Chapter 1257

He returned the 280 gold coins to Su Qin, and together with the gold coins left over from before, he now had a total of 618 gold coins.

Not a small amount, but still not enough to do much of anything.

Once this period passes, he'll stock up on all his equipment, and then he can start making money.

These 618 gold coins would stay in his hands for now.

When a suitable treasure chest appears, or a full set of super-improved blueprints, he can buy them directly.

"Huh? Zhao Chi, aren't you going to buy anything else?"

Su Qin looked at the gold coins in the trade column, a little puzzled.

"Not buying anything else. There are quite a few things I want, but nothing really suits me. I'll look again later."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

"Oh, hehe, then I'll take these 280 gold coins for now."

"Of course. I gave them back to you so you could take them. See what you need to buy and just buy it."

"Okay."

Su Qin stopped insisting and began picking out supplies and equipment suited to her.

Very soon, Su Qin had also finished picking.

Checking the time, it was about time.

The conference hall was not far from the trading post, beside the central plaza.

There were quite a few lords along the way.

Everyone had arrived early, greeting each other.

Zhao Chi didn't have many acquaintances, but Su Qin kept having people greet her.

"You're quite popular," Zhao Chi remarked.

Su Qin laughed, "What, are you jealous?"

Zhao Chi said, "I'm just a little surprised that you actually know so many people."

Su Qin laughed, "They're basically all students from our academy. I don't know anyone else."

"I know, but you knowing this many students from our academy doesn't match what you told me before—that you never stepped outside your front gate, let alone the second one."

"What? When did I ever say that?"

"It was last time when I went to your territory and you were pouring your heart out to me."

"Aiya~" Su Qin suddenly blushed.

She leaned in and covered Zhao Chi's mouth.

Zhao Chi didn't dodge, letting her cover it.

Su Qin frowned and whispered, "What I said was that I've always kept myself pure and proper. I didn't say I didn't know anyone. Some of them are people from the clans, coming over to be polite and chat with me. Could I really ignore them? I'm also afraid of causing trouble for the Zhao family."

Zhao Chi took Su Qin's small hand away.

"I know, I was just joking. Don't be nervous."

"Don't joke like that. I feel like you suspect me."

"How could I? I trust you completely."

"Really?" Su Qin asked.

"Of course." Zhao Chi nodded.

"Oh, it's because I care about you that I'm nervous. Don't think I'm being fussy."

"I won't. I think you're very cute."

"Really? Even when I'm glaring at you, you still think I'm cute?"

"Yes, glaring is a different kind of cute."

"Nonsense."

Su Qin gave a soft laugh, then tightly hugged Zhao Chi's arm.

Zhao Chi laughed, "Why are you suddenly so close to me? Weren't you embarrassed?"

Su Qin said with a touch of shyness, "Let everyone see that I'm yours. Now you can rest easy, right?"

"Everyone? No one's looking at me."

"They are now."

Zhao Chi had been so busy chatting and laughing with Su Qin that all his attention was on her.

Hearing her say this, he couldn't help but look up.

Sure enough, several puzzled gazes came his way.

Most were male, with a few female gazes mixed in.

There were also a few hostile gazes.

All young male lords, probably senior students from the same academy.

Zhao Chi was very puzzled.

What are you guys being hostile about?

Ever since Su Qin hugged Zhao Chi's arm, the number of people greeting her suddenly dropped by more than half.

They all turned into gazes of inquiry and puzzlement.

Zhao Chi felt a bit helpless.

Luckily, the conference hall was just ahead.

There were even more people inside the conference hall.

This place isn't small — for a town, it's even a bit large.

Looks like it was originally a hall or a theater?

Now it's being used for a meeting?

After a quick look around, it can probably hold around 1,500 people.

Half of the seats are already taken.

Plenty more people are still looking for seats.

Su Qin pointed below and said, "Zhao Chi, look — the Jade Squad is in the front-left section. There's a sign over there, our seats should be that way."

In the front-left section, beside the tenth row of seats, the Jade Squad's marker was posted.

But there were too many people; the view kept getting blocked.

Only after Su Qin said that did Zhao Chi finally spot it.

"Alright, let's go. There are too many people here, so stop clinging to me. We'll walk one in front of the other — I'll follow you."

"Fine."

Su Qin let go of Zhao Chi's arm.

But she was still holding his hand.

"Stay close to me, don't let anyone cut in." Su Qin turned her head and said with a light laugh.

"You're holding on so tight, no one could squeeze in." Zhao Chi pressed himself against Su Qin.

"Is that so? I think it's you who's pressing closer…" At that, Su Qin's body stiffened and she suddenly fell silent.

She pressed her lips together and said softly, "How did you turn into this? I didn't provoke you, and watch yourself — there are so many people here, and you still… wait till we get back."

"Walk faster, we're blocking the way." Zhao Chi ignored her and poked her again.

Su Qin gave him a reproachful glance, then let go of his hand and walked quickly forward without holding on.

As if she were trying to escape.

Zhao Chi, meanwhile, walked over at a normal pace.

This really was the Jade Squad's area; Su Qin's Clear Bamboo Group was here too.

Fifth row, near the middle.

The other three group members had already arrived.

Two seats were still empty — Su Qin's and Zhao Chi's.

The burly bald man Geng Zhan sat on the inside, and gave Su Qin and Zhao Chi a slight nod of greeting.

The utterly unremarkable Fu Yi sat in the middle, waving and saying, "Morning, Su Qin. Hello, Zhao Chi."

Xiang Yuan, with her six-out-of-ten looks, sat on the outside. She also gave Zhao Chi a nod, but greeted Su Qin: "Good morning, Su Qin. Have you eaten?"

Su Qin and Zhao Chi politely responded.