in fright and shouted, his voice trembling, "Third Brother, what are you doing hiding in there It's been so long since you opened the door!"Xu Huaiyi's voice was hoarse as he said, "Those with ulteri..."Do you mean, her target might be me" Xu Huaiyi was stunned, then shook his head. "Impossible, it's not that I belittle myself, but I'm not important enough for people to plot against me now."

Su Zhe raised an eyebrow. “Dare you make a bet”

Xu Huaiyi looked at him in surprise, "Are you serious"

Su Zhe nodded. "You think I'm teasing you No, I really think that woman came for you."

"What's the reason"

"Just a gut feeling."

Xu Huaiyi uttered speechless complaints, "Your intuition is too unreliable, isn't it It's outlandish! How did you think I would be the one on top There are many wealthy and influential young masters here. Even if we include you and Yun Ting, your family background and status far surpass mine. Excluding us two, why would you target a small figure like me"

Su Zhe hinted, "I hope you'll have a bright future, achieve great things, and I also want to see your skills and fortune. It's not wrong to place bets in advance. If you lose, it's just one woman. But if you win, you could be my right-hand man who helps me soar to new heights. Do you think this deal is worthwhile"

This is a real gold mine.

Xu Huaiyi's eyes widened. "Could it be the person behind you"

That's awfully suspicious, knowing so much.

Su Zhe choked, then laughed out of exasperation, "No, if it were him, would I need to remind you"

Since it's a trap, it has to be subtle, right Can he cleverly hint at it and let him avoid it

Xu Huaiyi chuckled and patted his shoulder, "Sorry, I overthought it. So, is it perhaps one of the others"

Su Zhe frowned thoughtfully, "Looking at it, it doesn't seem like..."

He had witnessed the methods of those men, and unlike their tactics of persuasion, for someone like Xu Huaiyi, a beauty ploy was actually a last resort. A woman's role only truly mattered after success and fame were achieved. Now, giving him a woman wouldn't compare to offering him a brilliant future. That would be more appealing.

Xu Huaiyi saw that he was truly getting worked up about it and couldn't help but smile, "Alright, are you really taking this seriously I don't even know if they're coming for me. Don't overthink it, just let it go. We'll look ridiculous if we start making assumptions."

Su Zhe didn't believe him. "Let's make a bet, dare you I bet he came for you. If I win, I don't want anything, just use your brainpower and come up with an idea for me. If I lose, I'll give you half the shares of Shui Yun Xuan. How about that"

"Well now, that's quite the big bet!" Xu Huaiyi clicked his tongue in admiration, then changed his tone. "But if I don't gamble, my wife won't let me touch it. Eating, drinking, gambling, whoring... anything like that is out of the question. Don't try to lead me into crime."

Su Zhe, “...”

"Although I don't gamble, I can still promise to help you come up with a plan. After all, we're friends, and helping each other out is just what friends do. It's not even worth mentioning as a condition for an exchange, is it"

Su Zhe was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses and said in a complex tone, "Thank you, Huai Yi. I was being petty..."

Xu Huaiyi waved his hand dismissively and pulled him in, wanting to verify Su Zhe's judgment for himself.

If someone really wants to scheme against him, he'd better be prepared to deal with it.

There were many people watching the commotion. Some wore fine silk and brocade, like young masters, while others wore simple roughspun clothes, like commoners. Xu Huaiyi and his companions wore the long robes of disciples from Jingwu Academy, with thick cloaks over them to ward off the cold. But even with the cloaks, the edges of their garments could easily reveal their identity.

Jingwu Academy is the best martial arts academy in the capital city. Every year, many students pass their martial arts examinations and enter prestigious positions, so when they appear, everyone turns to look at them. The envy in their eyes is undisguised.

That woman also looked over, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, threatening to fall but held back. The look in her eyes was captivating, making every man stare. But there was no hint of seduction on her body, instead, she was pure and refined, like a white lotus blooming from the mud without being stained. She was graceful and delicate.

Xu Huaiyi's heart sank. A woman like this was the most deadly to men, both innocent and seductive. The other party was willing to throw out such a big bait, their intentions were definitely not small. Moreover, he now vaguely felt that Su Zhe's guess might be true.

This woman is really coming for him.

He couldn't help but sneer. Today's itinerary wasn't a secret, many people in the academy knew about it, and it wouldn't be difficult for the other party to find out. Sending someone here to intercept him wasn't a big deal either, after all, he had to pass through here to return to the academy. What was rare was that they were so certain he would buy this woman.

Isn't his public persona lacking the "sexually suggestive" aspect

That's because he's definitely softened his heart and become charitable, eager to help others. Well well, he has indeed done a lot of good deeds for the disaster victims, but that doesn't mean he just randomly throws around his kindness, especially not towards women like this. Don't even say it might be a ploy; even if it wasn't, he wouldn't step in to help, wouldn't give himself trouble.

So, as the woman looked over with a pitiful expression, radiating an air of pleading, he stared back impassively, completely unmoved.

How can she still act

Zhao Sanyou squeezed over and whispered in his ear, "She's indeed beautiful. A woman this stunning, buying her back wouldn't be a loss..."

Xu Huaiyi glanced at him, "You can try haggling."

Zhao Sanshou's eyes lit up, and he was eager to speak. However, before he could open his mouth, Wang Qiusheng covered it.

"Don't be stupid."

"Woooo..."

Wang Qiusheng leaned closer to him and whispered, "This kind of woman is trouble once you get involved. Watch out."

Zhao Sanshou pulled down his arm, half-believing and half-doubting. "Impossible She just looks like a weak woman, what trouble could she possibly have"

He bought it and put it in the backyard. His wife wasn't a jealous type, she even once proactively offered him a concubine. She definitely wouldn't mind having one more serving him. Anyway, the inner house was run by his wife, and he respected her deeply. He would never allow another woman to surpass her.

Wang Qiu Sheng smiled ambiguously and said, "You'll know soon enough."

As soon as the words were spoken, another person couldn't help but bid, wanting to buy the woman. Unsurprisingly, the offer was rejected once again.

At this point, someone couldn't bear it any longer. He was the first to gather and watch the commotion. At a glance, he looked like a wealthy and spoiled young master. At first, he was interested and treated it like a play. After all, there was always some tolerance for beautiful women acting. However, being refuted by a woman again and again inevitably made him irritable. So, he ordered his servant to drag the woman away and take her back forcefully.

Nobody around seems to care.

Those who wanted to speak up for what they believed was right hesitated, looking at the other person's attire before swallowing their words.

The capital is teeming with hidden experts and masters, who knows if this person can be provoked For a stranger, it's not worth incurring trouble.

"Master, master, please spare the young woman! She does not wish to be a concubine, she only wants to serve as a maid..."

“Hmph, playing hard to get are we I've given you face, calling out prices for you, elevating your status. So Still not satisfied Do you truly think you are a beauty from a noble family You're already out here selling yourself, and you still put on such a show. Pfft, do you think I'm an idiot Think you can play me around Be sensible, get up and come with me. I'll ensure you live a life of luxury for the rest of your days. But if you're unyielding... well then, don't blame me for not showing mercy to a delicate flower.”

"Master, Master…"

"Damn it, you don't know how to behave! You refuse the toast and have to drink the penalty. Get this fool shut up and drag him away!"

Seeing that the woman was about to be dragged away, Zhao San'you was dumbfounded. He couldn't help but look at his classmates on both sides and asked, "Should we do something about it"

Wang Qiusheng shook his head.

Meng Ping didn't even come forward to join in.

Li Yunteng remained unmoved.

Su Zhe had a face full of theatrical interest.

As for Xu Huaiyi, he curiously waited for the next plot development. Would it be as he expected, hearing Zhao San'you's words and replying, "How do you want to handle it One sells, one buys, it's reasonable."

"Well, well, that woman wouldn't have it."

Then why wouldn't she agree Wasn't it because she sold herself to bury her father for money The other party offered one hundred taels, what else could she be dissatisfied with It doesn't matter who she sells to, how can she still be so picky, your family must be quite well-off.When one person started shouting like that, others chimed in."Yeah, no food here. Money works too.""Let's not ask for too much, just a few coins will do.""Gentleme...