Lin Dongming felt stuck, neither wanting to leave nor sit down, so he reluctantly began explaining to Bai Zhiqing how to use the Lei Gang Body Tempering technique and the precautions involved.
Bai Zhiqing looked very satisfied, inching closer to Lin Dongming while glancing at Han Xiangjun from the corner of her eye, a pleased smile on her face.
Seeing this expression, Lin Dongming was helpless and started thinking of excuses to slip away later.
Suddenly, Han Xiangjun stood up and walked toward Lin Dongming. “Junior Brother Lin, come here for a moment. I have something to ask you.”
Lin Dongming: “Ah??”
Bai Zhiqing immediately grabbed his hand. “Sorry, Senior Sister Han, Senior Brother Lin is still answering my questions. Please wait until we finish talking.”
Han Xiangjun didn’t back down at all: “Bai Shimei, please let Senior Sister through. The matters on this side are more important.”
Bai Zhiqing then yanked Lin Dongming to the side. “Line up!”
Han Xiangjun was left dumbfounded, standing there in shock.
After a moment, she stomped angrily, “That brat! How dare she talk to me like that!”
Pulled by the collar, Lin Dongming was dragged behind a nearby waterfall. He sighed, “Why bother fighting her? It won’t do you any good.”
“That’s not it,” Bai Zhiqing teased.
“Can’t a person just genuinely like Senior Brother Lin and want to save you from Senior Sister Han’s clutches?”
Lin Dongming rolled his eyes without hiding it. “Why don’t you say something you actually believe in?”
Bai Zhiqing: “I thought you’d be easier to fool.”
Lin Dongming shrugged.
“You won’t fool anyone by putting your intentions so obviously on your face. So, why do you dislike Han Xiangjun? Don’t tell me it’s because you two once competed for the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect Beauty Ranking and she outshined you or something like that.”
Bai Zhiqing’s eyes widened slightly. “So that’s actually true? I only heard about it. Didn’t expect someone to waste time on such a pointless ranking—and I ended up ranked below Han Xiangjun.”
Lin Dongming: “…You know that well enough, right? That ranking really does exist.”
“That’s only part of it,” Bai Zhiqing rolled her eyes. “I just can’t stand how she acts like she owns everything she has—arrogant and domineering.”
“Surely… many people dislike that side of her,” Lin Dongming sighed helplessly.
Overall, Han Xiangjun’s nature wasn’t bad. She treated people with courtesy and warmth. Even when some shameless guys chased after her, she tried to treat them kindly.
If they bought her things, she would return the favor with Spirit Stones.
But Han Xiangjun was too used to everything that came with being the daughter of the Master Elder, while she was just a girl wanting to eat, drink, and be merry.
This mismatch made her unable to shoulder many of the responsibilities a senior sister should bear, and those who saw through it all just shook their heads.
If Han Xiangjun were only the daughter of a mid-ranking Elder, then as a talented yet simple-minded junior sister, she might be quite popular. But this mismatch often appears in many people.
Fortunately, Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi stood strong as the senior brother, or else when the Bihai Blade Sect and Xuankong Temple came to provoke, there would be few young disciples able to hold their own.
“So, why did you drag me over here?”
Lin Dongming shrugged. Many knew about Han Xiangjun, but this didn’t necessarily explain being dragged here.
“I want you to stop associating with Han Xiangjun.”
Lin Dongming: “…How old are you?”
Hearing such childish words come from Bai Zhiqing surprised him.
Bai Zhiqing shot back sarcastically, “Not much younger than you.”
Lin Dongming rolled his eyes. “Then why are you still using such immature tactics? Hmm… could it be you like Senior Sister Han?”
Bai Zhiqing: “Huh??”
Lin Dongming explained seriously, “You like her, so you don’t want others getting close to her, nor do you want her to like someone else. Isn’t that reasonable?”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Bai Zhiqing blushed. “What kind of thoughts do you have all day long?”
Lin Dongming patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll keep your secret. Good luck.”
“No need!”
Bai Zhiqing said. “That secret doesn’t even exist!”
“Alright. So, what’s your real reason?”
Lin Dongming teased.
“I want you to help me annoy Han Xiangjun,” Bai Zhiqing answered quickly, like a reflex.
Lin Dongming: “…Your ‘real reason’ isn’t much better.”
He gathered his thoughts. “So, because I used to chase—oh no, ‘admire’—Han Xiangjun, and you dislike her, you want to use me to get back at her?”
Bai Zhiqing nodded.
Lin Dongming was puzzled. “Why do you get so childish whenever it’s about Han Xiangjun? And I’m not chasing her anymore. Have you thought about someone else? Like Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi?”
“Han Xiangjun doesn’t like Yuan Jianyi. And I hate arrogant people,” Bai Zhiqing said without hiding her disdain.
“You’re getting bolder and bolder. Aren’t you afraid I’ll snitch?”
Lin Dongming felt embarrassed.
“Not afraid. You don’t have any proof,” Bai Zhiqing dismissed him.
“Learn from me.” Lin Dongming twitched at the corner of his eye. “But I really have no interest in this. Find someone else.”
Lin Dongming turned and waved, planning to find a quiet corner to cultivate.
“Don’t you think I’m pretty? Pretending to be a couple has lots of benefits!”
Bai Zhiqing’s dissatisfied voice came from behind.
“No matter how pretty, I can’t eat you.” Lin Dongming had seen plenty of beauties.
“Don’t you want me to owe you a favor?”
Bai Zhiqing was like Han Xiangjun in that she rarely lost, so when she did, she was even more unwilling.
“Favors aren’t currency.” Lin Dongming still refused without even pausing.
“Then I’ll pay you!”
Bai Zhiqing shouted in frustration.
Lin Dongming immediately turned around and appeared right in front of her. “Sugar daddy, details?”
Bai Zhiqing: “…Alright, so you’re still a gold digger in the end.”
“Money makes the world go round.” Lin Dongming didn’t mind others calling him that.
“Whether you need a personal bodyguard, emotional support, or errand runner, as long as the Spirit Stones are enough, I’ll overdeliver with zero waste!”
Bai Zhiqing: “…How many do you want? Is ten Middle-grade Spirit Stones a month enough?”
That’s 10,000 Lower-grade Spirit Stones.
Lin Dongming nodded: Are you rich ladies always this generous?
“By the way, has Han Xiangjun ever paid you Spirit Stones?”
Bai Zhiqing asked curiously.
Lin Dongming shook his head. The payments came from the Elders, not Han Xiangjun.
Bai Zhiqing grew even more unhappy: So you really did chase her, and now I have to pay you to put on a show?
Lin Dongming had already prepared a Contract and ink brush, waiting for Bai Zhiqing to sign.
Bai Zhiqing angrily snatched the Contract from Lin Dongming’s hand and quickly signed her name: “You better follow it obediently!”
Just now, she scanned the contract with her spiritual sense and saw that it included many services—protection of her safety, companionship during practice, emotional support, and more.
It also required the contractor to fulfill the employer’s requests as much as possible.
If Lin Dongming really did everything written in the Contract, he would basically be a 100% loyal admirer. That would definitely be enough to annoy Han Xiangjun. She just didn’t understand why her heart still felt a little tight.