### Chapter Four Hundred Forty-Three: The Reexamination Turmoil
“Keep pretending! I never thought you’d quietly snag the position of the master’s son-in-law. No wonder during the tournament, Senior Sister Qin was eager to join your team, even handing over the championship title to you—there’s clearly something fishy going on!”
Senior Brother Mei looked like he was in on all the secrets.
In this grand competition, it turned out the championship was taken by the temporary team of Mu Jixue, Qin Hongye, and Xia Linglong.
However, only the team which registered before the tournament could claim the prize! So it was impossible to award three teams at once. Surprisingly enough, both Qin Hongye and Xia Linglong had voluntarily withdrawn.
Word had spread like wildfire within the sect by then.
At this moment, Senior Brother Mei was convinced there was some trickery afoot.
Who would’ve guessed Yun Zhonghe was such a mooch!
But then… suddenly… inspiration struck!!!
Senior Brother Mei shot a look at Yun Zhonghe that screamed, “You sly dog!”
Yun Zhonghe felt a chill run down his spine, almost as if… he were a little worried.
After all, Tao Jiu’er was still around. Senior Brother Mei’s comments might stir up some jealousy!
And given Tao Jiu’er’s somewhat obsessive tendencies, who knows what kind of punishment Yun Zhonghe might face later?
“Junior Brother Yun, you just happen to be in my presence today. To be candid, I’ve quite the expertise in matters of love. Without a doubt, Senior Sister Qin has taken a liking to you! This is a golden opportunity, a chance of a lifetime! Senior Sister Qin is the only daughter of the master—marrying her off would be highly unlikely, but you, becoming the master’s son-in-law? That’s just around the corner!”
The more Senior Brother Mei spoke, the more excited he became, painting a glorious future for Yun Zhonghe.
Meanwhile, Lu Ren’s expression grew even more complicated.
Yun Zhonghe nervously glanced at Tao Jiu’er, who seemed unfazed.
It was as if she didn’t care one bit about the jokes involving Yun Zhonghe and other girls.
“Eh?”
This is so… strange…
He couldn’t quite understand.
Senior Brother Mei said, “When you become the master’s son-in-law, don’t forget about me, your fellow sect brother. We’ve shared the same roof!”
Yun Zhonghe could only respond with silence.
“My demands aren’t high—just raise my monthly allowance to fifteen million spirit stones.”
“Junior Brother Yun, don’t doubt me. With my years of experience in reading… ahem, perusing novels, I assure you I’m absolutely right.”
“Junior Brother Yun, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don’t be foolish!”
“If she likes me, I’d offer her a cleaned-up version of myself right on her bed! What makes you think you’d have a shot?”
With such a great opportunity available, how could he not seize it?
Doesn’t he know I’m green with envy?!
Meanwhile, Lu Ren felt pretty down himself. Why didn’t any rich and beautiful fairies take an interest in him?
Instead, here was this goofball.
Is this a trend now?
Both Lu Ren and Senior Brother Mei stroked their chins, pondering deeply.
However, after a brief contemplation, they abandoned the notion of acting foolish to attract the rich fairies.
They were just too intelligent and witty for that.
Turns out, they don’t have the stomach for this kind of mooching.
What a shame.
Yun Zhonghe was blissfully unaware of the complex emotional turmoil spinning within the two.
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted them.
All four turned their attention back.
Senior Brother Mei looked at Yun Zhonghe, totally convinced, “This time, it’s definitely for me!”
“Come in!”
“Creeeak,” the door swung open.
And in walked…
Lin Zhongyu.
“Yun bro, how’re you feeling today?”
“I actually invited Snow to join us, but she couldn’t get out of bed.”
“I brought you guys some snacks!”
Lu Ren was like, “…”
And who might this be?
Another unfamiliar girl…
Senior Brother Mei, who had just exuded confidence, now felt quite the slap to the face.
Lin Zhongyu brought a mountain of snacks, clearly the descendant of a legendary stomach.
She didn’t stay long, just chatted for a bit before leaving.
Yun Zhonghe, sensing the complex emotions from Senior Brother Mei and Lu Ren, offered the food box Lin Zhongyu sent over, “There’s plenty! Want to share some?”
Both of them: “…”
Even though they were super eager to eat, it was noon and they were starving, so begrudgingly, they took a little.
And to be honest, it was pretty good.
So delicious~
Though the portions were massive, they felt quite stuffed.
Even if their friendships weren’t deep yet, among men, bonds were forged over shared snacks; if you could share something delicious, you were practically brothers.
And if it were a full meal? Oh man, that would make you a godfather!
Meanwhile, Tao Jiu’er was watching the amusing camaraderie of the three boys like she was at a show.
Gradually, the three started chatting more, and even Lu Ren joined in on the chatter.
Just then, the door knocked again.
Senior Brother Mei slammed the table: “This time it’s definitely for me!”
And thus…
A whole crowd of people burst in.
Suddenly, the hospital room was packed to the brim.
“Yun bro!”
“How are you feeling?”
“Yun bro, I heard you lost your memory? Really?! Don’t forget about your brothers!”
“Yun bro, I bought some pills good for the Sea of Consciousness restoration. Think they’ll help?”
“Oh no, Yun, how could you be in such a miserable state, sob sob sob…”
“……”
A swarm of people surrounded Yun Zhonghe.
He couldn’t quite place who everyone was.
It was Song Ziwei and the others, along with Little Fox Hu Shang and her companion Miss Hu Chou tagging along.
Even though the tournament had ended, they were still lingering around the Xuantian Sect, especially Hu Shang, who was waiting for another chance to hang out with Yun Zhonghe! It was their little agreement!
“By the way, Yun bro, your performance in the competition was so cool!”
“Yeah, Yun bro, you were amazing! You were neck and neck with that Li Yifeng!”
“Yun bro, I’m going to take inspiration from you! I’ll work hard when I get back!”
“I’m not trying my best, it feels like I won’t catch up to you…”
Yun Zhonghe was smothered in compliments, utterly lost in the flattery.
In the same hospital room, one side was filled with laughter and chatter.
While the other side remained desolate and empty.
The contrast was stark—enough to bring tears to the ears of the listeners.
Senior Brother Mei quietly shrank deeper into his blankets, gnashing his teeth, filled with self-pity.
Gone was his earlier confidence.
How dare they all come to see this kid!
Where were the visitors for him?
Is this even reasonable?!
Looking at the cute Xiao Yue, the carefree Xiao Yang, the shy and delicate Luo Qing, the Tianjian Sect’s Song Ziwei, and the adorable Little Fox Hu Shang…
Ugh, ugh, ugh, how infuriating! This Yun Zhonghe is such a flower heart!
Lu Ren seemed to have gotten used to it. After all this time knowing Yun Zhonghe, he had yet to see the same person twice.
Each time it was someone new.
So, Lu Ren patted Senior Brother Mei on the shoulder, and the two underdogs huddled together for warmth.
According to hospital rules, too many visitors couldn’t be in the room at once, so Song Ziwei and the gang didn’t linger for long before being asked to leave.
One by one, they bid farewell to Yun Zhonghe, reluctance written all over their faces.
