Chapter 117: Step One: Conquer Yourself First

"Thank you, Huo Junze. Oh, right, this!"

Ruan Mian took a big gulp of water, eased her throat, and then took two large lunch boxes out of her Light Brain; the dishes inside were more plentiful than what was sold, and every dish was included.

"When did you set these aside?"

Clearly, he had been right beside her watching her cook just a moment ago; how had he not noticed?

Ruan Mian smiled slyly, her eyes sparkling.

"Hehe, you are different, of course~"

After all, he was her biggest patron now, and having helped her so much, he was naturally the most, most, most honorable VIP!

But as these words fell into Huo Junze's ears, how they were interpreted was entirely up to him...

A faint flush inevitably appeared on his face.

He averted his gaze, inexplicably feeling a bit guilty and not daring to meet her eyes.

He couldn't even explain clearly what he was feeling guilty about.

"Ahem, thank you."

Ruan Mian's apricot-shaped eyes curved into crescent moons, which made the corners of his mouth lift involuntarily.

He realized he seemed a bit strange.

"You're welcome~ You paid for it, after all~"

She held the lunch boxes up with both hands and pursed her lips at him, "Here, take them!"

"Mm, I will eat them well."

Her tender, white fingertips pointed at the lunch box underneath, "This one is for Mo Mishu. He has also helped me a lot; it wouldn't do for you to eat alone while letting him watch."

Huo Junze raised an eyebrow at her; she was very thoughtful, and she had already considered things he hadn't even mentioned yet.

It showed that she was kind-hearted and kept everyone who had helped her in her heart.

But the moment he thought about her also thinking of Mo Mishu, he felt a bit sour.

It wasn't special, not one-of-a-kind; he had the same status as Mo Mishu.

He felt a faint sense of loss.

But a moment later, intense fire ignited in those black eyes again.

Then he would just have to work hard to become the only one in her eyes!

Ruan Mian, however, did not know that in the span of just a few seconds, Huo Junze's thoughts had turned and twisted so many times.

She had also sent a portion to Lu Yi.

She couldn't forget this person; during this time, he had also sold several Boxed Meals on his end and earned a small sum.

However, it was only at this moment that she discovered he had left her a message.

He had seen her live stream and was probably worried sick.

"I am fine, don't worry. I recently signed with the Huo Group, and this live stream was also because..."

Ruan Mian gave him a rough summary of what had happened during this time and sent it over.

But there was no reply from his side for a long time.

Ruan Mian didn't think much of it, guessing he was busy with school, so she didn't pay it any more mind.

Lu Yi, on the other end, was indeed busy—very, very busy.

He was struggling in front of his teacher.

"Why can't I leave the school? I really have an urgent matter!"

If this Lu Yi before him weren't a rare, precious talent, his teacher wouldn't have been searching for his whereabouts all this time.

He wouldn't have kept his student status for so long, nor would he have been so impatient to bring him back to school the moment he made contact.

But was this critical juncture really the time for him to be acting recklessly?!

"Is this a time for you to be acting recklessly? Why don't you go light a lamp in a latrine? You are simply courting death!"

The little old man was so angry he was blowing his beard and staring, his face turning red.

He Yu was also behind him, pulling at him and helping to persuade him.

"Yeah, Brother Lu, don't be impulsive. There are people everywhere outside right now! Those few people were already at odds with you and often looked for trouble; you are their primary target for observation now. If you leave, you really won't be able to clear your name!"

Seeing his expression soften slightly, He Yu continued to persuade him, "Once they keep monitoring you, your every move will be under their eyes. They'll find a fault in everything you do."

It was unclear which sentence touched him, but Lu Yi, who had been stiff-necked and unyielding, suddenly seemed to deflate, no longer stubborn.

"Fine, I understand. I will contact my family."

The little old man finally breathed a sigh of relief; it wasn't in vain that he had persuaded him for so long—he really had endless worries every single day.

"That's good. Go back and explain it well to your girlfriend. Special circumstances require special handling. Once this period passes, it will be fine. I believe she can understand you."

"No, it's not what you think!"

Lu Yi hadn't expected his teacher to mistake her for his girlfriend, and he was completely stunned.

He nearly choked on his own saliva.

The tips of his ears beneath his white hair were bright red.

The little old man scanned his face over and over with an expression that said, 'Who hasn't been young before?'

"Useless, can't even chase after a girl."

Lu Yi felt even more embarrassed; his eyes widened a bit, and he looked rather annoyed and ashamed.

"It's really not that. Forget it, I'm not talking to you anymore."

After saying this, he turned and left, leaving He Yu behind in a state of total confusion.

What was going on?

Was there something going on?

"This is..."

When the little old man looked at him, he didn't have the same amiable expression he had for Lu Yi.

"Go, go, go, don't loiter around here if you have nothing to do."

He Yu: Who did I offend?

But he ran faster than a rabbit, that was for sure.

Lu Yi, who was walking out with quick steps, finally saw the voice message Ruan Mian had sent him.

Knowing the ins and outs of the matter, he only felt even worse.

His intuition told him that this man who had appeared out of nowhere was no good!

Ruan Mian was so foolish, so silly, and so innocent; wouldn't she be cheated and sold without even knowing it!

This man clearly came for her plants!

It was all his own fault.

Blaming himself for not being by her side, giving others an opportunity to take advantage.

Blaming himself for not being strong enough to keep her completely protected behind him.

No!

He must become even stronger!

Checking his Light Brain, he saw that Ruan Mian had already sent him a large Boxed Meal.

That Boxed Meal was bigger than usual; it seemed she had given him a generous portion.

She still had him in her heart.

This idiot, she didn't even know she was being sold, yet she was still looking out for him.

"You must be careful yourself, don't trust others too easily. Men outside are like fierce tigers; keep your guard up. I'll prepare some defensive weapons for you to protect yourself at critical moments. Nothing else is important, do you understand?"

He sent a long string of messages, repeating over and over again his instructions for her to be wary of other men.

He kept repeating the same old things.

He was just short of saying directly: don't associate with that man in the Live Broadcast Room.

But he had no standing to say this now; the contract had already been signed.

All he could do was tell her to be careful and make defensive weapons for her.

"Brother Lu, Brother Lu, why are you walking so fast? I almost couldn't catch up to you!"

He Yu hadn't even caught his breath before he saw the person in front of him about to leave again.

"No, brother, where are you going?"

"To the Martial Arts Arena, let's go, together."

What the hell?

What kind of madness is this guy having again?

"Th-th-this, I won't..."

He was grabbed by the back of his neck, not given a chance to escape at all.

"Let's go, I just happen to need a sparring partner!"