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Everyone here could only stare at each other in dismay when they saw Qiu Honglei’s encouraging expression.
Qiu Honglei’s guqin skills had clearly already reached great heights. How could any of these laymen hope to say what she wanted to hear?
Even if some of them did know a thing or two, how could they compare to an expert like her?
If they rashly pointed out some of the other party’s mistakes, then wouldn’t they be making a fool of themselves?
That was why they all looked at each other, not a single one of them willing to take a risk. After all, there was only a single opportunity! They would lose their chance to get closer if they couldn’t satisfy Qiu Honglei.
All of them wanted to listen first and scope things out.
When he saw everyone become scared over nothing, Chen Xuan sneered. These young masters who lived like princes here were all anxious and worried, not like real men at all.
The thing with women is that the more you flattered and tended after them, the further away they would stay from you!
As such, he walked over in a carefree manner. He patted his chest and said, “Lady Qiu, I do not know much about the details of playing an instrument, so I won’t embarrass myself. However, I was able to hear the story of a traitor to one’s love. I do not dare guarantee anything else, but if anyone dares to bully you in the future, I will immediately have my men but him down, and then I will make wine out of his skull!”
He had a wild and strong appearance to begin with. When he said these words, his entire figure naturally gave off the feeling of a masculine man. He completely set himself from these other sissies.
“Then this humble girl will truly have to offer my thanks to the brave warrior.” Qiu Honglei’s soul hooking eyes looked at him. When her beautiful red lips parted slightly, her eyes looked like they might even shed a tear.
Seeing out he ended up obtaining Qiu Honglei’s favor, the surrounding young masters were full of regret. Had they known that this would’ve been the result, they would’ve stepped out first.
The first man always left the deepest impression on a girl.
Because he was embarrassed by Chen Xuan earlier, Wang Yuanlong was in a rush to redeem himself. He also immediately said, “Lady Qiu, this humble Wang doesn’t have many other skills, but my family’s caravans extend far under the heavens, so I still know a few things about the state of different lands. If the lady has a need, I can personally have my men help you. I believe that my men can quickly find what you are looking for.”
After a slight pause, he gave Chen Xuan a look and continued, “No matter how formidable a single person is, their energy is still limited in the end. How can it possibly compare to the power of a clan?”
He knew where his strengths lied. Even though his cultivation was far inferior to that Chen Xuan, he was still Wang clan’s only son. In terms of wealth, this barbarian wasn’t even worthy of wiping his shoes.
Chen Xuan naturally knew what he was referring to. With a sneer, he said, “Just another piece of trash who depends on his family. Not even your replies are original.”
He was implying that Wang Yuanlong was imitating his style.
“What did you say?!” Wang Yuanlong became furious.
“Hm? Could it be that you want to fight? Come then!” Chen Xuan also stood up, looking at him with a sinister smile.
Wang Yuanlong’s expression immediately became unnatural. They didn’t even win when it was three against one before, and he himself was half dead from that kick alone. How could he possibly dare to fight with this person again?
However, there was no way he would admit that he was scared with this type of beauty present. He couldn’t help but momentarily freeze up.
Fortunately, Qiu Honglei helped him out of his predicament. “Sirs, please do not be like this. If it was because of Honglei that the mood was ruined, then that would truly be an irredeemable sin.”
Everyone’s hearts immediately fell apart when they saw her blame herself, tears about to fill her eyes. All of them glared furiously at those two.
They hurt Lady Qiu’s feelings?
Forget about Wang Yuanlong, even Chen Xuan, someone who was used to licking the blood off his blade, was a bit flustered. He hurriedly apologized and expressed that he wouldn’t cause any more trouble here.
Only then did Qiu Honglei beam with smiles. Her smile gave off the feeling of the melting of ice and snow, like the blooming of a field of flowers. The hearts of all the men here felt as if they were struck by a mallet. They knew that they might never be able to forget this smile.
Pei Mianman couldn’t help but sigh from the second floor. “She really is a great beauty… it is hard for even a girl to resist her charms.”
After a momentary silence, the hall quickly became lively again. All of them became confident again as if they were powered up by that smile.
With Chen Xuan and Wang Yuanlong leading the way previously, all of them began to speak out. They all began to comment on Qiu Honglei’s song.
For the sake of getting on her good side, all of them began to give it their all.
Some of them showed off their literary grace, praising her song until it seemed like not even the heavens above and earth below had anything that could compare, only occasionally adding one of two of the so-called ‘flaws’. Zu An was completely stupefied from listening. He never expected this world to have this many graceful and elegant adjectives.
Some showed off their family backgrounds. Zu An was surprised at how many children there were from wealthy merchants in Brightmoon City. At the same time, he now had a better idea of this world’s overall structure.
Some displayed their strength and potential, among them even fifth rank academy disciples. But there was already a sixth rank here, so they couldn’t help but pale in comparison.
…
Zu An watched while chewing on some seeds from the side. Only then did he remember that he was actually an academy instructor himself.
Hmph, I’ll remember that student. He didn’t even greet me when he saw me! I’m going to fail him my next class.
Qiu Honglei responded to everyone with a sweet and engaged smile, making everyone feel like they were basked in spring winds.
Zu An felt endless admiration. This woman’s communication skills really were top notch.
But why didn’t that crazy fan Chu Hongcai say anything?
While feeling confused, he noticed that Chu Yucheng brought Chu Hongcai to the front to see their goddess up close, to the extent where they could even catch a whiff of her fragrance.
Chu Hongcai almost fainted.
Fortunately, he still remembered what he came for, hurriedly saying, “I wonder who Lady Qiu pictured while playing that song, who had the fortune of of obtaining Lady Qiu’s favor?”
Noticing that he was Chu clan second branch’s young master, Qiu Honglei subconsciously looked beside him, but didn’t see the one she wanted to see.
She noticed that Zu An was currently talking and laughing with Leng Shuangyue off to the side, completely unconcerned with what was going on here.
She was a bit confused.
Did I not show enough yet or are his standards just too high?
You have successfully trolled Qiu Honglei for +128 Rage points!
The influx of Rage points left Zu An startled. If the previous time was an accident, then two times in succession couldn’t possibly be a coincidence, right?
Why did this girl keep targeting him?
Could it be…
That I am too handsome, that she couldn’t help but drool at my suave face?
When she retracted her gaze, Qiu Honglei’s expression had long returned to normal. She said with a smile, “Chu’s second young master has misunderstood. I do not have a lover. The song I shared just now was an interpretation of a folk story.”
Even though everyone already had their suspicions, they were still a bit worried. When they heard her say that she didn’t have any lovers herself, all of them released a breath of relief.
This was how men were. They wouldn’t feel that bad if they couldn’t obtain something themselves, but if someone else obtained that very thing they couldn’t obtain, then they wouldn’t be able to take it.
“No wonder!” Chu Hongcai seemed like he suddenly saw the light.
Those on the side became impatient. “Are you done yet? Everyone else is waiting!”
“Exactly! What are you playing at!”
Chen Xuan also muttered, “If you have a fart then release it. What are you beating around the bush for?”
Chu Hongcai’s breathing stopped for a moment. A hint of anger flashed past his face.
Qiu Honglei didn’t seem to have heard any of this. A curious expression instead appeared on her face as she said, “Why did you say no wonder?”
A smile appeared on Chu Hongcai’s face. Only then did he reply, “No wonder when I was listening to lady Qiu’s song just now, there was a bit of disharmony. I thought that it might be because lady Qiu’s age is too young, that you didn’t personally experience an unforgettable love. As such, you couldn’t truly reproduce that soul wrenching feeling.”
“If not for lady Qiu’s guqin skills being too brilliant, I might merely be spouting nonsense like those scholar critics who fuss about nothing, constantly nitpicking the work of others.”
Many people in the surroundings nodded inwardly. This fella was indeed quite clever, actually setting his hand from this angle.
In reality, everyone understood this reasoning. Even though Qiu Honglei was a courtesan who made endless connections, she had never taken it a step further with another man.
Since she didn’t engage in romance, then she could only rely on her imagination to portray these emotions from literature. It couldn’t be considered a real emotion.
Only, the song before really was too touching, so no one thought in this direction. Even if some did, they felt like this would be disrespecting her, so they didn’t dare to actually speak it out loud.
Chu Hongcai’s breathing became rushed. He already prepared for this moment a long time ago.
All of this was for the sake of leaving behind a deeper impression with his goddess.
The flattering of the others definitely wouldn’t work. Those who flattered while trying to point out some flaws that weren’t really flaws were even more unacceptable.
Only he himself who pointed out an issue that really existed might truly obtain her favor.
As expected, Qiu Honglei’s expression really did change. After a long time had passed, she suddenly released a sigh. “I originally thought that Chu clan's second young master had some penetrating insight, but it seems like you weren’t able to understand my guqin playing at all.”
When all those in the surroundings who were full of regret saw that she became angry, all of them immediately became overjoyed. They all began to roast him:
“Exactly! Why don’t you take a moment to think who the lady actually is? Of course she can put in her emotions when playing!”
“You just refuse to be someone decent and have to try some trick like this! You’re definitely getting what you deserve!”
“Who does this fella think he is? He dares criticize lady Qiu like this?!”
…
Chu Hongcai didn’t really care at all about the others hitting him while he was down. Right now, Qiu Honglei’s expression of disdain was the only thing in his head.
After all, no matter how coarse and boorish the others were, she always treated them with a pleasant countenance. He was the only one she treated with absolute ruthlessness.
I’m finished, I’m done for...
These words echoed through his head, his soul leaving his body. He could see Chu Yucheng moving his mouth, but he couldn’t hear anything.
On the other side, Zu An was a bit surprised. Even though Chu Hongcai’s words were a bit direct, they were still reasonable. Qiu Honglei had served as a courtesan for so many years, so she shouldn’t have lost her composure like that.
“Little catgirl, why would lady Qiu get so upset?” Zu An kneaded the ears of the young lady next to him, asking this with curiosity.
Leng Shuangyue’s face immediately became a bit red. “I… really… don’t know… ah…”
When she sensed that the other party was rubbing her ears with a bit more force than before, this cat girl’s entire body trembled continuously. Only then did she hurriedly say, “Maybe… maybe it has something to do with that matter…”
When Zu An listened to her explanation, he suddenly realized something.
Qiu Honglei’s eyes had already moved towards the second floor. “Young master Xie has arrived a while ago, yet you still haven't said anything. Honglei wishes to hear what opinion young master Xie has.”
Chen Xuan was stunned. “Young master Xie? Which young master Xie?”
“How many young master Xies does Brightmoon City have? Of course it’s Xie Xiu!” Someone sneered from the side. What a bumpkin. He was completely led by the nose and he had no idea!
Chen Xuan couldn’t help but erupt in fury. He immediately looked at Zu An. “Damn brat, you had the nerve to mess with me!”