OL CH48

Seeing Li Zixiu’s miserable state, Chen Tian finally felt slightly appeased. The corners of his lips curled into an arc, making it obvious at a glance that he was in a good mood.

However, he had also clearly seen the look in the other’s eyes before he left.

Judging by what happened, anyone would have thought that Li Zixiu had simply lost his footing and stumbled into the manure bucket by accident. Even if Li Zixiu felt something was amiss, he had no reason to connect it to Bai Su. Yet before leaving, this fellow had deliberately turned back, looking toward Bai Su with venomous resentment in his eyes. Clearly, he blamed this humiliation on his partner; it was pure misdirected anger.

One truly could not fathom how this person’s brain was wired. He only knew how to resent others, inventing a target when he could not find one, completely blind to his own shortcomings. Then again, a normal person would not do such disgusting things in the first place.

Chen Tian did not think much of such a person. If the man dared to make a move, he would naturally make him understand that some people were not to be trifled with, and that obstinacy always came with a price.

The leisurely Chen Tian failed to notice that beside him, Bai Su’s gaze lingered on his hand and smile before a glint of contemplation passed through his eyes.

On the other side, just as Chen Tian had thought, Li Zixiu’s heart was overflowing with hatred toward Bai Su.

He washed himself countless times at home, yet he still felt a strange stench clinging to his body. He felt that Bai Su was a curse upon his destiny; wherever Bai Su was, nothing good ever happened to him. Beyond the disgust of being doused in manure water, Li Zixiu could foresee that from now on, he would become the laughingstock and gossip of Li Family Village over tea and meals. Therefore, he shifted all of his unvented rage entirely onto Bai Su.

According to the original plot, Li Zixiu would have waited a while longer, hiring thugs to break Bai Su’s legs right before he attended the provincial examination. This time, however, having suffered such humiliation, his burning resentment drove him to plot evil against Bai Su much earlier.

Guessing that Li Zixiu was not a broad-minded man, Chen Tian paid even closer attention to Bai Su’s safety.

On this day, Bai Su planned to go to town to purchase some supplies. Upon hearing this, Chen Tian immediately said he wanted to go along.

Are you kidding? What if Li Zixiu hired people to target Xiao Bai ahead of time? Of course he had to stick close to protect his partner’s safety!

Considering that Chen Tian’s health had greatly improved and that he indeed needed a few new outfits made rather than always wearing his old robes, Bai Su nodded and agreed. However, before departing, he specifically had Chen Tian put on a veiled hat. Unlike a simple straw hat, a veiled hat featured a hanging curtain of gauze that completely hid Chen Tian’s appearance.

His reasoning was still the same: the hot weather, worrying about his health, and so forth.

Chen Tian had always listened to his partner. With just a few casual words from Bai Su, he obediently put it on, rewarded by the satisfied expression on his lover’s face. Seeing that stunning countenance hidden beneath the hat, the corners of Bai Su’s mouth curved upward, and he set out with Chen Tian in peace of mind.

Because they had to catch an ox cart, the two woke up very early. By the time they arrived in town, the marketplace was already bustling.

Bai Su first brought Chen Tian to the bookstore, planning to withdraw some silver. But once Chen Tian followed Bai Su inside, he did not know whether to marvel at fate or what. From his memories, Chen Tian easily recognized that the bookstore Bai Su collaborated with was actually one of the local branch contacts set up by the original host, Huo Tianchen.

The area of Li Family Village and Anping Town was not far from the border. Huo Tianchen was a cautious man, so he had established his own subordinates across various regions to prepare for any eventuality.

After taking some silver at the bookstore, Bai Su walked over to browse the shelves. Seeing the young man engrossed in the books, Chen Tian quickly stepped beside the old shopkeeper and lifted the veil of his hat, letting the other see his face clearly.

“S-Second Young Master! Why are you here?” The old shopkeeper’s eyes widened in shock, staring at Chen Tian with a trembling voice.

Chen Tian made a shushing gesture, indicating that he would come find him later. Once Bai Su was mostly done browsing, Chen Tian left with him for the time being.

Watching the backs of Chen Tian and Bai Su leaving, the old shopkeeper’s eyes turned red with excitement. He hurriedly called over a servant boy and whispered in his ear, “Quick, send word to Young General Qi! Say that the Second Young Master is safe and sound, currently in Anping Town!”

On the other side, after leaving the bookstore, Bai Su took Chen Tian to a clothing shop. He meticulously selected many outfits for Chen Tian, every single one made of fine fabric.

Noticing that his partner was only wearing an ordinary cotton robe, Chen Tian quickly stopped his hands from picking more, urging, “Suzhi, I can’t possibly wear so many clothes. As for you, you should have added a few new ones long ago.”

Bai Su nodded and did not refuse, but he was clearly not as invested when selecting for himself, casually picking out two ordinary sets and leaving it at that. Anxious, Chen Tian took matters into his own hands and personally selected several fine sets for Bai Su before being satisfied.

Having bought the clothes, the two strolled along the storefronts, purchasing quite a few items in large and small packages. Halfway through, however, Chen Tian noticed several people tailing them quietly from a short distance behind.

Their footsteps were erratic and sounded devoid of martial training, clearly not belonging to the First Prince’s subordinates. He just did not know whether they were random highway robbers or if there was some other plot.

Not wanting to wait for them to strike, after buying the seasonings, Chen Tian took the initiative to take Bai Su’s hand, deliberately heading in a secluded direction.

Seeing his hand being held, Bai Su’s eyes shone with delight, allowing Chen Tian to lead him. Though he did not know what Chen Tian intended, he was willing to follow wherever this person led.

However, as the path grew increasingly remote, Bai Su also sensed something was off. Just as they turned into a deserted alley, seven or eight men suddenly emerged from behind, catching up swiftly and blocking them inside the shadowy corridor.

An occasional passerby glanced over and thought to help, but upon seeing the thugs’ ferocious countenances, they were frightened away, eager to avoid trouble.

Faced with this situation, Bai Su’s immediate reaction was to step forward, shielding Chen Tian behind him. Maintaining a calm demeanor, he smiled at the men and said, “Brothers, might I ask what business you have with us?”

Hearing Bai Su speak, the men let out jarring laughter, closing in step by step until the two were completely surrounded.

Bai Su knew no martial arts and saw that breaking out was impossible. He could only lean close to Chen Tian and whisper in his ear, “In a moment, I will hold them off. Find a chance and run!”

After speaking, as if worried Chen Tian would refuse, he hurriedly added, “Go to the yamen and find people to rescue me. Otherwise, with just the two of us, staying will only put you at a disadvantage!”

How could Chen Tian not guess Bai Su’s thoughts? The man clearly wanted to endure these thugs alone so that Chen Tian could escape.

Yet let alone the fact that he did not care about these ruffians in the slightest, even if he truly could not beat them, he would still be the one holding the line while Bai Su went for help!

Thinking of this, Chen Tian reached out and clasped Bai Su’s hand, giving his palm a reassuring squeeze. Seeing that these men were focused entirely on Bai Su, a cold light flashed in Chen Tian’s eyes. Reaching up, he pulled off the veiled hat in one swift motion.

Bai Su was startled and hurriedly urged, “What are you doing? Put the hat back on quickly!”

But it was already too late; Chen Tian’s true features were fully revealed.

The men opposite gasped in unison, their gazes turning thoroughly covetous.

“Boss, I never expected to run into such a top-grade catch! The brothers really struck gold today!” a man with a bulbous nose said lewdly.

A dark-faced man frowned, puzzled. “What kind of luck is that? No matter how pretty the face is, he’s still a bloke.”

“What’s wrong with being a bloke? With a face like that, you’re not losing out either way! Fourth Brother, if you don’t want in, then there won’t be a share for you later!”

The bulbous-nosed man sneered at the remark, his gaze on Chen Tian dripping with disgusting lust.

Seeing this, Bai Su felt half his heart turn cold. With a chilling face, he stared at the bulbous-nosed man, wishing he could gouge out the bastard’s eyes. Bai Su had been trying his best to assess their surroundings and knew escape was unlikely, which filled him with secret resentment.

If he had known today would put Zichen in danger, he never would have brought him along. It was his own fault for being careless. If he harmed Zichen today, he would never rest in peace even in death!

However, if these people were merely after money…

Feeling the pouch in his chest pocket, Bai Su decisively pulled it out and tossed it over. Addressing the men, he said, “All my silver is in there. Since you are only after money, surely you won’t make things difficult for us.”

Unexpectedly, the leader laughed aloud the moment he finished speaking.

“Extra silver is always welcome, but you crossed someone. Somebody already paid us to deal with you. Today, you must leave a leg behind!”

“As for this little beauty, hehehe, that’s an unexpected bonus no amount of silver could buy!”

Hearing these words, Bai Su felt a cold chill run through his whole body, his blood seemingly freezing in his veins. It turned out it was because of him that Zichen had been dragged into this!

At the thought that his sweetheart might be harmed, Bai Su clenched his fists, eyes bloodshot. He braced himself, ready to fight these men to the death regardless of the consequences.

Chen Tian naturally sensed the tension in Bai Su’s body and quickly squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.

Having had enough of the barking dogs in front of him, Chen Tian did not bother wasting words. Amid the mocking chuckles of the group, he stepped forward and delivered an unexpected kick that sent the leader crashing to the ground.

After that, the narrow alley turned into his personal stage.

The man’s robes fluttered as his agile figure moved like an alpha wolf, weaving through the crowd and taking them down one by one with ease. Because the space was so tight, the thugs were even more powerless to fight back, unable to escape even if they wanted to.

Within just a few breaths, every last one was floored by Chen Tian. Each of them had swollen black eyes and bloody mouths, having lost at least a few teeth.

“Hmph. If you can’t control your eyes and mouths, your grandpa will manage them for you. Consider this your punishment for spouting filth!”

Chen Tian’s cold snort finally snapped Bai Su back to reality.

He stared in shock at the scene before him, having never imagined Chen Tian’s martial prowess was this formidable. These thugs were burly and broad-shouldered, clearly not easy to deal with. He had thought they would never escape today, yet against Zichen, the men were utterly helpless, on the receiving end of a one-sided beatdown.

Finally breathing a sigh of relief, Bai Su looked at the striking man standing before him, his heart burning hot once again.

Captivated by Chen Tian’s bearing, Bai Su stood transfixed for a moment. When he came to his senses, a faint blush stained the tips of his ears.

He then remembered what he had noticed days earlier. That day, when Li Zixiu spoke disrespectfully to him, Chen Tian seemed to make a subtle move, after which Li Zixiu fell into the manure bucket and suffered a miserable fate. Though observant, Bai Su was not a martial artist himself; he had merely guessed that Chen Tian might have used some hidden projectile to humiliate Li Zixiu like that.

Still, he lacked a true grasp of high-level martial arts. Even knowing Chen Tian had some skill, he had worried the man could not handle seven or eight burly thugs at once. He never anticipated that this person was far more powerful than he could have envisioned.

Meanwhile, Chen Tian straightened his back, doing his utmost to showcase his finest posture to his sweetheart.

During the fight, he had intentionally used the cleanest, most attractive moves.

This round of hero saving the beauty was thoroughly nailed in both swagger and style!

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Author’s Note:

Chen Tian: Wife, wasn’t I handsome? (winks)

(009: A boss who is obsessed with playing the hero saving the beauty and acting cool in every single world… I wonder if collecting seven hero-saving-the-beauty moments will summon a divine dragon.)