Chapter 29

Ji Xiaoxi stuck out her tongue, suddenly noticing the album left on the old chair. Out of curiosity, she picked it up and, upon flipping through a page, her face turned crimson. She hurriedly chased after her father: "Daddy, why do you always read these messy things? If Auntie sees them, she'll argue with you again."

Ji Dengtu only then realized he had left something behind and hurriedly ran back to snatch it away: "Hmph, your mother and I have long been separated, and your aunt has no right to control me."

Ji Xiaoxi stomped her foot: "It's because you always do this that Auntie doesn't come here anymore."

"Ah, spit, I'm living so freely now, I don't need her around," Ji Dengtu waved his hand, clearly quite impatient with the topic. "You should get some rest early. You have to go back to school tomorrow. You can complain to your aunt then."

With that, he slammed the door behind him and retreated to his room alone.

On the other side, Zu An had just returned to the Chu family residence when he received a message from the back stage:

Received 345 points of anger from Ji Dengtu!

Zu An couldn't help but laugh. It seemed he had discovered that he had sold Dog Treasure to Ji Xiaoxi. He felt a bit guilty about tricking that kind-hearted girl.

Back in his room, he filled a basin with water to wash his face and hands. Just as he was about to perform the lottery ritual, an old man walked in. His clothes were neatly pressed, without a single wrinkle, and his hair, though slightly gray, was combed meticulously, showing his meticulous nature.

Zu An was taken aback, vaguely remembering that this man was the Chu family's steward, Hong Zhong, known for his loyalty and trustworthiness.

"Is there something you need?" Zu An asked.

Hong Zhong sized him up before speaking: "As per the master's previous instructions, you are to return to school once you have recovered. Shouping will take you there early tomorrow morning. Please prepare in advance."

Zu An was stunned: "I'm not fully recovered yet, ouch, it hurts..." What a joke, he had many things to do and no time to study.

Hong Zhong said coolly: "You don't need to pretend. You were out all day today, not looking like someone who is injured. There's no need to argue; tomorrow, there will be someone to escort you to the academy."

Zu An was wondering how he knew, when he suddenly noticed Cheng Shouping, who was looking away nervously. He was furious; this guy had promised to keep his mouth shut but ended up selling him out.

Hong Zhong gave a few more instructions and then turned to leave, leaving Zu An and Cheng Shouping staring at each other.

"What about keeping your mouth shut?" Zu An cracked his knuckles and grinned menacingly at Cheng Shouping.

Cheng Shouping quickly came over to massage his back, with a fawning smile: "It was because the steward came to check on your injuries and found you missing. What could I do? I didn't want to."

Zu An chuckled coldly: "But you promised me, didn't you?"

Cheng Shouping hurriedly said: "Sir, I didn't say a word about you going to see Doctor Ji. No matter how the steward threatened or tempted me, I didn't betray you."

Zu An was amused: "So, I should thank you?"

"Actually, I'm not that good," Cheng Shouping rubbed his fingers, looking coy, "But if Sir really wants to reward me, it's not impossible..."

Zu An slapped him in exasperation: "Do you think I'm praising you?"

Cheng Shouping adjusted his two hair buns, looking "grievously" at Zu An: "Sir, can you please not hit my head? I told you before, it's hard to comb."

"Don't use that tone with me," Zu An shuddered, "By the way, where is my wife? I've been out all day, I wonder if she misses me."

"Who is your wife?" Cheng Shouping blinked.

Zu An: "..."

Cheng Shouping suddenly realized: "Sir, you mean Miss Chu? She went out with Miss Pei during the day. When she came back, she learned that there was a problem with the family business, so she rushed out to handle it. Miss Chu is really hardworking; she supports half of this family. Everything depends on her. If she were a man, it would be even better."

Zu An was exasperated: "Are you trying to get a beating? If she were a man, what would I do?"

"Sir, that's not what I meant," Cheng Shouping hurriedly poured him a cup of tea and apologized.

Zu An felt an urge to punch him, understanding why he had fallen from being by Chu Zhongtian's side to the kitchen: "By the way, who is Miss Pei?"

He remembered this woman; her words in the ancestral hall almost got him killed, but for some reason, he couldn't hate her. It wasn't that he was forgiving; she was just too powerful.

"Oh~ Sir, you're so naughty, still thinking about Miss Chu's best friend," Cheng Shouping winked, deliberately drawing out his words, "But Miss Pei is indeed beautiful. When she first came, all the men in the household couldn't take their eyes off her. Sir, I have high hopes for you~"

Zu An couldn't help but say: "It's a miracle that the Chu family hasn't sent you to the palace to serve."

Cheng Shouping's smile froze: "Sir, don't scare me."

Zu An didn't want to waste words: "Who asked if she was beautiful? I want to know about her background."

"Miss Pei is from the He Dong Pei family, a thousand-year-old noble clan, even more prestigious than our Chu family. She and Miss Chu are very close, and she is here to study at Bright Moon Academy," Cheng Shouping answered.

Zu An was surprised: "She's also here to study? This private school even accepts outsiders? But considering her relationship with Chu Chuyan, it makes sense."

"Of course, Bright Moon Academy is famous far and wide. Many people from other counties come here to study," Cheng Shouping said proudly.

Zu An didn't understand why this guy was so proud of the academy's reputation, but he was impressed that the Chu family had made their private school so well-known. It seemed his in-law was quite concerned with his reputation.

However, he didn't have the energy to think about these things; he needed to focus on completing the task.

Ji Dengtu is truly a pervert!

He cursed inwardly before continuing: "By the way, do you know Yu Yanluo?"

"Yu Yanluo?" Cheng Shouping's eyes lit up, "Of course, she was the first beauty of the capital, the dream of many men."

"Isn't that a bit too much for a mere servant to know?" Zu An looked at him suspiciously.

Cheng Shouping looked around and then leaned in to whisper: "Sir, I'll tell you a secret, but you mustn't tell anyone. Our master was once one of Yu Yanluo's suitors, but he didn't succeed."

Zu An was shocked; he hadn't expected Yu Yanluo to have a connection with Chu Zhongtian. But thinking of her beautiful figure, she didn't seem old enough to be Chu Zhongtian's contemporary.

"Every time the lady mentions this, she gets furious, and the master's ears almost get pulled off," Cheng Shouping covered his mouth and laughed.

Zu An rolled his eyes. If he had only suspected before, now he was certain. His in-law had been merciful to send him to the kitchen, and it made sense that the household had assigned him as a servant. This guy's loose lips would make him unpopular anywhere.

"Sir, I've only told you this. Remember not to tell anyone," Cheng Shouping reminded him again.

Zu An laughed coldly; he bet that with this guy's mouth, everyone in the household already knew.

"Where does Yu Yanluo live in Bright Moon City?" he asked, thinking he should find her. Not only for Ji Dengtu's task, but also for the reward of a thousand taels of gold.

"She doesn't live in Bright Moon City," Cheng Shouping looked puzzled, "She married the Duke of Yunzhong and should be living there."

"What?" Zu An was shocked. That woman had given him a blank check?

"But their family deals in jade, and they have branches in all major cities, including Bright Moon City. She might come to inspect them at any time," Cheng Shouping chuckled.

Zu An breathed a sigh of relief. This was good; from the previous situation, she should stay here for a while, giving him a chance.

After asking a few more questions, he dismissed Cheng Shouping to avoid disturbing his lottery.

Confirming that no one was around, Zu An summoned the keyboard and tallied up his total anger points. After using the marrow-washing pill, he had 3000 points left, and he had earned more from the Yu family guards and the Black Wind Bandits. In total, he had...

22,269 anger points!

This was a windfall!

Zu An felt like a tycoon and eagerly started the lottery.

As expected, the first one was "Thanks for participating!"

"No problem, I have money!" Zu An didn't care and continued to the next draw.

"Thanks for participating... Thanks for participating..."

On the thirteenth draw, the cursor finally stopped on the number 4.

Zu An breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he shouldn't jinx himself.

Noticing that the number was different from before, he focused on the screen, which displayed a fruit glowing with a golden hue.

Description: Qi Fruit, can increase a cultivator's qi limit.

With his extensive gaming experience, Zu An instantly understood that this was similar to a limit-increasing drug from his previous life.

Such a good thing should be eaten to be safe. Zu An quickly took it out and swallowed it. There was no expected juice, and the fruit seemed to dissolve in his mouth, instantly spreading qi throughout his body. However, it was quickly drawn to the fourth array on his skin.

The fourth array was much larger than the previous three. When the scattered qi fully entered the array, Zu An found that it filled one-third of the array.

"Is that it?" Zu An was dissatisfied. What a Qi Fruit, sounding so impressive, but it wasn't as effective as a whip.

Thinking about this, he felt a bit frustrated. Would he have to rely on being beaten to level up in the future? That would be too degrading.

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