As Su Mo walked, he couldn’t help but wonder: Why is someone openly following me now?
To get to the bottom of it, he turned and walked into a remote alley.
Sure enough, the pursuers quickly made their move.
But before Su Mo could do anything, a figure had already blocked the two men’s path.
Su Mo didn’t even look back, only aware that the person’s blade technique was extremely fierce, swiftly dispatching the two trackers who intended him harm.
So, someone really is protecting me in the shadows!
As for those two trackers, they seemed to be Ueshiba’s men. That cold, scrutinizing gaze he felt earlier was likely from him.
Su Mo pondered to himself: That old geezer won’t settle down even at his age, still scheming against me. I’ll tell Sis after this trip, have her give him a good trimming next time she visits the island nation for tourism.
Su Mo returned home as if nothing had happened, was pulled by Li to do housework for half a day, and received a bank card as payment.
Hmm… This money, afraid I’d be too embarrassed to accept it directly, so she uses this method.
Su Mo didn’t refuse. He was currently penniless, so this would serve as seed money to purchase some necessary items.
As evening approached, Su Mo went to pick up Kotaro from school as promised, only to notice a male teacher secretly glancing at him.
Su Mo was already quite accustomed to this.
After all, as a beauty, one must have the awareness of being a beauty, ready to be approached at any moment.
Just as expected, as he was about to leave, the male teacher, Takeda, gathered his courage and hurried over. “Kotaro, wait a moment.”
Kotaro turned around, puzzled. “Is something the matter, Mr. Takeda?”
Takeda had intended to steal a glance at Su Mo, but accidentally met his gaze directly. He could only offer an awkward smile. “Hello…”
Su Mo smiled in return. “You’re also good!”
Takeda’s expression froze.
You’re also good?
What does that mean?
Kotaro, hearing his teacher call him, had turned to respond, only to be ignored…
So his real goal was to talk to Sister Zhenxiang!
Su Mo’s rather… unique response piqued Takeda’s interest, further solidifying his desire to get to know him.
By the time Takeda snapped out of it, the space ahead was once again empty.
“She’s Kotaro’s sister. There should be more chances to interact in the future,” Takeda muttered to himself, completely oblivious to the petite female teacher waiting behind him to go home together.
…
Back home, Su Mo received a forced communication request from Ye Qingyi.
Of course, the medium wasn’t a phone, but their bodies.
“How’s your injury recovery going?” Ye Qingyi’s voice was full of concern.
Su Mo pulled open his collar and looked down. “Look, the scars are almost gone.”
Then he immediately adopted a bashful demeanor. “Oh my, how could I show you? Men and women shouldn’t be too familiar…”
Ye Qingyi’s indignant voice sounded in his ear. “Just picking on me, huh!”
“Who told you to always pick on me before?” Su Mo pouted. “There’s a saying: The wheel of heaven turns; what goes around comes around. Now it’s my turn for a counterattack.”
Su Mo’s lazy voice carried a certain charm. Ye Qingyi felt a tingle in her heart: He’s so feminine, isn’t he…
But the ever-strong-willed Ye Qingyi wouldn’t admit defeat so easily. She directly pulled out her trump card. “Go ahead, counterattack however you want. Anyway, I’ve already… you know… with you. I’ll just let you have this one, since you’re mine.”
Then she sighed. “Sigh, doting on one’s own woman is a compulsory course for every good man.”
Su Mo raised an eyebrow: So it’s a competition of who has thicker skin, is it?
Fine, fine. I’m someone who’s tasted the Golden Peel Fruit, after all. Losing to you would tarnish the fruit’s mighty reputation.
Su Mo reclined lazily on the bed, the curve of his waist resembling the charming, undulating hills described in Xin Qiji’s “Congratulations, Groom,” alluring and moving.
Ye Qingyi was wondering what he was up to when she suddenly heard Su Mo speak in a delicate, coquettish tone. “Young master, you have always been so elegant. This humble maiden, though lacking in talent, wishes to offer you a dance. Please do not disdain it.”
On the other side, Ye Qingyi’s smile froze. She had a feeling something major was about to happen.
Su Mo stood up gracefully and walked to a full-length mirror in the room. First, he gave a slight bow to the mirror, then his eyes became affectionate, his smile blossoming like a flower.
He moved.
The first step: delicate, intricate steps, unparalleled in their elegance.
The second step: This lady is but eighteen, still unmarried and pure.
The third step: Brother, am I not beautiful?
…
He began his elegant wu (dance/martial arts). He was sending secret “autumn waves.” His gestures were graceful. His dance was… utterly insane.
She… shattered.
▄█▀█●
Ye Qingyi’s facial muscles twitched, her teeth grinding audibly. She wished she could fly over and punch Su Mo flat. “Stinky Su Mo! Rotten Su Mo! Bad Su Mo! You’re bullying me again, again, again, again, again, again, again!!!”
o(*≧д≦)o!!
She swore secretly in her heart: Next time we meet, I must pin him down and give him a good thrashing, let him know how formidable I am. Can’t be tender and merciful like before, ending up accomplishing nothing.
Hmph, I can be very fierce!
(งᵒ̌皿ᵒ̌)ง⁼³₌₃
Sensing the despair in Ye Qingyi’s tone, a victor’s smile touched Su Mo’s lips.
Ah, this damn competitive spirit…
But winning is one thing; you still have to console your wife when she’s angry.
He was as arrogant as could be a moment ago; now he was as docile as could be.
He attempted to change the subject. “Qingyi, you seemed to be concerned about me earlier. My injuries are much better. It’s just… with you not by my side, my heart feels… empty.”
“Empty?” Ye Qingyi snorted coldly. “Isn’t it great that I’m not there? No one to keep you in check. You can hug whoever you want. The waists of those island nation women must feel super amazing to touch, huh?!”
Huh?
Su Mo felt as if struck by lightning.
How does she know?!
Could it be she was watching at that moment…?
Su Mo began to feel guilty.
Unlike before, this time he was the one who actively touched…
Before he could even try to explain, Ye Qingyi cut the connection. Su Mo stared at his reflection in the mirror for a few seconds. “She was secretly watching me. I’ll have to confront her about it next time.”
Just then, his cousin Chiba Keiko’s voice came from outside. Su Mo pretended nothing had happened and went out to greet her.
She also tried to pretend she hadn’t seen Su Mo during the day, but Su Mo saw through it at a glance. However, he didn’t mention it.
There was a faint bruise on Chiba Keiko’s face, well-hidden, but Su Mo’s sharp eyes naturally caught it.
There were other things others might not have noticed, like the slight oddity in her posture when she walked.
Su Mo didn’t ask anything, acting as if he knew nothing.
In the evening, Chiba Keiko called Su Mo to her room, saying she wanted to talk to him about work.
They sat facing each other. Chiba Keiko looked into his eyes and said, “You saw everything today, didn’t you?”
Su Mo feigned surprise. “Huh?”
Chiba Keiko didn’t expose his pretense, continuing on her own. “Think whatever you want of me. I won’t explain. I just hope you won’t tell my parents. They would be very disappointed.”
Su Mo was forced to admit, “I only saw Sister Keiko eating alone at the restaurant.”
Chiba Keiko smiled. “Thank you.”
Su Mo was pondering how to respond when he heard her continue. “Even though you know martial arts, this is a world of supernaturals. Be careful recently, don’t go to places with few people.”
“Okay, Sister Keiko.”
Su Mo looked up and saw sincerity in Chiba Keiko’s eyes. She genuinely was worried about his safety.
After Su Mo left, Chiba Keiko removed her clothes. Her body was covered in bruises and scars—old ones and new ones.
She let out a sigh, her eyes full of sorrow.