Chapter 78

Du Xiong was speechless. What was wrong with this guy? Usually, these seemingly naive young masters would foolishly rush out, thinking they were being heroic by shielding a beautiful young lady. Why wasn't this guy following the script?

He snorted, tilting his nose up arrogantly. "Consider yourself smart! Let me tell you, you'd best not think about meddling! Otherwise, I'll make you regret it!"

Meng Shuping was even more bewildered. He said blankly, "I—I wasn't planning to!"

[*Is he out of his mind? I haven't moved an inch. How does he think I'm going to play the hero? Is he hallucinating or something?*]

[*And he's such a coward. He doesn't dare pick on all those burly guys around, so he just picks on me to show off, huh? If he's so tough, why doesn't he go bother them? Tch! What a chicken!*]

"Bwahahaha!" The burly men burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by Meng Shuping. This young master was too funny! It was the first time they'd seen someone rendered speechless like this. Hilarious!

Du Xiong was fuming. Who was a chicken? Who was he calling a coward? If it weren't for the task assigned by the person behind this, did he think he'd be putting on this dry performance here?

Flustered and angry, he snapped, "You don't even dare to intervene in something like this—are you even a man?"

Meng Shuping gave him a look of utter disbelief. [*Intervening isn't right, not intervening isn't right either. Why is he so hard to please? Is he deliberately picking on me? If so, he might as well just say it outright. Why beat around the bush like this?*]

[*Honestly, I've never seen anyone so nitpicky!*]

He asked Du Xiong sincerely, "Then what—what should I do?"

"Bwahahaha!"

The burly men couldn't stop laughing again, teasing, "Yeah, you complain when he meddles, and you complain when he doesn't. What exactly do you want him to do?"

"Are you deliberately making things difficult for him?"

"Picking on him because he seems easy to bully?"

"Hey, kid! Why don't you ask me? Maybe I feel like meddling!"

Du Xiong's face darkened. He was mocking Meng Shuping—what were these others butting in for? And couldn't this kid show some backbone? He'd already decided to go easy and pretend to lose to Meng Shuping later. Why wasn't Meng Shuping stepping up to fight him?

Too exasperated to respond, he snapped furiously, "Just stay put then!"

Meng Shuping immediately nodded obediently. "Okay."

The burly men had just managed to stop laughing, but at this, they burst out again. "Bwahahaha!"

Du Xiong turned away angrily and went back to Qu Qi. He took a deep breath, putting on a smug expression. "See that, beauty? That coward didn't even dare to make a sound. What's the use asking him for help? You'd be better off coming with me—I'll make sure you live a life of luxury!"

But as soon as he finished, Meng Shuping's voice rang out mockingly, [*Tch, yeah right!*]

[*Look at how shabbily he's dressed, and he has the nerve to talk about a life of luxury. I doubt he can even afford three square meals a day! Not to look down on him, but if he's broke, why is he out here trying to trick young girls? At least dress the part to be more convincing!*]

Du Xiong clenched his fists. Screw the mission—he should just beat this kid up!

Though it wasn't right, Qu Qi couldn't help but want to laugh. She pinched her thigh hard to maintain her fearful expression, then tearfully called out to Meng Shuping, "Young master, how can you just stand by and do nothing? Aren't you being too cold-hearted?"

Meng Shuping found it utterly unbelievable. [*Is she okay? With so many people around, why is she fixated on me? Don't these big brothers look more capable than me?*]

[*Besides, helping her is a kindness, but not helping doesn't mean I deserve criticism. Get it straight—this is a public street with plenty of people around. It's not like I'm the only one who can help her!*]

Though this girl was quite annoying, Meng Shuping couldn't bring himself to stand by and watch her suffer. He sighed and stood up.

Seeing Meng Shuping finally ready to step in, Du Xiong and Qu Qi were inwardly delighted. The kid was finally reacting—all their hard work acting hadn't been in vain.

But just as they started to rejoice, Meng Shuping suddenly lowered his head and shouted in a trembling voice, "Everyone on the street, listen up! This young lady says you're all standing by without helping! She says you have no morals!"

"Pfft!" The burly men laughed so hard they could barely stand straight. This young master was truly something—why was his face so red just from shouting? And even though his voice cracked, he still yelled so loudly it was impossible not to laugh!

But Meng Shuping's words were effective. As soon as he finished, people on the street turned to look at Qu Qi. "Listen, miss, I didn't help you earlier, but that's because you asked someone else. You can't just blame me for that, can you?"

"Helping you is a kindness, but if I don't, you shouldn't be like this. I know my limits—charging in knowing I can't take them alone would be stupid. What if I get targeted because of helping you? Would you take responsibility?"

"Exactly! Not to be rude, but didn't you see those intimidating-looking guys over there? Why didn't you ask them for help? Would they really refuse?"

"I was going to say earlier—with so many strong-looking people around, why ask that young man instead? I thought you were putting on a show because you were interested in him! Turns out that's not it?"

"Honestly, can you blame people for misunderstanding?"

Even though Qu Qi considered herself thick-skinned, she couldn't help but blush. She gritted her teeth—she'd never met anyone like this. Why was he so difficult!

Then, after criticizing Qu Qi, the crowd turned to Du Xiong and his men. "What's wrong with you guys? Picking on a young girl—have you no shame?"

"If you're so bored, find a proper job. No wonder you're dressed so poorly, loafing around all day!"

"Will you ever find wives like this? Is it because you have no one at home that you're out here harassing young girls?"

"Get lost! Stop embarrassing yourselves here!"

Bombarded by the crowd's criticism, Du Xiong and his men were so angry their hair stood on end, but at the same time, they breathed a sigh of relief. Though the process wasn't what they'd expected, this outcome should still count as mission accomplished, right?

So they exchanged glances and decided to retreat. Du Xiong put on an enraged act, fuming, "Let's go!"

The group slunk away through the crowd. Once they were gone, the onlookers dispersed, though a few stayed behind to advise Qu Qi. "Miss, next time, keep your eyes open. Don't go for pretty young men—they're not much use and can't help you much. Look for someone who seems kind and strong."

Meng Shuping wholeheartedly agreed. [*Right? Finally, someone said it. If you're asking for help, pick the right person. Otherwise, not only can they not help, but they might cause more trouble!*]

Qu Qi was extremely annoyed. What did they know? Did they think she didn't understand that? If it weren't for luring Meng Shuping into a trap, would she have acted so stupidly?

But since Meng Shuping was still there, she stiffly listened to their lecturing.

Once they finally went about their business, she immediately looked toward Meng Shuping, only to find he'd already slipped away unnoticed. She hurried after him, calling out, "Young master! Young master!"

Meng Shuping was impatient. Why was she coming after him again? Hadn't the problem already been solved? He asked expressionlessly, "What?"

Qu Qi seemed completely oblivious to his displeasure. She put on a grateful expression. "Thank you for saving me today."

Meng Shuping was baffled. "You've got the wrong person. I didn't save you just now!"

Qu Qi smoothed her hair and lowered her head slightly. "There's no need to be modest, young master. If you hadn't called everyone over, I wouldn't have gotten away. I really owe it to you! But first, I should apologize. I wrongly accused you earlier, thinking you didn't want to help. It turns out you had a plan all along."

Meng Shuping was so embarrassed he could dig a hole with his toes. He said stiffly, "Oh."

[*Are you done? I'm leaving now.*]

Seeing that Meng Shuping showed no reaction to her advances, Qu Qi was inwardly annoyed. She looked at him shyly. "Young master, you must be wondering why I asked you for help, right? Actually, I've seen you in your official robes before. I know you're a good official who serves the people, so I thought I could use your status to intimidate those ruffians."

Meng Shuping suddenly understood. "So that's it."

Qu Qi quickly nodded. "Exactly. I saw you standing up for justice before, drawing your sword to help others. I admired you greatly. I never thought I'd have the chance to be helped by you today. You truly care for the people like your own children!"

Meng Shuping was very uncomfortable with such praise—it felt awkward. As soon as Qu Qi finished, he tried to make his escape. "If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way!"

Qu Qi fumed, gritting her teeth—what was wrong with this guy? Was he made of wood? She had put in so much effort, yet he still acted oblivious? Her mind raced, and she called after Meng Shuping again, "Sir, there's one more thing."

Meng Shuping sighed helplessly, "What is it now?"

[*Even though this girl is quite pretty, constantly pestering someone like this is just annoying, isn't it?*]

Qu Qi was furious. [*Is this guy really that dense?*] Couldn't he tell she was trying to show her affection? She took a deep breath, glanced around cautiously, and then lowered her voice, "I've heard that you, Sir, are gathering information about that corrupt official named Dong. I happen to know something that might be quite important. Why not follow me to a quieter spot, and I'll share what I know?"

Meng Shuping's eyes were clear yet clueless, "Really?"

Qu Qi quickly replied, "Of course! That corrupt official has done so many evil deeds—we're all hoping someone will bring him to justice soon! Since I've run into you, Sir Meng, I'd like to do my part to help!"

So Meng Shuping followed Qu Qi to a secluded alley. Qu Qi glanced at Laixing and Jiayue hesitantly and said, "This matter is quite confidential, Sir. If it gets out that I leaked the information, I could be in danger. Could you ask your attendants to wait outside?"

"Ah, is that so?"

Meng Shuping seemed to ponder for a moment, then innocently instructed Laixing and Jiayue, "Then you two go keep watch over there. If any suspicious people approach, alert me—and be sharp about it!"

The two exchanged a glance and replied, "Yes."

To avoid a repeat of last time when he was drugged and taken away, Meng Shuping made sure to keep a safe distance from Qu Qi. Once Laixing and Jiayue had reached the alley entrance, Meng Shuping said, "Now, can you tell me?"

But the moment the words were out of his mouth, Qu Qi suddenly started tearing at her own clothes.