After Nian Jiaojiao and the others discussed how to open the shop and divide the profits for another hour, the Tong siblings returned to their side courtyard.
Looking at her husbands, Nian Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment before speaking:
“Today, I went to Baicaoge for dinner.”
Xingyun was confused: “What kind of place is Baicaoge?”
No one answered him.
However, Yuchuan, Xuanyi, and Nanqing had clearly deduced what kind of place the so-called “Baicaoge” was from its name.
But hearing Nian Jiaojiao say it so frankly, they didn’t think much of it, only waiting for her to continue.
Seeing that no one showed any signs of disgust, Nian Jiaojiao felt relieved.
She continued:
“Originally, we were just eating in a private room, but we didn’t expect some trouble to arise as we were about to leave…”
Nanqing saw Nian Jiaojiao’s serious expression and knew the matter was not simple.
“The new ‘Grass King’ of Baicaoge suddenly appeared and played the zither from the stage, captivating everyone with their music.”
Hearing this, Xuanyi was puzzled and asked:
“Could it be that the person was stunningly beautiful?”
Nanqing, however, continued:
“Is there something wrong with the music?”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded:
“That ‘Grass King’ wore a veil, so their appearance couldn’t be seen at all. Moreover, everyone present seemed to have lost their senses at the time.”
Yuchuan then grabbed Nian Jiaojiao’s sleeve, anxiously asking:
“Wife, are you alright?”
Nian Jiaojiao patted Yuchuan’s hand, comforting him:
“Don’t worry, if I weren’t alright, I wouldn’t have come back.”
After speaking, she said to the others:
“I’m telling you this now to warn you to be prepared. That person possesses extraordinary power, and I suspect they were targeting me. I fear that if they failed to get me, they might come after you.”
It wasn’t just a suspicion, it was practically a certainty.
However, Nian Jiaojiao really couldn’t figure out why she had been targeted.
Could it be that the other party was an enemy of the Miscellaneous Arts School?
But she wasn’t currently studying at the Miscellaneous Arts School; how did the other party find out?
Regardless of the reason, the other party clearly meant no good.
Based on the descriptions of Jun Ye in the book, that person clearly wouldn’t care about human lives.
Thinking this, Nian Jiaojiao solemnly instructed her four husbands:
“If you encounter a man with phoenix eyes, please stay far away from him. Of course, don’t act too obviously. I will write to Senior Sister Lei tomorrow and ask her to come and help us.”
Nian Jiaojiao had never been to the Miscellaneous Arts School, so she couldn’t directly seek help from them. However, Lei Juan had left her usual address when she departed. She could only hope that the other party would see the letter soon and come to their aid.
After listening to Nian Jiaojiao’s words, the men nodded with serious expressions.
…
In the room.
Nian Jiaojiao felt the person beside her tossing and turning. When the other person turned to face her, she pulled them into her arms and comforted them:
“Chuan’er, are you still worried about what I said tonight?”
Yuchuan felt the movement of her chest and his ears turned red. He slightly lifted his face and said softly:
“I’m not worried about that man coming to find us, but about your safety…”
Nian Jiaojiao gently patted Yuchuan’s back, coaxing him:
“Chuan’er, you don’t need to worry about me. The fact that they let me leave today likely means they are wary of something. Besides, I’m not entirely defenseless. As long as you are all safe, I will be at ease, understand?”
Yuchuan lowered his head and buried it in Nian Jiaojiao’s embrace, a faint voice emanating from him:
“Mm…”
Feeling the person in her arms breathing steadily, Nian Jiaojiao released Yuchuan and gazed into the dark room, lost in thought.
Her conversation with Yuchuan just now had reminded her.
This time it was Jun Ye; who would it be next time?
Regardless, becoming stronger herself was the only way to avoid threats.
Since arriving in Qingzhou, with the backing of the great “colossus” that was the Miscellaneous Arts School, she had clearly become complacent.
In recent days, the novels and poems she had previously written had been continuously providing her with sources of power.
But as time went on, for some reason, these powers had been diminishing, to the point where they were no longer enough to support her current cultivation.
It seemed that the release of “Strange Tales of Liaozhai: The Peculiar Man” had to be expedited.
…
Baichuan Academy.
Class Sky-1, Section 3.
As soon as Nian Jiaojiao entered the classroom, she was surrounded by her fellow students from the noble faction.
Li Jing, the leader, wore a sly smile and eagerly asked:
“How was last night?”
The others also waited expectantly for Nian Jiaojiao’s sharing.
Nian Jiaojiao was speechless.
Why were they all so gossipy?
However, seeing their determined expressions, as if they wouldn’t rest until they got an answer, Nian Jiaojiao sighed and told the truth:
“What about last night? I sat for a while and then went home.”
Upon hearing Nian Jiaojiao’s answer, everyone assumed she was joking.
“We’re saying, Nian Tongshou, you’re being disloyal. If we hadn’t fanned the flames yesterday, how could you have enjoyed a night of ‘spring romance’?”
“Exactly, you can’t just cross the river and tear down the bridge!”
Nian Jiaojiao: …
“Alright, since you all ask me so sincerely, I’ll tell you then.”
Nian Jiaojiao cleared her throat. Her mind raced, combining “small web novels,” “jokes,” and “short videos” from her past life, and a “small essay” had already formed in her mind.
“Speaking of last night, I did stay overnight.”
“Hey! I knew it!”
Li Jing excitedly sat down, awaiting the continuation.
Nian Jiaojiao continued:
“Oh, oh, mmm, amazing, I can’t take it anymore…”
Nian Jiaojiao believed she had summarized all the essential points and nodded with satisfaction.
“Anything else!”
Li Jing’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The others were also at a loss for words.
“That’s it.”
“That’s it?!”
“Yes, wasn’t what I said enough?”
Li Jing had a constipated expression after hearing this. What did you even say?
Just as everyone was about to press further, Chen Liangyu, who had just entered the classroom and heard Nian Jiaojiao’s words, said impatiently:
“Move aside.”
Everyone turned to see Chen Liangyu and felt displeased.
“What are you being so arrogant about? This class isn’t yours; why should you make us all move aside?”
“Exactly! Why!”
“Why!”
Chen Liangyu’s faction, the commoners, also stepped forward to support her.
“So what if you’re rich? If you’re blocking Tongshou Chen’s position, you should move!”
“Yes, move aside!”
Noble Faction: “If she spoke nicely, we would move, but now we won’t!”
Commoner Faction: “Hurry up and move! Move!”
Noble Faction: “We won’t! We won’t!”
Nian Jiaojiao: …
Was she listening to kindergarteners argue?
Just then, the instructor walked in from outside, rescuing the headache-stricken Nian Jiaojiao.
“What are you doing? This is an academy! It’s a disgrace to scholarship! A disgrace!”
Seeing that it was the instructor, everyone quickly returned to their seats and sat down obediently.
The instructor walked to the center of the podium and looked sternly at the students below.
She was naturally aware of the disputes between the noble faction and the commoner faction.
However, the academy certainly did not want to see their “competition” like this!