Chapter 151
Chapter 151: Many Thanks to Junior Sister Zhi Rou for the News
Pei Luo Xiu, descending from the competition platform, pushed past Meng Xi Yu and hooked her arm through Shi Zi Chu’s, saying, “Such a precious magic artifact, Big Sister Shi, you should keep it.”
Yao Ruo Ruo also squeezed past Yan Zhou Bai, leaning against Shi Zi Chu’s arm as she spoke, “Yes, such a precious magic artifact should be for you to keep and use.”
Meng Xi Yu and Yan Zhou Bai exchanged glances, rendered speechless.
They had tried so hard to persuade them earlier, yet now the two had turned so united.
They turned on their heels faster than flipping a book.
“But Ruo Ruo, I still haven’t given you my congratulations gift for your tribulation-crossing and Nascent Soul promotion,” Shi Zi Chu said, flipping her wrist as the plum-bone snow bracelet appeared in her palm. “Let this be your gift, Ruo Ruo, you mustn’t refuse.”
Yao Ruo Ruo looked at the beaming Shi Zi Chu, her heart stirred with surprise and gratitude. “Zi Chu, you’re so kind!”
“We’re good friends, after all~” Shi Zi Chu said playfully, imitating Yao Ruo Ruo’s tone, which made her smile even more.
Yao Ruo Ruo puffed up her cheeks, giving Shi Zi Chu an affectionate glare.
“Here, your gift,” Pei Luo Xiu handed over a storage pouch.
Yao Ruo Ruo huffed proudly, “I won’t thank you.”
“Who asked you to thank me?” Pei Luo Xiu snorted.
Yao Ruo Ruo opened her mouth, “Then hurry up and break through to Nascent Soul, I’ll return the favor.”
Seeing the two preparing to bicker again, Shi Zi Chu quickly popped a zongzi candy into each of their mouths.
The two fell silent as they chewed.
Shi Zi Chu relaxed, pleased.
At the back, Ye Chi Wei observed the harmonious scene, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Sect Master Meng smiled warmly, “Look at them, all stiff and uncomfortable. Let’s not ruin the mood.”
Receiving a glance from Sect Master Meng, Xing Lan spoke up, “Everyone, this way please.”
After sending the venerables off, Shi Zi Chu looked around helplessly and shook her head.
“Big Sister Shi, I was wrong,” Pei Luo Xiu said, her voice filled with faux pitifulness. “I won’t cause such trouble again.”
Before Shi Zi Chu could speak, Yao Ruo Ruo cut in, “This is my fault.”
Shi Zi Chu reached out, gently patting Pei Luo Xiu’s head, before speaking, “Tell me, what happened?”
They were all smart people, and by now, they must have realized their mistake.
Yao Ruo Ruo lowered her voice, “It was indeed impulsive of me. I shouldn’t have acted that way, but someone pushed Pei Luo Xiu and me into this.”
Pei Luo Xiu looked at Shi Zi Chu, relieved to see that she wasn’t angry, just resigned.
Yao Ruo Ruo scanned the area, but seeing no one, whispered, “Ye Qing Zi.”
Ye Qing Zi?
Shi Zi Chu’s gaze sharpened with suspicion.
“She’s from the Ye Clan, and an elder in the Alchemist Association,” Pei Luo Xiu whispered.
Shi Zi Chu raised an eyebrow.
If she was from the Ye Clan, she could just go directly to Ye He Qi and ask.
“Junior Sister,” Yan Zhou Bai’s calm and authoritative voice rang out.
Yao Ruo Ruo immediately straightened up, shrinking back like a startled quail.
“If not for Zi Chu’s quick thinking, how would you have resolved this today?” Yan Zhou Bai asked quietly.
If Sect Master Pei’s daughter had fought in front of all these venerables, how would she have explained herself? Moreover, the two of them had started the fight because of Zi Chu. If things weren’t handled well, both the Master and Sect Master Pei might direct their anger towards Shi Zi Chu.
Seeing Yan Zhou Bai’s stern face, Yao Ruo Ruo lowered her head in reflection. “Senior Brother, I truly know my mistake. I won’t be so impulsive again.”
Shi Zi Chu reached up and gently touched Yao Ruo Ruo’s head, offering silent comfort, though she said nothing.
Yan Zhou Bai’s tone softened, “I’ll leave you some face in front of others.”
But once they returned to the sect, punishment would be inevitable.
Yao Ruo Ruo hung her head, feeling dejected.
Pei Qing You took a couple of steps forward but was immediately interrupted by Pei Luo Xiu. “Are you trying to teach me a lesson?”
“I haven’t even opened my mouth yet!” Pei Qing You snapped. “Are you even reasonable?”
Pei Luo Xiu snorted, “You’re trying to reason while stealing my drifting flower?”
“Who tricked me first?” Pei Qing You was furious. “Who promised to give me a drifting flower as compensation? Now you want to turn things around?”
Watching the two of them exchange words, Shi Zi Chu couldn’t help but reflect.
Their relationship wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t good either.
“Big Sister Shi, look at him!” Pei Luo Xiu twisted around and clung to Shi Zi Chu’s arm, suddenly becoming pitiful. “Sect Master Pei is bullying me!”
Pei Qing You’s eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head. “Who’s bullying who? Pei Luo Xiu, stop twisting the truth!”
He was the one who got beaten, the one thrown to the penitence cliff. How could he not have a temper?
Shi Zi Chu chuckled, reaching up to pat Pei Luo Xiu’s head. “Alright.”
Pei Luo Xiu pouted and threw a playful tantrum.
“Quit your whining,” Pei Qing You muttered under his breath.
Pei Luo Xiu shot him a vicious look.
Pei Qing You wasn’t intimidated. He turned to Shi Zi Chu and said, “Shi Zi Chu, look at her two-faced behavior!”
Shi Zi Chu gently pressed Pei Luo Xiu’s shoulder and spoke softly, “A’Xiu is young, Sect Master Pei, please don’t tease her too much.”
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s obvious favoritism, Pei Qing You snorted but didn’t say anything further.
“Junior Sister,” a sweet voice rang out.
Shi Zi Chu lifted her eyes and saw Chu Zhi Rou standing a few steps away. She wore the deep blue disciple robes of the inner sect, a color that, though slightly more mature, gave her an aura of resilience.
“Junior Sister Zhi Rou,” Shi Zi Chu greeted with a gentle smile.
Chu Zhi Rou stepped forward and performed a respectful bow. “Young Sect Master Shi, Young Sect Master Yan, Eldest Miss Yao, Daoist Pei, A’You.”
Pei Luo Xiu, who was about to ignore her, was nudged by Shi Zi Chu’s arm.
Pei Luo Xiu reluctantly raised her hand in return.
Once the formalities were done, Chu Zhi Rou spoke first, “Ye Qing Zi is the daughter of Elder Ye Cheng. She is currently at the early stage of Spirit Transformation, and Elder Ye Cheng himself has reached the Great Ascension level of cultivation.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled. “What is Junior Sister Zhi Rou getting at?”
“Ye Qing Zi has some interest in Big Brother,” Chu Zhi Rou continued. “Since you and Big Brother have a good relationship, she might see you as a rival.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled lightly. “In any case, thank you, Junior Sister Zhi Rou, for the information.”
“I’m glad to help, Senior Sister,” Chu Zhi Rou said before performing another polite bow and turning to leave.
Pei Qing You instinctively started to follow, but upon glancing back at Shi Zi Chu, he stopped.
Something felt odd between Rou Rou and Shi Zi Chu…
He had started to change his view of Shi Zi Chu, but that didn’t mean he had forgotten what she had done in the past!
This situation, however, was confusing.
Meeting Pei Qing You’s probing gaze, Shi Zi Chu raised an eyebrow. “Sect Master Pei, why are you looking at me like that?”
“You and Rou Rou…” Pei Qing You hesitated, his expression uncertain. “You…”
“Sisterly bonds have no grudges,” Shi Zi Chu said with a chuckle before teasing him. “What? Sect Master Pei doesn’t like to see us getting along?”
Pei Qing You quickly shook his head.
“Anyway, as long as you stop bullying Rou Rou, that’s fine,” she added before clearing her throat. “I’ll take my leave now.”
Once Pei Qing You was out of earshot, Pei Luo Xiu rolled her eyes.
“Sect Master Pei really is loyal,” Shi Zi Chu said as she patted Pei Luo Xiu’s shoulder. “A’Xiu, a marriage that doesn’t suit you will only tie you down.”
Pei Luo Xiu nodded. “I’ll mention this to Master when we get back.”