Chapter 197
Chapter 197: Don’t Stay Here and Be a Nuisance
Shi Zi Chu watched Chu Zhi Rou’s embarrassed face, a faint smile curling her lips as she raised them a little more.
So, there really are people who would throw themselves in the line of fire?
But it was fine.
At this moment, Shi Zi Chu particularly enjoyed seeing Chu Zhi Rou’s clueless look. At least, she had taken on some of Jiang Wan Sheng’s anger for her.
Chu Zhi Rou was scolded severely, and the female cultivator behind her stepped forward to defend her.
“How can you be like this?!”
A swarm of dark purple dream butterflies fluttered above the hall, their ethereal beauty mesmerizing.
No matter how quickly Zhao Zhi Yu raised his barrier technique, the glowing powder from the dark purple dream butterflies still drifted down, landing on the female cultivator.
Facing Jiang Wan Sheng’s cold, eerie gaze, Zhao Zhi Yu felt a shiver run through him, despite his composed exterior.
Remembering Jiang Wan Sheng’s identity, he didn’t act recklessly but only assumed a defensive stance.
“Dark purple dream butterflies! These are the dark purple dream butterflies!”
“The dark purple dream butterflies?! Isn’t that Young Master Jiang, the mad Jiang?”
A few exclamations of surprise caused the hall to descend into chaos, with diners hurriedly rushing out, afraid of being targeted by these butterflies.
The shopkeeper hurriedly signaled the waiter to stop the fleeing guests, attempting to calm them, while he himself mustered his courage to approach.
Before the shopkeeper could speak, Shi Zi Chu raised her hand.
The dark purple dream butterflies, which had been aimlessly flying, suddenly seemed to find their target. As they flew toward her, they gradually merged into one, settling delicately on her slender, graceful finger.
Shi Zi Chu calmly retrieved her hand, unaware of the astonished and terrified gazes directed at her.
Who was this person?
To be able to command the dark purple dream butterflies so obediently!
With a serene and unruffled expression, Shi Zi Chu turned to look at the female cultivator, who was covering her face and crying out in pain, her voice gentle but tinged with regret. “Sheng Sheng’s temper is a bit short; I apologize on his behalf.”
This act of unexpected kindness seemed to extinguish some of the jealousy burning inside Jiang Wan Sheng.
In his eyes, it was Shi Zi Chu’s way of bringing him into her circle.
The female cultivator groaned in pain, her bloodied face barely recognizable. The pain made her dizzy, and she was unable to speak.
Chu Zhi Rou rushed to check on her, her face filled with concern, “Xiao Xiao, let go of your hand, let me see the wound.”
He Xiao Xiao loosened her grip, revealing a bloodied face.
Many diners were horrified by the sight, some turning away in disgust.
The shopkeeper felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.
Chu Zhi Rou struggled to suppress her nausea and disdain. She turned to Shi Zi Chu, her attitude humble. “Second senior sister, I apologize on Xiao Xiao’s behalf. She only said a few words, she didn’t mean any harm.”
Jiang Wan Sheng sneered.
Clearly, he wasn’t buying it.
Shi Zi Chu’s face showed a hint of sympathy, and with her innocent and harmless expression, there was almost a sense of compassion.
The young man, who had been nearly pressed against Shi Zi Chu’s back, revealed his strikingly beautiful yet cold expression. His voice, dark and ominous, held a trace of sinister mockery. “She didn’t mean any harm. And you?”
Chu Zhi Rou opened her mouth but was at a loss for words, staring at Jiang Wan Sheng.
He Xiao Xiao let out a pained scream, her body wracked with agony. “It hurts so much, Zhi Rou, it hurts! Please, help me! Save me!”
Another female cultivator standing beside He Xiao Xiao supported her, glancing at Chu Zhi Rou with unspoken words.
An impatient cultivator spoke up, “Xiao Xiao was only trying to help you…”
He was cut off when his friend nudged him with an elbow.
Chu Zhi Rou bit her lip, her voice trembling as she looked up at Jiang Wan Sheng. “Young Master Jiang, what must we do for you to give Xiao Xiao the antidote?”
Jiang Wan Sheng tilted his head, as if hearing something amusing.
Then, he leaned down, pressing his face close to Shi Zi Chu’s, their faces almost touching. “Qing Qing, what do you think?”
“You caused this,” Shi Zi Chu tilted her head slightly, only to have Jiang Wan Sheng pinch her chin and turn her face back to him.
He rubbed his face against hers, acting like an affectionate dog, yet there was something sinister about it, like a poisonous snake flicking its tongue. His voice, chilling yet oddly pitiable, whispered, “I can’t stand seeing Qing Qing suffer.”
After a faux whiny complaint, Jiang Wan Sheng’s eyes darkened as he spoke coldly, “Kneel down and apologize to Qing Qing. If your apology is sincere, I’ll sell you an antidote.”
Giving an antidote was out of the question. He wasn’t some kind of savior.
Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Kneel and apologize to this wretch in front of everyone?!
Seeing the unamused, cold expression on Jiang Wan Sheng’s face, Chu Zhi Rou turned to Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu’s gentle and helpless face filled her with a deep sense of humiliation and unwillingness.
“Second senior sister!”
The moment the words left her mouth, Chu Zhi Rou dropped to her knees, holding out a storage pouch. “I didn’t mean to push you, please forgive me!”
The humiliation of today would be repaid a thousandfold, a thousand times over!
Ye He Qi, who had been sipping tea leisurely, suddenly set down his cup.
The “thunk” was neither too light nor too heavy, but it perfectly caught everyone’s attention.
Chu Zhi Rou turned, her eyes filled with hope and pleading.
“Zhi Rou, when you make a mistake, you must admit it,” Ye He Qi’s gentle voice rang out, “You’re a good child.”
Chu Zhi Rou stood there, feeling utterly alone, abandoned by everyone.
Finally, her gaze fell on Shi Zi Chu.
Looking at the kind and innocent woman, a deep sense of humiliation and bitterness welled up in her.
“Second senior sister!”
The moment the words left her lips, Chu Zhi Rou dropped to her knees, holding out a storage pouch. “I didn’t mean to push you, please forgive me!”
The humiliation of today would be repaid a thousandfold, a thousand times over!
Ye He Qi’s gaze lingered on Chu Zhi Rou for a moment, then turned to Shi Zi Chu. “Daoist Shi, Zhi Rou truly knows she was wrong. You are fellow senior sisters, and there’s no such thing as a grudge between them. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Zhi Rou had really grown.
Shi Zi Chu waved her hand gently and spoke softly, “Get up.”
Chu Zhi Rou looked up at her, her voice timid. “Second senior sister, does this mean you forgive me?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded, helping her up with the caring demeanor of a senior sister. “To know one’s mistake and correct it is the greatest virtue.”
Chu Zhi Rou exhaled in relief, handing over the storage pouch. “I’m glad you forgive me, second senior sister.”
Shi Zi Chu declined it gently. “I didn’t forgive you because of these worldly things. We are senior sisters. As long as you truly understand your mistake, I will forgive you.”
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s gentle and compassionate expression, Chu Zhi Rou nearly gagged.
Suppressing her humiliation and disgust, she asked, “In that case, can I trade these items for an antidote?”
Shi Zi Chu glanced at Jiang Wan Sheng.
Jiang Wan Sheng waved his hand, and his spiritual power snatched the storage pouch from Chu Zhi Rou.
The next moment, the pouch was thrown back at her. Jiang Wan Sheng sneered, “For the Eldest Miss Ye, this is all you’ve got?”
“Sheng Sheng,” Shi Zi Chu frowned slightly, feigning anger, “The antidote.”
Jiang Wan Sheng’s face grew colder.
Just as everyone thought he would turn away, Jiang Wan Sheng reluctantly pulled out a porcelain vial and tossed it toward them.
Zhao Zhi Yu caught the vial swiftly.
After checking it, he fed the spirit pill inside to He Xiao Xiao.
The bloodied face began to heal rapidly, and the excruciating pain disappeared in an instant.
Jiang Wan Sheng sneered, “Get lost, don’t block my sight.”
Chu Zhi Rou, looking utterly humbled, picked up the storage pouch and placed it on the table, then ran out, tears streaming down her face.