What caught Zhang Chulan even more off guard was that Feng Baobao suddenly gave him a deep bow—and sincerely apologized:
"I'm sorry, I was wrong before. Please forgive me."
Zhang Chulan was completely stunned.
He couldn't make sense of why Feng Baobao had changed so drastically. But her sincere eyes and tone didn't seem like she was lying.
After regaining his composure, he tested the waters:
"If you're here to apologize… then from now on, you have to listen to me."
Feng Baobao looked at him with that same clever expression she always had—and nodded repeatedly.
"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll listen to you."
Seeing her agree so quickly made Zhang Chulan straighten up with a bit more confidence.
He repeated, "No matter what it is—you have to listen to me."
Feng Baobao stood straight, eyes wide, and nodded again.
"Mm-hmm. I'll listen to you."
Watching this scene, Hikaru let out a soft chuckle.
That chuckle snapped Zhang Chulan out of his dream-state. He suddenly realized—this wasn't just him and Baobao anymore.
Chairman Feng was standing quietly to the side, gaze deep and unreadable. And that unfamiliar youth—Hikaru—stood calmly, unreadable.
What truly made Zhang Chulan uneasy was the way everyone in the room looked at Hikaru—with unmistakable reverence and fear.
He swallowed hard and cautiously asked, "Who… who are you?"
Hikaru didn't answer him directly. Instead, he turned his gaze to Feng Baobao, the corners of his lips curling into a meaningful smile.
"I found the person for you. Since I helped you, shouldn't you help me now?"
Feng Baobao's mind seemed to stall.
She blinked in confusion, clearly sensing something was off… but unable to tell what.
Still, she nodded out of habit.
"Mm. You're right."
"Then let me take a look at the Old Farmer's Technique."
Hikaru followed up smoothly.
Zhang Chulan didn't know what exactly was going on, but he had spent enough time with Baobao to understand one thing—she was easy to mislead.
And this guy was obviously manipulating her.
He quickly stepped in.
"Baobao-jie, don't listen to him! Didn't you just say you'd listen to me now? You can't tell him anything!"
His tone was firm and anxious—trying to pull her back.
To his surprise, that worked like a charm.
Feng Baobao nodded seriously. "Mn, got it."
She turned to Hikaru and said with a serious look, "Zhang Chulan told me not to agree. Sorry."
Hikaru wasn't upset. He even chuckled again.
"Then… would you like to know who you are?"
That single line hit Feng Baobao like a rock splashing into a still lake—stirring deep ripples within her heart.
Her usually calm face was now visibly shaken.
She rushed to Hikaru, grabbing his arm tightly, her voice laced with desperation.
"You know who I am? You know my past?!"
Just then, a voice came from behind them.
"Hey now, I can't pretend I didn't hear that. You better not be messing with Baobao."
The tension in the air was pierced by a deliberately casual voice.
Xu Si strolled in, with that lazy, troublemaker vibe. Behind him followed the calm and serious Xu San, adjusting his glasses as he stepped forward.
Xu San's gaze sharpened as he looked at Hikaru, his tone carrying a veiled threat.
"He's right. If you're lying to Baobao, we won't let it slide."
But their warning didn't seem to faze Hikaru in the slightest.
He just gave them a glance—and the next moment, an invisible pressure crashed down on them like a mountain.
Boom—! Both of them were slammed to the ground instantly.
They struggled to rise, but the force was irresistible.
Luckily, the pressure vanished as suddenly as it had come.
Within seconds, they were scrambling to their feet, disheveled and shaken. Though they still tried to look imposing, their earlier arrogance had clearly faded.
Feng Baobao, meanwhile, seemed completely unaware of the exchange. Her entire focus remained on Hikaru.
Hikaru met her urgent eyes and chuckled.
"Are you sure you want to talk about this here? I don't mind."
Feng Baobao nodded quickly.
But Xu San and Xu Si both interjected.
"No way. This isn't the place for that."
Just imagining the consequences if Baobao's secrets were leaked made them forget their earlier embarrassment.
They pushed forward to try and escort Baobao away—temporarily ignoring even Zhang Chulan.
But for once, the usually obedient Baobao stood her ground.
She broke free from Xu San and Xu Si's hold and ran behind Hikaru, hiding.
Her clear, resolute eyes left no doubt: she wanted to know the truth—no matter what.
Xu Si groaned in frustration at the sight.
But then he thought of something.
"How about this, mister. Why don't we talk somewhere more private?"
That was exactly what Hikaru had been waiting for.
The Old Farmer's Technique was very likely the long-lost Qi Source Technique—and the one who possessed it was Baobao.
But more than that, there was something off about her. She didn't fit.
And Hikaru wanted to know why.
Xu San and Xu Si exchanged looks, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
This conversation might uncover something earth-shattering.
But they had no choice now.
With solemn faces, they led the way, and Hikaru followed calmly.
Baobao trailed behind him like a quiet shadow.
Zhang Chulan, watching the whole scene, was completely dumbfounded.
Wait—wasn't she here to find him? How did she just… leave?
Just then, Feng Zhenghao stepped up and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Well, Zhang Chulan, what do you say? Interested in joining Heaven and Earth Society?"
Zhang Chulan snapped out of it, scratched his head awkwardly, and replied:
"Thanks for the offer, Chairman Feng. But I'd still like to stay with Wherever Hall for now."
He smiled apologetically, then turned to leave—trying to catch up to Hikaru and the others.
Feng Zhenghao watched the group disappear into the distance, the smile on his face gradually fading into solemn contemplation.
He turned to his son, Feng Xingtong, and instructed:
"Go report what just happened to the people of Jia Family Village. Tell it exactly as it occurred. No embellishments. No omissions."
Xingtong nodded and left.
Feng Zhenghao stood alone, gazing at the distant sky, lost in thought.
"A chaotic time, indeed... First, the Qi Source Technique resurfaces. Now, a mysterious young man of unfathomable power enters the stage..."
"Whether this is fortune or disaster... I can't say yet."