Chapter 113: Mischievous Ji Xiaorui

After several seconds of dead silence, the entire restaurant suddenly erupted into chaos. Almost everyone instinctively reached for their phones, eager to share the news on social media. The air was filled with the constant clicking of keyboards as messages were composed at a frantic pace.

Lin Le could imagine, without a second thought, that the rumor about him marrying Xu Xi’er would soon spread like wildfire throughout Haizhou No. 1 High School. He wore a look of resignation, while Xu Xi’er’s cheeks had already turned crimson. She pouted, caught between embarrassment and indignation.

“Well, it seems everyone really does love gossip, huh? Haha…” Ji Xiaorui gave a rather awkward laugh.

“Alright, let’s just sit down and eat,” Lin Le said. At this point, he really had nothing more to add. He’d long since grown used to these tiresome rumors. Hadn’t they once claimed he and Miss Gu had done unspeakable things in a car? If he took every rumor seriously… damn it, Ji Xiaorui, I could just skin you alive!

“Master, I haven’t seen you for a month, and it seems your martial arts prowess has improved yet again!” As soon as they sat down, Ji Xiaorui exclaimed with excitement. Though Lin Le had deliberately restrained his aura, as a fellow martial artist, Ji Xiaorui could still sense the changes within him.

“Master, you haven’t been to the arena in ages. The weekend’s coming up—how about we go together?” she suggested eagerly.

“I think I’ll pass. I’ve been pretty busy lately and don’t have time to go,” Lin Le replied.

There were still matters with the Hongying Society to resolve, and with the Lin Family Noodle House nearing its grand opening, there were countless details to arrange. Most importantly, the reason he’d gone to the underground arena before was partly to make money from the bets, but also to broaden his horizons, to gauge the level of martial arts in Haizhou.

Now, with his career gradually gaining traction, Lin Le was no longer short on cash. As for Haizhou’s martial arts community, he already had a clear sense of it. The city did have its share of experts, but most of them disdained fighting in underground arenas. Like Wu Dong or Tu Manjiang, they were often honored guests of wealthy families or ran their own martial arts schools.

Those who did participate in the underground fights were usually desperate, with nowhere else to turn. For Lin Le, there was no longer any real challenge there, and so he found himself uninterested.

“How about next weekend, then? Will you be free?” Ji Xiaorui persisted, clearly a martial arts fanatic who just wanted to drag Lin Le into the ring with her.

“I might be going to the capital then, so I won’t be available either,” Lin Le said after a moment’s thought. Next weekend was when he’d promised Jia Shimao to attend a medical symposium in the capital.

“You really are going to the capital?” Xu Xi’er looked at him with surprise.

She knew Lin Le’s mother was living in the capital, and instinctively believed that he was planning to visit her. After all, since his return from the army, he hadn’t yet had a chance to see his mother.

“Yes, there are some matters that require my attention there,” Lin Le confirmed.

“Master, I want to go to the capital with you!” Ji Xiaorui declared excitedly.

“You? What for?” Lin Le instinctively dreaded the idea of bringing this troublemaker along.

“I’m from the capital too, don’t forget! You can’t go wrong with me by your side. Besides, it’s been ages since I last visited home. This is the perfect opportunity,” she said with a bright smile.

“You’re from the capital?” Lin Le was surprised. She’d never mentioned this before.

“Of course! My family is one of the most prominent in the capital—famous, in fact!” Lulu, who followed Ji Xiaorui everywhere, said proudly.

“Let’s keep a low profile,” Ji Xiaorui said, but her beaming face betrayed her delight.

“If you’re from such a notable family in the capital, why come all the way to Haizhou for school?” Lin Le asked, genuinely curious. After all, the capital was the nation’s heart, and while Haizhou was a fine city, it could hardly compare.

“Well… that’s not something you need to worry about, Master.” Ji Xiaorui was clearly dodging the question.

“In any case, if you’re going to the capital, you really should take me along. I insist!” She seemed determined to stick to him this time.

“Alright, I’ll consider it,” Lin Le said. Given that she was a local, she would be much more familiar with the city—where to find rare herbs, for example—certainly more so than an outsider like himself. Besides, he was traveling with Jia Shimao, who, though easy to get along with, was much older; conversation might lag. With Ji Xiaorui along, at least there would be someone to talk to, making the journey less dull.

“Great! It’s settled then—we’ll leave for the capital next weekend!” Ji Xiaorui raised her hand in excitement.

“Oh, and what about you, Xu Xi’er? Would you like to join us? I’ll make sure to show you around and give you a proper welcome!” Ji Xiaorui turned expectantly to Xu Xi’er.

“Well… I might have some things to take care of at home next weekend,” Xu Xi’er replied, a touch of reluctance in her voice.

She would have loved to go to the capital with Lin Le, but her mother, Zhu Mengyan, had already warned her not to go anywhere except school for the time being. Xu Xi’er had always been obedient, so she could only stay in Haizhou.

“I see. Aren’t you worried about me going with Master, though? Do you think it’ll be safe?” Ji Xiaorui teased, raising her brow with a mischievous grin.

Lin Le nearly choked on his rice. With his “mature” mind, he knew exactly what she was hinting at.

“Safe? Don’t worry—Lin Le is so strong, he’ll definitely keep you safe!” Xu Xi’er replied innocently, not catching the subtext at all.

“That’s not what I meant. I meant…” Ji Xiaorui leaned over and whispered something into Xu Xi’er’s ear.

It took Xu Xi’er a long moment to process her words, but when she did, her cheeks turned scarlet and her ears burned.

“Ji Xiaorui! How can you say such things? I’m not talking to you anymore!” she exclaimed, flustered by Ji Xiaorui’s teasing.

But it really wasn’t Xu Xi’er’s fault—what Ji Xiaorui had whispered was, to put it mildly, not entirely proper.

“Lin Le, don’t bring Ji Xiaorui along to the capital! She’s just too annoying!” Xu Xi’er pouted in protest.

Ji Xiaorui only stuck her tongue out in response, making faces at Xu Xi’er. The two of them soon dissolved into a playful quarrel, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Just then, as the two girls were bickering, Lin Le’s phone rang unexpectedly—it was Guan Tianxiong.

Lin Le answered quietly, “Hello, Ah Xiong, what is it?”

“Mr. Lin, my men reported first thing this morning that all the members of the Hongying Society have withdrawn from the venues they took from us. We reclaimed them without any effort at all!” Guan Tianxiong’s voice brimmed with excitement.

“It must be because of your actions last night, Mr. Lin. You’ve completely scared Miao Shouren off! I believe the Hongying Society is planning to pull out of Haizhou entirely!” Guan Tianxiong was brimming with admiration. Lin Le had single-handedly accomplished what the entire Haidong underworld could not—forcing the mighty Hongying Society to retreat from Haizhou by his own power. Such skill and audacity were truly unparalleled.

“Oh?” Lin Le was genuinely surprised.

From what he knew of the Hongying Society’s methods, it was clear that Miao Shouren was not only cunning but also extremely ambitious. Was someone like that really so easily cowed by a mere display of strength?