Chapter 130: If This Isn’t Love, Please Knock Me Out!

Chapter 130: If This Isn't Love, Please Knock Me Out!

Huo Chuan had been pampered and spoiled his whole life; when had he ever stooped so low?

If his allowance hadn't been taken away, would he have been reduced to begging for a meal?!

Some things shouldn't be dwelled upon; once you do, you feel an overwhelming sense of injustice, and tears start to fall from your heart, drop by drop!

Huo Chuan sniffled and picked up his phone to call Jian Li.

At first, Jian Yue hadn't paid much attention, thinking that Huo Chuan was just bluffing.

But the phone's speaker was leaking sound, and Jian Li's voice came through clearly.

Jian Yue immediately grabbed the phone and hung up, then glared at Huo Chuan,

"Is it really necessary? Just because I said I'd treat you to some snail noodles, you're going to tell on me?!"

Feeling annoyed, Jian Yue threw the phone back at Huo Chuan, "Fine, you win. What do you want to eat?"

"Beef fillet on an iron plate with rice!"

Huo Chuan's eyes lit up.

Jian Yue frowned, "That costs 20 yuan a serving."

"Ah," Huo Chuan sighed, "I know it's expensive. When my allowance is restored, I'll pay you back double, okay?"

Jian Yue hesitated for a moment, "What if we write a note as proof?"

Huo Chuan: "..."

Wait a minute,

I was just saying that casually, you’re actually going to make me do that?!

Jian Yue took out a piece of paper and a pen, and handed them over, "Write it down in detail, including all the meals you’ve freeloaded from me, and we’ll tally everything up."

Huo Chuan was amused but also irritated, snatching the pen, "Don’t worry,"

"I won’t owe you a single cent!"

Jian Yue’s lips curved and he glanced over with his arms folded, "Let’s hope so."

————

The call was suddenly cut off, leaving Jian Li puzzled as he stared at the screen. A voice beside him asked, "Did Huo Chuan call for something?"

"Yeah," Jian Li nodded, "He said Jian Yue is bullying him by taking him to eat luosifen every day."

"Luosifen is really delicious," Luo Wudi chimed in, "How can that be bullying?"

Jian Li smiled, "Maybe he isn’t used to the flavor? Or maybe it’s not authentic at the school canteen."

Turning to Huo Xiao, he asked, "Was your brother’s pocket money taken away? Is he really having trouble affording meals now?"

"That’s his punishment," Huo Xiao said with a more serious expression, "He’s been causing problems at school."

"Hey, which younger brother doesn’t go through a rebellious phase? I even have a nephew who often stuffs his underwear into my suitcase."

Yuan Feng interjected as he walked over.

Zhou Nan and Shi Huayi nodded in agreement,

"Jian Yue isn't an ordinary kid; he might just be the one to straighten out your brother."

"Maybe after a year, both of them will get into Tsinghua or Peking University..."

"Hold on," they turned their heads together, "you said your nephew puts what in your suitcase?!"

As they walked and chatted, a broadcast suddenly rang out overhead,

"Everyone out there, take note!"

"Our variety show is structured like an episodic series, with each task having its own storyline,"

"You're still in the arena, and you need to find the second task on your own!"

"Before nightfall, you must complete five tasks to find a place to stay for the night!"

The host stood atop the city wall, shouting through a megaphone,

There were about a hundred participants, and few seemed as relaxed as they did,

Climbing the rock face so quickly that no one could match them was one thing, but chatting casually once inside?!

How many other guests were still lingering outside the city walls?

How many of them failed at the climbing challenge, fell down, and had to start over again?!

And they don’t seem to cherish their progress at all, still loafing around?!

Isn't this infuriating?!

As the broadcast ended, Jian Li casually glanced back.

His gaze was piercing, causing the host to freeze, an unexplained fear rising. He picked up the microphone and spoke again,

"To remind you again,"

"There’s still some time before it gets dark, guests can plan their tasks as they see fit,"

"After completing, you can find the accommodation anytime."

"XSWL! Brother Li’s glance really packed a punch, the host’s attitude completely changed!"

"They shouldn’t have been rushed. If I’m not mistaken, Vendetta Squad was the first to enter the ancient city; some guests haven’t even made it to the city gate yet!"

"Didn’t you hear the earlier conversation? Brother Li’s brother and Brother Xiao’s brother are in the same class? They’re rivals who secretly admire each other? Can we ship them? Let us know!"

"Not yet, they haven’t even finished high school, let’s wait until they’re in the same university!"

"I’ve seen Jian Yue; even though the live stream wasn’t very clear, he’s definitely handsome! As for Brother Xiao’s brother, the strong genes are evident, he’s sure to be equally good-looking! If they stood together, they’d definitely make a great pair!"

"What, are we trying to balance everything? Is the Huo family planning to take everyone on?!"

"Who cares about balance, as long as they’re fun to ship!"

Jian Li retracted his gaze, and his gaze fell on the wooden board with the notice. The others also crowded over.

"Recently, a plague has been spreading in the city. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown. We urge the citizens to remain indoors as much as possible and minimize contact with others to ensure their own safety."

Yuan Feng finished reading and turned to the group. "Could our task be to resolve the plague?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a yamen runner NPC ran over.

"Are you the doctors Master invited?"

"Please follow me immediately."

"Master has been waiting in the manor for some time."

The yamen runner was very young, and his every move exuded an ancient elegance, clearly the result of years of training in traditional opera from a young age.

No wonder this variety show is known for its high standards. Even the NPCs are so meticulously crafted.

"Lead the way," Luo Wudi strode forward, her skirt revealing her thighs, looking quite cool.

The yamen runner paused for a moment. "Sir, did you encounter bandits on your way here? Is that why you're dressed so... disheveled?!"

Luo Wudi glanced down and said nonchalantly, "No, I tore it myself for convenience. It’s more convenient and cooler this way."

"You look quite hot too. Would you like me to help you...?"

The yamen runner hurriedly covered his chest. "No, thank you!"

Miss, you’re too bold; I can’t handle it!

Following the NPC, the Vendetta Squad arrived at the manor’s entrance.

As they climbed the stairs and crossed the threshold, they saw bodies covered in white cloth in the courtyard.

The yamen runner handed them masks to cover their nose and mouth. "To prevent infection, please wear these."

Whether there’s a plague or not, we must maintain appearances.

The Vendetta Squad put on the masks and walked past the corpses.

Suddenly!

A hand shot out from under the white cloth and grabbed Huo Xiao's ankle unexpectedly.

"Save—me—"

The yamen runner's eyes widened. "He's not dead!"

"He's grabbed you!"

"You'll be infected too—"

"You must be isolated immediately!"

He shouted dramatically, and suddenly many yamen runners appeared, drawing their swords and pointing them at Huo Xiao.

"Please come with us immediately!"

The situation on the scene changed drastically.

No one could react in time.

As Huo Xiao was slowly surrounded,

Just as the barrage of chat messages was about to mock the situation, Jian Li suddenly crouched down and directly pulled back the white sheet,

He slapped the stunned cheek with one hand, "Not dead, why are you faking your death?"

"Waiting to intentionally catch someone?"

With that, he stood up and took Huo Xiao's hand, "I’m infected now too,"

"Let’s go into quarantine together, then?"

AAAAAAAH—If this isn’t love, what is?! Please just kill me now!