"Who is this?" Li Se asked softly.
Wei Xueru's reply was indifferent, "Luo Qingyao, an old classmate. I don't know why, but she's targeting me everywhere."
"Perhaps it's because you're prettier than her," Li Se said with a smile. Women like this were just too jealous; he'd met plenty of them before.
"Who do you think is prettier than me?" Luo Qingyao overheard Li Se and immediately became displeased. "Are you blind? How can I be inferior to her in looks?"
"Yes!" Li Se nodded seriously.
Luo Qingyao was somewhat annoyed and was about to say something when Wei Xueru spoke first, "Luo Qingyao, is there something you need?"
"Wei Xueru, aren't you supposed to be a pure maiden? How come you've gotten yourself a gigolo?" Luo Qingyao taunted.
"What business is it of yours?" Wei Xueru responded calmly.
"It's no business of mine. It's just that seeing you with another man makes me curious. Speaking of which, I wonder how you perform in bed. Do you turn into a slut once you're under the sheets?" Luo Qingyao said with a half-smile.
Wei Xueru's eyebrows shot up. "Heh, I'm far from it compared to you. Even if I were a slut in bed, it would only be for one person, my man. You're different; I suspect you're with three or four men at once, aren't you?"
"What did you say?" Luo Qingyao was furious upon hearing this. "You vixen, only pretending to be pure! I bet you've hooked quite a few men with that innocent look of yours, haven't you? Today it's him, maybe tomorrow you'll switch again."
"Do you think I'm like you? Changing several men a day? Watch out for STDs!" Wei Xueru retorted without backing down.
Li Se watched, dumbfounded. These women were terrifying when they argued. His impression of Wei Xueru had even shifted slightly; he hadn't expected her to be so fierce in a fight. He couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up in his mind.
"You're the one who'll get STDs, you slut! You only know how to hook men, you vixen!" Luo Qingyao raged.
"Heh, at least I only hook men I like. You don't discriminate at all, not even sparing older men!" Wei Xueru sneered.
"You're the one who doesn't spare older men!" Luo Qingyao was furious and was about to make a move, but her outstretched hand was quickly caught by Li Se.
"Let go of me!" Luo Qingyao yelled.
"Arguing is one thing, but physical contact is not good," Li Se said, giving her a gentle push. Luo Qingyao stumbled back several steps, almost falling to the ground.
"You, you, you... you wait!" Luo Qingyao was extremely angry.
"Forget it. You've had plastic surgery on your chin, your nose, and even your double eyelids were surgically created. Don't embarrass yourself in front of Xueru. Compared to her natural beauty, you're not even in the same league." Li Se said.
"You... you're the one who had plastic surgery!" Luo Qingyao's eyes flashed with malice, as if her sensitive spot had been stepped on.
The argument between the two women had already drawn many curious glances. Now, hearing Li Se's words, everyone looked at Luo Qingyao with peculiar expressions. At first, they hadn't noticed anything, but upon closer inspection, it seemed like she really had undergone plastic surgery.
"You wait for me, and don't you dare leave!" Luo Qingyao couldn't stand it any longer and turned to flee.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Wei Xueru suddenly noticed Li Se's gaze was a bit unusual.
Li Se smiled. "I didn't expect you to be so fierce when arguing. I always thought you were a cool, somewhat innocent girl."
Wei Xueru's pretty face flushed slightly. "I am that kind of girl. It's just that this Luo Qingyao likes to mock me whenever she sees me, so I can only retort when I can't help it."
She paused, glancing in the direction Luo Qingyao had left. "We should go somewhere else. Luo Qingyao will probably bring her backup."
"No matter how powerful her backup is, it can't compare to your status, right?" Li Se knew how influential the Wei family was in Qingyun City.
Wei Xueru was speechless. "Then I'd have to involve my grandfather. I can't just bring my grandfather out every time I have an argument, can I?"
"That's true," Li Se admitted, seeing some logic in her statement.
"Brother Shen, it's them. They're bullying me..."
Just then, Luo Qingyao returned, indeed bringing her backup.
"You dare cause trouble in Zhongbao Pavilion?" Shen Hongsheng asked with a stern face.
"Which eye of yours saw us causing trouble?" Li Se retorted sarcastically.
Shen Hongsheng was somewhat annoyed. "You dare talk back? Do you know who I am? I am the person in charge here at Zhongbao Pavilion. You are causing trouble here, so get out immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
Wei Xueru was about to mention her grandfather. With her status, Zhongbao Pavilion wouldn't dare to expel her. However, Li Se patted her shoulder, signaling for him to handle it. He looked at Shen Hongsheng and said, "Person in charge, is it? I'd like to see how you plan to be impolite!"
"Kid, you dare bully my woman. It seems you won't shed tears until you see the coffin." Shen Hongsheng took out his walkie-talkie and called for security.
Soon, a group of security guards rushed over. The security guards at Zhongbao Pavilion were all carefully selected, either retired military personnel or trained by professional institutions. Their combat skills were formidable, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to become security guards here. Correspondingly, the salary for being a security guard here was very high.
"That's Shen Hongsheng, the person in charge of Zhongbao Pavilion."
"This kid is in trouble now."
"Zhongbao Pavilion has a very powerful background. Causing trouble here won't end well."
"..."
Many people around began to discuss animatedly.
Shen Hongsheng, hearing the surrounding discussions, was immensely proud. He looked at Li Se arrogantly and said, "If you kneel down and apologize now, I can let it go. Otherwise... I'll show you why the flowers are so red."
Li Se, too lazy to argue further, took out his phone and called Shang Yuan, explaining his situation.
"Divine Doctor Li, I'll be there immediately!" Shang Yuan said quickly.
Ever since Li Se had treated him and his grandson last time, he hadn't had a chance to properly thank him. Several months had passed, and now that Li Se was at Zhongbao Pavilion, Shang Yuan naturally had to host him properly.
"Calling for backup?" Shen Hongsheng laughed, a very disdainful laugh. "I'm the person in charge here. Who can you possibly call? If you have the capability, let them show up quickly. I advise you to kneel and apologize, otherwise, today's matter..."
"Shen Hongsheng!"
Before he could finish speaking, an angry shout came from behind. It was Shang Yuan who had arrived. As the chief appraisal master of Zhongbao Pavilion, he had to be present for the antique trading happening today.
Shen Hongsheng heard the voice and turned around, greatly surprised. "Master Shang, why... why have you come down?"