After finally waiting for the group to settle down slightly, Dai Chengfeng turned to Yu Tianheng, who was practically fuming, and relayed Liu Erlong's message.
"Your aunt had an urgent matter and left in a hurry. She asked me to tell you that she can't entertain you today and that you should come back another time."
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng gritted his teeth, barely suppressing his anger, and nodded. "I… understand."
Although Yu Tianheng was curious about what urgent matter could have caused his aunt to suddenly leave, right now…
He only wanted to leave as quickly as possible, getting as far away from Dai Chengfeng, this "devil," as he could.
"Let's go!"
Yu Tianheng forced out these three words through clenched teeth, then turned around and left the suffocating courtyard.
"Huh? Boss, we're leaving already?"
At this moment, Yu Feng still seemed reluctant to leave.
"I haven't even had a chance to talk more with Uncle..." Oslo muttered.
Yu Tianheng sharply turned his head, glaring at them fiercely and growling, "Less talk! Let's go!"
The group that had arrived in a rush quickly departed just as hurriedly.
Not far from the courtyard gate, their conversation could still be faintly heard.
"Boss, don't be in such a hurry! He's your uncle after all! If he could give us some guidance or take care of us in the future…"
"Shut up! Yu Feng, I think you're asking for a beating!"
"Ouch! Boss, stop hitting me! It hurts! I still need my handsome face to charm girls…"
"Get lost!"
Their noisy voices gradually faded into the distance.
In the pavilion, Dai Chengfeng's lips curled slightly upward as he finished the last piece of grilled meat, picked up his teacup, and took a delicate sip.
"Hmph, young people, their energy is truly boundless…"
Meanwhile, in the afternoon sun, as Dai Chengfeng basked in the sunlight and leisurely sipped tea while waiting for Liu Erlong's return, inside the grand hall of the Seven Treasures Hotel in the central district of Spirit City—
Liu Erlong, who had left the courtyard, sat alone in a corner chair of the hotel lobby. Her face was so dark it seemed as if water could drip from it.
Her slender fingertips unconsciously tapped against the hard armrest, producing dull thuds.
But this did nothing to alleviate her irritation; instead, each tap seemed to make her even more agitated.
Liu Erlong had arrived at the Seven Treasures Hotel long ago. The fame of the Golden Iron Triangle might not be universally known throughout the world of soul masters, but the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's hotel staff certainly recognized it.
Thus, after she stated her identity and inquired about Yu Xiaogang's room, the manager was quite courteous.
However, the information provided by the manager ignited the already smoldering flames of anger in her heart into a raging inferno.
The manager said that Master Yu Xiaogang had gone out early in the morning to meet someone and had yet to return—and that this happened almost every single day!
"Xiaogang isn't here… meeting someone… leaving early every day…"
Liu Erlong repeated these words under her breath, her nails almost digging into the wooden grain of the armrest. "He shouldn't know many people in Spirit City like me. Where could he possibly go?"
"It must be to see that woman Bibi Dong!"
This thought gnawed at Liu Erlong's heart like a venomous snake. A faint red glow flickered in her eyes, mingling jealousy and anger.
The air around her seemed to thicken due to the gloomy aura emanating from her. Waiters passing by instinctively avoided her—though beautiful, she exuded a dangerous presence.
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the hotel entrance.
A middle-aged man dressed in slightly worn black clothing, with a crew cut and a stiff expression, walked in—it was Yu Xiaogang.
His brows were slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought…
"Master, you've finally returned!"
At this moment, a sharp-eyed waiter spotted Yu Xiaogang and immediately approached him, his tone filled with respect and relief.
Interrupted from his thoughts, Yu Xiaogang raised his head, looking somewhat confused. "Huh? What is it?"
"A guest has been waiting for you for a long time."
The waiter quickly explained, pointing toward the corner of the lobby.
"Someone is waiting for me?"
Yu Xiaogang was puzzled, but soon realization dawned on him, and a hint of pride flashed across his face.
After all, in Spirit City, apart from Flender, Tang Hao, and the others from Shrek Academy, he hardly knew anyone else.
And those people were still outside the city, training intensively with Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others.
He had returned to pack some lunch to bring to them.
So now, who else would specifically come to the hotel to find him? It could only be Bibi Dong, right?
"She must be here to apologize to me," he thought.
Recalling how he had boasted in front of the Hao Tian Douluo (Tang Hao) that he could obtain information about Dai Chengfeng's trump card, only to be flatly rejected when he personally asked Bibi Dong, made him feel utterly humiliated.
Though Tang Hao hadn't said anything at the time, Yu Xiaogang could sense the contempt and mockery in his eyes.
Even now, thinking about it made Yu Xiaogang feel as though he had lost all face and felt incredibly angry.
"Hmph, now you've come to find me? You want me to forgive you? It won't be that simple."
While Yu Xiaogang harbored these thoughts, he tried to maintain a calm demeanor, deliberately adding a touch of indifference. He gave the waiter a slight nod and said in what he believed to be a composed tone, "Lead the way."
"Yes, Master, this way please." The waiter respectfully guided him from the side.
Yu Xiaogang adjusted his already neat clothing and followed the waiter toward the corner of the lobby.
The sound of footsteps grew closer.
However, when he saw the figure sitting in the chair, radiating an icy aura, Yu Xiaogang's feigned composure and faint anticipation shattered instantly, replaced by utter astonishment.
His steps abruptly halted, his pupils contracted slightly, and he blurted out, "Er… Erlong?! Why are you here?!"
After the initial shock, a flicker of joy instinctively rose in his heart.
After all, Liu Erlong was his nominal wife, an undeniable part of his complex emotions.
But he quickly remembered his blood relationship with Liu Erlong. He forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions, attempting to appear normal, and spoke:
"Erlong, you… why are you in Spirit City? And how did you manage to find me here?"
Liu Erlong abruptly stood up from her chair, the force of her movement causing the chair to scrape backward with a piercing screech.
She took deliberate steps toward Yu Xiaogang, her eyes locked onto him. She advanced one step closer, her voice low and hoarse from suppressing her rage, brimming with unmasked accusation:
"Yu Xiaogang, I should be asking you! What are you doing… in Spirit City?!"
"And…" her voice suddenly rose, the red glow in her eyes nearly bursting forth, "What did you do this morning?! Did you… meet someone?!"
The final sentence was squeezed out through gritted teeth, filled with suspicion and anger.
As for whom she was referring to in her question, it was all too clear.
After all, how many acquaintances did Yu Xiaogang have in Spirit City?
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