Compared to the Three Fragrances Pavilion branches renowned in the great countries and cities, this branch in Maple Leaf City was probably insignificant. But anyone who had seen Miao Yu would not say so.

Fang Zehou, one of the current heads of the Fang family, the biological father of Fang Heling, and the uncle of Fang Pengju, was a man who had traveled far and wide, with extensive knowledge and experience. He had independently opened up the Yun Country trade route, possessing both ability and reputation, and was implicitly considered the next patriarch of the Fang family. Such a man was utterly infatuated with the lady Miao Yu. Every time he returned from a business trip, the first thing he did was to come to the Three Fragrances Pavilion for entertainment.

Such instances were countless. Fang Zehou was not the first great figure to fall at Miao Yu’s skirt, nor would he be the last.

And Zhao Rucheng, the womanizer, was also among them. Ever since he heard of Miao Yu’s alluring reputation, he had spent money like water, practically treating the Three Fragrances Pavilion as his home, with the determination to not give up until he succeeded.

“That won’t happen,” Zhao Rucheng said calmly. “No woman who refuses to see me has been born yet.”

He added silently in his heart, Jiang An’an certainly didn’t count as a woman; she was just a little kid.

Miao Yu nodded slightly, as if in agreement. “Indeed, Young Master Zhao’s appearance is top-notch handsome, and his generosity is even more so. He possesses considerable strength, a good family background, and a promising future. His heart is exquisite, and his words are as sweet as honey. Which woman could resist you?”

“However,” she said, a hint of sorrow suddenly appearing between her brows, making people eagerly want to help her erase it, “but you don’t like me enough…”

It seemed that Zhao Rucheng’s insincere affection caused her sorrow.

“Hehehe…”

A very lewd and abrupt laugh broke the atmosphere.

It was Huang Azhan, who had woken up at some point, but his drunkenness had not completely dissipated. He was now propping up his chin, staring at the lady Miao Yu with a foolish smile, “Hehehe…”

Needless to say, everyone knew what he was thinking.

Jiang Wang covered his face in silence. He had recognized that Miao Yu was the red-dressed woman he had bumped into earlier, but he had no right to speak in this environment.

Du Yehu wanted to drag Huang Azhan out and kill him to avoid further embarrassment. He was considering whether it was worth incurring a murder case before joining the army.

“What do you mean by not liking you enough?” Only Zhao Rucheng didn’t lose face, maintaining a calm expression, as if he didn’t know Huang Azhan at all, demonstrating the skills of a seasoned playboy. “I’ve never pursued a woman for so long. Since meeting Lady Miao Yu, I’ve spent more time in the Three Fragrances Pavilion than in the City Dao Academy. My affection is overflowing and about to flood this place.”

He rose from his seat and gracefully approached Miao Yu.

“Here,” he said, pressing his heart.

It had to be said, in this situation, with such a handsome man, even the madam, who had experienced countless storms in her life, was somewhat dazed and moved.

But Miao Yu stopped him with just one sentence.

“You don’t really like me; you’re just too bored.”

The charming smile on Zhao Rucheng’s face faded. He stopped walking and didn’t move forward.

“I don’t like you now,” he said. “I hate women who are too smart.”

Jiang Wang had always known that Zhao Rucheng was a man who hated trouble and was very indifferent. He seemed to have nothing he cared about, and getting by was his life motto.

He spent money like water and wasted his time, squandering his talent like he wasted money. But that was his own business, and no one had the right to interfere.

So he could understand the superficial likes and dislikes in Zhao Rucheng’s words.

However, talking about liking or disliking in a brothel was inherently a humorous matter.

“Let’s go, let’s go home. I still have to cook for An’an,” Jiang Wang said, standing up.

“Third Brother,” Zhao Rucheng looked at him sincerely, “Can we pack some dishes to take home? Don’t cook yourself.”

Du Yehu also nodded solemnly, with lingering fear on his face, “An’an is still a child.”

“…” Jiang Wang’s expression darkened. “Are we leaving or not?”

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Du Yehu grabbed Huang Azhan, ignoring his struggles and foolish laughter, and the group scattered in a rush.

Miao Yu just watched them leave with a smile, without saying a word.

But she gently twirled her finger, and unbeknownst to everyone, a well-prepared white granular substance quietly landed on Jiang Wang’s back and permeated into it.

……

Du Yehu took his drunken friend away, Young Master Zhao naturally returned to his mansion to rest, and Jiang Wang went to the Dao Academy dormitory to pick up An’an.

When he picked up Jiang An’an, her mood was obviously not high, her little mouth was pouting, and he didn’t know what she was sulking about.

“What’s wrong, my little An’an?” Jiang Wang said with a smile, very amiable and kind.

“Nothing,” Jiang An’an said, pouting.

“That’s good,” Jiang Wang waved. “Let’s go home.”

“…” Jiang An’an was stunned. Did he really not intend to ask more questions or show more concern?

Ling He didn’t try to persuade her to stay either, just waved, “Goodbye, An’an.”

Jiang Wang understood that this big brother probably wanted to cultivate a long time ago, but he couldn’t devote himself to it because he had to take care of Jiang An’an. His talent wasn’t top-notch, but his diligence was first-rate.

“Goodbye, Brother Ling He,” Jiang An’an said, although she wasn’t very happy, but she still had basic manners.

“Oh, right.” Before leaving, Jiang Wang said casually, “All of our Dao merits have been transferred to you. If you add them up, you should be close to getting the Meridian Opening Pill. Work harder and exchange it soon.”

Ling He was silent for a while before saying, “It should be given to Rucheng first. He’s the youngest and the most talented. It shouldn’t be wasted.”

“He has no interest,” Jiang Wang simply explained, “And Brother Hu plans to go to Nine Rivers Black Armor, following the ancient military path of qi and blood meridian opening.”

Ling He didn’t refuse anymore, just said, “Okay.”

He knew that Zhao Rucheng’s lack of interest was genuine, and Du Yehu’s decision was one that no one could reverse. There wasn’t much he could do. The thing he wanted to do most at this stage was to make sure that these Dao merits and these feelings weren’t wasted.

“Let’s go home.” Jiang Wang picked up Jiang An’an and sat her on his right shoulder, walking steadily towards home.

Jiang An’an suddenly became happy, shouted “Giddy-up!” and swung her little legs in front of Jiang Wang.

On the way out of the Dao Academy, she spoke on behalf of Jiang Wang with great enthusiasm. Whenever someone greeted “Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang,” she would crisply reply: “Greetings to you too!”

Jiang Wang also followed her lead, simply nodding in acknowledgement.

“Is Brother Ling He very bored?” Jiang Wang asked casually on the way home.

“He was waiting at the door before school was even out. Other people have things to do after school, but he wouldn’t let me, and kept following me,” Jiang An’an said, biting her fingers.

Ling He was a kind and reliable person, and it was safest to have him help take care of Jiang An’an. Being inseparable was just basic operation.

“What things do you have to do?” Jiang Wang said, pulling her fingers down. “Don’t bite your nails.”

“Hmph!” Jiang An’an was so angry that she wanted to jump down on the spot, but thinking that there was still a long way to go home, she let it go. “I’m very busy, I’m too lazy to tell you.”

Jiang Wang didn’t care much, and said casually, “Brother Ling He is a very good person, An’an should be polite to him.”

“Don’t give him the cold shoulder.”

“Don’t bite your nails.”

The sound gradually faded away.

——”I knooooow!”