Yan Yan dragged Xiao Man along to shop, under the guise of helping her relax. Xiao Man originally wanted to return to the Roland Mountain Range to find Xiang Jian and the others, but couldn't resist Yan Yan's persistent pestering and so accompanied her out shopping.
Ze Fang watched Miss Yan in front of him buying things, then looked at Xiao Man, who seemed accustomed to it, and lowered his voice to ask, "Xiao Qin, do all women like to shop?"
"Probably," Xiao Man said uncertainly. However, when in a bad mood, spending money could indeed make one happy for a while.
"But the things she's buying are all useless. Don't you think it's a waste?"
"Little Ze Fang, if you're like this, no girl will like you in the future," Xiao Man hooked her arm around Ze Fang's neck. "Do you know how to win a girl's heart?"
Ze Fang shook his head innocently. He had met so few women in his life that he naturally didn't know how to win their hearts.
"When a girl says something looks good, buy it for her. When she likes to eat something, don't ask, just buy it for her. If you don't know what she likes, give her money to buy it herself. Never ask a girl if she wants something. If you ask, it means she doesn't want it."
"If she doesn't want it, why buy it?" Ze Fang asked blankly.
Xiao Man flicked Ze Fang's forehead. "There's a difference between something given to you willingly and something you ask for. For example, if I have a magic crystal and you really want it, would you be happier if I gave it to you willingly, or if I only gave it to you after you asked and I reluctantly agreed?"
"Naturally, if you gave it to me willingly."
"That's right." Xiao Man looked as if she had found a good student.
Yan Yan turned around and saw the two of them huddled together, talking about something. She walked back, hugged Xiao Man's arm, and pulled her to a stall selling wooden combs. "Xiao Qin, I think this one is pretty, and this one is also pretty. Which one do you think is nice?"
"If you like them, buy them all. Use this one today and that one tomorrow," Xiao Man said generously.
Yan Yan glared at Xiao Man playfully. "Don't talk nonsense. Combs are something you can only buy one of. You choose one for me."
Xiao Man carefully examined the wooden combs on the stall, picked one up, and held it against Yan Yan's head. "This one, then."
"Alright, I trust your taste." Yan Yan immediately turned around. "I'll take this one..."
"Yan'er," a voice interrupted Yan Yan's words.
The smile on Yan Yan's face vanished instantly. Although she had decisively broken off the engagement, they had grown up together. It was impossible to say she was completely heartless, but since she knew he didn't love her, she wouldn't cling to him. She had her own dignity.
"Yan'er, I went to the City Lord's mansion to find you yesterday, but the City Lord wouldn't let me see you." Zhang Sheng hurried forward, wanting to hold Yan Yan's hand. Yan Yan decisively hugged Xiao Man's arm tighter, giving him no opportunity.
"Yan'er..." Zhang Sheng's expression froze for a moment, then his gaze fell on Xiao Man's face. When he saw Xiao Man's face clearly, a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes. A man so handsome, like a woman, without any manly demeanor. However, he concealed his emotions very well and asked with a friendly smile, "And who is this...?"
"This is my friend, Xiao Qin." Yan Yan tightly grasped Xiao Man's arm, hiding her nervousness.
Xiao Man sighed silently. This girl was still not over Zhang Sheng. It was understandable; years of affection couldn't be severed so easily. Some wounds needed time to heal, and Yan Yan still needed time to adapt and forget.
"Hello, I'm Zhang Sheng..."
"I know. You're the ex-fiancé who was seeing other women behind Yan'er's back, always wanting what you can't have." Xiao Man's smile was radiant, and her words were clear. "If I were you, I'd avoid Yan'er on sight instead of coming here to feign affection. You can be fickle and indiscriminate, and you can be shamelessly unscrupulous, but could you please not disgust us?"
Zhang Sheng's face instantly darkened. "Kid, what nonsense are you spouting? Yan'er and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts. She knows better than you what kind of person I am!" Soudan Novel Network
"Yes, Young Master Zhang, Yan'er knows exactly what kind of person you are, which is why she broke off the engagement," Xiao Man said slowly. "Young Master Zhang, one must have self-awareness."
"Yan'er, don't be fooled by his sweet talk. I didn't betray you!" Zhang Sheng said anxiously. "Miss Jun and I are innocent; we have no relationship."
"That's because she wasn't interested in you, so you didn't succeed, right?" Xiao Man added with a jab.
"Xiao Qin, if you continue to slander me here, I will not be polite to you."
"Not polite?" Xiao Man looked at Zhang Sheng, a cold smile curving her lips. "How exactly do you plan to not be polite to me, Young Master Zhang?"
Zhang Sheng suddenly threw a punch, aiming straight for Xiao Man's cheek. Xiao Man leaned back slightly, grabbed Zhang Sheng's wrist, pulled him closer, and with a sidestep, powerfully struck his abdomen with her elbow. Zhang Sheng's face contorted in pain, and he immediately tried to break free from Xiao Man's grip. Unexpectedly, Xiao Man suddenly let go. Zhang Sheng, using too much force, stumbled backward, losing his balance, and was about to fall to the ground.
At that moment, a woman appeared behind Zhang Sheng and placed her hand on his back, preventing him from falling.
"What's going on?"
"Miss Jun." Zhang Sheng looked back and saw Jun Fei'er from the Hundred Herbs Hall. A flicker of joy appeared in his eyes. "Why are you here?"
"Just passing by. Are you alright?" Jun Fei'er asked with a kind smile.
Zhang Sheng glanced at Xiao Man, then at Yan Yan's face. Yan Yan's face was cold, and unclear emotions seemed to flow in her eyes. As Zhang Sheng was about to explain, he saw Yan Yan take Xiao Man's arm.
"Xiao Qin, let's go."
"Alright."
However, Jun Fei'er suddenly called out to Xiao Man. "You are Xiao Qin? I've always heard that girl An Yue mention you. Today, I finally get to meet you in person."
Xiao Man looked bewildered. An Yue? Who was that? Did she know her?
Seeing Xiao Man's confused expression, Jun Fei'er immediately understood. Perhaps she didn't know An Yue's name. "An Yue is my niece. In the ruins of the Roland Mountain Range, she was attacked by a demon ape. I heard you saved her life. I thank you on her behalf."
Xiao Man immediately understood who Jun Fei'er was referring to. That girl had been injured on her back by the demon ape, and inexplicably poisoned. At the time, she couldn't figure out why she was poisoned, but now she somewhat understood.
"I was paid," Xiao Man said coldly. "No need for thanks."
A strange light flashed in Jun Fei'er's eyes, and then she produced a box. "Even though you were paid, you still saved An Yue's life in my eyes. This is a Foundation Establishment Pill. You may not need it, but your friends might."