Li Chang'an didn't bother with Yu Xiaogang anymore. After all, where the man wanted to go was his own business. At this point, he was already on the brink of ruin—there was no need for Li Chang'an to do much. Just one little push at the right moment would be enough.
What mattered most right now was that they were about to head to Heaven Dou City. Everything in Suotuo City had to be properly arranged before that. More importantly, this time—he had to confess his feelings to Zhu Zhuqing!
That's right. If he didn't confess soon, things would get complicated once they reached Heaven Dou City, and besides, he would be leaving soon. So if he didn't say something now, he might not get another chance.
And based on his experience as a seasoned veteran of love, a skilled flirt, and a top student, he estimated his chances of success with Zhu Zhuqing at around 60%. If he performed at his best, that number could go up to 90%!
Just as Li Chang'an was contemplating how to confess, he walked out of the dean's office and suddenly saw a familiar graceful figure pacing back and forth.
Who else could it be but Zhu Zhuqing?
The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up with excitement—as if she had been waiting for him specifically.
"Hey, beauty, what are you doing here? Waiting for me, perhaps?" Li Chang'an teased with a grin.
Zhu Zhuqing was long immune to his flirting. She knew he only had a sharp tongue; his actions and the way he treated her were what really mattered. And truthfully, he'd always treated her very well. That was exactly why she had come looking for him.
"I need to talk to you about something," Zhu Zhuqing finally said, having steeled her resolve. She looked into Li Chang'an's mischievous eyes and spoke seriously.
But as soon as she said that, she noticed his expression shift into one of deep concern—clearly, he cared about what she had to say.
Li Chang'an tried to guess what it could be. Was Zhu Zhuqing about to confess to him because she thought he was too handsome?
'Ahem... stop fantasizing... focus!'
"My family has arranged a marriage for me..." Zhu Zhuqing's words hit Li Chang'an like a thunderbolt!
'Another arranged marriage?!'
Seeing the stunned expression on Li Chang'an's face, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but smile faintly—this guy obviously cared about her.
Then, she explained everything.
Ever since Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul had evolved into the Midnight Shadow Cat, her clan had significantly loosened their restrictions on her. The engagement with Dai Mubai had already been annulled under her firm insistence.
But word eventually reached the Royal family. Not long after, Dai Weisi personally came to the Zhu family—carrying an imperial decree from the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire.
The decree was simple: since Zhu Zhuqing's strength and martial soul had improved so dramatically, she now deserved to be matched with someone of equal standing—namely, the eldest son of the Dai family, the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire—Dai Weisi.
Zhu Zhuqing's evolved martial soul truly qualified her to inherit leadership of the Zhu Clan. But this marriage proposal came from the Crown Prince himself!
No matter how noble Zhu Zhuqing's background or how powerful her martial soul, the Crown Prince—the first in line for the throne and future Emperor of the Star Luo Empire—was more than worthy of her. You could even say he was overqualified.
That was one reason why the Zhu Clan couldn't say no. They sent her a letter ordering her to return home and meet Dai Weisi. The letter was signed by the current patriarch of the Zhu Clan—Zhu Lingmao, her father.
That was someone Zhu Zhuqing couldn't refuse.
So yes, she would return—but no way was she going to agree to this match. Her heart already belonged to someone else: the man standing before her now.
Especially after their martial souls had fused... that mysterious connection had made her believe even more firmly in what she already suspected.
After all, theirs was a 100% compatibility martial soul fusion!
Li Chang'an's face darkened upon hearing everything, his displeasure written all over his face.
Dai Weisi?
No discussion needed—he'd cripple that guy.
"So this time... I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend—to block Dai Weisi," Zhu Zhuqing said, though she was unsure how Li Chang'an would respond. After all, that was the Crown Prince of a powerful empire—not someone you casually made an enemy of.
"I'll go with you," Li Chang'an replied without hesitation. "Honestly, even if you hadn't asked, I wouldn't let you go on a date with anyone else."
His words left no room for ambiguity—they were just short of a full-blown confession.
"What are you saying? I'm just asking you to pretend to be my boyfriend. It's not for real," Zhu Zhuqing muttered, her heart pounding as she looked into Li Chang'an's fiery gaze.
But despite her words, his unwavering stance brought her an immense sense of comfort.
She didn't know where this man's confidence came from, but the fact that he said it—meant everything.
After finalizing their plan, Li Chang'an didn't hesitate. They agreed to set off that very afternoon, and he turned back to visit Flender's office.
This trip to the Zhu family would take at least five or six days, so they couldn't afford to delay the others' journey to Heaven Dou City. By the time they returned, the Shrek team would likely have already arrived at the new Shrek Academy there.
Li Chang'an requested time off for both himself and Zhu Zhuqing, then left for Suotuo City.
After all, he wouldn't be back for a while. The Li and Hong Chambers of Commerce had likely finished consolidating control over all the city's casinos by now, and things needed to be properly arranged.
Suotuo City sat right on the border between the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires—an open plain of great geographical and military value.
Li Chang'an might not be able to take the city openly, but by dominating its underground forces—and with support from the Spirit Hall—he had effectively seized control of the entire city.
…
In a private room in a hotel, Li Chang'an met with the two local representatives of the Li and Hong Chambers of Commerce.
Both were middle-aged and looked exhausted, as if they hadn't slept all night. But despite their fatigue, they were brimming with excitement and energy.
Before being sent here, the representative from the Hong Chamber had been personally summoned by Bai Xue, who warned him: Li Chang'an's words were her words. He was to obey them absolutely. As for the Li Chamber's rep—needless to say, he already understood.
Since arriving in Suotuo City, Li Chang'an had only offered a few brief instructions about how to open their businesses. After that, he'd said very little.
But yesterday's operation had been nothing short of a masterstroke.
"How's it going?" Li Chang'an asked calmly as he sat at the head of the table. He didn't need to posture—his presence alone was enough to command respect and obedience.
"Young Master, as of yesterday, we've driven every casino in Suotuo City into bankruptcy. Our two chambers have taken them all over. We may not have unified the entire underground network yet, but this was a major first step."
"Good," Li Chang'an nodded. "From now on, just continue following my instructions. Also—Shrek Academy has moved out. I want you to take over the original academy site and keep it running."
"Use a portion of your profits to cover the operating costs. Teachers will be provided by Spirit Hall. All expenses are your responsibility."
"The goal of this school is to enroll all Spirit master children of the appropriate age—regardless of social class. Everyone is to be treated equally."
"The school will be named Spirit Hall Academy – Suotuo City Branch. Coordinate the rest with Spirit Hall."
"This academy is extremely important to us. Consider it a pilot program for mandatory education. That's all—meeting adjourned."
____
T/N:
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