TRWSB – Chapter 100 May you Live a Long and Happy Life Together

In the grand hall on the ground floor of Luohuaxuan, Zhuang Renquan approached Zhuang Hao as he came out and said, “Finally, you’re out! Let’s head home first.”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Alright.”

“How did your talk with Qi Shaorong go?” Zhuang Renquan asked Zhuang Hao.

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “I don’t know either.”

“You scared me to death earlier. Ah Hao, you were too reckless! Announcing an engagement without prior notice—if Qi Shaorong had refuted you on the spot, where would you have put your face?” Zhuang Renquan said, shaking his head in exasperation.

Zhuang Hao lowered his gaze. “He wouldn’t refute me.”

“Why? Don’t tell me that while I wasn’t looking, Big Brother, you and Qi Shaorong already tied the knot? When did you become so efficient?” Zhuang Qian asked with a face full of admiration.

Zhuang Hao cast a glance at Zhuang Qian. “I forced him into it using a contract. My power is stronger than his, so he has no choice but to obey me.”

Zhuang Qian’s eyes widened as he pointed at Zhuang Hao in shock. “Big Brother, you… you mean Qi Shaorong didn’t agree willingly?”

“How could Fourth Young Master Qi agree willingly? When Ah Hao announced the engagement, Qi Shaorong’s face was as dark as thunderclouds,” Zhuang Renquan said, shaking his head with a helpless expression.

Zhuang Hao tilted his head back, taking a deep breath, pain flickering across his face.

Zhuang Renquan patted Zhuang Hao on the shoulder in consolation. “Alright, Ah Hao, even though Qi Shaorong didn’t agree willingly, this is still progress, isn’t it?”

“Exactly, Big Brother! Sometimes extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures. But, Big Brother, what if Qi Shaorong doesn’t show up for the engagement despite not objecting now?”

Zhuang Renquan glanced at Zhuang Qian. “Can you stop jinxing things?”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Zhuang Renquan turned to Zhuang Hao. “Ah Hao, actually, your engagement to Qi Shaorong might never have been officially canceled.”

Zhuang Hao looked at Zhuang Renquan. “Uncle, what do you mean?”

“Back then, Yi Chuxue was in a hurry to call off the engagement, but the original marriage certificate has always been in your grandfather’s possession. So, the marriage contract that Shen Yuan and Yi Chuxue presented was fake,” Zhuang Renquan explained.

“Is that so?” Zhuang Hao asked with a dark expression.

“Big Brother, the marriage certificate still exists. Aren’t you happy?” Zhuang Qian asked.

“Shaorong already dislikes me. Whether or not the marriage certificate exists doesn’t really matter. If I told him the certificate was fake, he likely wouldn’t be pleased. I’m just surprised at how messy our family’s affairs are,” Zhuang Hao said, shaking his head.

At Tianlan Academy:

“Headmaster, I didn’t expect the owner of Qingcheng Cosmetics to be Qi Shaorong. Now the students are all going wild.”

“What a pity that Qi Shaorong is getting engaged to Zhuang Hao. Otherwise, Qi Shaorong would have been the perfect catch. Anyone who became his partner would have access to as many high-end cosmetics as they wanted.”

“Too bad Zhuang Hao was quick to act! That guy is cunning and ruthless—definitely not easy to deal with,” Hu Feng remarked.

Li Hong looked at Hu Feng in confusion. “Headmaster, why do you say that?”

Hu Feng glanced at Li Hong. “When Zhuang Hao announced the engagement yesterday, my apprentice’s expression was one of complete surprise.”

Li Hong looked at Hu Feng in disbelief. “So Zhuang Hao announced the engagement without informing him beforehand?”

Hu Feng nodded. “Seems like it. My apprentice probably had no idea beforehand. The moment Zhuang Hao finished speaking, the crowd started to make a fuss.”

Li Hong stared at Hu Feng, still puzzled. “But knowing Qi’s temperament, if he disagreed, wouldn’t he have just refused on the spot?”

“You’ve forgotten. Shaorong and Zhuang Hao have a contract. A marriage contract is more equal than a master-servant contract, but the person with higher cultivation still has some level of control over the other,” Hu Feng explained.

Li Hong rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Zhuang Hao must be crazy! Qi isn’t someone to be trifled with.”

Hu Feng shrugged. “If he weren’t a bit crazy, he’d never stand a chance with my talented apprentice. Without some extraordinary measures, he’d probably never succeed in his lifetime.”

Li Hong mused, “If Qi Shaorong does marry Zhuang Hao, the Qi family will regret it bitterly.”

“I feel sorry for the Qi family. Even if we set aside the engagement, the fact that Qi Shaorong is the owner of Qingcheng Cosmetics alone is enough to make them regret everything,” Hu Feng said.

Qi Shaorong walked through the academy with a stern expression, accompanied by Yi Fan.

“Ah Fan, why do I feel like everyone’s looking at me strangely?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Yi Fan tilted his head and replied with a smile, “Strange? Of course, it’s strange. Young Master, your worth has increased again. Naturally, everyone admires you more now!”

“I think they’re just mocking me,” Qi Shaorong said.

Yi Fan chuckled. “Young Master, you’re overthinking. Who would dare mock you?”

“Who wouldn’t?” Qi Shaorong retorted, rolling his eyes.

Yesterday’s situation must have made it obvious to many that he wasn’t acting of his own volition. Yet, most of the crowd seemed to side with Zhuang Hao and cheer him on.

“Student Qi, a pleasure to meet you!” a fellow student approached and greeted him.

Qi Shaorong looked at the person. “You… you’re the captain of the academy’s security team.”

“Yes, yes! It’s rare for Student Qi to remember me.”

“Student Qi, if there’s ever another mission like this, please think of us in the security team!” the captain said enthusiastically.

Qi Shaorong smiled faintly. “Of course, of course.”

“Student Qi, I’ll leave you to your business now,” the captain said, waving goodbye.

Qi Shaorong waved back. “Take care.”

The captain turned around and called out cheerfully, “Student Qi, I heard you’re getting engaged to Zhuang Hao soon. I wish you both a long and happy union, eternal love, and a lifetime of happiness together…”

Qi Shaorong watched the departing captain with a frown. “This guy… why couldn’t he just leave quietly? Yi Fan, do you think he’s cursing me?”

“How could that be? You’re overthinking. He probably meant it sincerely,” Yi Fan replied.

“So sincere it sounds like a curse. This guy… ugh.” Qi Shaorong scratched his head, exasperated.

Yi Fan laughed. “Boss, it seems you’re quite well-regarded among the academy’s security team. If you ever wanted to poach them, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“What would I do with the academy’s security team? Supporting you guys is pressure enough already. Besides, if the captain is this dim-witted, I doubt his subordinates are any better,” Qi Shaorong replied.

Yi Fan: “…”

As Yi Fan and Qi Shaorong walked on, another student blocked their path.

“Who’s this guy? Someone from the Yi family?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Yi Fan glanced at Qi Shaorong. “No, someone from my mother’s side—the Li family.”

Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and said, “Well, I won’t disturb you. I’ll be off now.”

Watching Qi Shaorong’s departing back, Yi Fan rolled his eyes.

Yi Fan didn’t have a good impression of the Yi family and felt similarly about the Li family. Yi Xun had said that Li Anya died from his provocations, and his grandfather disliked Yi Xun and didn’t think highly of Yi Fan either.

“Do you need something?” Yi Fan asked.

“Grandfather wants to invite you back,” Li Feng said.

“Not interested,” Yi Fan replied coldly.

Li Feng frowned. “Yi Fan, do you think that just because you’re with Qi Shaorong, your future is secure?”

Yi Fan looked at Li Feng and said, “Why not? Qi Shaorong is the owner behind Qingcheng Cosmetics and possesses extraordinary medical skills. Following him is far better than sticking with the declining Li family. Besides, if it weren’t for Qi Shaorong, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“Li Feng, cousin, I think your trip here was in vain. Whether it’s the Yi family or the Li family, my attitude is the same: stay away from me. Otherwise, think of what happened to Yi Huo and Yi Bing.”

Li Feng: “Yi Fan, what’s that supposed to mean? The Yi family wronged you, but the Li family hasn’t done anything to you!”

Yi Fan looked at Li Feng and said, “The Li family didn’t wrong me—I’m well aware of that. But I’m someone who holds grudges, no matter how small. I’m not suitable for close relationships. Cousin, it’s better for you to stay far away. I have things to do. Don’t come looking for me in the future, whether you have something or not.”

Li Feng: “…”

Yi Fan entered the principal’s office. Hu Feng looked up and asked, “Ah Fan, what’s the matter?”

“I have a friend who wants access to the academy’s library.”

“The special section?” Hu Feng asked.

Yi Fan nodded. “Yes, the regular section isn’t very useful.”

“Watch how you speak! The regular section has plenty of good material!” Hu Feng said indignantly.

Hu Feng eyed Yi Fan. “Is it that wood element cultivator you fought for before?”

“It wasn’t a fight—just cleaning up some trash,” Yi Fan replied.

Hu Feng chuckled dryly. “Ah, my apprentice, you seem to have a close relationship with that person.”

Yi Fan nodded. “Of course, I’m pursuing him, but I haven’t succeeded yet.”

Hu Feng: “…”

“My apprentice, you need to step up! Look at Shaorong—he’s already getting engaged to Zhuang Hao. And you? You haven’t even made progress. Zhuang Hao may have used underhanded methods, but whether it’s a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat. No matter what, securing the engagement first guarantees a position.”

Yi Fan scrutinized Hu Feng. “Principal, you knew about this?”

Hu Feng shrugged. “Wasn’t it obvious? Shaorong’s expression back then was terrible! If he had agreed willingly, he wouldn’t have looked like that.”

Yi Fan glanced at Hu Feng. “If you could tell, many others probably could too.”

Hu Feng said, “Ah Fan, it’s not like that. Not everyone has your teacher’s sharp eyes.”

Yi Fan smiled. “So, will you agree to his request? I know your rules. Whatever the cost, put it on my account.”

“My apprentice, you’re too polite! I didn’t expect you to be so generous. You’re quite stingy when it comes to the Yi and Li families,” Hu Feng remarked.

Yi Fan replied, “Why should I be generous to people I don’t like?”

Hu Feng: “…”

“Teacher, it’s settled then. I’ll take my leave,” Yi Fan said, standing up.

Hu Feng muttered as Yi Fan left, “What’s with all these prickly tempers?”