo Mansion, and as soon as he enters, a maid stops him, "Young master Chen, my young lady requests your presence."
Young lady?
Huo Qianqian?
Chen Ming thinks for a moment and says, "I was planning to find an opportunity to thank Miss Huo personally, so please lead the way."
He's quite curious as to why Huo Qianqian sought him out.
To have him explain to her lover?
Huo Qianqian is Huo Chengkun's only family; her parents have passed away, and she lives with her grandfather. One can imagine how much Huo Chengkun dotes on her.
Once she speaks, Chen Ming would be thrown out, so hiding is not an option. He can only go to see her.
The maid leads him to the backyard.
This is Chen Ming's first time in the backyard of the Huo Mansion, where Huo Chengkun and his granddaughter live. Only his direct disciples are allowed entry, others may not take a step inside.
The further they walk, the more remote it becomes.
Could Huo Qianqian really live in such a place?
Chen Ming begins to suspect that this maid might be sent by Wen Zehao to frame him...
"Are you Chen Ming?"
A sharp voice rings out from the side. As he turns his head, he sees a girl in red tight-fitting clothes standing by the Moon Gate. Her skin is fair, features sweet, and her figure tall—indeed a beautiful girl.
Unfortunately, her demeanor carries a touch of arrogance, spoiling the beauty.
Chen Ming is unimpressed by arrogant women; having witnessed all kinds of humble behavior on Earth, he feels indifferent towards similarly spirited women, no matter how pretty they are.
Huo Qianqian snorts, "Not much to look at."
Chen Ming bows courteously, "Greetings, Miss Huo."
Huo Qianqian stares at him, "I heard you serve as a sparring partner for the disciples learning martial arts here. Let me see just how skilled you are."
Without giving him any chance to respond, she strikes at his face.
The punch is quick and fierce, capable of breaking his nose if it connects.
"This is real?"
Chen Ming doesn't dare to be careless and sidesteps, "Miss Huo..."
"Watch out."
Seizing the advantage, Huo Qianqian follows up with a sweeping kick, giving him no opportunity to speak.
The prowess she shows surpasses even Qi Jun!
Chen Ming feels unprecedented pressure, not daring to be distracted, and focuses intensely to respond.
For a time, their figures dart back and forth, having exchanged seven or eight moves already.
Huo Qianqian shouts, "All you do is dodge? Fight back!"
Chen Ming remains silent, merely dodging and looking for opportunities.
"This must be 'Four Symbols Fist', truly more advanced than 'Three Talents Fist'. Luckily, she lacks combat experience, making her moves awkward. There's still a chance."
"Her 'Iron Horse Stance' must be at least fourth level. Her strength far exceeds mine, can't afford to clash head-on."
His mind whirs rapidly, relying only on rich combat experience to maneuver with her.
After more than a dozen moves.
Huo Qianqian's moves become smoother; she rapidly grasps the proper usage of techniques during such a battle.
Things can't continue this way.
Feeling increasing pressure, Chen Ming suddenly resolves, and as a response kicks a stone, losing his balance.
Seizing the opportunity, Huo Qianqian brightens and strikes fiercely with both hands.
Who knew, as Chen Ming's body fell backward, he executes an unusual move, lightning-fast kicks out, hitting her right in the thigh. She cries out in pain and falls to the ground.
"You—"
Huo Qianqian's eyes widen, quickly welling with tears, full of grievance, anger, disbelief...
Uh...
Only then does Chen Ming realize he actually hit the Huo Family's little princess.
As he was about to apologize, Huo Qianqian gets up and runs, limping slightly, indicating that kick landed quite heavily.
[You defeated an LV8 enemy and gained 30 experience points.]