RETURNING FROM THE IMMORTAL WORLD

Chapter 521 - Chapter 530

Chapter 521: Getting Removed from Duty

When the first ray of sunlight rose from the eastern horizon in the early morning of the next day, Tang Xiu had already come out of Tang Family residence. Outside the courtyard, however, Ouyang Lulu, who was donned in a black leather outfit, was already waiting for him leaning on as Humvee, as she faintly smiled at Tang Xiu as he came out of the gate.

"If you were a bit later, I'm afraid I'd have to to abduct you! There's about one and half an hours left to the departure time for the flight route application, you know. I reckon it will be very difficult to get to the airport within this time window, given the nature of traffic jam in the capital," said Ouyang Lulu with a smile.

Tang Xiu creased his brows, as he turned to look at the soldiers standing guard next to the gate and asked, "How long does it take from the subway here to the airport?"

"It's about an hour and a half," answered a soldier standing guard.

Frowning, Tang Xiu then turned to Ouyang Lulu and asked, "Tell me, how can we get to Shanghai Airport ahead of time?"

"Are you asking me?" Ouyang Lulu asked back with a tender smile.

Tang Xiu rolled his eyes at her and snappily said, "Don't give me that look, will you? I'm really in a hurry to return to Shanghai. There is no classes in the morning, but I have classes in the afternoon. If I could arrive earlier in the morning, I'm planning to report to the campus first."

A curved arc outlined on the corner of Ouyang Lulu's mouth, as she took out a bunch of keys while smiling happily, "Come with me! But I'll have to trouble your Tang Family to send this Humvee back to the Situ Family, though!"

Tang Xiu dazed briefly before he gave a glance to the two soldiers standing guard. He then tagged alongside Lulu and walked toward the mouth of the alley. When the two came to the street outside, he saw a very handsome Harley bike.

"You... how did you get this thing?" Murmured Tang Xiu. His expression looked vacant as he watched Lulu mounting the Harley.

"I got that Hummer from the Situ Family, while this Harley is my ride! What do you think? I've always prepared for both eventualities. Not bad, right?"

With a strange expression, Tang Xiu stared at Lulu and snappily said, "Bah, that's because you've planned it beforehand, haven't you? You knew this time was a peak hour, so traffic jam is definitely there, so you prepared this bike, right?"

"It's not like that I want to be in close contact with you, though! You know, aren't those guys always trying to persuade their girls to ride with them, while slamming the brakes to gain extra benefit from time to time?" Ouyang Lulu replied back with a laughter.

Pfft... Tang Xiu couldn't help laughing. He found her argument amusing.

"Hey, don't daze like that, will you? Hurry up! Delay it again and we'll be too late even if we don't get trapped in a traffic jam," said Ouyang Lulu smilingly.

"Okay!"

Tang Xiu took a seat behind Lulu. He was a bit hesitant to coil up his hands around her waist, however.

Lulu rolled her eyes, as she then grabbed Tang Xiu's hands and put them on her waist. She then picked up the helmet on the handlebar and put it on Tang Xiu before she put one on herself, and then started to race away.

What a supple body!

Although Lulu was wearing a leather outfit, Tang Xiu's hands were still able to feel the heat coming out of her, as well as its suppleness. After returning to Earth, he had a very intimate body contact with Kang Xia, yet her waist didn't possess the suppleness and elasticity of Lulu's.

"So, honey. Doesn't my waist feel good?" Ouyang Lulu slightly turned her face, yelling while riding the bike.

Tang Xiu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry as he replied, "What is this good fart? Just drive well and don't fill your brain with dirty thoughts, will you?"

"Hahaha..."

****

At 10:30 in the morning, the private jet landed at Shanghai Airport.

Tang Xiu got out of the plane with Ouyang Lulu. Under her adamant request, Tang Xiu had to take her with him to Shanghai University, and even had no choice but to promise to accompany her to lunch under her tight clinging and demand.

After the taxi stopped at the entrance of Shanghai University, Tang Xiu gave his Bluestar Villa Complex's key to Lulu as he rushed to the campus.

When he came to the classroom, he found that that only a few people were inside the classroom. There were only dozens of people gathered together, talking about some interesting things that happened during the holidays.

"Oh, Eldest Bro Tang is finally here!"

Hu Qingsong's thick northeast accent greeted Tang Xiu.

All of a sudden, the dozens of fellow students in the classroom set their eyes on Tang Xiu. There were strange expressions on their faces, and one could figure out in a glance that there was surely a story behind it.

Tang Xiu smilingly greeted everyone, as he came to them and took a seat next to Hu Qingsong. With curiosity hanging on his face, he asked, "Why do I feel like everyone is looking at me strangely, like something has gone wrong? What happened?"

"It's just that we run an election for class leaders in the morning. You've just been removed from your duty as the class president, and I'm now being set up as the class president. Also, Teacher Han has personally named you as a rotten apple who has a negative influence or something. She's hoping that everyone won't take you as an example."

"Huh?" Tang Xiu frowned. "What is wrong with me?"

Hu Qingsong raised his fingers, "I'll tell you! Firstly, you always skip classes. Isn't that right? Secondly, you are an irresponsible prick. You're a class president, yet you don't fulfill your duties as one. Am I speaking correctly here? Thirdly, you don't abide by the discipline in the classroom and leave without permission during class hours, isn't that right? Fourthly..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

With an expression of being at a loss whether to laugh or cry, Tang Xiu stared at Hu Qingsong as a sliver of resentment rose inside his heart toward Han Qingwu. This was something that happened to him after he went to her class back in high school! Now that it was being mentioned up again, this was clearly abusing her position and authority to redress her private grievances.

Nevertheless, it was true that these issues did exist. It seemed that he really didn't deserve to become a student; he skipped classes way too much.

Han Qingwu!

As he silently chanted her name inwardly, Tang Xiu finally decided that he would try to not supply Han Qingwu with such predicament in the future again. It was said that one had to lower their head under the eaves. If he wanted to have a smooth sailing life at Shanghai University, he mustn't make mistakes, and compromise with her was a must.

The district magistrate surely won't be this good, huh?! Her arguments are too fucking reasonable and justified!

Tang Xiu could only groan inwardly, as he pressed hard on Hu Qingsong's shoulder and asked, "Anyways, where is Yue Kai and the rest? How can you guys be left in the classroom?"

"Where else will they go but chase chicks? Since they have shifted their targets from Mu Wanying, they have set their eyes on other female students. Those damn studs will die on a women's belly sooner or later." Hu Qingsong pouted his lips and snappily replied.

"Eh? Why do I feel like there's a sour and edgy taste from your tone? Ah, don't tell me you haven't found your target yet?" Asked Tang Xiu who was feeling amused to tears.

"Who the hell says I haven't found a target yet? I like..." Hu Qingsong angrily rebuked. Yet his words abruptly came to a halt, as the angry expression on his face also froze in an instant.

Tang Xiu loudly laughed, as he got up and said, "Anyways, since we have nothing to do this morning, let's just leave! All of them are on a date or something, then the two us are bound by fate. Come on, I'll treat you for lunch."

Hu Qingsong's eyes lit up, as he got up while grinning and said, "I'll just say it! The good heavens are not better than you, Eldest Bro Tang! How about I marry you, Brother? Rest assured, though! You don't need to put jewelry on me, nor wear your gold and silver accessories. You just need to feed me every day, and I'm yours to pet!"

"GO TO HELL!" Tang Xiu cursed at him.

As the duo left the classroom and walked toward the campus entrance, Hu Qingsong looked confused as he asked, "Ugh, Eldest Bro Tang, treating me to lunch doesn't need to be so extravagant, no? Why are we going outside?"

"Oh, you don't want to, then?" Tang Xiu smilingly said. "Anyhow, there's someone else who will be joining us for lunch."

"Ehh? Who is it?" Asked Hu Qingsong, confused.

"A friend of mine," answered Tang Xiu.

"Is it a man, or a woman?" Asked Hu Qingsong again, startled.

"A woman!" Replied Tang Xiu with a smile.

"How does she look?" Asked Hu Qingsong with eyes lit up.

"She's like a beautiful flower, ravishingly enchanting and charming," said Tang Xiu with a smile again.

"Eldest Bro Tang, I knew you'd treat your brother the best!" Hu Qingsong grinned and smilingly said. "This is exactly my favorite type! Okay, let's have a deal. You must treat me to a feast if I were to successfully woo her."

"Okay, I'll throw you a party if you are able to woo her," said Tang Xiu while rolling his eyes at him.

Hu Qingsong stared blankly and the smile on his face immediately vanished as he said, "Are you trying to prank me, Eldest Bro Tang? I knew it! That woman's looks must be very ugly, or else you wouldn't push her to me, right? Bah, forget it, just keep her for yourself!"

While shaking his head, Tang Xiu laughed despite not wanting to, and patted his shoulder. Since it was still early in the morning, they didn't ride a car, and headed straight to Bluestar Villa Complex on foot. After arriving at his villa, Tang Xiu rang the doorbell. The electric front courtyard gate opened, as Ouyang Lulu's ravishing figure appeared at the door of the villa.

"Big Bro, isn't this your own home? Why did you press the bell..." Hu Qingsong, who followed behind Tang Xiu into the courtyard, abruptly stopped talking as he saw Ouyang Lulu's figure. He instantly gaped, his eyeball almost popping out.

"What's wrong? Is this level really unable to enter your eyes?" Asked Tang Xiu with a laugh.

Hu Qingsong gulped his saliva and shook his head as he muttered, "She's in! Definitely! If I marry such a beauty, I'm even willing to have my lifespan cut by 30 years!"

"Hahaha..." This time, it was Tang Xiu's turn to burst into laughter.

Snapping back to reality by Tang Xiu's loud laughter, Hu Qingsong looked awkward and embarrassed, not daring to look at Ouyang Lulu again.

"Anyways, Lulu. This is Hu Qingsong, my classmate," said Tang Xiu smilingly.

The corner of Ouyang Lulu's mouth curved after hearing Hu Qingsong's muttering. She let out a charming smile as she stretched out her hand and said, "Hi, I'm Ouyang Lulu. I welcome you to our home. Anyways, I'm afraid that I can't marry you. This girl has already been taken by the one next to you. But I can introduce to a girl friend of mine with one condition... That is, you need to have abilities like my man here."

She said she has already been taken?

My man?

Hu Qingsong fell into a daze as he turned his head and stared at Tang Xiu in disbelief.

Chapter 522: Shaken to the Core

Hu Qingsong had never seen Ouyang Lulu. He heard Yue Kai saying that he had seen a woman whose beauty was flawless in Tang Xiu's home. He thought that Yue Kai was lying, and it was all a bull he made up. But at this time, Hu Qingsong finally believed it. The looks and figure of this girl were definitely not under the first campus flower of Shanghai University, Mu Wanying, as well as similarly on par with the super celebrity, Zhang Xinya.

He would definitely choose this girl over Mu Wanying and Zhang Xinya if he ever had the chance to pick one among the three. It was because this girl gave off a very cool vibe and fiery personality, which were the types he liked the most.

"B-Big... Big Bro Tang, is she also your woman?" Asked Hu Qingsong. His eyes looked dull.

Tang Xiu had yet to reply when Ouyang Lulu reacted. She knitted her brows and asked, "What did you just say? Also?!! Who else is Tang Xiu's woman beside me?"

"Ah..." Hu Qingsong was taken aback. Little did he expect that his slip of tongue would push Tang Xiu into the pit of hell.

Tang Xiu shook his head and smiled. He grabbed Lulu's wrist and strided out of the villa, and then spoke to her, "Lulu, don't listen to Hu Qingsong's gibberish. I'm always clean, far from that thing called love before I graduate from university. There has never been other women at all."

After hearing this, Hu Qingsong immediately felt relieved. He caught up and repeatedly nodded as he said, "Yeah, that's right. Big Bro Tang definitely has no other women. Though there are indeed other women chasing him, who is Eldest Bro Tang? Of course, there may be myriad flowers, but only the leaf will never leave its body! Ugh, isn't that right, Big Bro Tang?"

"What the f*ck!" Ouyang Lulu snapped. "So, I'm the leaf, huh?"

Hu Qingsong was stumped.

Tang Xiu was similarly speechless. He shook his head and said, "You two wait for me here. I need to go upstairs to change clothes, and then we'll go out for lunch."

Twenty minutes later, the trio left the villa complex and headed to the Everlasting Feast Hall by car. When the trio entered the restaurant, Tang Xiu saw Han Qingwu merrily chatting with Chi Nan at the front counter.

"Tang Xiu, it's your class' teacher-in-charge," whispered Lulu while touching Tang Xiu's arm.

Tang Xiu nodded silently. He immediately knitted his brows after seeing Han Qingwu and Chi Nan looking in his direction and walking toward him. However, he bitterly smiled inwardly when he recalled Han Qingwu's status in Shanghai University. He had thought through about this issue before. He would have to behave well if he wanted to stay in Shanghai University. If he continued treating Han Qingwu with a detached attitude and repel her, it would probably court a lot more troubles for him, even becoming a problem for him if he asked for a leave later.

"Teacher Han, what a coincidence!" Hu Qingsong was the first to open his mouth and smilingly spoke.

Han Qingwu nodded at him with a smile. Her eyes then fell on Tang Xiu before glancing at Ouyang Lulu and asking, "Tang Xiu, why didn't you come to report to the campus this morning?"

"I got delayed with some matters and just arrived from Beijing," answered Tang Xiu.

Han Qingwu's eyes swept across him, as she turned to Chi Nan and said, "Manager Chi, I still have some matters to handle, so I'll take my leave first. Remember to tell your Big Boss to never skip classes again later."

"All right!" Replied Chi Nan with a nod while restraining her smile.

Following that, Tang Xiu's gaze followed Han Qingwu as she turned around to leave. He then shook his head and shifted his eyes to Chi Nan, asking, "Why is she here?"

"She came to dine, Boss. Besides, we are a restaurant open for business. Are you saying we must keep her out?" Asked Chi Nan with a smile.

"Ugh..." Tang Xiu was dumbfounded and was left without argument.

"Manager Chi, you might as well keep off those women who are scheming to pursue your Boss," said Ouyang Lulu.

"Do I have to keep Miss Ouyang out as well?" Asked Chi Nan with a grin.

"AH..." Ouyang Lulu stared blankly and fell into a daze. She then immediately waved her hand and said, "That's different. I'm aboveboard and straightforward in my pursuit, while Han Qingwu is conspiring in secret. In the future, I'll become the Lady Boss of the Everlasting Feast Hall; she can't be compared with me."

Chi Nan couldn't help but laugh. But after she glanced at Tang Xiu, she quickly restrained herself and hastily asked, "Are you gonna dine, Boss? I'll immediately arrange it."

Tang Xiu could only sigh helplessly. He was really at wits end upon facing Lulu's open, brazen, thick-skinned, and unconstrained pursuit. He had already warned her many times and nothing worked, hence he was too lazy to waste his saliva anymore.

At the side, Hu Qingsong watched Tang Xiu and Chi Nan in a dumbfounded and tongue-tied manner. His mouth gaped so wide that even a big goose egg could enter it. The disbelieving expression on his face was the expression of shock inside his heart.

"What are you dazing and gaping for? Let's go inside!"

Tang Xiu had just walked for a few steps before he turned to look at Hu Qingsong, who was nailed in his spot motionlessly, and called out to him.

Finally, Hu Qingsong closed his mouth. But after he caught up, he asked in a rough voice, "B-Big... Big Bro Tang, Manager Chi just said... what did she say? Boss? Are you the owner of this Everlasting Feast Hall?"

It is true that paper cannot contain fire! Now that this fact was known by Hu Qingsong, he didn't feel like hiding it anymore, thus he nodded and replied, "Yeah, I'm the owner of this Everlasting Feast Hall. I didn't tell you before because I didn't want you to think about it. Since you know about this now, don't sell me out to anyone, got it?"

Hu Qingsong swallowed the water in his mouth and nodded with a wooden expression.

At this moment, no words were able to describe what he felt inside. Because even in his wildest dream, he never expected that his fellow student who shared a dormitory with him was actually the owner of the Everlasting Feast Hall. He knew that the Everlasting Feast Hall was one of the top restaurants in the entire Shanghai, and even its annual net income exceeded nine digits.

What did nine digits meant? It was in the billion range!

With billions of yuan of annual income, didn't it explain that Tang Xiu was also a super mega rich person?

At the corner of the first floor, Tang Xiu casually picked a place for them to sit down. There was no need for him to pick the deluxe box upstairs since he was only dining here with Ouyang Lulu and Hu Qingsong. He could only sigh inwardly upon seeing Lulu naturally taking the seat next to him, with a matter-of-fact attitude, as he pointed the seat across to him and spoke to Hu Qingsong, "Don't gawk and daze again, will you? Get a move on and take a seat!"

After sitting, Hu Qingsong cautiously asked, "Big Bro Tang, can you tell me how much money do you have, exactly?"

"I haven't really counted how much money I have, to be honest," said Tang Xiu with a smile. "If you ask me, money is nothing but only a series of numbers. Hence, I don't feel like putting much thought into something that has no significant meaning."

"..."

While looking like a silly fool at Tang Xiu, Hu Qingsong's outlook toward the world was collapsing as his heart was struck with a thunderous idea.

It was out of the norm!

A strong and concentrated pressuring aura as though a tide, Tang Xiu at this moment was seemingly enveloped by a golden light. Hu Qingsong's eyes were as though a donkey's, yet they were still stabbed and pained. It was the kind of envy and jealousy of ordinary people, yet it was still unable to express even a shred of a millionth of his mood.

Being unable to count the number on his bank card with his fingers was one of Hu Qingsong's dreams. As he was now, he was just a poor peasant who went out with nothing but dry food in his pocket. While he must thicken his face to ask his parents to support him, Tang Xiu was unexpectedly telling him that money was just a series of numbers in his eyes, even to the extent that it had no significant point whatsoever... That made his strong heart nearly collapse.

What kind of people say that money was nothing but a series of numbers?

Wasn't this remark only the likes of those super-rich people with a colossal amount of wealth could speak? Could it be that Tang Xiu was on the level of those super-rich people now?

****

An employee of the Everlasting Feast Hall delivered and served the fragrant dishes. As of now, Tang Xiu's identity was known to nearly all Everlasting Feast Hall's employees, so they were displaying an unusually good performance in front of him.

The dishes consisted of four spicy non-vegetarian dishes, two veggie soups, and one medication diet. The smell, looks, and taste was just great.

After Tang Xiu began eating, Hu Qingsong was as though just awakening from a dream, and broke free from his complex emotions. He didn't hurry to eat, however, and just looked at Tang Xiu as he asked, "Eldest Brother Tang, are you willing to support me in the future? I'll work hard in any work you assign me."

"Would you like to be a Chef apprentice at this Everlasting Feast Hall?" Asked Tang Xiu with a smile.

"I'm sure you must have more than this Everlasting Feast Hall," said Hu Qingsong.

"What makes you think so?" Tang Xiu raised his brows and smilingly asked.

"Because you will never say that money is nothing but a series of numbers if you only have this Everlasting Feast Hall. Even if this restaurant does make money, the amount it can make is limited," said Hu Qingsong seriously.

"Well, the HQ of the Everlasting Feast Hall is in Jingmen Island, while it also has franchising branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. Do you think I still have other businesses now?" Explained Tang Xiu.

Hu Qingsong dazed for a moment. After contemplating for a moment, he still shook his head and said, "That's still not enough."

"Anyways, the normal you usually have a rough personality, careless and casual; the stereotype of Northeasterner. Yet, you are somewhat refined in your rough way, and outstandingly astute as well. But then, doesn't your family have businesses to manage, too? Aren't you going back home to manage your family's business after you graduate from university?"

"My family can only be regarded as an upstart. My father is still healthy and is stronger than I am, whereas each of my family members at home are just like ferocious tigers and wolves, with their eyes staring at the family businesses. Going back home and fighting it over with them doesn't interest me at all," said Hu Qingsong with a forced, bitter smile.

"I can help you set up a business," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

"Can I earn more than you if you invest in my business?" Asked Hu Qingsong back.

Tang Xiu was silent for a moment. The smile on his face was replaced with seriousness, as his fingers tapped on the table and said, "Don't you think it's a bit early to say that now?"

"Do you really think that it's too early?" Asked Hu Qingsong once again.

Giving him a defeated look, Tang Xiu helplessly said, "Since you have said it yourself, then you can work for me later. We'll talk about the details later. Furthermore, Xue Chao is honest and good-natured, so I'm also going to let him help me."

"You haven't told me, what other businesses do you have besides this Everlasting Feast Hall?" Asked Hu Qingsong hurriedly.

Chapter 523: The Blind Elderly

The idea to form a group of trusted confidants did cross Tang Xiu's mind since he wanted to make his business bigger later. He thought that telling Hu Qingsong about it felt too early. Nevertheless, as the conversation came to this point, hiding it any longer wouldn't make sense. After a moment of contemplation, he finally made up his mind and said, "The Magnificent Tang Corporation."

Hu Qingsong knitted his brows, trying to recall the name. He suddenly got up from his chair with a drastically changed expression. Placing his hands on the table, he leaned forward and stared fixedly at Tang Xiu, "You said that you are the Big Boss of the Magnificent Tang Corporation? The same Magnificent Tang Corporation that produces Gods Nectar?"

"Yeah," said Tang Xiu with a nod.

The shock news that struck Hu Qingsong today were extreme to the point that he became numb. Therefore, he quickly snapped back to his senses ang gave him a thumbs up, praising, "This little brother of yours is willing to do his best for you, Big Bro Tang! I'll always follow you around like the saddle follows the horse. You're simply a deity in my eyes!"

"Hahaha, don't overstate it so ridiculously like you're gonna die, will you?" Tang Xiu couldn't help laughing. "Anyways, cut the crap and grab your meal, we still have afternoon classes."

Hu Qingsong hastily nodded, "Okay, let's eat. Teacher Han has just given you a warning before, so we must not be late this afternoon. Anyhow, you're really wonderful, Big Bro Tang. A marvel. You are literally a super moneybag that millions of students are nearly impossible to catch up to in their lifetime, whereas I am just like a baby boy who must attend school and learn to read. This Old Hu really admires you."

Tang Xiu, who was worried that their relationship would be affected if he told him the truth, thus he finally felt that his worry was unnecessary upon seeing Hu Qingsong now. With a good mood, he smiled and said, "Learning many things while young will result in good things, after all."

"I got that," said Hu Qingsong with a nod.

At this moment, Ouyang Lulu carefully observed Hu Qingsong. She then suddenly took out the Paradise Manor's VIP card and put it in front of Hu Qingsong, saying, "This is for you. I welcome you to dine at my Paradise Manor later."

"Paradise Manor?" Hu Qingsong curiously asked. "What is this?"

"It's a comprehensive culinary and entertainment hill resort. With the ID number on this membership card you're exempted from all the expenses there as long as you continue studying at Shanghai University," said Lulu faintly.

"Then, you are the owner of this Paradise Manor?" Asked Hu Qingsong with a strange expression.

"Yeah!" Answered Lulu with a nod.

In a flash, it was like something siphoned away the strength from Hu Qingsong's body. His eyes gazed at Tang Xiu and Ouyang Lulu, as he said in a downcast manner, "I suddenly realize that my two decades of life have been a failure. We are of the same age, yet you two have actually made enterprises and started out your career, while the ignorant me has accomplished virtually nothing."

With a tender smile, Lulu replied, "I'll turn 24 soon, so I'm a few years older than you. So, don't worry about that and study hard. You'll enter society in a few years, and if you work hard, you'll have good achievements as well in time to come."

Hu Qingsong clenched his fists and said with all seriousness, "I'll reflect on it well. Today truly gave me a huge shock. I realize that even if I were to follow Big Brother Tang in the future, things still won't go well without me having social experience. So, I decided to go out and have a job during my time in university to gain some social experience first."

"That would be great!" Ouyang Lulu raised her thumbs up and smilingly cheered.

The trio then continued their meal. Although Lulu couldn't get to stay alone with Tang Xiu, Hu Qingsong's stunned and shocked expression amused her. Additionally, his forthright personality was also to her liking.

However, at the moment when the trio was about to finish their lunch, a series of beating and scolding sounds were heard from the outside of the Everlasting Feast Hall. The noise made the guests in the outermost tables get up and avoid it.

"Continue with your meal, I'll take a look!" Tang Xiu creased his brows as he put his chopsticks down and walked outside.

In front of the counter, the four security guards of the Everlasting Feast Hall had already contained several men and women who were causing trouble. There was also a disheveled blind old woman with a walking stick who was sighing unceasingly. It was evident from her forehead that she had been hit by a blunt object, creating an opening wound with blood flowing down to her eyebrows.

"What happened here?" Tang Xiu walked over as he asked Chi Nan.

While pointing to the blind old woman, Chi Nan forced a smile and replied, "This elderly's mouth was too... put shortly, what she spoke was quite unpleasant to hear. Everyone thought that she was going to dine here when she arrived. But she then straightly went upstairs and circled every private box. After these guests came down, she cursed at several of them, saying that today is their time of death and that they must immediately contact their family members to tell them what to do after their deaths."

An obese middle-aged man looked furious as he was restrained by the security. He struggled all he could as he raised his head and yelled, "That's right! This wretched old bastard said that! If it was once or twice, it's still bearable, yet she kept repeating the same thing, ceaselessly cursing us to death. We had asked her to leave but she adamantly refused to go, and even spit on the dishes we ordered..."

Tang Xiu forced a smile inwardly. He casually grabbed the box of napkin from a nearby table and squatted in front of the blind old woman, saying, "Old Lady, it's very wrong of you to curse at people and spit on their meals! Stay still now. Your forehead is bleeding, so I'll wipe it off for you first. I'll take you to the nearby clinic to bandage it later."

The distressed and grimacing expression on the blind old woman's face changed in an instant. She grabbed Tang Xiu's wrist and pinched it several times. After releasing it, she suddenly clapped and smilingly said, "They can go on living! Their whole family can go on living at last!"

The obese middle-aged man angrily shouted, "Hey, you wretched old woman, you're still saying..."

Tang Xiu raised his hand to interrupt him. He frowned and asked, "Old Lady, I don't' understand what you're saying. Would you mind explaining it to us?"

The blind old woman pointed to Tang Xiu and said, "You know more about the Heavenly Secrets than I do. Although you can't see it now, you definitely understand it. I, this blind old woman, still want to live for a few years more. I'm still reluctant to leave this mortal and mundane world, so the mysteries of heaven must not be revealed. The lives of their whole families are set, and they must never leave the entrance of this restaurant for even half a step. The red candles, dog's blood, and sounds of thousands of cannons will spread out to greet them when their family leave the entrance of this restaurant tomorrow."

Heavenly Secrets?

Tang Xiu's complexion changed, as he quickly grasped the blind old woman's wrist. In just several seconds, the color on his face receded and changed as he could clearly feel an intense special wave of energy that was fluctuating inside the blind old woman's body. The strong energy was circulating through the entirety of her body as though there was a stream of water flowing inside.

"You are..." Asked Tang Xiu in a whisper.

The blind old woman smiled, "I'm too old and I have forgotten my own name. You can call me... just call me a blind old woman. In this lifetime I comprehended what life and fate are; of what life divination, stealing fate, robbing fate, and losing lives are. Little did I expect that I would find a very interesting fate in the last few years of my life. Little guy, your fate is very interesting!"

Tang Xiu raised his head to Chi Nan and said, "Bring this whole family to the back. Serve them delicious dishes and drinks, and provide them everything they need as far as possible. Do remember, you must never let them leave even a half step before tomorrow morning."

"Copy that!" Chi Nan immediately nodded.

The plump middle-aged man shouted, "What the hell are you doing? It's the 21st century now, and society is governed by law! If you dare to illegally detain us, I will surely file a lawsuit against you!"

"That's right! You're detaining us illegally. What you're doing is just superstitious stuff. We are guests here, not your prisoners!" Another middle-aged woman loudly yelled.

At this time, there was also a young man among the onlookers who also back them up, "This place is a restaurant, and these people are guests. This act of restricting their freedom, you mustn't do that, right? Besides, this blind old woman is just a liar; a swindler. What she said is simply a ploy! Or, are you, the Everlasting Feast Hall's people, in cahoots with her?"

Chi Nan simply ignored them and instructed four security guards to take the family away. Whereas Tang Xiu propped up the blind old woman and brought her to his table. He then asked with a smile, "Old Lady, you really are very amazing, a master in the divinatory arts. You said you cannot leak out the Heavenly Secrets, yet you're actually doing it. Moreover, you did that despite the predicament of it siphoning your lifespan just to give a chance for that family to go on living."

The blind old woman grinned, "This blind old woman indeed leaked the Heavenly Secrets. But then, I'm one who achieves the Dao and yet must be punished by the Heavenly Dao. That's what makes it interesting and fun. Do you know why I dared to do so?"

"Yeah, why?" Asked Tang Xiu, puzzled.

"It was because of you!" Answered the blind old woman.

"Because of me?" Tang Xiu was confused.

The old blind lady heavily nodded, "Yes, because of you. I found quite an interesting thing, that as long as I involve you in the causality of this incident, the penalty of the Heavenly Dao seems to be unable to target me even in the slightest."

"Can you gain insights into my fate with your divination art?" Asked Tang Xiu.

The blind old woman hastily waved her hand, "No, no, don't! Don't bring a calamity for me. I may not be afraid to see through the lives and fates of all people in the world, but yours is not one I dare to see! Otherwise, I'm afraid that I'll lose my life at once."

"But why?" Asked Tang Xiu again.

"I don't know, either. Your fate is just too strange. I just can't figure it out even though I've been immersing myself into the Heavenly Dao for over a century. Anyhow, let's forget about that, shall we? How about talking about other things?"

"What?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"I've been kind of bored staying in the country, how about you send me overseas? I always liked the ocean, and this old woman would feel great if you send me somewhere amid the ocean. It's just that I can't see where it is. That place is like another world, another space or realm, or something like that. So I can't go there on my own."

Tang Xiu was startled. It was evident to him that this blind old woman had already divined the situation in the Nine Dragons Island. And what she said was not mistaken at all. Although the Nine Dragons Island was indeed in this planet, once the reconstruction was completed and he laid out a huge-sized array there, that place would definitely be akin to a new space, a new world.

Chapter 524: Agreement

While calmly looking at the blind old woman, Tang Xiu shook her head and said, "As old as you are, you shouldn't be messing around like this, Old Lady. It's not easy to cultivate for a hundred years, to begin with. If you can't break the shackles of your feelings toward the mundane world, then you can never sever this thread with the world of mortals. Once that line is implicated by the dark underworld, likewise, you can never transcend worldliness as well."

The blind old lady fell into silence. Indeed, there was still a wish left unfulfilled for her, yet to make her wish come true was an extremely difficult endeavor to realize. She would still probably have no means to sever the line of connection between her and the mundane world like Tang Xiu said even if she were to live 100 years more. As a result, she just peered into the Heavenly Secrets, wanting to locate the Immortal World, wishing that she could go beyond to that secret, hidden world.

"I just can't do it!" The blind old woman was silent for a long time before she shook her head and forced a wry smile.

"One mustn't miss any sliver of opportunity. If you are unable to transcend worldliness, then you must enter the cycle of samsara to be reincarnated, and continue to bear hardships and the bitter limitation of the world. Why would you not take it?" Said Tang Xiu lightly.

"I must go there. I hope you can help me," said the blind old woman.

Tang Xiu was silent for a while, as he then turned to Lulu and Hu Qingsong and said, "Are you two full already? If you are, wait for me outside. I'll catch up with you shortly."

Ouyang Lulu and Hu Qingsong exchanged looks with confused expressions. The abstruse and profound theory of Daoism spoken by Tang Xiu and the blind old woman was a subject they couldn't make sense at all. After hesitating for a while, both of them obeyed Tang Xiu and walked outside.

"Tell me about your origin and history," Tang Xiu said.

"I'm of a very common origin," said the blind old woman. "I hail from the northwestern Hongdong County, and my ancestry line hails from the Occult Sect. It's a pity that we have revealed too many Heavenly Secrets, thus I'm the last one remaining. I've gotten married for nine times in the first 50 years of my life, and all of my husbands had premature deaths because of me. After I turned 70, I journeyed north and south, traveling to all corners of the country, yet there was no direction I could find, neither could I grasp the answer to that question."

"So to say, you no longer have anything that ties you to the world, and you're free from constraints and attachments?" Asked Tang Xiu.

The blind old woman shook her head, "No, I still have one wish. That is to find the ancestral tomb of my ancestors. A pity that the custom of my family is only passed on men and not on women, so they didn't pass them to me. The reason why I can learn divination is entirely based on self-study on the ancient codes and records left by my father's legacy."

Tang Xiu nodded, "Since you want me to help and give you shelter, then let's talk about the conditions."

"Please say it!" Said the blind old woman.

"Give me your life," said Tang Xiu with all seriousness.

The blind old woman smilingly replied, "Although I dare not say 'that my fate depends on myself and not the heavens', yet I can't allow someone else to control my life either. You are very special, however; your fate is very interesting. If you really have the ability in this aspect, then take it as you wish."

"I will give you six months to consider it carefully. If you agree, I will send someone to escort you back here," said Tang Xiu slowly after thinking for a while.

"Half a year?" The blind old woman strangely said. "I don't need half a year to think!"

"You may not need it, but I do," said Tang Xiu. "That place hasn't been reconstructed yet, and is unable to be used for the time being. Hence, come here six months later."

"All right!" The blind old woman took her walking stick and got up from the sofa, saying, "I will return here half a year later. If you need anything that needs my assistance within these six months, you only need to burn three sticks of incense and call out Blind Old Woman thrice. I'll come to you as fast as possible."

"Understood," Tang Xiu nodded.

After sending her off, Tang Xiu returned inside, looked at the approaching Chi Nan and said, "Has the family been properly settled?"

"Yeah. I used a special medication to make the entire family unconscious. They will wake up tomorrow morning," Chi Nan nodded.

"Remember, if they wake up earlier than expected, you must not let them step out of the Everlasting Feast Hall's entrance before the sunrise tomorrow morning. If... by any chance, they're still adamant to leave and you are no longer able to stop them, feel free to let one of them out, and then send someone to quietly follow him. After half an hour, if there's no problem endangering that person's safety, then let the rest go."

Chi Nan hesitated before asking, "Boss, do you really believe what that blind old lady said?"

"Yes!" Tang Xiu nodded. "She's not an ordinary person. Don't look at how easy she got beaten back then, and don't think that because she lost her sight that she can't see things better than people who can see with their eyes. If it wasn't for a special reason, that family wouldn't have been able to even move her fingers, more less hit her."

"Special reason? What exactly is it?" Chi Nan confused.

"She wanted to draw my attention, wanted me to come forward. She... wanted to lead me to her," said Tang Xiu lightly

"Can't she just look for you?" Chi Nan frowned.

Tang Xiu shook his head. He then realized that Chi Nan wouldn't understand it even if he explained it to her. Therefore, he waved his hand and said, "Just forget it. You still have to take good care of the restaurant, while I still must attend the afternoon classes, so I'll take my leave first. By the way, if Han Qingwu looks for you again, don't give her any good face again."

Chi Nan forced a smile, "Boss, do you have any relationship problems with Teacher Han? She seems to have something to complain about you, but the way you treat her is way too..."

Tang Xiu glared at her and reprimanded, "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Put shortly, just deal with her as less as possible like I told you."

Having said that, Tang Xiu directly left the Everlasting Feast Hall. After looking around and seeing Lulu and Hu Qingsong waiting for him outside, he said, "Lulu, I'm going back to campus for afternoon classes. You can go ahead to attend your things, too! I'll go to the Paradise Manor when I have some free time."

There was a bit of reluctance and unwillingness in Lulu's eyes, but she still nodded and said, "Then, I'll go back first. If you don't come find me, then I'll go to your campus to find you."

"Got it!" Tang Xiu nodded and gave her his car keys. The car was one of the luxury cars in his garage, but Tang Xiu usually didn't use it since he didn't want to attract others' eyes.

High noon, 1 PM. Tang Xiu and Hu Qingsong had already returned to Shanghai University. After arriving at the dormitory, they didn't see Yue Kai there. Tang Xiu rarely stayed on campus, so he began cleaning up his bed since dust had fallen on it, and many things were messily placed under his desk.

Done with the cleaning, Tang Xiu shifted his eyes to Hu Qingsong, who was lying on his bunk with hands as a pillow. It was unknown what he was currently thinking about. He smiled at him and said, "Hey, don't leak anything about my matters to anyone!"

"Relax, dude! I got it!" Hu Qingsong nodded.

Letting out a calm smile in response, Tang Xiu then patted the side of his bed and said, "Anyhow, there's an hour left for class, stay here if you want! I'm going to head to the campus library."

"Got it!" Hu Qingsong replied, and continued thinking about his own issues.

Tang Xiu was aware that Hu Qingsong suffered a great impact today. Hu Qingsong may have a rough and uninhibited outer appearance, yet he was finely particulate inside and was a very smart individual. Perhaps he didn't feel like thinking about anything in the past, but now, he had probably started thinking about the path he'd take.

Contemplation was a sign of maturity!

Tang Xiu indeed worried that their relationship would deteriorate after Hu Qingsong learned about him. But now it seemed that his worries were groundless and unnecessary. On the contrary, he had already started to learn to contemplate as to how he would enter society, as well as began to plan his own life for the future.

Tang Xiu took a few books and then headed to the campus library. By the time he got there, there was a strange vibe in the library, which was often deserted, but was now very lively. Students in groups of three to five were whispering between themselves as he walked inside. What made him puzzled was that most of them were male students.

"Teacher, what's happened?" Curiously asked Tang Xiu at the keeper of the library after returning the books.

"What else? The young men of today all can't wait to rush and do everything to woo beautiful girls. Oh, how I miss my youth..." The middle-aged female teacher in her 40s sighed. She shook her head at the same time, as she looked to fall into her memories!

A smile outlined on the corner of Tang Xiu's mouth. He understood that those boys were right at the peak of their puberties. Had he not lived for 10,000 years in the Immortal World, he would have been like them, and couldn't wait to woo beautiful girls whenever he saw them.

After returning the books, Tang Xiu walked inside. He hadn't had the time to study and read books due to many issues that came to him recently, so he decided to immerse himself in his school life now. He was a student, and to have the appearance of a student was a must; improving and sharpening his knowledge by reading, studying, and learning diligently.

When he passed a row of bookshelves, he glanced toward the direction where a lot of students were gathered. However, as his sight passed through the crowd, a smile immediately outlined the corner of his mouth when he saw Jiang Feiyan, who was sitting and reading a book quietly in the innermost corner desk. Although the person he saw was Jiang Feiyan, he was very sure that the one who could attract the attention of these many students was definitely not her, because she didn't have the attractiveness to drag all of them.

It must be Mu Wanying!

Her extremely beautiful appearance immediately appeared inside Tang Xiu's mind as he secretly shook his head. Whether it was her looks, figure, or temperament, Mu Wanying was indeed a remarkable top class beautiful woman. Yet, the wound in his heart, however, didn't allow him to have an intricate emotional relationship with her.

Once in the past he deluded himself that he would find the only love of his lifetime, to have a romantic life with her, marry her,and then live a happy, blessed life ever after.

The period of time he spent with her in the Immortal World was the most satisfying and happiest time he ever had. He even hoped that such a situation would last for eternity, until the heaven and earth got old, until the oceans dried up and the rocks perished, yet their fidelity would remain unchanging no matter what happened. He even made a decision that even if he eventually succeeded in crossing his tribulation, he would do whatever was necessary to cross the sea, by tricks or deceiving, just to stay and accompany her in the Immortal World.

However, the outcome was that of Nanke's dream, a fond dream that was empty and hollow; for the dream was then shattered by the time he awakened, and he was then left to die and disappear, leaving all his pain and sorrow that consumed his whole heart.

Snapping out of his reverie, Tang Xiu didn't go there and just turned around to head to the book area. After having picked up a few books, he planned to head straight to his dorm after registering the borrowed books.

However, despite him having tried so hard to disguise himself, many people were still able to recognize him, as they rushed to intercept and surround him as if he was a big star. The situation made him helpless as well as depressed. He only hoped that, as time passed, everyone would gradually forget his identity as a divine doctor.

Chapter 525: A Great Thief from the Occult Sect

In the afternoon, Tang Xiu, Hu Qingsong, as well as Yue Kai and Zhao Liang, who had just returned and was radiant with happiness, came to the classroom together. The afternoon class was a foreign language class taught by their class-in-charge teacher, Han Qingwu, so no one was absent or late.

Clip-clop...

The clattering sounds of high heels stepping on the floor came from the corridor. Han Qingwu, donned in a casual yet fashionable outfit, waltzed inside carrying a few books. She immediately caught the attention of everyone in the classroom.

"Great! No one's missing!"

Han Qingwu put the books on the table on the podium as her eyes slowly swept the students below. Her eyes stayed on Tang Xiu for a second or two before she spoke in satisfaction.

Nonetheless, her remark made the eyes of students in the classroom to gather on Tang Xiu, while strange smiling expressions appeared on their faces.

Tang Xiu could only sigh inwardly as he squeezed out a smile and said, "You're so beautifully dressed today, Teacher Han. I didn't report it in time this morning due to some special reasons, so I hope you can forgive me. This situation will not occur again in the future."

"Oh..." Han Qingwu's mouth outlined, as she nodded and said, "Admitting your mistakes and changing yourself is what's most important. I'm not someone who hold grudges. After the class is over, you are to stay to clean up the classroom, and the issue of you skipping class in the morning will be bygones."

"All right!"

Tang Xiu promised, yet muttered to himself inwardly, It's true that women and villains are really difficult to face.

During the class, it was obvious that Han Qingwu was in a very good mood, and the students also responded enthusiastically. As the class ended, Han Qingwu still shot a glance at Tang Xiu when she was collecting her belongings before she turned around to leave.

Hu Qingsong, sitting next to Tang Xiu, touched Tang Xiu's elbow and said with a faint smile, "Big Bro Tang, Teacher Han really looks after you, you know. Another student skipping classes without excuse will definitely have their credits deducted, but she only punished you to do the cleaning while you still retain your credits. It seems that she really has a crush on you and is afraid that you won't get your diploma."

From the other side, Yue Kai flung the hair on his forehead and then grinned, "Yup, that's spot on! I also have a hunch that Teacher Han really has fallen in love with Tang Xiu. Say, Eldest Bro Tang, though you already have a lot of women and several of them are even a bit better than Teacher Han, yet our Teacher Han is indeed a great beauty herself! If you're still a man, you might as well accept and get her together with them!"

"Are the two of you stud horses or something?" Asked Tang Xiu in rebuke.

"What the fuck..."

Hu Qingsong and Yue Kai looked at each other in dismay, and simultaneously raised their middle fingers at Tang Xiu.

Tang Xiu faintly smiled, "Anyways, I'm not going to stay in the dorm tonight. I just cleaned up the dust on my bunk, so I'm heading to Bluestar Villa to wash its bedding at my place. I'm going to start staying in the dorm tomorrow."

"Eldest Bro Tang, can I talk to you for a bit? Can you lend me the key to your villa?" Yue Kai said with a thick face. "If things go well tonight, I'll take a girlfriend of mine out later, so I don't need to waste money to rent a room at the hotel."

"Get lost!" Tang Xiu rolled his eyes at him and straightly refused his unreasonable request.

Yue Kai, however, wasn't angry and stroked his chin to ponder instead, thinking how he could convince Tang Xiu to lease his place for his one-night stand.

At five in the afternoon, Tang Xiu took Yue Kai's BMW and drove to Bluestar Villa Complex. After throwing the bedding into the washing machine, he told the housemaid, Auntie Zhang, to help him wash it before he went to his study room on the second floor.

After releasing the fierce beast from the array, Tang Xiu took out a lump of meat from his interspatial ring and threw the meat to it. Following that, he returned to the desk. His journey to Beijing resulted in a good harvest. Except for the Nine Phoenix Hairpin, the other four seemed to have its own secrets as well, and he hadn't figured them out completely. Hence, he decided to allocate some time to analyze these objects properly, hoping that they would have something that could help him.

Having finished with the dinner, Tang Xiu took one of the books he borrowed from the campus library and sat in a chair outside in the courtyard. As Auntie Zhang served him scented hot tea, Tang Xiu kept reading while sipping tea.

However, a short moment after, he heard the sound of something being smashed from the villa next to his.

"Auntie Zhang, is there someone inside the villa next to us?" Tang Xiu turned to look at Auntie Zhang, who was currently sweeping the garden.

"Yeah, I heard someone picking up and smashing things in there when I went to buy groceries this morning," Zhang Xinlan nodded. "After I bought the groceries, I found a young man standing on the villa's rooftop, watching the surroundings. Also, I've heard the sounds of several things picked up and smashed from the villa next door today."

A hint of a smile appeared on Tang Xiu's mouth. He then got up and put the book on the chair inside the room, and then said with a smile, "Auntie Zhao, I'm going out to see it."

Having said that, he walked out of the courtyard and headed to the Villa #11. After looking at the tight shut door in front, he then rang the villa's bell.

"Who are you?"

As the iron gate slowly opened, Yang Le, looking upset and edgy, stared at Tang Xiu as he raised his chin and asked.

"I'm the owner of the villa #9, your neighbor," answered Tang Xiu with a smile, while pointing at the villa next door.

Yang Le was stunned and immediately questioned, "And so, do you need something from me?"

"Yeah, there's a trivial thing," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

Yang Le was silent for a moment before he said, "Is that so? Even if you said you have nothing do, it just so happens that there's also something that I need from you as well. Come in!"

Tang Xiu walked into the courtyard and saw that many broken things, such as bottles and cans, were thrown everywhere. The smile on the corner of his mouths grew more vivid. Straightly after Yang Le took him to the villa's living room, he found that the villa was not as luxurious as his own, thought the interior decoration was quite decent. Additionally, what surprised him was that the interior of the villa was very neat and clean, although its courtyard outside was messy and filled with a lot of broken things.

"What do you want to drink?" Asked Yang Le. "Red wine, white wine, beer, or foreign wine?"

"I love tea. The better the tea, the happier I am," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

Despite rolling his eyes in response, Yang Le still went to fetch it. When he returned, he was carrying along a pot of tea and two empty cups with him. He then placed them in front of Tang Xiu and said, "Help yourself. By the way, what exactly did you come here for?"

Tang Xiu poured the tea and didn't reply Yang Le's question. Instead, he smiled and said, "Firstly, tell me, why are you looking for me?"

"You're a hard nut to crack, huh? Anyways, since you don't wanna to talk first, then I'll talk," groaned Yang Le. "You live next to me, so you should know what happened a couple days ago. Something occurred here in my villa?"

"The Property Management Office should be the right party to be asked if you have a problem with your villa, don't you think? Why do you think I can answer your question?" Asked Tang Xiu back.

"If it was convenient for me to ask the Property Management Office, then I wouldn't have to ask you in the first place," said Yang Le.

"Can you answer another of mine?" Asked Tang Xiu with a smile.

"Ask!" Yang Le spread his hands and said.

"What have you done, or rather what do you do?" Asked Tang Xiu

In a flash, Yang Le, who was nestled on the sofa, abruptly got up. His body straightened and looked rigid as he stared at Tang Xiu. After half a minute passed in silence, he slowly said, "What do you want to say, exactly?"

"It's nothing, really. You don't need to be anxious and restless like that," said Tang Xiu with a chuckle. "I'm not a cop, and I don't like messing with other's business either. Of course, if you're willing to see and treat me as a good person, then I'd be glad to accept it as well."

"So, my stuff is in your place?" Asked Yang Le.

"Yup, they are in my custody," answered Tang Xiu with a nod.

"Huff..."

Yang Le looked relieved. He slowly took out a cigar box from his bosom and took out two cigars from it. After throwing one to Tang Xiu, he took a deep puff as he smilingly said, "I feel relieved since it was you who took them. After investigating, I discovered that there were a lot of people in my villa while I was away. Additionally, I also found some things when I sneaked into the control room and copied the surveillance videos there. That's not important, though. What's important is my stuff."

"When you saw in the videos you didn't see my shadow there at all, right?" Asked Tang Xiu smilingly.

"You were not among them, no. Now, say it! Are you going to give me back my stuff?" Asked Yang Le.

"You haven't answered my question yet," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

After falling into silence for a moment, Yang Le suddenly grinned, revealing his white teeth, and smilingly said, "I'm a Gentleman Thief, have you heard of the Gentleman Thieves of the Occult Sect?"

"You are a Occult Sect's member?" Asked Tang Xiu with a strange expression.

Yang Le was taken aback, and then said in astonishment, "Do you know the existence of the Occult Sect? Who are you?"

"What I know about the Occult Sect isn't much, really. But when I went to Beijing yesterday, I learned a lot more about it after attending the auction organized by the Situ Family. Never thought that my neighbor would turn out to be a notorious Great Thief of the Occult Sect," said Tang Xiu smilingly.

"Hey, it's Gentleman Thief," a displeased look could be seen on Yang Le's face as he corrected Tang Xiu. Then, he continued, "All right, I told you everything, just give me my stuff back! You can have all the gold, silver, jewelry, cash, diamonds, and the rest if you want, but I need my tools."

Tang Xiu got up and smilingly said, "Since I already learned what I wanted to know, I don't want any of your stuff. All right, have a sit with me, will you? We're neighbors and we should get along well, don't you think? Besides, I don't want to have the stuff inside my villa disappear all of a sudden, to begin with."

"I can't be sure about that! If I learn that you are the likes of those heartless rich scums who got your wealth through ill-gotten means, perhaps your stuff will really disappear," replied Yang Le after contemplating.

"Nah, I never take advantage from others, neither have I taken others' belongings. But if anyone dares to stretch their hands out to snatch anything that belongs to me, I never hesitate to cut their hands off and make them lose the ability to eat!"

Yang Le squinted his eyes as he gazed at the back of the leaving Tang Xiu. He suddenly flashed forward with lightning-like speed and very unusual footwork as he tried to hit Tang Xiu's back.

He was very confident in his ability and skills. He could hit Tang Xiu despite using only using 30 to 40% of his strength.

Whoosh....

A shadow flashed, and Tang Xiu's figure suddenly appeared half a meter away.

"WHAT?"

Yang Le's expression drastically changed. His eyesight and speed were several times keener and faster than an ordinary person's, yet he could only see a fist coming in front of his eyes, as stars and flowers suddenly blurred his vision as he was knocked down.

Chapter 526: Exorbitant Price

As a member of the Occult Sect, Yang Le also formally learned from someone who was a grandmaster of martial arts. Even if he couldn't achieve the same level as his master, it wouldn't be a problem for him beat down a dozen small thugs. However, when he sneakily attacked Tang Xiu, he found that even though he was in the position to strike a sure hit, the opponent was actually able to avoid and pass it by. It was like the opponent had eyes behind his back.

What shocked him most, however, was Tang Xiu's speed. With his sharp eyesight he could see the blooming fist in front of him. He shuddered.

"Truly, it's impossible to judge a man's heart from his face, huh?"

Tang Xiu's feet moved as he appeared at Yang Le's side. His fingers pointed and pierced several major sealing acupoints on Yang Le's body directly. He then stepped back twice and stood there, shaking his head and sighing.

Yang Le still wanted to keep striking, yet the sudden sensation coming from his body made his eyes stare wide, with the disbelieve bursting from his eyes. Even though he desperately struggled, he found that he couldn't control his body at all. However much he exerted his strength, he was devoid of any strength to move even a bit.

"You... how did you do it?" Yang Le's sharp voice brought along with it a sense of urgency, and even contained an intense fear.

"How I did it is not important. What's more important is that I kindly helped you safekeeping your stuff and avoided the probability of getting you exposed. Yet you actually attacked me. It is said that even thieves have their own Dao. Heroic Thieves or Gentleman Thieves do indeed exist, but you don't deserve such a title. I'm afraid that you're nothing but a small, petty thief with only a bit of skill."

Many epithets straightly crowned above Yang Le's head.

Despite knowing that Yang Le was just testing him, Tang Xiu still hit him with derogatory words.

Upon hearing it, Yang Le was furious and shouted, "You are not allowed to insult me! I just wanted to measure you, who the hell wanted to attack you? I'll not gain a damn advantage from sneakily attacking you!"

"Like I said just now, it's impossible to know a man's heart from his face." Said Tang Xiu indifferently. "Who knows whatever wishful machinations are swirling inside your head? You should have heard the common saying that what you hear is just false, while seeing is believing. I saw you attack me with my own eyes. If it wasn't for me knowing kung fu as well, my back would have been hit by your fist, wouldn't it?"

"..."

Yang Le was speechless. He knew that Tang Xiu wouldn't listen to any explanation he said. It was indeed he who started the sneak attack, after all. Though he did that to probe whether Tang Xiu knew kung fu and whether he was someone from the Occult Sect.

"What do you want, then?" Asked Yang Le slowly.

Tang Xiu pondered for a moment and answered, "Apologize to me and make compensation."

"I don't have a problem with apologizing, but how can I compensate you?" Asked Yang Le after staring in a daze.

"Just apologize first, then I'll tell you," said Tang Xiu.

"Brother Tang, I apologize for what I just did. I hope you can forgive me," Yang Le nodded and said.

Tang Xiu nodded in satisfaction. After approaching him, he moved lightning fast to unseal his acupoints. When he turned around and started to walk away, he said indifferently, "Your box of tools will be returned later. But all the valuables in there will be mine as compensation."

"What the fuck..."

Yang Le, who had just regained his ability to move and was trying to move his feet and hands, turned stiff for a moment. He looked at the back of Tang Xiu as a burst of profane words came out from his mouth. He then grinned bitterly and began to chase Tang Xiu. At this moment, he wished he could trash his own head. He attacked Tang Xiu sneakily, and wasn't even able to touch his hair, yet he had to compensate for it with over a billion of his wealth?

Although he was not short of money and those things were nothing but trivial possessions to him, it made him very edgy. After pursuing outside, he shouted, "Say, Brother Tang, you're really too black-hearted, you know that? Notwithstanding that I'm a heroic thief, you're just a robber."

"Except for those who have pledged their allegiance to me, anyone who sneakily attacks me like that have become corpses," Tang Xiu glanced at him and sneered. "If it wasn't because I sensed no malicious intent from you, do you think you would still be standing and talking to me like this? It's just pocket money, get over it!"

Yang Le gulped down. Despite being reluctant to believe Tang Xiu, he knew that someone who possessed such a terrifying ability was never a friendly kind.

"What is your identity, Brother Tang?"

"I'm just a student!" replied Tang Xiu.

"If you were a student, then I'm a cop, heh?" Yang Le rolled his eyes. "Anyways, you do look young, though. Ah, that's right, I felt you were a little familiar before, but I can't remember where I have seen you before."

Without responding, Tang Xiu headed straight to his villa and told Yang Le to wait in the living room while he went to the study room on the second floor. There, he took the black suitcase out of his interspatial ring and opened it, and then put out a stack of paper money, gold, silver, jewelry, and the diamonds from it. He then closed the suitcase and headed downstairs.

"This is your stuff!" Tang Xiu threw the suitcase.

After catching it accurately, Yang Le opened it and checked, as he then nodded and said, "In any case, thanks!"

"I gave you back your stuff, so don't smash things randomly again, got it?" Said Tang Xiu. "Anyways, it's quite late now, and I will accompany you no longer. Go back!"

However, not only did Yang Le not leave, he instead sat on the sofa and put his suitcase aside, squeezing out a smile as he looked at Tang Xiu, "Bother Tang, it's fate that we met each other, how about having a few cups now? Besides, I have some things I want to ask you!"

"You want to know how I made you unable to move, don't you?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"Yeah, I'm very curious about that," Yang Le nodded without a shred of hesitation. "You possess a very powerful skill, but that's still fine with me. However, that method you used to seal my ability to control my body is something I've never seen nor heard before. I was really shocked... and... and very scared."

Tang Xiu pulled a cigarette box from his pocket as he took one and lit it up. After taking a deep puff, he smiled and said, "I'm a practitioner of Chinese medicine and I understand the structure of the human body very well. How many bones, muscles, meridians, and acupoints humans have in their body... all of these are very clear and easy for me to find. You should also know about acupoint sealing techniques since you are a member of the Occult Sect, no?"

Hiss...

Despite Yang Le having already faintly guessed that Tang Xiu was probably using the acupoints sealing technique, yet he was still shocked by his revelation. Furthermore, the reason why he asked about it was that some people in the Occult Sect also mastered the said acupoints sealing technique, yet the effect was not as severe as Tang Xiu's.

It took Yang Le a bit of time to suppress the shock inside his heart. He rubbed his hand and let out a flattering expression, as he grinned and said, "Brother, I don't know if you can approve this presumptuous request of mine, I..."

"I refuse!" Tang Xiu rejected him right off the bat.

Yang Le froze. He then forced a smile and said, "But you haven't even finished listening to what I'm going to say next! I mean, as long as you're willing to teach that acupoints sealing technique, I want to formally acknowledge you as my master. If you don't want to take me as a disciple, that's fine, I will pay a tuition fee to learn it."

"I won't accept you as a disciple, so there's no concern about that," said Tang Xiu. "I'm fine if you want to pay to learn that skill, but how much can you pay for it, exactly?"

"1 billion!" Yang Le stretched out a finger and seriously said.

While pointing at the door, Tang Xiu said, "I won't send you off, the door is there."

"Brother, you don't need to rip me off like that, right?" Yang Le said with a strange expression. "Even though I successfully stole my Master's lifetime wealth before he went to Western Paradise, 1 billion in tuition fees should be enough, right? Besides, you just robbed 1 billion of my fortune as well!"

Tang Xiu shrugged his shoulders and chuckled, "You already know that I can rob 1 billion casually, do you think I will give a damn about 1 billion more? You must know that one must practice a certain cultivation technique to learn this acupoints sealing technique, and I just happen to have the said cultivation technique. If you learn it, not only will you able to perform the acupoints sealing technique, even your strength will soar. 1 billion? Hmph... what a joke!"

A cultivation technique?

Yang Le was taken aback. He hurriedly asked, "What do you mean by cultivation technique? Is it like the inner energy core techniques in the legends?"

Tang Xiu shook his head as he nodded and said, "It is a kind of inner energy core technique, but it's more powerful than those."

Yang Le's complexion changed as he fixedly stared at Tang Xiu for half a minute before he solemnly said, "1.5 billion! This is all the wealth I can take out within a short time."

Tang Xiu got up. While walking toward the stairs, he lightly said, "However much you can offer doesn't have any significance to me. Don't come and bother me if you don't have 10 billion for the tuition fee. Go now, for I don't want to repeat myself for the third time."

"10 billion?" Yang Le leaped up from the sofa as disbelief filled his eyes. He had seen people who demanded exorbitant prices like a hungry lion, yet such a ruthless one like Tang Xiu was a never-before-seen case for him. Although he did lie about all his wealth being only 1.5 billion, he absolutely didn't have 10 billion. Even if he added up every bit of his fortune, it would only be 3 billion, more or less.

Is this gonna force me to do more good deeds and help those who got their wealth through evil and illegal means to share the responsibility? Yang Le was indignant and disturbed.

However, he knew himself very well. If he could really get 10 billion yuan one day, would he use such a huge sum of money to learn the acupoints sealing technique from Tang Xiu? With such a colossal amount of money, he could wash his hands and make a clean break from that life directly, and enjoy an excellent, wonderful life for good!

After returning to the second floor, Tang Xiu watched as Yang Le left the villa with a trace of a smile on the corner of his mouth. He felt that Yang Le was a very interesting young man. When he was in the Immortal World before, he got acquainted with a thief sect's master. Furthermore, had this thief sect's master not offended a very powerful adversary who killed him when he just reached the Overarching Golden Immortal realm, he could probably have become a Supreme in the Immortal World given time.

In the case that... he can really get 10 billion, it means he does have a bit of ability. At that time, accepting him as a disciple wouldn't be an impossibility! Thought Tang Xiu with a smiling expression.

Chapter 527: A Scumbag

The soft moonlight was as though water as a cool breeze pervaded through the window screen, giving off a cooling feeling. Under the slightly bright lights inside the study room, Tang Xiu sat on the sofa while quietly observing the three objects on the tea table in front of him; the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal, the ancient bronze lamp, and the Guanyin vase.

Among the five treasures he got from Beijing, the Nine Phoenix Hairpin was the one that he was most familiar with, so there was no need to study, while the golden dragon head was just an ordinary object in his eyes. But he did have hopes and anticipation for the three objects in front of him.

"I don't have any means to use or invoke the power of fate and destiny contained within the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal, for the time being. With my current cultivation level, even seeping my spiritual sense into it could cause a heavy injury to my soul, let alone trying to use star force. If I were to use it, the star force inside my body would probably turn chaotic and even directly lead to qi deviation. Hence, studying it is a no for now.

"The Buddhist Sarira inside the ancient bronze lamp wouldn't be of much help to me for the time being as well. Nevertheless, it's a pseudo-immortal tool, so it would be a suitable treasure to be used by the current me."

Tang Xiu thought for a short while before he took out a lighter and lit the lamp.

Suddenly, a peculiar exotic fragrance fluttered out. The unique fragrance was intoxicating to the mind and consciousness, and the indescribable feeling sprung up unbidden deep inside the mind. With his formidable mental force, Tang Xiu could keenly perceive that the spiritual qi of Heaven and Earth began to gradually rise and move toward the room, while a wisp of a special energy appeared gradually in the surroundings. After this energy seeped into his body, Tang Xiu could feel a cool, comfortable sensation and his cultivation speed increased a lot.

Focusing psyche, calming qi.

These two lines emerged out of nowhere inside Tang Xiu's mind, causing his expression to change. Shock instantly appeared on his face, because he realized his psyche and mind turned particularly clearer the moment after. It was because he could screen and straighten out many of the previously confusing thoughts that sprung up inside his mind, giving him all sorts of understanding and comprehension at the same time.

"Buddhism devotes particular care to awareness and enlightenment... So to say, the most miraculous effect of this ancient bronze lamp is actually to improve one's perception?"

An extraordinary light bloomed inside Tang Xiu's eyes. He immediately picked up the last item, the Guanyin vase. While staring at the dazzling golden liquid inside, he instantly released his spiritual sense. Unfortunately, he was somewhat helpless as he could not figure out what the golden liquid inside was regardless of the means he used to observe it.

"My cultivation level is to low. I'm unable to refine it!"

Tang Xiu eventually took back the Guanyin vase with a helpless expression. He then sat cross-legged and began to cultivate. A night then passed by in an instant, and despite Tang Xiu's cultivation not progressing much, the fragrance permeating from the ancient bronze lamp that penetrated his whole body made his psyche and perception full of vigor.

After extinguishing the ancient bronze lamp's light, he took a shower and changed his clothes, and then went to campus after breakfast. Before going out, he disguised himself wearing sunglasses and a cap. If one couldn't recognize his appearance, they would think he was just an ordinary young student.

Last night, he had contemplated his interconnected life with Han Qingwu, and for the time being, he finally decided to compromise. As of now, Han Qingwu was not Xue Qingcheng, and even if she was indeed the embodiment of Xue Qingcheng's reincarnation, Han Qingwu was just another person before her memory was completely restored.

What's more, if hiding was not an option then he could only face it straight on. Not to mention that he would have to live a university life for four years, which meant that he must get along with her during this time, and face her as a normal student would his teacher. Although mutual respect and love was not a viable option, striving for a harmonious life as a university student was still a necessity.

As expected, when Tang Xiu arrived at the campus, his change of his attitude toward Han Qingwu made her very happy. Although Tang Xiu made an excuse to refuse her offer to have dinner together, the two still got along well after that.

Day after day passed by, and Tang Xiu's life waltzed through without a hitch. Besides attending classes, reading books in the library, and going to the cafeteria for meals, he spent most of his time at campus even at night.

Gradually, many people began forgetting Tang Xiu's 'celebrity' identity as new topics and new events garnered their attention.

At the end of the month, Tang Xiu, as always, left the classroom building along with Hu Qingsong, Yue Kai and the rest, as they headed to the nearest cafeteria to their classroom building.

"Brothers, since we don't have class this afternoon, you have any plans?" While fiddling with his BMW keys, Yue Kai asked Xue Chao after he put the book in his hand.

"I must go to work," said Xue Chao.

"You're no fun!" Yue Kai rolled his eyes at him and then asked Hu Qingsong, "How about you?"

"I'm preparing to go out as well, to find a job and feel the taste of having a job while studying," said Hu Qingsong.

"Huh?" With an odd expression, Yue Kai replied. "Say, Old Hu. You have your belly full already, so you don't have to go out to torture yourself, no? Besides, with our classes, we're practically unable to go out at all. Yet you want to use your free time to have a job outside class time for only a few bucks? Also, it's hard to get a good job even for college graduates nowadays. You're just a freshman, dude. Don't tell me you are going to deliver leaflets door to door?"

"I don't expect to find a good job, nor do I expect to have a decent paycheck," said Hu Qingsong. "I just want to see all sorts of life, and experience the feeling of earning money by myself. To be honest with you, I've never ever gotten a penny on my own since I was born."

Stumped and stunned, Yue Kai fell into silence for a while. He then turned to Tang Xiu and asked, "Eldest Bro Tang, you couldn't be thinking of going to the library again, right?"

"Your guess is spot on. I'll be going to the library again, indeed," said Tang Xiu with a nod. "I haven't found the recent studies on economics, so I'm going to double-check."

Yue Kai shook his head as he gazed at Hu Qingsong, "Old Hu, you want to go out to observe and learn from real life, and I'm kinda bored with my idle life as well. Alright then, I'm gonna risk it all and go along with you, buddy! But, have you thought about what kind of job we're going to take?"

"I've already thought about it. There are two that crossed my mind. The first one is a marketing sales and service business, and the second one is a express delivery service. But what I'm looking for is the more relaxed express delivery," said Hu Qingsong.

Yue Kai stared blankly, as he patted his forehead and exclaimed, "Ah, I suddenly remembered that I have an appointment with Sister Meng to talk about life and ideals, so I won't go with you. Anyhow, you guys are going to the cafeteria to have a bite, right?! Then I'll go find Sister Meng!"

Having said that, this chap straightly blasted himself out of everyone's sight!

After looking at the departed Yue Kai's back, Tang Xiu turned to Hu Qingsong and smilingly said, "The two jobs you picked are really great. Regardless of the type of job, it will be a very good exercise for you, nonetheless. Work hard, buddy! The earlier you strive, the more you will understand the hardships in life."

"Sure thing!" Hu Qingsong grinned. "Rest assured, I'm not going out to play."

Afterward, the trio had lunch together, and then Hu Qingsong and Xue Chao left. As for Tang Xiu, he returned to his dorm and took a few books he borrowed two days ago, and then went alone to the campus library. Just as he entered the library he knitted his brows, because the scene he had seen a few times already unfolded again in front of him. There were a lot of male students gathered in the reading area on the first floor, as their eyes kept glancing at several female students in the corner.

It must be Mu Wanying again!

Tang Xiu secretly shook his head. After spending a little time to find several economic books on the bookshelf, he went straight to spot next to the window on the second floor, as he sat down and quietly read the book.

Time fleeted by, and half an hour passed by in the blink of an eye.

With his fast reading speed, Tang Xiu had already read the second book, and he also had turned over several pages on the third book. He even had made a dozen pages with notes within this half an hour as well.

"Just go! We're not a suitable for each other."

Vague voices came floating from afar.

Tang Xiu raised his head, since he recognized the voice -- Mu Wanying. Shortly after, a loud voice came following:

"Wanying, I really like you from the bottom of my heart! Please give me a chance, I promise that I'll make you happy."

"Sorry, I don't need it."

"Wanying, you wanna leave it like this? It won't do. I'm the campus beau and you're the campus flower. A gifted man and a beautiful woman have always been a good match, so we should be together. You know, I've been preparing for a long time to make this confession to you today. Tell me if you have something you don't like about me, and I'll definitely try to change myself to become a man you like."

"Fellow student, let me make it clear for you. I don't even know your name, so why must I accept to become your girlfriend? Besides, I already have someone I like. If I were to agree to be your girlfriend, then it won't be fair to you. Please make way, we need to leave."

"Mu Wanying, you are being deliberately perfunctory with me, aren't you? I've already investigated it. You don't have a boyfriend at all!"

"Hey! Let me go!"

"No, I won't let you go!"

The ruckus got bigger and louder downstairs.

Tang Xiu closed the textbook, as he got up and walked to the second floor stairway. He looked at the scene below, where a lot of people had already gathered there, and let out a forced, wry smile. He knew that male student, a third-year senior who won the popularity vote as the most handsome male student in Shanghai University for three consecutive years in a row. Not only did he possess good looks, his academic GPA was also remarkable, as well as being the vice-captain of the university's basketball club. It was said that his family was also rich and powerful as well.

However, Tang Xiu knew something! About two years ago, he made a female student pregnant, after first abusing and then abandoning her in the end. Another case was when he was in his sophomore year, as he had an affair with 12 girls. He had sex with a female student in his car and was caught red-handed by his real girlfriend. His real girlfriend was also swift enough as she recorded the scene with her mobile phone and uploaded it to the campus forum. The footage was deleted quickly after, but many people had already seen it.

Put shortly, this male student called Lian Kang was a real scumbag to the core in the eyes of the public, yet not many people at Shanghai University dared to provoke him due to his family background and his figure on the surface as a pretty good male student.

For instance, what was happening at present. There were definitely more than a hundred male students around, yet even though Lian Kang took so many liberties toward Mu Wanying, causing the male students to turn indignant and itching to beat up Lian Kang, yet no one really dared to come forward and stand up for her.

Chapter 528: Goading

Pulling out your blades to help when seeing injustice was the style of a chivalrous warrior in the Jianghu world. Chivalrous he may not be, yet Tang Xiu was unable to not act upon facing such a scene.

Ring, ring, ring...

A faint ringtone sound came from the mobile phone inside Tang Xiu's pocket. Just as he was about to take it, Jiang Feiyan, who was next to Mu Wanying, dashed toward Lian Kang, as her cherry-like, small mouth bit Lian Kang's hand that was grabbing Mu Wanying's wrist.

"What the hell... are you a fucking dog?"

Due to the pain, Lian Kang released Mu Wanying. He slapped Jiang Feiyan's cute little face with his backhand, causing her to stumble and fall to the floor.

This caused a turmoil among the watching students around.

Tang Xiu frowned, yet he didn't act immediately, and took out the mobile phone instead. As he looked at the screen and saw that the caller was Kang Xia, he pressed the answer button and said, "Wait a bit, there's something I need to deal with. I'll call you back you later."

"All right!" Replied Kang Xia.

While going toward the stairs, Tang Xiu clapped his hands and loudly yelled, "This is really amazing, awesome! A respected, seven feet big man unexpectedly slapped a small female student until she fell to the floor. The most unbelievable thing for me is all those faces around. Each and every one of them is filled with anger, yet they're all actually cowards, for nobody even dares to come forward to say anything nor stand up for her... Tsk, tsk, don't you realize that this is exactly the best chance for you guys to play the hero saving the belle? Do you really want to miss this golden opportunity to hold a belle just because of your groundless fears?"

Hundreds of eyes fell on Tang Xiu in a flash. Even if there were only a few people who paid attention to Tang Xiu recently, he was still a quite popular individual in the campus, so everyone still recognized him.

Furthermore, Tang Xiu's speech made all the male students look ashamed and regretful and causing their faces to turn red.

At this time, a well-built male student stood forward and loudly shouted, "Don't talk nonsense, Tang Xiu. We're too late to stop it. We just saw that this scumbag surnamed Lian is an eyesore, but we never thought that he would hit someone like that. If I knew, I'd definitely be the first one to help her."

"Yeah, we were too late. That chap Lian is really shameless, to think that he even dares to hit a female fellow student, and even took so many liberties toward others. What a motherfu*cker scumbag!"

"I'm really ashamed to have an alumnus like Lian Kang. I will certainly spread what happened here today, to let all the students and teachers know his ugly face. I really regret it... why didn't I step out to punch his fucking face and give him a good memory."

"This damn chap deserves to be beaten! How dare he moved a finger toward the first Goddess of our Shanghai University? Hasn't he reflected on his previous attitude when chasing chicks?"

"..."

Amid the scene where numerous male students took their stand and loudly voiced their support, Mu Wanying, Li Xinjie, as well as Jiang Feiyan, who was being propped up by the two girls, had their eyes lit up at the same time as they shot glances full of gratitude at Tang Xiu.

"Beat him up!"

Suddenly, some people in the crowd shouted, and in just a couple of seconds, dozens of male students rushed toward Lian Kang, punching and kicking his lackeys and easily beating them up.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Mu Wanying's group of three squeezed out of the crowd and hurriedly marched toward Tang Xiu.

"Tang Xiu, thank you!" Mu Wanying whispered.

Tang Xiu slightly smiled and shook his head. He then turned to Jiang Feiyan and asked, "Are you all right?"

Jiang Feiyan touched her swollen cheek, as she shook her head and said with a smile, "I'm fine. Plus, I also bit him! This damn Lian Kang is really sick and disgusting. Had I known that he would beat me, I would have kicked his crotch and made him unable to have a son in this lifetime."

"Ugh..."

No matter how big Tang Xiu's boldness was, hearing Jiang Feiyan's words sent a coldness ran down his spine and made his neck shrunk. At this time, her reply was as though completely verifying the saying that women's heart was the most poisonous one after the hornet's sting.

Mu Wanying's beautiful face turned red. She reached out to hug Jiang Feiyan's shoulder and said, "Feiyan, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? We're sisters." Jiang Feiyan shook her head and smilingly said. "If we want to thank someone, let's thank Tang Xiu. If it weren't for him, maybe that damn Lian Kang would beat me as well!"

When Mu Wanying's eyes shifted to Tang Xiu, her eyes were particularly bright and dazzling. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Tang Xiu, like sending Buddha to the West, helping someone must be done until the very end. Will you help me solve this problem completely?"

"Relax!" Tang Xiu nodded.

"I'm not talking about Lian Kang. It's the matter with all the male students," said Mu Wanying, shaking her head.

"What do you mean?" Tang Xiu asked with a puzzled expression.

Gathering her courage, Mu Wanying seriously said, "Let's announce to the outside that I'm your girlfriend, and that we're a couple. So I can tell straightly to whoever confesses to me that I already have a boyfriend and won't accept anyone. B-But... But this may be very unfair to you, and may bring you some troubles, though."

Tang Xiu thought for a while. He recalled what happened a few times in the library, when he encountered Mu Wanying surrounded by many male students. Then, he finally nodded and lightly said, "All right! I also received a lot of confessions from female students, so this will be mutual beneficial for both of us!"

Mu Wanying suddenly turned excited as she nodded repeatedly, "Thank you."

Tang Xiu waved his hand as he turned his attention to the chaotic scene and shouted, "EVERYONE, STOP! If that surname Lian chap is dead, then you guys will all be dead too. Besides, the campus will severely punish you if he is severely injured."

In a flash, several male students who were currently beating Lian Kang and his fellow classmates realized what kind of consequences their actions would bring, as they halted beating them and retreated.

In the opened, cleared spot, Lian Kang and his three classmates were all beaten, bruised black and blue, with bloodstains all over their bodies. The one in the most miserable state was Lian Kang, for one of his arms was obviously broken in an unnatural shape.

Shaking his head, Tang Xiu walked toward him and then squatted to grab his arm despite Lian Kang's struggle. With a slight effort, he pulled his hand and mended the bones of his broken arm back to its original position.

"Aaaargh..."

A scream like a pig being butchered made everyone present shudder.

"If you don't want to become disabled, then don't move," said Tang Xiu lightly. "I just helped you put your bone back to its original position. But in the next couple of days, don't move about and lift heavy things. Also, go to the campus clinic to deal with your other wounds."

While enduring the severe pain, Lian Kang furiously growled, "FUCK YOU, TANG XIU! I don't need your crocodile tears, you fucking asshole! If it weren't for you, how could this father be beaten like this?"

"Do you dare say it again?" Tang Xiu frowned.

"I just said it! What the fuck can you do to this father, huh?" Shouted Lian Kang angrily.

Shaking his head, Tang Xiu stretched out his hand and twisted the bone he had just mended, and then trampled his face. As his blood flowed from his nose, he sneered at him and said, "You're nothing but a rotten cretin in my eyes, a dog that snarls and snaps at others kindness. The instant the news about you assailing a girl with obscenities when you confess to her and then turned into you beating up a female student is to spread around, I'm afraid that you will lose your reputation and may even be criminally liable. Of course, you indeed have been beaten up by your fellow students, but that was because you've aroused public anger. I'm sure that if the campus authority hears about this, they will also treat them with leniency."

Having said that, Tang Xiu turned around and walked to Mu Wanying's side, as he said with a deep voice, "Although Mu Wanying is my girlfriend, I was not the first one to beat you. That can be said as me giving you a face, yet you're so shameless and didn't give a damn care about it. You have only yourself to blame for that. And now, we still have our talk about our love life, so we won't waste more of our time with a scumbag like you."

Immediately, he reached out to grab Mu Wanying's little hand and walked upstairs.

His girlfriend?

All the male students who were originally secretly appreciating Tang Xiu's act of violence had their eyes turn hostile after hearing Tang Xiu's announced.

And those good brains also realized that Tang Xiu seemed to have used them, for they began to savagely beat up Lian Kang just because Tang Xiu sarcastically satirized them in his comments.

On the second floor...

Tang Xiu brought Mu Wanying, Jiang Feiyan, and Li Xinjie to the desk he was using before and spoke to them, "You girls can stay here. I have a trivial matter to deal with, and need to make a phone call."

"Go! I'll be here reading a book," Mu Wanying nodded gently and replied.

After taking out his mobile, Tang Xiu dialed Kang Xia's cell number and then inquired, "Alright, I took care of the thing here, more or less. What is it that you need me for?"

"Boss, the executives of our company have been discussing the release date of our health products. We currently have a lot of stocks in inventory, so I decided to throw them into the market on November 1st. Do you think this date is appropriate?" Asked Kang Xia.

"Have you arranged the stores all over the country?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"It's about done. As we made a lot of income, we've set the shops next to the Gods Nectar's exclusive agency in each city. The refurbishing is currently in the last stages and it should be done in the next few days, at the most."

"What about the marketing and sales staff?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"All of them have been trained for their posts. However, there is still another issue that has yet to be decided," said Kang Xiu.

"What is it?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"It's about security," said Kang Xia. "I'm afraid that a insane rush to snatch all the products will happen once our health products hit the market. Thus, security problems will surely arise at that time."

"How many manpower do you need, exactly?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"We have calculated. With the help of the security guards assigned to the Gods Nectar exclusive agency in each city, we can reduce the needed number of manpower. But we still need about 80 people, at the very least," said Kang Xia.

"OK, got it!" Said Tang Xiu. "I will think of a solution. Also, I'm going to survey a every large business district in the vicinity of Shanghai in the near future. If it's not feasible, then we'll build our own site. I happen to know some real estate developers here."

Chapter 529: Inviting Someone for Asking Help

After hanging up the phone, Tang Xiu thought for a while before searching Jin Xingkui's number. Then, hesitating, he didn't call in the end.

He then turned to the three girls and said, "What are you girls going to do next? I have something to deal with, so I may not be able to accompany you."

Mu Wanying was in a very good mood at this time. Even if she was just Tang Xiu's nominal girlfriend, she believed that as long as she put up a persistent effort, becoming his real girlfriend wouldn't be a problem in the future. Thus, she squeezed out a very dazzling, beautiful smile and tenderly said, "Then we'll go back to our dorm! So let's leave together."

"Okay!" Tang Xiu picked up the books and put them back on its original shelfs. He then selected a few books and registered them at the office, before he left the library with Mu Wanying's group. Their departure attracted much attention, but no one dared to come forward to strike up a conversation.

However, fearing that Lian Kang would lash out his anger at them, Tang Xiu escorted the three girls right until the downstairs of the female students' dormitory.

"All right, then we'll go upstairs first!" Jiang Feiyan winked at Mu Wanying, as she grinned and dragged Li Xinjie toward the front door of the dormitory building. Mu Wanying let out a low chuckle, as she calmly looked at Tang Xiu and said, "I know you are very busy, but you should also pay attention to your health. If there's anything I can do for you, call me immediately."

"Relax! I'll take good care of myself," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

Suddenly, Mu Wanying stepped forward and lifted her hand to fix Tang Xiu's collar that was not too neat. Under everyone's stupefied gazes, she said with a smile, "I may be your fake girlfriend, but we still have to look intimate in public. I think that if you hug me now, that will send a very clear message to the male students who have been harassing me, and then everyone will learn that I already belong to a man."

Tang Xiu was hesitant, and then glanced at the surrounding. A forced smile appeared on his handsome face as he gently held Mu Wanying in his arms, feeling her delicate and gentle body heat, and then said, "Is it all right now?"

Mu Wanying hugged Tang Xiu back. This time, she used her strength and kept hugging going for more than 20 seconds before she reluctantly released Tang Xiu and chuckled, "Yeah, it should be fine now."

"All right then, I'm leaving!" Tang Xiu turned and walked away while waving at her.

Mu Wanying stood there with a very sweet smile, with dimples appearing on her; a classical beauty. Her smiling face that was full of joyous mood could be seen by many people there, arousing the envy and jealousy of the girls yet making the boys brokenhearted.

However, the most heartbreaking scene for the male students was not the hug nor her happy smile, but the scene of Mu Wanying staring at the back of Tang Xiu as he departed, until he disappeared at the end of the trail in the far distance, as well the reluctance and unwillingness on her face before she turned around and walked toward the dormitory building.

"The First Belle of Shanghai University, Mu Wanying has fallen in love with the celebrity student, Tang Xiu!"

After this news appeared on the Shanghai University forum, the news went viral and only took one hour before all the students, teachers, professors and leaders at Shanghai University to learn about it.

In a flash, slander and critic began to flood the comments section of the campus forum by numerous male students, all of which were bombarding Tang Xiu. Many of the commentaries were full of profane words and insults. At the same time, Mu Wanying was also ridiculed by a lot of people, particularly by the male students who failed to get her attention. Certainly, there also appeared many commentaries from people who respected and admired Tang Xiu, saying that it was 'a perfect match' between a beauty and a hero.

Eventually, after several hours, there were two opposing sides on the campus forum. One side was the hater students and those trolling with anonymous account, and the other one was the students who straightforwardly supported Tang Xiu and Mu Wanying.

Put shortly, the Shanghai University forum turned very lively.

Tang Xiu, who was one of the main characters of the story, had left Shanghai University at this time and was inside the study room of his villa. He was currently focused on drawing a architectural design. He had previously made an agreement with Jin Xingkui that he would hand over the design to him, yet he hadn't had the time to finish it due to various issues, as well as having his time spent manufacturing various charms after he returned from Beijing. Fortunately, Jin Xingkui wasn't in a hurry since he was still engaged in the preparation for the early stage of the project.

As dusk came, Tang Xiu finally put down the paint brush and pondered for quite a long time. He then took his out mobile phone and dialed Han Qingwu's cell number. At this time, Han Qingwu was currently reading the comments on campus forum in her rented house. Her face was quite rigid and unsightly, and she kept that expression for more than half an hour.

Her feelings were quite chaotic, and she couldn't figure out what was wrong with herself. She didn't know why she felt like she just lost a very important thing after learning the news that Tang Xiu and Mu Wanying had become lovers. This vexed, edgy, and uncomfortable feeling that overwhelmed her and rendered her helpless frightened her.

Ring, ring, ring...

Her mobile phone rang, startling her. When she snapped back to her senses, she then realized that there was a cool sensation on her cheeks. Unknowingly, tears had flowed out of her eyes.

After grabbing the mobile and looking at the screen, Han Qingwu saw that the caller was Tang Xiu. Her expression looked slightly vacant for a moment, as she wiped off the tears on her face quickly. She then cleared her throat before connecting the call and said, "Han Qingwu speaking."

"Teacher Han, if you have some free time tonight, would you like to have dinner with me?"

"No, I don't have time!" The moment Han Qingwu heard Tang Xiu's voice, anger suddenly boiled inside her heart, and it was also reflected in her voice.

"Have I provoked you recently, Teacher Han? Why are you angry with me?" Asked Tang Xiu with a wry tone.

"Is that your business?" Blurted out Han Qingwu.

Tang Xiu was silent for a moment, as he then replied in a wry tone, "Teacher Han, I'm sincerely inviting you to dinner, though I don't know why your mood isn't good. If you really don't have time, then forget about it. I'll invite you some other day. All right, then I'll hang..."

"Where is it?" Feeling that Tang Xiu was going hang up, Han Qingwu hurriedly asked, yet she immediately regretted it.

"Come to the Everlasting Feast Hall! I'll be there waiting for you," said Tang Xiu.

"En!" Han Qingwu replied as she hung up the phone directly.

She didn't understand what was happening to her at this moment, and why she couldn't control her emotions when facing Tang Xiu.

Had she fallen in love with him? Or is it because of jealousy?

Han Qingwu thought that it was indeed that, yet she felt that it wasn't entirely correct as well. She felt that ever since she heard Tang Xiu's song and zither play at the Shanghai University's freshmen welcoming party, as well as after those images kept appearing inside her mind, Tang Xiu's importance became more prominent in her heart all of a sudden. Even without her realizing, she often thought and missed Tang Xiu; his face, his every move, word, and smile.

Why would those pictures keep appearing inside my mind? I've lived for more than 20 years and I have never once encountered anything like in those pictures whatsoever. I shouldn't have that kind of memories at all, but why?

Han Qingwu rubbed her head. Amid a headache, she suddenly remembered that Tang Xiu invited her to dinner tonight. In a flash, she bounced up from the sofa and dashed into the cloakroom at a speed beyond the limits of an ordinary person.

At the Everlasting Feast Hall...

Inside the deluxe box on the third floor, Tang Xiu was sitting and immersing himself in his thoughts while drinking tea and smoking a cigarette. In the past two weeks, despite the fact that his days were quite busy every day, he still couldn't fulfill what he had promised on some business deals, though those issues had been finished as of now.

Ring, ring, ring...

His mobile phone interrupted his train of thought, as Tang Xiu grabbed it and saw that the number was from an unfamiliar Beijing number. He creased his brows and immediately pressed the answer button and said, "Tang Xiu speaking, may I know who am I speaking with?"

"Hello, Grandmaster Tang. It's Situ Chao here. I and someone from the Jinmen and Li Families have arrived in Shanghai. Where are you? We're looking for you now!"

Tang Xiu pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Take care of your accommodations first. I'm currently having dinner with someone. After I'm done with it, I'll come over to you and bring what you need."

"No, no. How can we dare to make Grandmaster Tang come to find us? How about you tell us a place to go and we'll wait for you there?" Said Situ Chao hastily.

After hesitating, Tang Xiu replied, "Then head to the Bluestar Villa Complex! I live in villa #9 there. I'll be back as fast as possible."

"All right!"

After the phone call ended, Tang Xiu shook his head and smiled. Just as he was still thinking as to when those three parties from the Occult Sect would come to Shanghai to get their stuff they suddenly arrive. However, he just invited Han Qingwu to dinner, so he couldn't ignore her just like that, or else it would be quite hopeless for him if he were to ask her for help later.

In the front counter on the first floor.

While holding a smile, Chi Nan cheerfully greeted the arriving and departing guests. When Han Qingwu, donned in casual attire, came inside, Chi Nan discovered that she had obviously put on makeup, which intensified her beauty.

"You're here, Teacher Han!"

"Tang Xiu told me to come find him here. He should already be here, right?" Han Qingwu said with a faint smile.

"The Boss is here and has been waiting for you in the box on the third floor. I'll lead you upstairs!" Chi Nan smilingly replied.

"Thank you!" Han Qingwu nodded and thanked her.

"Please don't be so polite, Teacher Han," said Chi Nan with a smile. "You're a friend of our Boss, so entertaining you well is my duty. Anyways, you look so gorgeous today, Teacher Han."

Han Qingwu dazed, and her beautiful face slightly blushed. When she remembered that she put on makeup, she nearly covered her face. She suppressed her awkwardness and squeezed out a smile, "Thank you, Manager Chi, you too look very beautiful today."

"Nah, I'm not that good. I'm an old woman already," said Chi Nan with a smile. "If I were at your age, I would've definitely taken Boss' heart from you."

Chapter 530: Glib Talk

Han Qingwu's smiling face got thicker upon hearing Chi Nan and was about to humbly reply when she suddenly froze. Even her pace to the stairs came to halt.

"You... what did you just say, Manager Chi?"

"I said I'm too old! Is there a problem?" Replied Chi Nan with a smile.

"You just said that you'd definitely be able to take your Boss' heart from me," Han Qingwu shook her head and said.

"That's of course." Chi Nan chuckled.

With slightly furrowed brows, Han Qingwu forced a smile and said, "Manager Chi, I think you're mistaken about that. Tang Xiu's heart has never been mine, and he has a girlfriend already. It's the first Campus Flower of Shanghai University, Mu Wanying. Please don't joke again later."

"Teacher Han, I've seen Ms. Mu and she's indeed a rare beauty. I will certainly like such a stunning belle if I were a man. However, I don't think her place inside my Boss' heart is that significant. Also, I'm rather curious as to how she could become my Boss' girlfriend."

Despite being reluctant to continue talking about this topic, Han Qingwu's heart moved slightly upon hearing Chi Nan's words. "I don't quite understand what you mean, Manager Chi!"

Chi Nan shot Han Qingwu a meaningful look, as she smiled and said, "Since you're not an outsider, then I'll tell you what I have seen and have in mind, Teacher Han. I've seen my Boss bring many women here, each of whom is very beautiful and outstanding, such as Ouyang Lulu, the superstar Zhang Xinya, and the Magnificent Tang Corporation's General Manager Kang Xia... Yet, I can feel that my Boss doesn't like them, and he... even seems to deliberately keep a distance from them.

"Perhaps you don't know, but I was surprised to find that my Boss has always been very calm whenever he's facing them. Regardless of whatever the issue is regarding them, he seems to treat it as an ordinary matter or something like that. But there's only one person who can make my Boss act different."

As she spoke up to there, Chi Nan stopped talking.

Han Qingwu asked Chi Nan with a blank expression, "Who is it?"

"It's you!" Said Chi Nan with a serious expression.

"Me?" Asked Han Qingwu in disbelief. "But why me?"

"Don't tell me you haven't realized it yet?" Asked Chi Nan. "My Boss sometimes treats you well, and he looks at you in a daze for a few seconds in some occasions, while he's also very indifferent toward you some other times, like he's trying to deny you. Those changes in his mood or emotional changes are all because of something that you brought to him, I think."

Stupefied, though Han Qingwu stared at Chi Nan, her mind was actually replaying all the scenes of what she had been through with Tang Xiu all this while. She realized that Chi Nan was right. Tang Xiu had indeed stared at her in a daze a few times. Sometimes, there was a hint of gentleness in his eyes, and there was also some occasions that he was indifferent to her, with a cold and detached feeling within.

Furthermore, there were also pain and grief in his eyes sometimes, as well as hatred and animosity.

This... why was that?

Patting Han Qingwu's shoulder, Chi Nan smiled and said, "Teacher Han, although I don't know what happened between you and my Boss, you're the only woman who can make him emotionally unstable. So I'm congratulating you. If you can seize this opportunity well, then you will perhaps become our Lady Boss in the future."

"I..." Han Qingwu's mouth opened as she wanted to explain, yet she found that Chi Nan didn't give her a chance to speak again and went straight upstairs. Chi Nan's elaborate remark, however, sent a stream of joyous mood to her heart. Chi Nan's comment about her becoming her Lady Boss was especially sweet.

Quickly after, Han Qingwu came to the third floor under Chi Nan's guidance. When she entered the deluxe room, she took a look at the luxurious and extravagant private dining box, and only after seeing Tang Xiu did her expression turned somewhat unnatural.

"Boss, Teacher Han has arrived," reported Chi Nan with a smile.

Tang Xiu got up. Despite feeling somewhat helpless inside, he squeezed out a smile and showed an amiable, friendly manner, "Teacher Han, I've ordered some good dishes, and have prepared a good red wine as well. Well, since I invited you to a feast today, then I'll become a good host and entertain you well."

Having said that, Tang Xiu pulled the opposite chair and motioned for Han Qingwu to sit there.

Han Qingwu, however, turned her head slowly. She found that Chi Nan had already withdrawn and closed the door from the outside, and looked hesitant before she sat on the chair.

Tang Xiu returned to his seat and then said with a smile, "Teacher Han, you seem pale. What happened?"

Han Qingwu shook her head and stared at Tang Xiu for a while. She straightly looked at Tang Xiu, who was looking at her like a dear person to him, before she said, "I don't expect to have a meat pie fall upon me from the sky. Such as this feast, I don't think you called me without a good reason, am I right? So tell me, what is it that you want from me?"

Having what he had in mind pointed out that bluntly, Tang Xiu looked somewhat awkward. He recalled his indifferent and detached attitude toward Han Qingwu before, as he touched his nose and forced out a smile, "You're really intelligent and considerate, Teacher Han. I just realized that you're simply a living Goddess of Wisdom. Nothing can escape your eyes, it seems."

Pfft... Han Qingwu couldn't help laughing. It was the first time for her to hear such a nauseating sentence from Tang Xiu. Then, she rolled her eyes and snorted, "Hmph, excessive addressing and attention usually have evil intentions behind it. Just spit it out and don't fawn on me! What exactly is your purpose?"

Tang Xiu clapped his hands and smilingly said, "Look, look at you, what did I just tell you? You're really smart! Anyways, I actually don't have too big a matter to trouble you, it's just... that I possibly have some urgent matters in the near future, so I'm afraid I will have to take a leave for a few days. Thus, I'm hoping that you will approve it, Teacher Han."

"You're asking for a leave of absence?" Han Qingwu's tone hiked up as she looked at Tang Xiu angrily. "NO WAY! Are you going to relive your old mistakes again?"

"I really do have some matters to deal with!" Tang Xiu forced a bitter smile. "Please think about it. I'm a Big Boss, and there are many things I need to deal with. I've been staying on campus every day in the last two weeks to study, and many things have already been accumulated. If I don't deal with it, then things will become very troublesome. You... just please remember when I saved your life back then, and give me a few days off. I promise that it won't delay my studies at all."

"What are going to do for asking a few days off, exactly?" Asked Han Qingwu after being silent for a while.

"Kang Xia contacted me today saying that a very important product of the Magnificent Tang Corporation will be released to the market in the near future, so I need to pay attention to this matter. Additionally, my friend and I are investing real estate in Shanghai and the project is about to start soon, so I need to finalize the final cooperation plan with him. Also, I probably have to make a trip to the South China Sea, as there are important things that need to be addressed there as well."

"South China Sea? What are you going to do there?" Asked Han Qingwu with a puzzled expression.

"I'm going to buy an island," Tang Xiu answered.

Han Qingwu rolled her eyes, "You're just bullsh*ting me, aren't you? Are you only able to think of such a ridiculous, absurd excuse?"

"I'm not joking with you. I'm going to buy an island in the southern part of South China Sea," said Tang Xiu seriously.

Staring blankly, Han Qingwu was silent for more than ten seconds before she finally said, "I only had a few classes to teach recently. Furthermore, I'm not feeling well and am not in a good mood as well, so I'm going to take a few days off, too. If you promise to take me with you to the South China Sea, then I'll choose to believe you."

"What do you want to do? Are you going to watch me?" Asked Tang Xiu in a strange tone.

"It's good that you can get it, hmph," Han Qingwu snorted. "If anything, I must go out to refresh my mind. Promise me that you'll bring me! If you don't..."

"You..." Besides being helpless and forcing out a bitter upon seeing how Han Qingwu threatened him, Tang Xiu had no other emotions at all. After thinking for a short while, he then nodded and said, "I can take you with me, but you must accept my conditions first."

"What conditions?" Han Qingwu stretched out her hands and said.

"If I have some matters that need to be managed in the future, then you must approve my applications for leave. And you're not allowed to forbid and stop me as long as I pass the exam at the end of the year. Even if I don't attend classes on the campus for the whole semester, you will not speak about that nor will you make things difficult for my academic credits!"

"I promise!" Han Qingwu happily answered.

"To be honest, dealing with a class-in-charge teacher like you makes me worried and happy at the same time," Tang Xiu shook his head and forced a smile. "Anyhow, the dishes will be coming up soon, let's chat while we eat!"

Really, not long after Tang Xiu talked about it, the room's door was knocked and pushed open from the outside. Chi Nan personally carried a plate and came in with a few beautiful attendants and put the dishes and wine on the table. Afterward, Chi Nan said with a smile, "Boss, the dishes you ordered have been served. Just call me directly if you have other needs."

"OK! Off you go then!" Tang Xiu waved and replied.

After savoring the meal and drinking the wine, Han Qingwu and Tang Xiu chatted a bit. When they were halfway through the dinner, Han Qingwu stared at Tang Xiu and suddenly said, "There was a hot news in our campus today saying that you've announced your relationship with Mu Wanying, is that right?"

"It's only a ruse, a fake relationship," Tang Xiu shook his head. "I became notoriously famous out of nowhere, and it was rather baffling. Many girls in the campus are confessing to me, to the point of getting me annoyed and vexed. Mu Wanying, in the other hand, faces the same situation, so we both discussed it and decided to pretend to be a couple just to thwart them."

"So, you two are pretending to be a couple?" Han Qingwu felt happy inwardly, yet she kept maintaining a calm expression on the surface. "So to say, the news is false?"

"Yeah, my dorm mates called me before about that, and I read the news on the campus forum as well. That hug was intentional, and we did that for the others to see it," Tang Xiu nodded.

"Ah, it turns out to be like that!" Learning the truth of the matter, Han Qingwu's depressed feeling disappeared all of sudden and was replaced by an inexplicable happiness.