I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 78: Veiled Allusions

"Miss, visiting this late at night, I failed to greet you properly. Please forgive the discourtesy."

Chen Ming was surprised, but he still remembered the proper etiquette.

Zhao Yan’er said, "Why so many formalities? No need to be distant. I just came to check on you—huh, you’re injured?"

She had noticed the wound at the base of Chen Ming’s right thumb.

Chen Ming said, "It’s just a small wound, nothing serious."

"Was it from your bout with Sun Shicai?" Zhao Yan’er initially intended to show concern, but then immediately sensed something was off and asked with confusion, "That’s not right. You weren’t injured then. How did this happen?"

So she had been present at the time.

Chen Ming thought to himself. He hadn’t noticed this young lady was there too and explained, "After I returned home, I was ambushed by three thieves. I suspect they were sent by Sun Shicai."

Zhao Yan’er’s expression turned serious. She had seen Chen Ming’s strength before. For those three thieves to injure him, they couldn’t have been ordinary.

She asked, "Where are those three thieves now?"

"They got away."

"Did you report it to the authorities?"

"I did. Someone from the Six Doors Authority came."

As Chen Ming said this, he held little hope in his heart.

The Six Doors Authority had only sent a Ninth Grade Black-Clad Officer. It was clear they didn’t take the matter seriously.

After asking a few questions, the officer left.

Zhao Yan’er didn’t press further.

"No need to keep standing, let’s sit and talk."

Chen Ming seated her on a rattan chair, then boiled some water and brewed a pot of tea.

Zhao Yan’er’s gaze swept over the two plain-looking maids behind him and asked, "Are these your personal maids?"

"This is Chunxiang, and this is Xiaxiang. Greet her."

Chunxiang and Xiaxiang immediately bowed. "Chunxiang (Xiaxiang) greets Miss Zhao."

Zhao Yan’er noticed that the two maids’ bowing posture was unrefined, and her expression grew even stranger. "Brother Chen devotes himself entirely to martial arts. Admirable indeed."

She wasn’t unfamiliar with plain-looking maids—her younger brother had a few himself. But those were arranged forcibly by their mother, who feared he was too young and lacking self-control, and that he might be distracted by beauty and neglect his training.

For martial artists like Chen Ming who came from humble backgrounds, once they attained strength, it was normal for them not to restrain themselves when it came to women.

Taking concubines and keeping beautiful maids was entirely expected.

No martial artist would be reproached for such behavior. Continuing the bloodline was the natural order.

So, upon seeing Chen Ming’s maids looking like that, she knew this man had a resolute will and wasn’t swayed by beauty. Her opinion of him rose even higher.

Only those with great ambition could suppress their desires.

Zhao Yan’er picked up the teacup with her slender fingers, took a small sip, and then put it down, saying, "Rumor has it you’re a martial arts fanatic, always seeking people to spar with. Is that true?"

"Indeed."

Chen Ming, seeing her reaction, knew his tea wasn’t refined enough for her taste. He didn’t point it out and nodded. "As they say, true understanding comes through practice. Martial arts aren’t trained—they’re fought. It’s just a shame most martial artists care too much about their reputation, unwilling to risk losing face, and only act when absolutely necessary."

Zhao Yan’er mused, "True understanding comes through practice? No wonder your saber technique is so exceptional."

As she spoke, she picked up the cup again, took another small sip, and still put it down.

"I know a place where many would be willing to spar with you. But it’s quite dangerous. Are you willing to go?"

Hearing this, Chen Ming quickly said, "Please do tell, Miss."

Zhao Yan’er said, "Not just anyone can enter that place—you’ll need someone of mine to lead you in. Since I’m helping you, how will you thank me?"

"If Miss Zhao could help me with such a great favor, I would be deeply grateful. Whatever orders you have in the future, I will do my utmost to fulfill them."

"You said it!"

Zhao Yan’er’s eyes sparkled, and after a moment’s thought, she said, "I haven’t decided what to ask you yet. Let’s just say you owe me a favor. I’ll bring it up when I’ve thought of something."

"Agreed."

Chen Ming accepted the condition.

Then, Zhao Yan’er extended her right pinky and said, "Then it’s settled."

Wasn’t this a little too ambiguous?

Chen Ming thought to himself, but still reached out his pinky and hooked it with her fair, delicate finger.

This scene was seen clearly by the three maids present.

The beautiful maid behind Zhao Yan’er had a slight change in expression, as if she wanted to stop them but held back.

Meanwhile, Chunxiang and Xiaxiang looked at the cross-dressing, beautiful girl before them with different eyes.

They couldn’t help but wonder—could she be the future first wife?

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly suggestive, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

A servant led a Black-Clad Officer into the courtyard.

The servant reported, "Second Master, this young lady entered through the back door, saying she’s here to see you."

Chen Ming had already seen the visitor and, for some unknown reason, felt a sudden sense of guilt.

It was the same feeling as being caught by a crush while dining alone with another girl.

It was none other than Xiao Zhuyun, and today, she was alone.

Normally, either Chunxiang or Xiaxiang would bring her in. But today, they happened to both be serving in the courtyard.

And so, they had run into each other.

When Zhao Yan’er and Xiao Zhuyun saw one another, they both clearly froze.

Neither spoke, and the atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

"Wait a minute, why am I feeling guilty? There’s nothing going on between me and either of them."

Thinking this way, Chen Ming relaxed and smiled to break the silence. "What a coincidence today. Both ladies have come by unannounced. It is truly my honor. Since you’re both acquainted, I suppose I don’t need to introduce you?"

Xiao Zhuyun spoke first. "So it’s Miss Zhao. I almost didn’t recognize you just now. I didn’t expect you to be so close with Brother Chen."

In the dead of night, you—the dignified daughter of the Inspector—actually disguised yourself and came to a man’s home. Don’t you feel any shame?

Zhao Yan’er also smiled. "Sister Xiao, why are you dressed in night attire? I almost thought another thief was here to attack Brother Chen."

Right back at you!

Their faces bore smiles, but their gazes clashed invisibly in the air.

Chen Ming had dated several girlfriends before and knew well what women were like. He could sense the invisible gunpowder between them. So, he quickly changed the topic. "Senior Sister Xiao, did you manage to find your sect’s legacy?"

Xiao Zhuyun looked at him, her gaze softening. "Yes, I found it. Sun Shicai didn’t lie. I came here specifically to thank you, Brother Chen."

Seeing her gentle expression, Chen Ming understood deep down that she might not have actual feelings for him—perhaps her reaction was simply triggered by seeing him being close with Zhao Yan’er, sparking her competitive instinct.

Before he could say anything, Zhao Yan’er had already cut in. "Sister really should thank Brother Chen. If not for him holding off Sun Shicai alone, how could you have retrieved your sect’s belongings?"

This was a veiled jab, mocking how she had abandoned Chen Ming during the fight to chase after her sect’s legacy.

Xiao Zhuyun naturally caught the implication and replied, "I am well aware of Brother Chen’s strength and his exceptional saber skills. How could Sun Shicai be his match?"

I know Chen Ming’s strength and character very well—what do you know?

Zhao Yan’er smiled and asked sweetly, "I wonder how Sister plans to thank Brother Chen? Don’t tell me you’ll offer yourself to him? Sigh, if Qin Shixiong and Young Master He find out, I wonder how heartbroken they’ll be!"

Even Chunxiang and Xiaxiang, who were usually slow to catch on, could feel just how biting those words were.

Xiao Zhuyun’s eyelid twitched slightly, and she said solemnly, "Miss Zhao, please mind your words. Brother Chen and I share only a gentleman’s friendship."

Zhao Yan’er quickly stood up and said apologetically, "So that’s how it is. I misunderstood… I apologize to you both. Rest assured, should I meet Qin Shixiong in the future, I will do my utmost to explain it clearly for you."

A flicker of anger passed through Xiao Zhuyun’s eyes as she suddenly said, "I heard the Inspector once intended to marry into the Qin family, with the bridegroom being none other than the Seventh Young Master. It’s a pity that match didn’t go through. Could it be that Miss Zhao still has feelings for him?"

Zhao Yan’er smiled. "Sister, you may not know, my father did favor Qin Shixiong, but I’ve always regarded him as an older brother. That’s why I rejected the proposal."

Chen Ming stood to the side, unable to get a word in. He thought to himself, so this is how women argue in this world. To maintain their image, they couldn’t curse, couldn’t lose composure—they could only speak in veiled allusions.

Quite amusing.

On the surface, he could only pretend to not understand. At last, he found a chance to speak. "Ladies, it’s getting late. The city is under curfew. Staying longer might bring inconvenience."

With that, Xiao Zhuyun and Zhao Yan’er both took their leave.

…

Chunxiang and Xiaxiang escorted the two women out separately. On the way back, they whispered to each other.

"Do you think… they both like Second Master?"

"Seems likely. The way they were subtly attacking each other just now—clearly jealous."

"I wonder which one Second Master prefers."

"Judging by his look, I’d say he hasn’t figured it out yet."

"I hope Second Master doesn’t marry that Miss Zhao. The First Lady may not be able to keep her in check."

"I’m more worried he’ll marry them both. Then our household’s inner court will be lively."

"……"