Chapter 108: Initial [1]

As for the woman next to him, Hu Qi didn’t recognize her.

At this moment, as they drew closer, Zhao Zhou’s gaze swept over Hu Qi and Dai Shu with surprise, as if confirming something.

His gaze lingered more on Dai Shu.

It was no wonder.

Although Hu Qi’s appearance hadn’t changed much, he had become more handsome.

And because he practiced Secret Martial Arts, his entire Essence, Qi, and Spirit were different.

Coupled with the fact that they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, he was somewhat unrecognizable at a glance.

"It really is you, kid. Not bad, looks like you’re doing well for yourself. And who’s this great beauty? What, not going to introduce your old classmate?"

Zhao Zhou said with a smile.

This undisguised, blatant once-over made Dai Shu frown slightly.

However, since Hu Qi hadn’t spoken, she was unsure of their exact relationship. Therefore, she kept quiet.

"Get lost now. Don’t make me slap you during the New Year."

Hu Qi said flatly.

To be honest, their relationship was average at best; this person had even bullied the original owner of his body.

"Huh? We haven’t seen each other for a few years and you’ve grown some guts? How dare you talk to me like that?"

Zhao Zhou’s expression darkened.

His impression of Hu Qi was still stuck in their high school days, back when he was a guy he could bully at will. Now, that same guy dared to speak to him this way.

Plus, with two beauties by his side, he directly reached out to grab Hu Qi.

Although this Hu Qi fellow looked more solidly built than him now, he didn’t pay it any mind.

Over the years, with time on his hands, he had also practiced some fighting and even worked out. He had a full eight-pack of abs.

However, just as his hand touched Hu Qi, Hu Qi swatted it away.

To an outsider, the movement seemed light and not very powerful.

But Zhao Zhou felt as if he had touched a high-voltage wire. His body instantly went numb, he lost all sensation, and collapsed to his knees.

"Ah Zhou, are you okay?"

The woman who had been watching the show from the side was shocked by this scene and hurried over to help him up.

But it was as if Zhao Zhou’s legs were no longer under his control; he couldn’t stand up at all.

Seeing this, the woman prepared to cry out for help.

But in the next moment, a chill ran down her spine, as if she were being watched by something terrifying.

The words on the tip of her tongue got stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t utter a single syllable.

She didn’t know that this was the force field emanated by a powerful being.

It was like standing in front of a tiger’s cage, watching it walk toward you and roar—an instinctive fear would arise.

And a Martial Arts Family’s physique was countless times stronger than that of a tiger.

...

Hu Qi turned and left.

Dai Shu followed closely behind.

The two were left frozen on the spot, only reacting after a long moment. A faint layer of brownish-yellow liquid had appeared on the ground—they had been scared so badly they’d wet themselves.

Behind him, Dai Shu gazed at Hu Qi’s back. Thinking of the terrifying killing intent he had just exuded, her face turned slightly pale.

To Hu Qi, the incident was just a minor interlude.

As for Zhao Zhou, he had just been jolted by Power. He would recover after a while.

However, his kidneys were damaged. For the rest of his life, he wouldn’t be able to perform a man’s duties, essentially becoming a living eunuch.

This was just a small punishment. If he had provoked another Martial Arts Family, Zhao Zhou’s entire family would have been buried with him. By comparison, Hu Qi’s actions could be considered quite merciful.

"Oh, right. Have someone look into my old classmate’s family background. See if there’s anything dirty. If there is, send his whole family for some ’re-education’."

Just then, Hu Qi seemed to recall something and added casually.

"Yes!"

Dai Shu nodded, immediately understanding.

’Since Hu Qi had said so, it didn’t matter if the family was clean or not; they were going in regardless.’

’After all, a leader usually wants results, not the process.’

With that, she immediately took out her phone.

...

Soon, the two finished their shopping and took a car straight to the restaurant owned by Hu Lemei.

Although most shops were already closed, a few were still open for business.

After all, many people treat others to meals during the New Year, so staying open could bring in some extra money. Business wasn’t easy, after all.

Just as they parked at the entrance, Hu Lemei, who had been chatting with the neighboring shop owner, looked over.

"Eh? Xiaochi is back! And you bought things... Who is this?"

Hu Lemei trailed off mid-sentence as she noticed Dai Shu walking behind him carrying a box. Her eyes lit up, and she forgot all about greeting Hu Qi.

"My colleague."

Hu Qi said.

He wasn’t lying. After all, she was his assistant and a fellow member of Zhu Xi, so calling her a colleague was correct.

"Look at you, how can a big man like you let a girl carry things?"

Hu Lemei automatically ignored Hu Qi’s explanation.

’What a joke,’ she thought. ’What kind of colleague would come here with you during the New Year instead of going home?’

In her eyes, this was just an excuse Hu Qi was using out of shyness.

Seeing this, Hu Qi couldn’t be bothered to explain. It was better this way, as it would save him from her trying to set him up on a blind date later. This was precisely why he had asked Dai Shu to come along.

Hu Lemei quickly took the things from Dai Shu’s hands, enthusiastically pulled her into the restaurant by the hand, and started asking all sorts of questions.

To the side, Dai Shu glanced at Hu Qi. Seeing no reaction from him, she began chatting comfortably with Hu Lemei.

By evening, Hu Qi, Dai Shu, and Hu Lemei’s family—six people in total—sat around the table, which was now laden with an even more lavish spread of food.

"Um, I’d like to toast Xiaochi and Xiaoshu."

Just then, Li Yi stood up with a complicated expression, raised her glass, and spoke to Hu Qi and Dai Shu.

Before, her impression of Hu Qi had been extremely poor.

But now, in her eyes, Hu Qi had become mysterious.

She didn’t understand why he had changed so much in such a short time.

But regardless, he had helped her with that last incident, so she naturally couldn’t treat him as she had before.

Seeing that Li Yi’s attitude was no longer deliberately difficult or aimed at embarrassing Hu Qi, Hu Lemei, Li Zhenguo, and Li Yi were all very surprised.

In the past, whenever Hu Qi came over, Li Yi had never given him a pleasant look. Had the sun risen from the west today?

Along with her surprise, Hu Lemei also felt gratified. She naturally hoped her children could get along harmoniously with Hu Qi.

Hu Qi had already anticipated this situation.

He smiled and clinked his glass against hers.

The rest of the meal was harmonious and cheerful.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they chatted casually for a while longer.

During this time, Hu Qi checked on Li Yi’s Mixed Martial Arts cultivation progress.

The young man’s physique had become much sturdier than before; he was no longer thin and frail.

Other than that, there were no surprises. Although he had improved, he had only barely reached Minor Achievement in his Mixed Martial Arts, and that was only due to Hu Qi’s previous guidance.

Without that guidance, he wouldn’t have even reached Minor Achievement yet; it would have been impossible without at least a year or two of work.

Later, around eight or nine in the evening, Hu Qi got up to leave.

Today was the 29th of the lunar month; tomorrow was New Year’s Eve.

"What’s this about a hotel? We have space at home. I’ll go back and get a room ready."

Hu Lemei said hurriedly.

"It’s not convenient for Dai Shu."

Faced with this situation, Hu Qi directly used Dai Shu as a shield.

At his side, Dai Shu put on a timely, embarrassed expression.

"Auntie, a hotel is fine. We don’t want to trouble you."

"Oh, don’t talk about trouble! Fine, then you two remember to come over for breakfast tomorrow morning."

As Hu Lemei spoke, she pulled Hu Qi outside into the shade of a tree and whispered her instructions.

"Xiaochi, your aunt is looking out for you, why can’t you see it? Can’t you tell that girl obviously has feelings for you? She kept looking at you while we were chatting.

If she wasn’t interested, why would she come back with you for the New Year? You have to seize this opportunity! A pretty girl like her is in high demand. If you’re not careful, she’ll run off with someone else."

Hu Qi was speechless. ’This aunt of mine really worries herself to death over me. It’s really not necessary.’

’Besides, at this distance and volume, a normal person might not hear your whispering, but it’s different for a Secret Martial Artist who has cultivated Qi and Blood. They can hear every word perfectly.’

This was evident from the slight blush on Dai Shu’s neck.

She had heard everything Hu Lemei said.

After offering a couple of perfunctory replies, the two of them got in the car and left.

"That kid is fast. Found such a pretty girlfriend without making a sound," Li Zhenguo remarked from the side.

Hu Lemei looked displeased.

"What are you trying to say? Are you implying I wasn’t pretty back in the day?"

"Of course not! Darling, you’re still the most beautiful person in my heart."

"Hmph, you know what to say."

...

After driving away from the restaurant, Hu Qi and Dai Shu didn’t immediately find a hotel. Instead, they drove toward the center of Qirong City.

The car sped along the empty road, flanked on both sides by cleared snow piled up at varying heights.

The neatly arranged streetlights were like a series of rapidly blinking eyes, frequently sweeping over the car and making its body glint with each touch of light.

In the back seat, Hu Qi leaned against the seat. Light streamed through the window, dancing across his body as he fed some food to the Camphor Tea Duck in its cage.

He looked toward Dai Shu in the front and spoke.

"Thanks for this."

"You’re too polite. I should be the one thanking you."

Dai Shu, who was driving, pushed up the silver-rimmed women’s glasses on her face. Her gaze passed over Hu Qi’s reflection in the rearview mirror before she looked away and spoke softly.

"This feeling of being doted on by an elder... it’s nice."

Hearing this, Hu Qi nodded, said no more, and closed his eyes. He then said flatly,

"Mm. Let’s head to Zhu Xi now."